Celebrate Cinco de Mayo & American Jazz with Carol Weitner

Sunday, May 5, 3 pm
St. John's Church

Concerts by the Pond presents St. John's own organist, Dr. Carol Weitner, performing a special concert celebrating Cinco de Mayo and American jazz. Featuring compositions by Mexican composer Ramón Noble, American composers William Allbright and George Gershwin and Canadian composer Denis Bédard. Be sure not to miss this exciting program!

Donation: $20 adults, students and children free.

About Cinco de Mayo

On May 5, 1862, a small and ill-equipped Mexican army in the city of Puebla, Mexico, bravely defeated an invading French army double its size. Even though a year later another French army returned and won a victory, ultimately all French designs on Mexico came to nought. Since then, the Battle of Puebla has remained a symbol of Mexican national pride and unity.

Mexican Americans had commemorated the battle of cinco de mayo since 1863, but only during the Chicano movement of the 1960's did spirited celebrations of the day spread across the country. The Chicano movement had formed in the United States to address issues of discrimination against Mexican Americans, and to celebrate Mexican culture. When the movement’s leaders looked to history for a day of great Mexican pride, they chose May 5, 1862.

Today, Cinco de Mayo celebrations bring the best of Mexican art, food and music to Paris, New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, as well as across the United States.