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Canto Latino: Creando Mole

date

September 30, 2023

Time

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

location

Harrison Park (1824 S. Wood St.)

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Add to Calendar 9/30/2023 3:00 PM 9/30/2023 6:00 PM America/Chicago Canto Latino: Creando Mole Canto Latino is a free outdoor festival that brings together thousands of students from across our programs for a celebration of the city's proud Latin American heritage through song, story and dance. This year, through the theme of Creando Mole, we will honor Mexico's diverse music styles and celebrate artists of Mexican descent who have transformed the tradition through their own creativity. Harrison Park (1824 S. Wood St.)

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Join us for Canto Latino: Creando Mole, a free outdoor festival that honors Mexico's diverse music styles and celebrates artists of Mexican descent who have transformed the tradition through their own creativity.

Why mole? Mole is a traditional dish that creates balance through the fusion of ingredients into a beautiful sauce unique to the creator and their journey. Like mole, the music of Mexico is multidimensional! Creando Mole will explore the many genres of Mexican music, including son huasteco, cumbia, mariachi, ranchera and more.

Canto Latino is an annual event that brings together youth across Uniting Voices Chicago programs for a celebration of the city's proud and variegated Latin American heritage through song, story and dance. Join us for an afternoon of live performance from singers of all performance levels, as well as special guests, food trucks, interactive experiences and JOY!

Schedule

3pm: Event start

3:30-5:30pm: Concert, featuring Uniting Voices Chicago singers and guest artists

Getting There

Canto Latino will be celebrated in Harrison Park in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. The festival takes place on the West field of the park, between 18th & 19th Street by Wolcott. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets!

Harrison Park is easily accessible via the #18 and #50 buses, as well as the Damen Pink Line stop. Public street parking is available on Damen, 18th and 19th Street. For more information, visit the Harrison Park website.

Accessibility

Uniting Voices Chicago strives to make music and performance accessible to anyone who wants it. To request accommodations, please email info [at] unitingvoiceschicago [dot] org.

To view this webpage in other languages, open it via Google Chrome. On the right of the address bar, click Translate, then click on your preferred language.

Guest Artists

We are excited to welcome local musicians and culture bearers from Chicago's Latin American community who will help add authenticity and flair to performances with our singers.

Pinqy Ring

Pinqy Ring is a Puerto Rican rapper, author, speaker, hip-hop educator and Uniting Voices alum decolonizing minds one rhyme at a time. Born and bred in Chicago, Pinqy is also a proud hip-hop Cultural Ambassador, traveling overseas to manage and facilitate hip-hop diplomacy programming. She has been featured on NPR, was named Best Hip Hop Artist by the Chicago Reader in 2023, and has collaborated with such organizations as Google, the Universal Hip-Hop Museum, Spotify and others. Hip-hop has taken her from the 'hood to Harvard, and she raps her legacy loudly into place while creating pathways for others to do the same.

Watch her performance at Paint the Town Red 2022 with Voice of Chicago.

Cantolatino pinqyring2
Oliverfadeheadshot

Oliver Fade

Oliver Fade is a DJ, music producer, engineer and music royalty specialist. He was born in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico and raised on the South Side of Chicago. Surrounded by the cultural influences of the city and directly impacted by its violence, Fade found a sanctuary in music where he was able to embrace hip-hop and Chicago’s very own house music. Oliver Fade became a Grammy-voting member in 2009, and continues to solidify his legacy within hip-hop and house music in Chicago.

Ballet Folklorico de Chicago

Ballet Folklorico de Chicago is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to provide cultural and artistic programming focused on Mexican folkloric dances. They aim to preserve traditions for future generations and improve the community’s involvement in the arts. Through rehearsals and event participation to promote wholesome and family-friendly activities that elevate their reputation in the community, they cultivate and invest in future generations and help students achieve higher education goals by awarding college scholarships.

Learn more
Balletfolklorico web 2
Jarochicanoshighlight

Jarochicanos

Jarochicanos, established in 2008, is a Son Jarocho collective based out of Chicago that focuses on learning, practicing and teaching música de jarana. Jarochicanos uses música de jarana as a tool to share knowledge, build community and act in solidarity through workshops, performances and community work. The community-based projects of Jarochicanos are a direct response to the uprooting of our communities’ cultural and historical knowledge. Jarochicanos strives to create spaces in our urban, American setting where these past ways of life and historical funds of knowledge can be shared, practiced and remembered, for they have what we believe is the key to transforming our communities.

