Chicago Celebrates Colombian Independence

Natalia Avilez, NBC Street Team

While patrons dined on traditional Colombian cuisine and I sipped on a fruitful delight of Sangria at Las Tablas , Grupo Rebolu, opened up the night’s festivities and celebration of Colombia’s Independence Saturday night. As Rebolu warmed the crowd with their unique take on traditional and newer styles an Afro-Colombian sound, Tierra Colombiana, a local folkloric dance group entertained the crowd with their traditional costumes with the shimmering glow of their candles on their lively faces, and the sway of their hips in conjunction with the beats. As soon as the show was over and my glass of Sangria was empty, I was left with the after-effects of beats in my soul and I wanted more! (and i’m not just talking about the Sangria).

The following night many Colombian Americans such as myself, swarmed out of the Cupula’s heat (our annual picnic) and into the cool mist of air that was being sprayed by DJ Mauricio,(El Caleno), at Club Vain, where an after-party consisted of a midnight mass, an encore performance by Tierra Colombiana , and an appearance by group Juvenato.

Although July 20^th marks the initial day that Colombia declared their Independence from Spain, Chicago could not wait to celebrate their independence with style. This weekend includes more celebrations beginning Friday with a Concert of Kings at the Congress Theatre, followed by Saturday’s performance of Tierra Colombiana at The Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival , ending the weekend at Club Vain where every Sunday is Colombian Soul.

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