The Current Music Blog: May 5, 2007 Archive

"Song for Red," Cinco de Mayo 2007 Edition

Posted at 7:36 PM on May 5, 2007 by Tony Lopez

¡Órale! It's Cinco de Mayo!

In the same way that many non-Irish folks celebrate St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo is a festive time for many, including a ton of people who aren't even Mexican. It commemorates an 1862 Mexican victory over French forces in the town of Puebla.

West St. Paul and Lake and Bloomington in Minneapolis are probably the epicenters for Cinco de Mayo fun. But, you wanna go to a real Cinco de Mayo fiesta? Head on down to Puebla next year and check that one out.

Cinco de Mayo is often mistaken for Mexican Independence Day. September 16, 1810 is the day that Mexicans took up arms against the Spanish. But Dieciséis de Septiembre just doesn't roll off the tongue as nicely, does it?

Red has been taking pride in her heritage lately and tonight's SFR is "Wake Up, Dolores" from that great band from East Los Angeles, Los Lobos.