Mariachi Perla de Mexico

Mariachi Perla de Mexico was founded in 1997, and has grown from seven original members to its current size, featuring eleven of the best mariachi musicians in the Midwest. Four months after its founding, it was named the official Mariachi for all events of the Illinois Mexican Civic Society and La Raza newspaper. The band is regarded as one of the best mariachi bands in Chicago. It also is one of the most requested mariachi bands for recordings of local singers and to accompany famous artists who visit Chicago and other cities around Illinois.

Mariachiperla highlight

Guest Vendors

Local Businesses and Artisans

  • 51st Ward Books - Chicago’s first bilingual and social justice-based bookstore for children.
  • Clay Chikas - handmade clay jewelry and accessories from two Latina sisters.
  • Emvi Beauty - Handcrafted vegan soap, skincare, soy candles and wax melts inspired by Cultura.
  • La Tiendita Artesenal - artisanal Mexican clothing and gifts from a mother-daughter duo.
  • Paselo Señito - Mexican-owned cultural gifts store featuring handmade jewelry, dolls, pet clothing and more.
  • Sin Titulo - Clothing from a Latina collective emphasizing cultural and social justice designs.
  • Stream of Creations - Latina-owned business offering customizable products ranging from clothing puzzles to tote bags.

Local Restaurants and Vendors

  • Eatin Puerto Rican - Undeniably authentic Puerto Rican cuisine from a Latina chef with over 20 years of experience in food.
  • Indigo - Get a sneak peak at the mini-Pilsen food hall coming soon, from the owner of the restaurant Casa Indigo.
  • La Niña Chamoy - Taste pre-packaged chamoy and other Mexican candies.
  • Paleteria Los Magos - Cool off with frozen Mexican sweet treats using fresh ingredients.

Musicians

Rhythm Section: Liza Micelli (Piano), Andrew King (Bass), Jorge Leal (Drums), Dave Hiltebrand (Guitar)

Percussion: Dewey Bolz, Alex Bravos, Richi Santiago

Accordion: Richard Daza

Brass/Woodwind: Edgar Campos (Trumpet 1), Greg Strauss (Trumpet 2), Artie Black (Clarinet)

Canto Latino: Cruzando Fronteras

Stream our virtual Canto Latino celebration from 2021!

Stream the Playlist

Event Program

Use this text-only program to access translations using your web browser. Full program details coming soon.

Festival Map

Booths by Number

1 – 51st Ward Books

2 – La Niña Chamoy

3 – Índigo

4 - Sabor by Charisse

5 - Viva La Horchata

6 - Color Your World Crayons

7 – Bouncy House

8 – Face Painter

9 – Live Artists

10 – Uniting Voices Activity Table (Ojos de Dios & Papel Picado)

11 – BNL Creations

12 – Páselo Señito

13 – Sin Título

14 – Clay Chikas

15 – Cituzi Reposteria

16 – Emvi Beauty

17 – Jewelry Clau and Accessories

Canto site map v3

Repertoire

DJ Set

School Singers, Jarochicanos & Ballet Folklorico

Xochipitsawak

Trad. Son Huasteco from Chicontepec

Choir: Coro

Xiwalakah kompañeros tipaxolos

Oseh Maria timoyawaloseh ipan Tonantzih

Santa María de Guadalupe.

Choir: Chorus

Come companions

Let’s go for a walk with José and María

Let’s go to the procession with the Virgin

Saint Mary of Guadalupe

Allegro (2 groups) & Mariachi La Perla de México

Viva Mexico Medley

Manuel Esperón, Blas Galindo, Quirino Mendoza y Cortés; arr. Danny Wallenberg & Lisa Arnold

¡Ay, Jalisco no te rajes!

CHOIR: Verso 1

Ay Jalisco, Jalisco, Jalisco

tú tienes tu novia que es Guadalajara.

Muchacha bonita, la perla más rara

de todo Jalisco es mi Guadalajara.

CHOIR: Verso 2

Y me gusta escuchar los mariachis

cantar con el alma sus lindas canciones.

