Viva Quad Cities Fiesta
Isle of Capri in Bettendorf $6
"Thousands attend a festival to celebrate Hispanic Culture" was the headlines of the Daily Dispatch a day after VIVA Quad Cities FIESTA, September 18, 1993. VIVA Quad Cities Fiesta was created in 1993 by the efforts of the City of Moline, Paul Stewart(Moline Second Ward Alderman), Mayor Stan Leach, Alderman Barb Sandberg, Teresa Camarillo, Florencio Mier, Western Illinois University Hipsanic Program, and others.
The first FIESTA was held at the John Deere Tech Center, Moline. The mission of the Fiesta focused on the importance of education. A Hispanic Essay Contest was created to have Hispanic students write "What Means to be Hispanic". Paola Morales won the contest. The initial FIESTA's proceeds were to be used for scholarships for Hispanic students in the community. A program booklet was created to raise funds for the event. Community businesses were invited to donate for the event and also were invited to advertise in the initial program. Also, a race was held before the FIESTA began. The first event ran from noon to midnight. The Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico, Mariache Guadalajara and Mexican Bands entertained the public. Local performers represented the countries of Mexico, Spain, Ecuador, Chile, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Peru. Stands were decorated and prizes were given to the best decorated stand. Admission was $2 for adults and children free.
The all day FIESTA demonstrated the growing diversity and vitality of the Hispanic community in the Quad-Cities. Food booths, arts and crafts, live entertainment were the highlight of the all day event. Families came to spend all day to enjoy a full day of entertainment. - From their press release.
Los Mocambos at Starlight Revue August 9th, 2005
2005 Band Lineup
Friday, September 9
5:00 - 6:30pm Los Mocambos
6:30 - 6:45pm DJ Estrella
6:45 - 8:00pm Los Mocambos
8:00 - 8:15pm DJ Estrella
8:15 - 9:45pm Smooth Groove
9:45 - 10:00pm DJ Estrella
10:00 - 11:30pm Smooth Groove
Saturday, September 10
3:00 - 4:00pm Sonido Estrella
4:00 - 4:45pm Ballet Folklorico Nacional de Chicago
4:45 - 5:30pm Gypsy Influence
5:30 - 6:15pm Mariachi Perla de Mexico
6:15 - 7:00pm Ballet Folklorico Nacional de Chicago
7:00 - 7:30pm Scholarship Presentation
7:30 - 8:15pm Gypsy Influence
8:15 - 9:00pm Mariachi Perla de Mexico
9:00 - 9:15pm Pinata Winners
9:15 - 10:0pm Mariachi Perla de Mexico
10:00 - 10:15pm Sonido Estrella
10:15 - 11:30pm Grupo Zeus
Band Descriptions
From their press release.
Los Mocambos
Musical group of 3 or 4 different instruments. They dazzle you with romantic music, designed especially for your musical enjoyment. The music they play is hugely popular throughout Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. Their music has its basis in the ever famous Los Pancheros which originated in New York.
Gypsy Influence
Gypsy Influence brings the modern rumba flamenco style to Chicago. 5 musicians form the band with instruments including flamenco guitars, a bass guitar, percussion, and a keyboard to create a magical rhythm that makes everyone in the crowd get up and dance.
Alberto Alvarez, founder of the band has been a Gypsy Kings fan since 1988, the source of his inspiration to form the band with this gypsy style back in 2003. He is the lead singer, keyboardist and lead guitarist of the band. "Ever since a heard the Gypsy Kings back when I was only 9 years old, I wanted to play like them. Now my dream came true with Gypsy Influence and will always love the Gypsy Rumba music, it’Äôs just in my blood." Salvador Castillo, Juan Castillo and Rafael Castillo joined Alberto to form the band. Not knowing the music, they became attracted to it when they heard Alberto play the flamenco rumba style. Immediately, the idea to form a band with such style became a reality. Later on another guitarist, Raul Juarez joined Gypsy Influence to give the band a much fuller flamenco sound. Gypsy Influence will just continue to bring joy to people who like any kind of music. Their style will always override anything.
DJ Estrella
The Sonido Estrella Family started in 1991 back in Tabasco, Zacatecas Mexico by Mariano's uncle Marcos Gutierrez. Four years later Rolando Gutierrez, another uncle started Mini Sonido Estrella. In February of 1999, Mariano and Javier Perez started Sonido Estrella here in the Quad Cities, after taking the advice of his uncle after he had seen his huge collection of cd's. They were the first DJ's to start in the Quad Cities. Sonido Estrella has played with bands like Banda Machos, Banda Limon, Grupo Exterminador, K-paz de la Sierra, Lalo Mora, Fito Olivares, Patrulla 81 and their great friends Montez de Durango just to name a few. They have traveled as far east as Indiana and as far west as Des Moines. Mariano plays all types of music for all occasions: banda, cumbia, ranchera, salsa, meringue, bachata and American music etc...Due to popularity and demand in 2002, Mariano's cousin Manny Ice started Super Sonido Estrella in Chicago.
Mariachi Perla
Mariachi Perla de Mexico was founded in 1997 by 7 members, since then the group has grown to 11 members which include 5 violins, 3 trumpets, bass(guitarron), vihuela (small guitar), and guitar. The music played is a wide variety of folkloric music from Mexico, zarzuelas from Spain, and a bit of classical as well.
2004 Band Lineup
- Sept 10: 4:30 - 5:30pm Los Mocambos
- Sept 10: 5:30 - 6:30pm Gypsy Influence
- Sept 10: 6:30 - 7:30pm Los Mocambos
- Sept 10: 7:30 - 8:30pm Gypsy Influence
- Sept 10: 8:30 - 9:30pm Orquesta Universidad de Veracruz
- Sept 10: 9:30 - 10:00pm Gypsy Influence
- Sept 10: 10:00 - 11:00pm Orquesta Universidad de Veracruz
- Sept 11: 4:00 - 5:00pm Mariachi Guadalajara
- Sept 11: 5:00 - 6:00pm Realidad
- Sept 11: 6:00 - 6:45pm Mariachi Guadalajara with Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico
- Sept 11: 6:45 - 7:30pm Orquesta Universidad de Veracruz
- Sept 11: 7:30 - 8:15pm Smooth Groove
- Sept 11: 8:15 - 9:00pm Orquesta Universidad de Veracruz
- Sept 11: 9:00 - 9:45pm Smooth Groove
- Sept 11: 9:45-11:00pm Orquesta Universidad de Veracruz