Festival Latino at Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Festival Latino at Oregon Shakespeare Festival

by Marian Michener - SGN Contributing Writer Last weekend, Oregon Shakespeare Festival put on Festival Latino, a celebration of Latino culture. It included singing and instrumental music from Estudiantina de la Universidad de Guanajuato, a college student group, that had the outdoor audience tapping their toes and clapping. There was also skillful and beautiful dance from Ballet Folklorico. Actress playwright, Terre Martinez offered a captivating play, When I Was a Puerto Rican, in Spanish. The event also included a talk by Luis Alfaro, "Confessions of a Border Crosser, the Happy Meal of Breakfast Lunch and Dinner" about his intriguing play by that title, which had just opened at the festival. There were bilingual talks about the plays, and Spanish subtitles for some performances. An authentic taco stand was moved in front of the box office and offered delicious food. I have long wished the Shakespeare Festival would have a more diverse audience. Spanish-speaking people definitely turned out for this event. Bill Rauch, the festival's new artistic director (who happens to be a Gay man), came up with the idea. He should be proud of himself. We hope this will be an annual event.