Living Vancouver Canada: Cinco de Mayo in Vancouver

Cinco de Mayo in Vancouver - Gala Piano Concert by Musician and composer Ezequiel S. Barrera at UBC School of Music

Cinco de Mayo (May 5th. ) the Mexican celebration of the May 5th Battle of Puebla in 1862, which this year commemorates 150 years is becoming more popular in Vancouver. Mainly seen as just a date to party in different bars and restaurants is also an opportunity to show cultural and artistic events from Mexico.
We had the chance to attend the extraordinary gala piano concert by the Mexican musician and composer considered also a virtuoso Ezequiel S. Barrera.
Ezequiel captivated the audience with his interpretation of compositions by Isaac Albeniz, Johanes Brahms, Canadian composer Alexander Rapoport, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Mexican composer Manuel M. Ponce and he also performed works of his own creation.
This concert was presented by the Consulate General of Mexico and UBC - School of Music at the Roy Barnett Recital Hall.

Gala Piano Concert Vancouver - Video Playlist

Cinco de Mayo in Vancouver - Gala Piano Concert by Musician and composer Ezequiel S. Barrera at UBC School of Music

Soprano Mariana Valdés performing the Canadian and Mexican National anthems during the Cinco de Mayo Gala at UBC School of Music

Mr. Angel Villalobos Mexican Consul General - Cinco de Mayo Gala Piano Concert at UBC School of Music

One of the best places to celebrate Cinco de Mayo is Las Margaritas Restaurant in Kitsilano. Every year Las Margaritas organizes a very good celebration with prizes, demonstrations of different Tequila brands and Mexican beers. Vancouver based Mariachi Los Dorados also performs there every year and they really put the Mexico like environment.

Las Margaritas Restaurant is one of the sponsors of the Vancouver International Tequila Expo next Saturday May 12th at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

As a side note, today Cincode Mayo Mario Gutierrez a MexiCan (Mexican Canadian) resident of Vancouver for six years has won the 2012 Kentucky Derby.