p a r a m o u n t
PULSE BEAT
August 2019 • Published monthly by the Paramount Chamber of Commerce (paramountchamber.com) • Serving the community since 1947
Latinas festival features art, dancing
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PULSE BEAT
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Photos by Huy Le
hree days of colorful arts and crafts, great food, swirling skirts, pounding boots, kicked-up dust, jumping, turning, cavorting and plenty of joyous smiling from both adults and children: it was the Paramount-based Latinas Art Foundation’s annual festival at Paramount Park. The Art Festival was held on July 19, and it included not only beautiful artwork on display and for sale, but also a special visit from members of the Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders. The International Dance Convention followed on July 20 and 21. The well-attended event featured a wide variety of dance exhibitions and classes ranging from traditional to contemporary styles. Talented teachers shared their dance expertise, including Juan Gil Tadeo Martinez: Calabaceado and Aguascaliente; Octavio Gutierrez: Técnica RaZa and Sones de Occidente; Briana Hernandez: Salsa; Abigial Arelis Valdez: Tecnica Contemporána Folklorico and Sinaloa; Yolanda Preciado: Tamualipas and Querétaro; Nateli M. Ruiz: Contemporary; Monica Ashibi: Hip-hop; Violeta Anderson: African Dance; and Britania Manzanares: Polka Norte de Nicaragua and Bailes de Nicaragua. A highlight of the event took place when 10 separate dance teams—including 75 children—gathered in the early evening for the Vaquereada, the largest group dance in the lively Calabaceado style ever held in the Los Angeles area. Juan Gil Tadeo Martinez from Baja California choreographed this very special dance exhibition that showcased rapid and complex steps, jumps, turns and kicks originally popularized by vaqueros. Latinas Art Foundation Executive Director Danaly Perez thanked all the volunteers and sponsors who helped make this year’s festival such a great success. “Cultural art awareness brings elders and youth together to learn, create and change,” she said. “The Latinas Art Festival is a effort to engage the community in learning new skills and encouraging self-esteem, sense of identity and belonging. Community members gather at cultural festivals to better understand each other and gain insight into the history of others.” Latinas Art Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports arts education and encourages study and appreciation of Latino arts and culture. The organization strives to empower women and girls while educating the community. The foundation supports scholarship programs, research, conservation, exhibitions and events. For more information, visit latinasartfoundation.org or call 562-895-3120. (See additional festival photos on page 14.)
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From the Mayor’s Desk.................................................................3
SELA Art Festival at the LA River........................................7
Public Safety.......................................................................................4
Ambassadors of Compassion Program............................8
Paramount Chamber of Commerce PEP Talk: Public transit passes for college students..........4 15357 Paramount Boulevard City Council news...........................................................................5 Coyotes in Paramount...................................................................5 Paramount, California 90723 Membership Renewals & Calendar of Events.....................6 Telephone: 562-634-3980 Employment Opportunities .......................................................6 100-mile Marathon Runners........................................................7 paramountchamber.com
Ribbon-cutting Ceremonies................................................10 Business Corner.......................................................................12 Business Card Directory........................................................13 Latinas Art Festival photos (continued)........................14 CityScape.....................................................................................15 Annual Poker Tournament on September 27..............16