The Oaxaca Program this year includes panels, concerts, and multi-media projects that highlight the cultures and traditions of New Jersey’s Oaxacan community. Please join us for the following programs and read to learn more about the diverse cultures within Oaxaca and how they have found a new home in New Jersey.
Register for the webinars for each session, or watch all of our programs live and archived here on our
YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Traditional Health Conversations with Lazos America Unida
Monday April 12th 6pm Webinar Registration
Traditional medicine is a part of life for many people in Mexico. In addition to using contemporary science and medical services, many people still turn to traditional beliefs and practices to help. Teresa Vivar of Lazos America Unida will talk with Edward Jaramillo about the use of the temazcal, a sweat lodge used for physical and spiritual healing. Margarita Rangel, a Mexica medicine woman will speak about herbs and natural medicine, with translation from Anibal Becerril.
Teresa Vivar is the Executive Director of Lazos America Unida, a cultural advocacy organization for Latino cultures in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Teresa is involved in coordinating programs supporting midwifery among Latina woman and is an active member of a Mexica dance group, Kalpulli Huehuetlahtolli. She coordinates cultural exchanges between Mexican traditional artists and community leaders in Mexico and the United States.
Edward H. Cuauhtlahtoa Jaramillo was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. Obtained a dual degree in Psychology and in Psychiatric Rehabilitation from Rutgers University and Kean University in 2016. He is currently work on a Master degree in Rehabilitation Counseling/Clinical Mental Health from Rughters University, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2021. Edward also has over 20 years experience in dancing, performing, and leading Mexica (Aztec) dance. As a cofounder of Kalpulli Huehuetlahtolli in 2010, he has worked extensively in Mexico to receive authorization from one of the oldest traditional groups in Mexico, La Mesa Central Chichimeca, based in Queretaro, Mexico. Primera Palabra (first word), or Primer Capitán (first Captain) is the title that was bestowed upon him by these elders. Working to help build cultural value amongst the community using the Mexica dance is but part of the mission of his Kalpulli. Extending past the dance his talents also include, but not limited to, creating the regalia and various other items used in the dance. He has also been pasted down other traditional indigenous ceremonies as the temazcal which he runs for the community as well. Edward is a father of three boys who he is raising in these traditional ways.
Edward H. Cuauhtlahtoa Jaramillo nació y creció en Denver, Colorado. Obtuvo una doble titulación en Psicología y en Rehabilitación Psiquiátrica por la Universidad de Rutgers y la Universidad de Kean en 2016. Actualmente está trabajando en una maestría en Consejería de Rehabilitación/Salud Mental Clínica de la Universidad de Rughters, con una fecha de graduación prevista para mayo de 2021. Edward también tiene más de 20 años de experiencia en el baile, la actuación y la dirección de la danza mexica (azteca). Como cofundador de Kalpulli Huehuetlahtolli en 2010, ha trabajado extensamente en México para recibir la autorización de uno de los grupos tradicionales más antiguos de México, La Mesa Central Chichimeca, con sede en Querétaro, México. Primera Palabra, o Primer Capitán, es el título que le otorgaron estos ancianos. Trabajar para ayudar a construir el valor cultural entre la comunidad utilizando la danza mexica es sólo una parte de la misión de su Kalpulli. Más allá de la danza, su talento también incluye, pero no se limita a, la creación de la regalia y otros artículos utilizados en la danza. También se ha encargado de otras ceremonias indígenas tradicionales como las del temazcal que dirige para la comunidad. Edward es padre de tres niños a los que está educando en estas formas tradicionales.
Anibal Alcantara Becerril is a Mexica Dancer , Native American tradition and history researcher and ritual ceremonies practitioner , speaks Spanish, English, experience in various disciplines of the visual and performing arts, facility for driving, translation and moderation in public as well as extensive bibliography on the history of Mexico. Founder of the group danza azteca de tecamac (1986), he Joined the ranks of the Aztec Chichimeca dance tradition at the age of 9, participating in countless events in local, state and international stages. He also part of Teoilhuikatl Group – from 1987 to 1996 As an artistic group, they achieved outstanding participations such as the cervantino international festival, the UNO city in vienna austria, folkerkundem museum vienna austri, kaffe sieddar wall vienna austria, mid day culture breaks denver colorado, denver art complex, festival 5 de mayo denver colorado, and many others. As part of the Chimalli Group (1995- 2000) He toured universities, schools, museums, and above all the indigenous festivals of the American Union throughout the entire east coast and central United States of America. With his tezcatlipoca aztec dancers from 2000-2003- he was founder and director of fycacyti s.c. 2012 to present He participate in Gathering of nations which is perhaps the largest event regarding dances and indigenous artistic expressions of North America, brings together more than 1500 dancers from across the continent and with tezcatlipoca aztec dancers group he is being participating consecutively as fycacyti s. c is achieved events such as coexistence 2014, 2015, 2016, and this year where the best 1000 students of primary education throughout the Mexican Republic, educational workshops, guide in archaeological zone and ludic theater program as well as a great event of dance, music and ball game in pre-Hispanic concept.