Oír cómo suenan esos guitarrones

y echarme un tequila con los valentones

CHOIR: Coro

¡Ay, (ay), (ay), Jalisco, no te rajes!

Me sale del alma gritar con calor

Abrir todo el pecho pa'echar este grito:

¡qué viva Jalisco, palabra de honor! (x2)

Cielito Lindo

Choir: Verso 1

De la Sierra Morena,

cielito lindo, vienen bajando,

un par de ojitos negros,

cielito lindo, de contrabando. (x2)

Choir: Coro

Ay, ay, ay, ay,

Canta y no llores,

porque cantando se alegran, cielito lindo, los corazones. (x2)

(Oh, Jalisco don’t back down!)

CHOIR: Verse 1

Oh Jalisco, Jalisco, Jalisco

You have your girlfriend who is Guadalajara.

Pretty girl, the rarest pearl

Of all Jalisco is my Guadalajara.

CHOIR: Verse 2
And I like to listen to the mariachis

Sing your beautiful songs with soul.

Hear how those guitarrones sound

And have a tequila with the bravest men.

CHOIR: Chorus
Ay, Jalisco, don't back down!

It comes out of my soul to scream with heat

Open the whole chest to make this cry:

Live on Jalisco, word of honor! (x2)


(The Lovely Sky)

Choir: Verse 1

From the Sierra Morena,

pretty sky*, there come

a pair of black eyes,

pretty sky, sneaking by. (x2)

Choir: Chorus

Ay, ay, ay, ay,

Sing and don’t cry,

because when singing,

our hearts are happy, pretty sky.(x2)


*cielito lindo: term of endearment, like “dear one”

Vivace & Jarochicanos

Sembrando Flores

Los Cojolites; arr. Julio Morales; choreography by Cecilio García

Solo: Verso 1

Mi madre me dijo un día

floreando la primavera,

floreando la primavera

mi madre me dijo un día.

Choir: Verso 1

Mi madre me dijo un día

floreando la primavera,

floreando la primavera

mi madre me dijo un día.

Solo: Verso 2

Con mucha sabiduría que

la vida la viviera,

que la vida la viviera

con mucha sabiduría.

Choir: Verso 2

Con mucha sabiduría

que la vida la viviera,

que la vida la viviera

con mucha sabiduría.

Choir: Coro

Mi mamá me dijo

que sembrara flores

que saliera al campo

a buscar amores. (repeat)

(Oh... Ah...)

Solo: Verso 3

Mi madre me dijo a mí

que yo me saliera al campo,

que yo me saliera al campo

mi madre me dijo a mí.

Choir: Verso 3

Mi madre me dijo a mí

que yo me saliera al campo,

que yo me saliera al campo

mi madre me dijo a mí.

Solo: Verso 4

Que cortara yo una flor

para llevarla en su santo,

para llevarla en su santo,

que cortara yo una flor.

Choir: Verso 4

Que le cortara una flor

para llevarla en su santo,

mi madre me dijo a mí

que yo me saliera al campo.

Coro (x2)

(Zapateado)

Coro (x2)

Mi mamá me dijo.

Solo: Verse 1

My mother told me one day

Spring blooming

Spring blooming

my mother told me one day

Choir: Verse 1

My mother told me one day

spring blooming

spring blooming

my mother told me one day

Solo: Verse 2

With a lot of wisdom

to live life

To live life

with a lot of wisdom

Choir: Verse 2

With a lot of wisdom

to live life

To live life

with a lot of wisdom

Choir: Coro

My mom told me

to sow flowers

to go out to the field

to look for love (repeat)

(Oh... Ah...)

Solo: Verse 3

My mother told me

that I should go out into the field

That I go out to the field

my mother told me.

Choir: Verse 3

My mother told me

that I should go out into the field

That I go out to the field

my mother told me

Solo: Verse 4

That I cut a flower

to carry it to her saint

To carry it to her saint

that I cut a flower

Choir: Verse 4

That I cut a flower

to take it to her saint

My mother told me

that I should go out into the field

Chorus (x2)

(Zapateado/dance)

Chorus (x2)

My mom told me.

