El Grito in Charlotte

On Sunday, I went to McAlpine Creek Park in Charlotte for an event organized by the local Spanish radio stations. "El Grito" is modeled after ceremonies and festivities that happen across Mexico on the evening of September 15. Around midnight on this day in 1810 the priest Miguel Hidalgo gave the cry that started the movement that eventually led to Mexico's independence from Spain. 200 years later, Mexican immigrants in North Carolina celebrate this legacy with music, dance, food, and a bit of pagaentry. Here are some photos with commentary.

Grupo Apasionado opened up the day. They were passable.



Alejandro Galvez brings handmade toys for kids of all ages to play with in his Juguetelandia.



Local dance group Cielito Lindo performed some folkloric dances.





Salazar Band played a competent set. They kept up the energy and sang a few extra to fill time for a band that cancelled.



Afterwards they posed backstage:



Rey Norteno took the stage and played some corridos. I think these guys show potential.





A local mariachi band waiting backstage...



And then onstage-



Local promotor Alex Ruiz lipsynched his way through a set. Enough said.



By late afternoon, the crowd was filed in...





Mexican Consul Carlos Flores Vizcarra gave the grito and raised the flag



Lalo Mora (formerly of Los Invasores de Nuevo Leon) was the headliner. He has a voice Janis Joplin would have killed for- gritty with undertones of tequila. He worked the crowd and any women he could find nearby.





La Raza