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Dia de
San Juan in San José, CA... Blueprint For A Grand Experience...
Report by Don Jibaro "Whodatman" Barbanegra
  ummer
is open season of Puerto Rican Festivals throughout the whole
United States of this here America. In 30 years as a Boricua
resident in Southern California I have observed that the Puerto Rican
community in California is scarce, scattered and virtually
non-existent.
But in the summer, Festivals and Parades draw the Boricua
Diaspora from its secluded suburban habitat and all come
together for a grand Time of Great Fiesta!!! Thousands of
Boricuas and friends thus gather to celebrate "El Día de San
Juan" and other Boricua holidays. This was the case of one
particular "Día de San Juan" in San Jose, CA... about 450
miles north from where I live in Los Angeles.
The Western Regional Puerto Rican Council (WRPRC) is a group
of Boricuas in the Bay Area who, while belonging to other
Puerto Rican Social Groups, come together to host one of the
most wholesome Boricua festivals I've had the chance to
attend.
The moveable spirit of "tambó, salsa y bongó" dwells in the
midst of the Festival. No tears there. Boricuas come together
to recognize each other, exchange "wepas" and business cards.
and foremost, to have a "bembé." In a "caliente como el
diablo" weekend of self validation and expression, the
detrimentally scattered Puerto Rican community of California
comes together for a "Wango Tango" type of experience.
This was big; big as the Puerto Rican flags that hang
portentously on the stage and also on the bodies of almost
every other attendee--consciously solemn and important. Big is
also the friendship and the spirit of brotherhood that
permeates these gatherings. Ironically, one would think that
"it takes scattering in order to bring togetherness."
As the vernacular would dictate, "the 'mámises' are hot and
the 'papichulos' are everywhere." This is proven by the fact
that I was once speaking to one lady, when a "muscular hunk"
with a PR tank top passed by us. Being the funny "gordito"
that I am, I told her. "I used to be like that..." Without
losing a beat she quoted Will Smith, driving an alien ship in
the movie "Independence Day". "I got to get me one of these."
With celebrities and many other "big shots" parading the
grounds, the celebration instills a yet bigger air of cultural
awe and social fulfillment. The celebrities are not
antagonistically proud and indifferently distant as in times
past, but friendly and cordial, who do not mind to stop and
chat with the people and even sign autographs.
The music is loud and the food was hot... "bacalaitos" as big
as Frisbees and "alcapurrias" big enough to serve as the main
course were the treat of the day. The Boricua novelty and
curio booths are always crowded and the local CD vendors have
a sound system so powerful that it sounded like a live band.
Of course, all the congueros, timbaleros, cencerreros and
bailadores come also to "enhance" the sounds, be at one with
the "ritmo" and "parteé" like it was the last day on Earth.
My wife Irene bought me a "pasteles" dinner and I realized
that it is not too often I get to have this treat, of course,
unless I'm at a festival or at a Puerto Rican shindig of some
sort. I was also glad that my 13 year old Sammy is not fond of
pasteles.
All in all, from my ever-present analytical jibaro point of
view, I expound the social context of these festivals with
regard to such matters as cultural and historical value in an
effort to assess things fairly.
Yes. the intrinsic purpose of these events is self validation
and expression, but such is much needed, especially when you
happen to be so far from "La Isla del Encanto" and you have
images of the tales that your mother told you when you were
growing up far from home in Montana or The Bronx.
This is the closest thing to belonging to the essential nature
of all things Puerto Rican. There were no reports of aberrant
activity or hostile behavior and for that we were grateful.
Once again I was proud to be Puerto Rican.
¿No te digo?
Linda August from Sabordelaisla.com holds a "dead president"
(a dollar) after a sale. These merchants did not gouge the
prices. The goods were as good as the prices. Rare honest
selling!
Don Jibaro
"Whodatman" Barbanegra points to Johnny Saldivia, Chairman of
the WRPRC, in an effort to prevent him from walking away with
his cuatro with the map of Puerto Rico. The cuatro drew in
admirers on its own, but couldn't compete with Johnny's
gregarious "mancha 'e plátano".
While I consider it a treat, it is always an aesthetic pleasure to watch
couples that can dance salsa well. You don't get too many of
those. But when you find a spinner couple who holds their step
in taste, you just can't look away.
Represent? There was plenty of representation. It was rare to
see someone who didn't have a Puerto Rican flag within some
part of their anatomy.
The bands not only did play well but had an "eye candy" dance
step syncronization that made the listening more appealing.
It was a movie for your ears as well as for your eyes.
Can you argue with someone who is attired so festive? I didn't
think so!
Backstage, Don Jibaro's Puerto Rico Map cuatro drew "oohs" and
"aahs" but couldn't stop the folks from spinning to a "Hotter
than Hades" salsa.
Being a musician for over 40 years, I don't get impressed
easily when it comes to music... but Tony Vega's wildly
syncopated rhythm and harmonics woke me up into a reaction...
"WOW! Who in the world is that remarkable singer?" What band
can this be? I had to listen... this salsa was "a movie for
my ears". I made sure that he knew about it. He promised me an
MP3 of the tune.
Arf!
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"The wicked run when no one is chasing them,
but the honest are as brave as lions." —Prov. 28:1
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