Presto, Dimension & Band

Como La Flor

AB Quintanilla & Pete Astudillo; arr. Mitchell Owens III; choreography by Farlanda Buchannon

Solo: Verso 1

Yo sé que tienes un nuevo amor,

sin embargo, te deseo lo mejor.

Si en mí no encontraste felicidad,

tal vez alguien más te la dará.

Choir: Coro

Como la flor (Como la flor)

con tanto amor (Con tanto amor) me diste tú, se marchitó.

Me marcho hoy, yo sé perder. Pero, a-a-ay, cómo me duele.

A-a-ay, cómo me duele.

Solo: Verso 2

Si vieras como duele perder tu amor. Con tu adiós,

te llevas mi corazón.

No sé si pueda volver a amar, porque te dí todo

el amor que pude dar.

Coro

***DANCE BREAK***

Coro

A-a-ay, cómo me duele. A-a-ay, cómo me duele.

Solo: Verse 1

I know you have a new love

However, I wish you the best

If you didn’t find happiness with me,

Maybe, someone else will give it to you

Choir: Chorus

Like the flower

with so much love

you gave me, it withered.

I’m leaving today, I know how to lose.

But, ay ay ay, how it hurts me.

Ay ay ay, how it hurts me.*

Solo: Verse 2:

If you see how it hurts to lose your love. With your goodbye,

you are taking my heart.

I don’t know if I will love again,

Because I gave you all the love I could give.

Chorus

***DANCE BREAK***

Chorus

A-a-ay, how it hurts me. A-a-ay, how it hurts me.

Gage Park, Humboldt Park, Pilsen/Little Village & Band

Amor Eterno

Juan Gabriel; arr. Lisa Arnold

Solo: Verso 1

Tú eres la tristeza, ay, de mis ojos

que lloran en silencio por tu amor.

Me miro en el espejo y veo en mi rostro el tiempo que he sufrido

por tu adiós.

Obligo a que te olvide el pensamiento ues siempre estoy pensando en el ayer. Prefiero estar dormida que despierto de tanto que me duele que no estés.

Choir: Coro

Cómo quisiera, ay, que tú vivieras. Que tus ojitos jamás se hubieran cerrado nunca y estar mirándolos. Amor eterno e inolvidable

tarde o temprano estaré contigo para seguir amándonos.

Solo/Small Ensemble: Verso 2

Yo he sufrido tanto por tu ausencia desde ese día hasta hoy no soy feliz.

Y aunque tengo tranquila mi conciencia sé que pude haber yo hecho más por ti. Oscura soledad, estoy viviendo

la misma soledad de

tu sepulcro.

Tú eres el amor del cual yo tengo

el más triste recuerdo de Acapulco.

Coro

***INSTRUMENTAL BREAK***

Choir: (part of Coro)

Amor eterno, e inolvidable tarde o temprano estaré contigo ara seguir amándonos.

Solo: Verse 1

You are the sadness, ay, of my eyes

who cry in silence for your love.

I look in the mirror and see on my face the time that I have suffered

for your goodbye.

I force you to forget the thought

Well, I’m always thinking about yesterday. I’d rather be asleep than awake

it hurts so much that you’re not here.

Choir: Chorus

How I would like, ay, that you lived. That your little eyes would never have never closed and be watching them. Eternal love and unforgettable sooner or later I’ll be with you

to continue loving each other.

Solo/Small Ensemble: Verse 2

I have suffered so much for your absence from that day until today I am not happy. And although I have a clear conscience,

I know that I could have done more for you. Dark loneliness I’m living

the same loneliness of

your sepulcher (tomb).

You are the love of which I have the saddest memory of Acapulco.

Chorus

***INSTRUMENTAL BREAK***

Choir: (part of Chorus)

Eternal love and unforgettable sooner or later I’ll be with you to continue loving each other.

Voice of Chicago & Band

La cumbia del mole

Lila Downs & Paul Cohens; arr. Julio Morales; choreography by Cecilio García

Choir: Intro

Sop/Alto: Oh...la ra ra ra ra ra Tenor: (la ra ra ra ra ra, oh...) Bass: (Oh...)

