Holidays and celebrations vary greatly from culture to culture. For exampel, you might be surprised that America's favorite south-of-the-border holiday, Cinco de Mayo, is not when Mexico celebrates its independence. The nation gained independence from Spain 41 years prior to the Battle of Puebla (which is what ol' Cinco is about) after a gruesome 10-year war. Since then, Mexico has developed a rich culture rooted in music. The Musical Instrument Museum celebrates those traditions and the actual date of independencia during Fiestas Patrias by showcasing mariachi, norteño, and banda styles in a recently updated Mexico exhibit. Guests will also be exposed to culinary and dance traditions during the two-day festivities, which take place on respectively. The Gustavo Angeles Trio will perform Latin music on the first day, and the Fiesta Mexicana Dance Company will demonstrate pre-Hispanic and modern dance traditions on day two. A drum workshop will focus on styles from Mexico, the Carribean, and South America, while kids can make musical rattles and tissue-paper flowers.
Sat., Sept. 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 2012