Anibal Alcántara Becerril es danzante Mexica , investigador de la tradición e historia de los nativos americanos y practicante de ceremonias rituales, habla español, inglés, tiene experiencia en diversas disciplinas de las artes visuales y escénicas, facilidad para la conducción, traducción y moderación en público así como amplia bibliografía sobre la historia de México. Fundador del grupo danza azteca de tecamac (1986), se Se incorporó a las filas de la tradición de la danza azteca chichimeca a la edad de 9 años, participando en innumerables eventos en escenarios locales, estatales e internacionales. También forma parte del Grupo Teoilhuikatl – de 1987 a 1996 Como grupo artístico, lograron destacadas participaciones como el festival internacional cervantino, la ciudad UNO en viena austriaca, folkerkundem museum vienna austri, kaffe sieddar wall viena austriaca, mid day culture breaks denver colorado, denver art complex, festival 5 de mayo denver colorado, y muchos otros. Como parte del Grupo Chimalli (1995- 2000) Realizó giras por universidades, escuelas, museos y sobre todo por los festivales indígenas de la Unión Americana en toda la costa este y centro de los Estados Unidos de América. Con sus danzantes aztecas de tezcatlipoca desde 2000-2003- fue fundador y director de fycacyti s.c. 2012 a la actualidad Participa en Gathering of nations que es quizás el evento más grande en cuanto a danzas y expresiones artísticas indígenas de Norteamérica, reúne a más de 1500 bailarines de todo el continente y con el grupo de danzantes aztecas de tezcatlipoca viene participando consecutivamente como fycacyti s. c se logran eventos como las convivencias 2014, 2015, 2016, y este año donde participan los mejores 1000 estudiantes de educación primaria de toda la república mexicana, talleres educativos, guía en zona arqueológica y programa de teatro lúdico así como un gran evento de danza, música y juego de pelota en concepto prehispánico.
Margarita Rangel Cabrera is a Mexica Therapist, with experience in the practice of native ceremonies of natural medicine, she is an Instructor of Hata Yoga, Reikista, masotherapist and Regressions, as a guide of Temazcal she has had the opportunity to learn from different states of Mexico the practices of this beautiful rituals of the original people of America that with love have allowed her to learn to continue healing through her practice every time she has been asked to do so, Her experience would not be complete without the knowledge of the use of herbalism and music therapy within these ceremonies of medicine, as a Medicine Woman these native practices are a legacy that has been delegated to her and with honor she is in charge of protecting and spreading wherever she is allowed with respect and responsibility.
Margarita Rangel Cabrera es Terapeuta Mexica Terapeuta, con experiencia en la práctica de ceremonias autóctonas de medicina natural, es Instructora de Hata Yoga, Reikista, masoterapeuta y Regresiones, como guía de Temazcal ha tenido la oportunidad de aprender de diferentes estados de México las prácticas de este hermoso ritual de los pueblos originarios de América que con amor le han permitido aprender a seguir sanando a través de su práctica cada vez que se lo han pedido, Su experiencia no estaría completa sin el conocimiento del uso de la herbolaria y la musicoterapia dentro de estas ceremonias de medicina, como Mujer Medicina estas prácticas nativas son un legado que le ha sido delegado y con honor se encarga de proteger y difundir donde se le permita con respeto y responsabilidad
Yesenia Mejia: Songs and Memories of Santa Maria Zacatepec
Saturday April 17th 6pm Webinar Registration
Join us for conversation and songs presented by Yesenia Mejia about her hometown of Santa Maria Zacatepec in Oaxaca, Mexico. Yesenia is an interdisciplinary artist, activist, mother, and an educator born in San Jose del Progreso Oaxaca, and raised in Santa Maria Zacatepec Oaxaca. She is now based in Baltimore, Maryland since 2008 and has friends and family from Santa Maria Zacatepec in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Yesenia will be joined by her friend Yareli Garcia Vazquez and her mother Felicitas Herrera Peña to discuss traditions, folk music and dance, and memories of their hometown and life lived across borders.
Yesenia Mejia: I am an interdisciplinary artist, activist, mother of one boy, and an educator from Oaxaca, Mexico, born in San Jose del Progreso Oaxaca, and raised in Santa Maria Zacatepec Oaxaca, based in Baltimore, Maryland since 2008. My art is committed to build community and enhance the transformative beauty to Latin America culture. I am proud to be a Latina and share and honor my traditions with others and more generations. I work as CIELO coordinator at the Creative Alliance. I founded “Nikandii” – youth Latin folk music program at Creative Alliance in June 2020. As a community organizer and artist, I started Naciones Unidas in 2014, a folklore dance group with ladies that wanted to keep preserving and sharing our traditional folk dances. My journey as an artist also encompasses Conjunto Bruja, an all-female Latin-Mideast folk ensemble of Baltimore on cajón, guitar, charango, Irani setar, and ranchera-inspired vocals. We are six artists from Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Iran, Bolivia and the US. Something that is really important for me is that my son knows her family roots, traditions and culture. Latin American art represents who I am. It is my connection with my identity, my ancestors and future generations and my community.