Sop/Alto: Oh...ba pa ra ba ra pa, pa pa pa pa

Tenor: (pa ra ba ra pa ra, pa ra ba, pa pa pa pa pa)

Bass: (Oh...oh...oh...oh...pa pa pa pa pa)

Solo & Choir: Verso 1

Cuentan que en Oaxaca

se toma el mezcal con café. (x2)

Dicen que la hierba

le cura la mala fé. (oo...mala fé)

A mi me gusta el mole (gusta)

que Soledad me va a moler (x2) (que Soledad me va a moler)

Choir: Coro

Mi querida Soledad

me va a guisar un molito.

Por el cielo de Monte Albán,

de noche sueño contigo.

se muele con cacahuate,

se muele también el pan

se muele la almendra seca,

se muele el chile también la sal.

se muele ese chocolate,

se muele la canela,

se muele pimienta y clavo

Se mueve la molendera.

Solo: Verso 2

Cuentan que en Oaxaca

con agua es el chocolate. (x2)

Dicen que en la fiesta

torito se ha de quemar. (x2)

Para el que haga su manda

por la pasión de Soledad. (x2)

Coro (x3)

Choir: Intro

Sop/Alto: Oh...la ra ra ra ra ra Tenor: (la ra ra ra ra ra, oh...) Bass: (Oh...)

Sop/Alto: Oh...ba pa ra ba ra pa, pa pa pa pa

Tenor: (pa ra ba ra pa ra, pa ra ba, pa pa pa pa pa)

Bass: (Oh...oh...oh...oh...pa pa pa pa pa)

Solo & Choir: Verse 1

It is said in Oaxaca

you drink Mezcal with coffee. (x2)

It is said that herbs

can cure wickedness. (oo...wickedness)

I like the mole (like)

that Soledad is going to grind for me. (x2) (that Soledad mis going to grind)

Choir: Chorus

My dear Soledad

is going to cook a molito for me.

Under the skies of Monte Albán,

at night I dream about you.

It is ground with peanuts

Bread is also ground,

Dried almonds are ground,

Chili pepper is ground

also salt.

Chocolate is ground,

Cinnamon is ground,

Pepper and cloves are ground,

The molendera moves.*

Solo: Verse 2

It is said that in Oaxaca

chocolate is prepared with water. (x2)

It is said that at the party

torito will be burnt. (x2)

For that who would make an offer

to Soledad’s passion. (x2)

Chorus (x3)

Voice of Chicago & Band

Una Sangre

Lila Downs, Paul Cohens & Celso Duarte; arr. Julio Morales; choreography by Farlanda Buchannon

Solo: Verso 1

La punta de oeste carga

gente de cualquier nación,

de Chile hasta Puerto Rico

cargamos el mismo patrón.

Pisando la tierra firme

se suelta la bestia al cañón

que emana este fuego eterno

que busca revolución. (x3)

Choir: Coro

Somos una sangre,

una sangre somos.

Polvo de la tierra

sentada a la mesa de nuestra ilusión.

Somos una sangre,

solamente sangre.

Con el alma en la boca

y la sangre caliente

en el corazón. (x2)

Solo & Choir: Verso 2

The tide of the West is rising (is rising),

with people of every tribe. (every tribe)

From China to Puerto Rico

(Puerto Rico, oo),

we follow the same design.

(the same design)

I travel this space with freedom

(with freedom),

I sing to the moon and sky

(the moon and sky)

I can’t stop this beast of roaming

The deepest fear, my desire. (x3)

Coro

Con el alma en la boca

y la sangre caliente en el corazón (corazón)

Corazón.

Solo: Verse 1

The west point charges

people of any nation,

from Chile to Puerto Rico

we load the same pattern.

Stepping on solid ground

the beast is released into the canyon

that emanates this eternal fire

who seeks revolution (x3)

Choir: Chorus

We are one blood,

one blood we are.

Dust of the earth

sitting at the table of our illusion.

We are one blood,

only blood.

With the soul in the mouth

and the warm blood

in the heart. (x2)

Solo & Choir: Verse 2

The tide of the West is rising (is rising),

with people of every tribe. (every tribe)

From China to Puerto Rico

(Puerto Rico, oo),

we follow the same design.

(the same design)

I travel this space with freedom

(with freedom),

I sing to the moon and sky

(the moon and sky)

I can’t stop this beast of roaming

The deepest fear, my desire. (x3)

Chorus

With the soul in the mouth

and the warm blood in the heart (heart)

Heart.

