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A fiesta for all

By SHARON KENNEDY WYNNE
Published May 5, 2005

Cinco de Mayo is turning into another St. Patrick's Day, a celebration of another country's heroics that any ethnicity seems happy to join.

And doesn't the date this year - 05/05/05 - make it more fun?

Across the Tampa Bay area today, lots of folks are throwing fiestas.

The Cinco de Mayo tradition in the United States started in the 1960s as a celebration for the Mexican community. It commemorates the 1862 Battle of Puebla, when the Mexican army defeated the French, a victory that is credited with helping the Union win the U.S. Civil War by keeping the French from supplying the Confederates.

Clearwater had its big party last weekend in Coachman Park. Above, Ballet Maquilxochilt dancers performed a traditional Mexican hat dance during the 2002 Coachman Park celebration.

But Dunedin is planning a blowout today, closing off Main Street. There will be music by Orquesta Infinidad, a 10-piece salsa band, free salsa and merengue dance lessons, magician-illusionist Cesar Domico and food from Casa Tina served festival-style outside or with table service inside. The party runs from 5 to 11 p.m. on Main Street between Douglas Avenue and the Pinellas Trail, downtown. It's free.

At Viva la Frida Cafe y Galeria in Tampa's Seminole Heights, a nightspot that is a shrine to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, Aztec dancer Lucia Diaz and her family will perform traditional dances tonight. Luis Rivera-Freire (whose heritage, appropriately enough for this holiday, is Mexican-French) will perform on the marimba. Viva La Frida is at 5901 N Florida Ave. (813) 231-9199.

And a new Latin First Friday is getting started with a Cinco celebration on Friday. The Latin networking event is at Club Diesel, 238 S Franklin St., Tampa, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. There's no cover, and a complimentary buffet will be provided by Mambo's Cafe, with music by Vaya DJ. (727) 518-0416.

[Last modified May 3, 2005, 14:10:06]