As Jorge Vargas would say, "Es oficial.” Sí Señor Vargas, it is official: the St. Albert Latin Cultural Association (SALCA) is alive and active after a ceremony held on Nov. 26.
He said the city’s newest non-profit cultural organization is a passion project, meaning it doesn’t really have a full bank account to afford the activities it wants to do, but it’s going ahead and doing them anyway.
“We have everything ready. After all kinds of problems because of COVID, because of venues, because we are not-for-profit and we don't have any kind of income — we're using our own money for this and that — but still, you'll be really impressed,” he began.
“You'll see what I'm talking about in terms of the passion we have to promote our culture.”
Vargas and his team created a popular and muy caliente Latina Music Extravaganza held at Lions Park in August. Now, in December, they group has planned a more seasonal event, one also more traditional to Latin Americans.
He extended a hearty “¡Feliz Navidad!” to one and all ahead of SALCA’S first official event Dec. 18.
“What we are introducing here in St. Albert is a concept that is very popular in Mexico and in other Central American places, which is called Posada,” he offered.
“Posada is when you're looking for shelter. You're looking for an inn,” he continued, offering the story of Joseph and the virgin Mary looking for a place where she could deliver baby Jesus that evening in Bethlehem.
“You know how it was. They were knocking on doors: some doors were open; some doors were closed. It's a very interesting concept, because I will have it as a performance.”
The audience will be enticed to sing a few songs to help the interactive performance along. Along with the show, the evening will feature a meal with dishes from different parts of Latin America.
Posada takes place on Saturday, Dec. 18 starting at 4 p.m. at the St. Albert United Church, 20 Green Grove Dr. Tickets are $5 each or $10 for families and are available for purchase at Tienda Latina in Tudor Glen Market.
Entertainment for the evening will include Los Rebeldes Musicales, Alexa, Carlos Alejandro, and El Señor Vargas.
Posada will not only solidify the Latin cultural association’s place in the city, but ensure more events from Vargas and his team. He hinted that more evenings of music, dance, and food would be in the cards for St. Albert.
