With colorful Hawaiian, Tahitian and Mexican dances and music, speeches led by Mayor Virginia Madueno and a ribbon cutting organized by Chamber of Commerce director Daryl Daniel, the Cultural Center of Riverbank staged a formal opening and fundraiser in the Plaza del Rio on Saturday.
Visitors crowded the downtown plaza on Aug. 13 to watch the dancing, hear music on the outdoor stage by artists from the Bay Area, tour the adjacent center and register for its classes in dance, music and the arts. Zuhey Perez of Riverbank won the raffle prize of a three-month membership.
"It was a fun time, a huge festivity and chance for family and friends to tour the center," said its director Araceli Delgado, who brought her family members Francisco and Raquel Mendez and Maria Elena Teran from Mexico to join in for the formal opening.
Folklorico dancers from the Cultural Center and the city's Community Center directed by Norma Torres Manriquez kicked off the festivities and were followed by Hawaiian dancers from the Center.
Visiting musicians such as Aldon Sanders, James Bent, Amado Tuazon, Alex Medeiros, Rick Delgado and Gina Gallegos joined the Delgado family onstage. Paul and Joy of Modesto contributed Tahitian Percussions and Darvette Abatte brought guest entertainers from Manteca.
Throughout the plaza and in the Center, teachers showcased their talents, Araceli Delgado in Hawaiian dance, Joaquin Cano on the guitar, Francisco Garibay in singing and piano and Tamara Garibay in jewelry design and Mexican art. Adriana Guevara demonstrated recyclable arts, Sarah Sherbert sign language and Tanya and Dayana Manzo their cartoon drawing.
The Center will be holding registration for all its activities on a consistent basis, offering family specials and continuously fundraising for a special coffer called "plant a seed of art" to fund scholarships for local students.
The Center is a non-profit organization and invites donations that are tax deductible. Potential donors are invited to call 209-543-4068 for more information.
Visitors crowded the downtown plaza on Aug. 13 to watch the dancing, hear music on the outdoor stage by artists from the Bay Area, tour the adjacent center and register for its classes in dance, music and the arts. Zuhey Perez of Riverbank won the raffle prize of a three-month membership.
"It was a fun time, a huge festivity and chance for family and friends to tour the center," said its director Araceli Delgado, who brought her family members Francisco and Raquel Mendez and Maria Elena Teran from Mexico to join in for the formal opening.
Folklorico dancers from the Cultural Center and the city's Community Center directed by Norma Torres Manriquez kicked off the festivities and were followed by Hawaiian dancers from the Center.
Visiting musicians such as Aldon Sanders, James Bent, Amado Tuazon, Alex Medeiros, Rick Delgado and Gina Gallegos joined the Delgado family onstage. Paul and Joy of Modesto contributed Tahitian Percussions and Darvette Abatte brought guest entertainers from Manteca.
Throughout the plaza and in the Center, teachers showcased their talents, Araceli Delgado in Hawaiian dance, Joaquin Cano on the guitar, Francisco Garibay in singing and piano and Tamara Garibay in jewelry design and Mexican art. Adriana Guevara demonstrated recyclable arts, Sarah Sherbert sign language and Tanya and Dayana Manzo their cartoon drawing.
The Center will be holding registration for all its activities on a consistent basis, offering family specials and continuously fundraising for a special coffer called "plant a seed of art" to fund scholarships for local students.
The Center is a non-profit organization and invites donations that are tax deductible. Potential donors are invited to call 209-543-4068 for more information.
