Good Morning! TGIF.
ThatKellieGirl didn’t realize that Cinco de Mayo was a big holiday until I moved to DC. Then I found out it was mainly a marketing ploy by many businesses to make a profit. In DC, folks will find any reason to have a party! However, I felt it was important to find out how this celebration originated.
In 1861, Benito Juárez became president of Mexico which was in financial ruin at that time, and was forced to default on his debts to European governments. In response, France, Britain and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand reimbursement. Britain and Spain eventually negotiated with Mexico and withdrew. However, France, ruled by Napoleon III, decided to use the opportunity to carve a dependent empire out of Mexican territory.
So on May 5, 1862, the Mexican army fought and defeated France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867) . The Battle of Puebla was an inspirational victory for the Mexican people over the occupying French Army. Yet in the US, people MISTAKENLY believe that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican independence. However, Mexican independence was declared more than 50 years before the Battle of Puebla!
Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, but in the 1960s, Chicano activists raised awareness of the holiday, in part because they identified with the victory of indigenous Mexicans over European invaders during the Battle of Puebla. Cinco de Mayo now is a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage which includes parades, mariachi music performances and street festivals. For the rest of us, Cinco de Mayo is just another party.
Whatever your reason is for celebrating Cinco de Mayo, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. On Saturday, the Mayweather vs. Cotto fight is going down. And on Sunday, you can catch one of my fav artists Chaka Khan at the Howard Theater.
Be safe and enjoy the weather.
Peace and Blessings,
ThatKellieGirl 🙂
Opening this Friday, African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement (AFFRM) presents RESTLESS CITY, a film by Nigerian-born director, Andrew Dosunmu. RESTLESS CITY is the story of a young Senegalese immigrant surviving on the fringes of New York City, where music is his passion, life is a hustle, and falling in love is his greatest risk.
West End Cinema
2301 M St NW
Click here for time and tickets
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Friday, May 4
1826 Columbia Rd NW
9PM-3AM
10 bucks
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Classic 70s, 80s, and 90s R&B, Funk, Soul, Hip-Hop, Jazz, House, Reggae, and more. All classics, all night. Featuring some of the nation’s top DJs. Our next guest DJ is True School’s DJ Cuzzin B. This month we will honor the Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown! Featuring music by the Godfather himself, as well as his proteges, and the countless hip-hop and R&B artists who have sampled his sound. Come through!
Friday, May 4
Fever Bar and Lounge
816 H Street NE
9PM-2AM
Free b4 10 pm
10 bucks after 10PM
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No lines, great music, and drink specials featuring DJ 2 Tone Jones
Friday, May 4
Tap and Parlour
2001 11th St NW
9PM-2AM
Free
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LIVE! from Busboys: Open Mic & Talent Showcase hosted byNe’a Posey. “Live from Busboys” takes place on the first Friday of every month and offers a platform for ALL PERFORMERS – not just poets! Whether you are a musician, comedian, dancer, actor/actress, magician, or any other type of performer – we want to see what you’ve got. Come showcase your talent!
Friday, May 4
14th & V Streets NW
11PM-1:30AM
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Comic and acting superstar Mr. Eddie Griffin returns to Riot Act. Honored on Comedy Central as one of the Top 100 Stand-ups of All Time, Eddie has been in 47 movies and starred in his own sitcom.
May 3-6
Riot Act
801 E St NW
Click here for times and tickets
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The Curbside Cookoff: Trucko De Mayo will feature live music, two bars, and over 35 food trucks. This will be the region’s largest and best food truck festival
Saturday, May 5
RFK Stadium (Lot 3)
2400 East Capitol St SE
Noon – 9PM
FREE Admission and Parking
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Local authors will share stories with children and families. Awesome opportunity to meet an author, hear a thrilling story and purchase books! Sankofa Video and Books will set up a “pop-up” store during the event in Anacostia! Come out and bring a neighbor!
Saturday, May 5
ARCH Development Center
1231 Good Hope Rd., SE, Room 104
1-3PM
FREE
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Saturday, May 5
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Come out the Prince George’s County Harlem Renaissance Festival for dynamic discussion panels, 3 outdoor stages, a Healthy Lifestyle section, and a Historically Black University College Fair, Food and Craft Vendors, and so much more! Featuring Dick Gregory, Mother’s Finest and Chuck Brown. Bring a blacket, a chair and a smile!
Saturday, May 5
2411 Pinebrook Ave
Landover, MD
10AM-7PM
FREE
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Resident DJs Ernest Fountain and Andrew Hogans take control of the decks all night with special guest “OMG Boy” Osiruss.
Saturday, May 5
1608 7th St NWFasil Ethiopian Restaurant
Sweating starts @ 10PM
Cover 8 bucks
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Biz Markie spinning classic songs in the main ballroom and DJ Quicksilver dropping ’80s and ’90s house and reggae in the “Hang Suite”. WHUR (96.3 FM) DJs Michele Wright and Mark Clarke host. Both party areas feature drink specials, hors d’oeuvres and projection TVs screening the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Miguel Cotto fight.
Saturday May 5
Embassy Suites
900 10th St NW
Get tickets here
20 in advance
30 at the door
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I Left My Wallet In El Segundo – Cinco de Mayo Edition! From hip-hop to r&b to dancehall
Saturday, May 5
Liv 2001 11th St NW
Free b4 11P w/ rsvp
10 bucks after 11PM
RSVP here
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Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with a day centered on the exhibition “Portraiture Now: Asian American Portraits of Encounter.” The event includes music and dance performances and a range of hands-on activities about portraiture and identity.
Sunday, May 6
National Portrait Gallery
800 F Street NW
11:30AM-3PM
Free
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Vintage Vibez presents “Behind the Groove”….Spinning Live: Soulful Underground & Latin House, R&B Club Classics, Disco and much more…..
Sunday, May 6
Tap & Parlour
2001 11th St NW
6-11PM
Free
That Kellie Girl 