Countywide : County Celebrates Mexican Culture

Male dancers stomped in rhythm and female dancers swayed, dancing a nortena , before about 300 UC Irvine students and guest schoolchildren Thursday at UC Irvine’s Cinco de Mayo celebration.

The performance by Ballet Folklorico de UCI, made up of about a dozen students, was among events held all through the week at the university. The week has been “a time to celebrate the richness and beauty of Mexican culture,� said Corina Espinoza, director of the Cross-Cultural Center.

Elsewhere in Orange County, students watched “The Mecha Mural Play,� at Rancho Santiago College or discussed the historical Battle of Puebla, the event that spawned the Cinco de Mayo holiday, at Cal State Fullerton. Mariachi bands and music were prominent at campuses and restaurants throughout the county.

But in downtown Santa Ana, one Cinco de Mayo celebration was canceled Thursday due to concerns that the chaos in Los Angeles’ Cinco de Mayo festival last weekend would be repeated, organizers said.

Various performers and sponsors pulled out “because they thought of rain and riot,� said Roy Jimenez, member of the Plaza Action Committee, which had planned the entertainment for 2nd and 4th streets.

But the committee hopes to have world beat music, rock, Spanish and banda playing on 2nd Street beginning at noon Saturday, he said.

Also on Saturday in San Clemente, a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta will offer rodeo ropers, food, games, exhibits and a car show in Max Berg Plaza Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. After the free fiesta, the San Clemente Community Center will have a dance from 7 to 11 p.m. Information: (714) 361-8264.

In San Juan Capistrano that same day, the Cinco de Mayo Celebration will feature Ballet Folklorico, Aztec dancers, food and mariachis from 5 to 8:15 p.m. in the La Sala Auditorium of the San Juan Capistrano Library. Admission is free. Information: (714) 493-5911.