Lesher Center for the Arts
WALNUT CREEK, CA – A vibrant week-long celebration of Latin American arts and culture comes to the Lesher Center for the Arts with Fiesta Cultural, offering internationally-acclaimed music, dance, comedy, and a free street fair.
This exciting series of free and ticketed events will take place from July 16 – 20, 2024, at the Lesher Center for the Arts, located at 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek. Brought to the community by the Diablo Regional Arts Association and Lesher Center Presents, the festival kicks off with an interactive Paint a Frida Workshop at the Lesher Center’s Bedford Gallery (July 16, 5:30pm), the world-renowned Ballet Hispánico (July 17, 7:30pm), a special morning concert from the Latin Grammy Award-winning family-friendly bilingual indie music stars Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band (July 18, 10am), traditional Colombian music in a free, outdoor concert with Chika Di (July 18, 5:30pm), and New York-style salsa by the acclaimed Spanish Harlem Orchestra (July 19, 7:30pm).
The final day of the festival includes a free, all day street fair (July 20, noon – 7pm) with fun for all ages featuring live music, dance, food, and activities celebrating the diverse cultures of Latin America, and culminates with the closing event, an evening of laughter with the Best of San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy: Latinx Comedy Night (July 20, 7:30pm). For tickets and detailed information, visit LCArts.org/Fiesta or call the box office at (925) 943-7469 (open Wed-Sun, 12-6pm).
Fiesta Cultural is proudly supported by an honorary host committee of local community and business leaders including Dr. Ken Grullon, Diana Carlos, Rolla Ghaben, Rich Gomez, Carolina Katz, and Kevin Sánchez. The steering committee for this event features leading artists and arts leaders including Javier Cabanillas, Emilee Enders, Carolyn Jackson, Markus Potter, Susana Sanchez, Ed Trujillo, Peggy White, and Alex Moore. Sponsors of the festival include Kaiser Permanente, Lesher Foundation, NBC Bay Area, and Telemundo Area de la Bahía 48. The Fiesta
Cultural Street Fair is sponsored by Chevron. Print media sponsor for this event is the San Francisco Chronicle.
“The arts have long been recognized for their power to connect individuals and heal communities,” says Dr. Ken Grullon, Kaiser Permanente Physician-in-Chief in the Diablo Service Area. “At Kaiser Permanente, we know that part of being healthy is balancing everyday demands and doing what makes you happy. I am delighted to be the Honorary Chair of Fiesta Cultural and help bring the diversity of Latin arts to the Diablo Region – there is so much to share!”
Complete Events List
Paint a Frida Workshop – 5:30pm, Tuesday, July 16
Novice or experienced painters are invited to unlock their inner artist and explore the rich world of Frida Kahlo at Bedford Gallery’s Paint a Frida Workshop. This guided workshop offers a unique opportunity to delve into Kahlo’s iconic style and vibrant spirit while painting a Frida portrait to take home. Attendees will enjoy light Mexican fare, margaritas, and beer while a skilled instructor provides personalized guidance and tips to enhance everyone’s painting tool kit. All supplies provided.
Ballet Hispánico – 7:30pm, Wednesday, July 17
Recently selected by the Ford Foundation as one of America’s Cultural Treasures, Ballet Hispánico will perform vibrant works from renowned choreographers. Known for their rousing celebrations of Latin fierceness and fun romps through iconic big band hits, Ballet Hispánico was described by The New York Times as “imbued with invention, humor, and spontaneity” and by The Washington Post as “dazzlingly varied and spectacularly executed.” At this performance, Ballet Hispánico will present Sombrerísmo, choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. Inspired by the surrealist world of Belgian painter René Magritte, famous for his paintings of men in bowler hats, Sombrerísimo references the iconic sombreros found throughout the world that help to represent culture. Also, on the program is Buscando a Juan, choreographed by Ballet Hispánico Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro. This work is inspired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Juan de Pareja: Afro Hispanic Painter exhibition and originally premiered as a site-specific work at The Met. This dance, a MetLiveArts commission, explores the “sancocho”—literally, mixed soup—of cultures and diasporas. Lastly, Ballet Hispánico will perform 18+1 choreographed by Gustavo Ramírez Sansano. This piece celebrates Sansano’s 19 years as a choreographer, capturing the vulnerability, care, and hope inherent in each artistic endeavor. With subtle humor and electric choreography, the movement merges with the playful rhythms of Pérez Prado’s mambo music.
Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band – 10:00am, Thursday, July 18
Parents with younger children will enjoy crafty lyrics with irresistibly fresh pop beats from Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band, whose Latin GRAMMY® award-winning bilingual songs explore the wonder and joy of childhood. The husband-and-wife team of Lucky Diaz and Alisha Gaddis, creates hip-shaking, head-bopping indie music for kids, described by The
Washington Post as a “Los Angeles–based explosion of ‘kindie’ rock.” They have received numerous accolades, including GRAMMY® nominations in 2022 and 2023, four Latin GRAMMY nominations with two wins, and six Emmy nominations with one win for their PBS show “Lishy Lou and Lucky Too.”
Summer Sounds: Chika Di – 5:30pm, Thursday, July 18
Hailing from Colombia, Diana Trujillo, known as Chika Di, brings her soulful celebration of Latin music’s essence to the Lesher Center. From rocking out in Medellin to joining the salsa scene in the Bay Area, Chika Di brought an authentic Colombian voice to the band, La Misa Negra. Co-writing hits like “Duena de Mi,” her talent earned placements on Netflix’s “Gentefied” and Starz’ “Vida.” Touring North America for over a decade, she ventured into her solo career in 2020, fusing Latin, electronic, Afro, and pop influences. With five releases and appearances in popular TV series and films like “Euphoria” and “Beautiful Wedding,” Chika Di‘s music transcends borders. Summer Sounds performances are free and take place on Rudney Plaza, outside the Lesher Center. Tickets are not required.
Spanish Harlem Orchestra – 7:30pm, Friday, July 19
The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, a three-time GRAMMY® winning Salsa and Latin Jazz band, epitomizes excellence in authentic New York-style salsa. Known for their high-energy performances and musical precision, the thirteen-member ensemble delivers an unparalleled musical experience. Celebrating 20 years, Spanish Harlem Orchestra is dedicated to preserving and expanding the legacy of salsa dura (hard salsa) with a raw, organic sound that appeals to both Latin music aficionados and general music lovers. With eight CDs and five GRAMMY® nominations, their 2018 album “Anniversary” won the GRAMMY® for Best Tropical Album, and their latest release, “Imágenes Latinas,” continues to honor the genre’s rich history while introducing fresh, innovative compositions.
Fiesta Cultural Street Fair – 12pm to 7pm, Saturday, July 20
Saturday afternoon brings a free street fair, emceed by Bay Area comedian Mean Dave, offering music, dance, food, activities, and more from the diverse cultures of Latin America. See website for a full list of performances and participants.
Best of San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy: Latinx Comedy Night – 7:30pm, Saturday, July 20
Fiesta Cultural concludes with Latinx Comedy Night, presented by Best of San Francisco Stand-up. This electrifying showcase features top Latinx comedians from the Bay Area and beyond, including Mean Dave, Ashley Monique, Alejandro Ochoa, Rudy Ortiz, and Frida Sierra.
INFORMATION: For tickets or more information, the public can visit www.lesherartscenter.org or call the box office at (925) 943-7469 (open Wednesdays through Sundays, 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.).