Yareli Garcia Vazquez: My name is Yareli Garcia Vazquez, I was born in the community of Santa Maria Zacatepec, Putla, Oaxaca on December 4,1983, my parents Bulfrano Garcia and Abigail Vazquez. When I was 17 years old I moved to Putla Villa de Guerrero, Oaxaca to study my degree and in
2005 I graduated as a Lic. in Elementary and Middle School. At the present time, and after doing school service in different communities; I teach in my native town, Santa Maria Zacatepec.
To this day I have been teaching for 15 years.
Felicitas Herrera Peña: I was born in Santa Maria Zacatepec, Putla, Oaxaca on August 17, 1957. My father Gil Herrera Merino and mother Florinda Peña Figueroa. It is an honor to represent my hometown with honor and pride to show the same respect that my parents always showed me to do. I like wearing “Los Huipiles” as part of my identity and to always show support to our native people “Los Tacuates” that still to this day make “Los Huipiles” by hand. It is really important for me to keep sharing and passing my traditions and culture to my kids and grandkids so they can continue sharing it and passing it to more generations.
Share Your Foodways: Oaxacan Chefs
Monday April 19th 6pm Watch on YOUTUBE
Lourdes and Estela Rojas have been carrying on their family food traditions at their restaurants in New Brunswick since arriving from Oaxaca decades ago. Estela and her husband Felix own Costa Chica Restaurant, one of the earliest Oaxacan restaurant businesses established in New Brunswick. Since helping her family at the restaurant at an early age and going on to earn her own degree in food services, Lourdes has opened her own restaurant just a few blocks from her parents, Gallo Felix.
We are teaming up with Carolina Moratti on her show Cooking Outside the Box to talk with chefs Lourdes and Estela, a mother-daughter team who have been bringing Oaxacan food to New Brunswick through their restaurants Costa Chica and Gallo Felix. Lourdes and Estela are featured in an episode of “Share Your Foodways”, a series of cooking demonstration videos produced by the Folklife Program of Middlesex County that showcase food cultures of the region and help provide recipes and food to local food banks. New Jersey Folk Festival is proud to collaborate with and Cooking Outside the Box and Share Your Foodways to feature the Oaxacan cuisine made by our local chefs.
Watch on the New Jersey Folk Festival YouTube Channel at 6pm Monday April 19th: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBzKdqyd9j9qNS2NUNSwc9Q
Tune into Cooking Outside the Box, regularly on Mondays at 6pm on the CoLab Arts Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/colabarts
Find more information and videos about Share Your Foodways: http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Departments/BDE/Pages/ArtsInstitute/Share-Your-Foodways.aspx
Rutgers Day Livestream Festival Performances
Saturday April 24th 1-4pm – Watch on YOUTUBE!
Our Rutgers Day Live Broadcast will include performances from two Oaxacan Musical Groups, including Grupo Galante and Orquesta San Miguel. Watch on our youtube channel as these groups play live from the Woodlawn Mansion.
Oaxaca in New Brunswick
New Brunswick, home of the main campus of Rutgers University, is home to a large community of immigrants from Oaxaca who first settled in the area in the 1980s. Just south of downtown and the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital complex, a vibrant neighborhood with many Oaxacan restaurants, shops, and street vendors is a distinctive part of the city of New Brunswick. In partnership with local arts and community organization Lazos America Unida, this year’s festival will explore the arts, food, music, crafts, and histories of this diverse community, with roots in several indigenous cultures whose homeland is in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. In addition, we will also present several programs exploring folk music and social activism inspired by the legacy of Rutgers alumnus Paul Robeson.
New Brunswick, hogar del campus principal de la Universidad Rutgers, es el hogar de una gran comunidad de inmigrantes de Oaxaca que se establecieron por primera vez en el área en el 1980s. Justo al sur del centro de la ciudad y del complejo del Hospital Robert Wood Johnson, un vibrante barrio con muchos restaurantes, tiendas y vendedores ambulantes de Oaxaca es una parte distintiva de la ciudad de New Brunswick. En asociación con la organización local de artes y la comunidad Lazos América Unida, el festival de este año explorará el arte, comida, música, artesanías e historias de esta diversa comunidad, con raíces en varias culturas indígenas cuya patria se encuentra en el estado mexicano de Oaxaca. Además, también presentaremos varios programas que exploran la música popular y el activismo social inspirado en el legado del ex alumno de Rutgers Paul Robeson.