Hispanic music

 My little city Tamarac Florida, abuts  the cities of Sunrise and Coral Springs. We are the smallest city though: Tamarac's population is around 75,000, Sunrise 100,000 and Coral Springs 141,000. (Approximates all).

 However, because we have an activist music-loving mayor, Michelle Gomez, we tend to have many fun events which attract persons from those neighboring cities.

 Especially to our regular concerts in the parks.

We took in the Latin concert in Sunrise.

On  the other hand, before last night, I had only found one event in Sunrise which I felt was worth joining in. 

That was a day trip to Key West. 

 (https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2025/03/that-key-west-trek.html?m=1).

However, I have never attended an actual event in Coral Springs, although, I do walk at their Three Mountains Park on Saturdays. 

The name is a joke though as Broward County has no hills much less mountains.😅

However in Coral Springs, they did dredge a canal once and dump the dirt nearby to make 3 little hills, which is what was turned  into that small park with the auspicious name 😁.

As my muscles can never improve if I only walk in flat areas, I must not be disparaging, as I have gratefully adopted that area for a weekly trek🙏.

JOAN, MY VIEWS.: A hill at last! 

Yes, I  know I am rambling! It's only because I attended the Hispanic Heritage concert in Sunrise and was just reflecting on what the adjoining cities offer in comparison to mine😊.

You see,  like Tamarac, (JOAN, MY VIEWS.: ICE, culturally disruptive), Sunrise also had a Hispanic Heritage Concert during their celebration of Historic Heritage Month.

 It was held on the 10th October in their fairly new, beautiful amphitheatre.

The attendance was low in the beginning as it had rained all day and I imagine the ICE monster hadn't helped. 

The rain stayed away in the late afternoon though and it was actually a nice night. So the crowd grew slightly later and appeared to almost double.

Everyone was in high spirits throughout.

I love Latin music.

Latin music is so energetic and lively. One reason for this is it's pulsating beat as the rhythms are often built around throbbing African drums.

For the first hour at Sunrise, music was provided by DJ Genesis and the selections were good, as he played popular hits from every Latin American country, identifying them as he went along.

         Venezuelan dancers do their thing.

Then the live band La Nota took over and kept the vibes soaring throughout.

They had a half hour break during which Venezuela dancers, even mere babies  entertained.

It was a beautiful, cool night after the rains and the music, camaraderie and general entertainment was good.

Pity so few people turned out to enjoy what was a really very well planned and executed event.

The cultural mix

 I love Tamarac. It's such a fun city with a warm culture.

One Love is the unofficial Jamaican motto.

Today we seniors had a program called 'the cultural mix' where we celebrated our diverse cultures using food, fashion and dance.

It sure was fun.

Norma and I 

Jasmine

Edith

A variety of desserts

These are candle holders used in Hannukah

Jamaican flag big and bold

Ecuador flag

Venezuelan flags aplenty 

Joan, a super volunteer

Phyllis is 93 but rarely misses an event!

Eric

There was also a good selection of dishes from various countries, all brought by the attendees.

Curried chicken

Roti

Colombian potatoes?

Rice and peas

A Jamaican favorite, turned cornmeal aka polenta

Then it was time to demonstrate the dances from various countries..

Colombian rhythm.

         Puerto Ricans demonstrate their moves.

       Everyone got up for Bob Marley!

Exotic Latin moves.

A Honduran lady kept her flag throughout!

Maria from Ecuador sure knows her thing!

Yup. We have a wide representation of people from all over the world.

And it's peaceful coexistence.

Tamarac is in reality the city of your dreams.