The sounds of a Gaita flute or the smell of tacos al pastor are things typically reserved for the distant lands of Central and South America. But come Sunday, the foreign flavors of these nations will be in the streets of downtown Norman for a the city's third annual Hispanic Heritage Festival.

The cultural celebration, set to start at 2 p.m., has proven to be a local hit, doubling its turnout every year, said Gary Kramer, Public Information Officer for the Norman Public Library, the event's sponsor.

"We got a good response, and of course the music and food blew everyone away because they're so much fun," he said.

Street vendors will offer foods from countries including Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and the Caribbean. This style of outdoor dining is common in Latin America, and Kramer said he thinks it's ideal for seasoned fans of the fare, as well as first-time samplers.

Hispanic Festival



o The festival will take place on Sunday and begin at 2 p.m.



o Art will be hung in the Norman Public Library while vendors will setup outside.



o More than 2,500 people are expected to attend the third annual event.



Source: Gary Kramer

Franz Mutis, architecture graduate student, said he thinks no Hispanic celebration would be complete without music and dancing. He said he's looking forward to performances by six local bands that will provide a musical medley of Salsa, Samba, Mariachi, Vallenato and traditional South American folk.

With 2,500 people expected to attend, event planners said they knew the festival would need plenty of space for dancing.

In order to accommodate the need for room, the City of Norman agreed to close one block of Webster Street, just outside the library.

But there won't just be dancing in the streets. Los Ninos de Espana y Mexico, a local dance group, will take the stage to perform traditional dances from Spain, like flamenco, and from Mexico, such as Folklorico.

Mutis and his band, Tierradentro, will serenade dancers and spectators alike with Vallenato--a type of music popular in Colombia.

Mutis said his love for this music and the celebratory spirit behind it translated into artistic inspirations. His artwork, which mostly portrays Latin party scenes, will be on display inside the library along with paintings by three other Hispanic artists.

"I hope they see the flavor of Latin culture in my work. Latin people are always wanting to have a good time and enjoy life," he said. "I paint people in life doing the things I enjoy doing."

Yoana Samper de Walschap, executive director of the Sarkeys Energy Center, will also perform with her band, Alma Latina, and display her handmade seed jewelry. She said she hopes the festivals' variety showcases the diversity of Latinos.

"In Oklahoma, people tend to think if we speak Spanish, we're Mexican," she said. "The culture is very different from one country to the next, and we want to show that. That's why we included groups from other countries. We also want them (audience) to have an experience of different flavors, music and sight."
hello there & you too