Voice of Chicago & Band

En Mi Viejo San Juan

Noel Estrada; arr. Danny Wallenberg & Lisa Arnold

Choir: Verso 1

En mi Viejo San Juan,

cuantos sueños forjé

en mis años de infancia.

Mi primera ilusión,

y mis cuitas de amor,

son recuerdos del alma.

Choir: Verso 2

Una tarde me fui

hacia extraña nación,

pues lo quiso el destino.

Pero mi corazón

se quedó frente al mar,

en mi Viejo San Juan.

Solo & Choir: Coro

Adiós (adiós, adiós)

Borinquen querida (tierra de mi amor).

Adiós (adiós, adiós)

mi diosa del mar (reina del palmar).

Me voy (ya me voy)

pero un dia volveré

a buscar mi querer,

a soñar otra vez,

en mi Viejo San Juan.

Solo: Verso 3

Pero el tiempo pasó

y el destino burló

mi terrible nostalgia. (oo)

Y no pude volver

al San Juan que yo amé,

pedacito de patria. (oo)

Solo: Verso 4

Mi cabello blanqueó, (ah)

y mi vida se va,

ya la muerte me llama.

Y no quiero morir (ah)

alejado de ti,

Puerto Rico del alma.

Solo & Choir: Coro

Adiós (adiós, adiós)

Borinquen querida (tierra de mi amor).

Adiós (adiós, adiós)

mi diosa del mar (reina del palmar).

Me voy (ya me voy)

pero un dia volveré

a buscar mi querer,

a soñar otra vez

en mi Viejo San Juan.

A buscar mi querer,

a soñar otra vez,

en mi Viejo San Juan. (mi San Juan)

Choir: Verse 1

In my Viejo San Juan.

How many dreams I forge

in my childhood nights.

My first illusion,

and my troubles of love a

re memories of the soul.

Choir: Verse 2

One afternoon I left

towards a foreign nation,

as fate would have it.

But my heart

remained facing the sea

in my Viejo San Juan.

Solo & Choir: Chorus

Goodbye (goodbye, goodbye)

Dear Borinquen (land of my love).

Goodbye (goodbye, goodbye)

my sea goddess (palm queen),

I’m leaving (I’m leaving)

but one day I’ll return

to find my love,

to dream again,

in my Viejo San Juan.

Solo: Verse 3

But time passed by

and destiny mocked

my terrible nostalgia. (oo)

And I couldn’t return

to the San Juan that I loved,

little piece of my land. (oo)

Solo: Verse 4

My hair whitened, (ah)

and my life fades away,

and death calls for me.

And I don’t want to die (ah)

away from you,

Puerto Rico of my soul.

Solo & Choir: Chorus

Goodbye (goodbye, goodbye)

Dear Borinquen (land of my love).

Goodbye (goodbye, goodbye)

my sea goddess (palm queen),

I’m leaving (I’m leaving)

but one day I’ll return

to find my love,

to dream again,

in my Viejo San Juan.

To find my love,

to dream again,

in my Viejo San Juan. (my San Juan)

Special Thanks (Agradecimientos especiales)

The Office of Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez

12th District Chicago Police Station

Chicago Park District

Harrison Park Supervisor, Tony Gonzales

Harrison Park Staff

DCASE and City of Chicago

Danny Wallenberg, Conductor Emeritus

Orozco Academy

Meghan Sovell, Principal

Charles Koltak, Music Teacher and Choir Liaison

Old St. Mary’s School

April Greer, Principal

Andrew Ramker, Assistant Principal and Choir Liaison

Lolita’s Bodega

Brianna Ramirez-Smith, CEO

Our Vendors/ Nuestros vendedores

51st Ward Books

Clay Chikas

Emvi Beauty

La Tiendita Artesenal

Paselo Senito

La Niña Chamoy

Indigo

Eatin Puerto Rican

Paleteria Los Magos

Stream of Creations

Sin Titulo

Sabor Charisse

Viva La Horchata

Other Thanks (Más gracias)

Live Artist - Clue and Zayuri

Ivan Ruiz and Security Team

Soundworks

Marquee

AMJ Spectacular Events

Service Sanitation

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