Think of it as Christkindlmarkt, with a Latino flavor and vibe.
The Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA) is adding all-new Latino flair to Chicago’s free, outdoor holiday entertainment offerings by introducing Destinos al Aire, A Holiday Extravaganza!, launching Friday, November 26 at Millennium Park, followed Friday, December 3 at the Humboldt Park Boathouse, and Friday, December 10 at Harrison Park in Pilsen.
On Friday, December 10, Destinos al Aire will pop up at Harrison Park, 1824 S. Wood St. in Chicago’s Pilsen community, bringing vendors, food trucks, heat lamps and live entertainment. Hours are 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Performers include Gwen La Roka, Mariachi Sirenas, Chicago’s first all-women Mariachi, Teatro Tariakuri with a Pastorela Navideña and a performance by Teatro Vista.
All events are free. Visit clata.org for more information. To receive the latest updates, sign up for CLATA’s weekly e-news, and follow CLATA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
“Que en esta Navidad el mejor regalo que recibas sea estar junto a tus seres queridos, amigos y colegas, compartiendo paz, esperanza y alegría,” said Myrna Salazar, Executive Director, Chicago Latino Theater Alliance.
“That means ‘this Christmas, the best present you get is to be near your loved ones, friends and colleagues sharing peace, hope and joy.’ At CLATA, and on behalf of all of Chicago’s Latino theater community, we invite Chicagoans to join their friends and loved ones at Destinos al Aire, to honor and celebrate the holidays with us in warm, traditional Latino styles.”
Destinos al Aire is presented as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series, supported by the Mayor’s Office and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Sponsors also include The Arts Work Fund and xfinity.
Note: Night Out in the Park events hosted in Chicago Park District locations must adhere to the City of Chicago's guidelines for park use, which state that all park users should continue to wear face coverings and practice social distancing when in a crowd, including outdoor events. For more information and updates on safety guidelines, visit nightoutintheparks.com.
Destinos al Aire
Friday, December 10, 4-7 p.m. at Harrison Park
Gwen La Roka is a rising star of stand-up. She has worked with some of today’s funniest comedians like Gina Yashere, Felipe Esparza, Aida Rodriguez, Finesse Mitchell and the legendary Paul Rodriguez. La Roka has been featured at comedy clubs throughout the country including The Improv, The Laugh Factory and Zanies in Chicago. Her corporate work includes American Family Insurance, Commonwealth Edison and the National Museum of Mexican Art. She was recently selected as one of six finalists to compete in HBO Latinos Entre Nos comedy contest; if she wins, she would be the first Latina from Chicago with an HBO Comedy Special. gwenlaroka.com
Mariachi Sirenas is proud to represent the genre of mariachi music in the Windy City. As Chicago’s first all-women Mariachi, they are honored to be a part of the community of strong women working together to promote the folkloric arts of Latin America. Mariachi Sirenas was founded by members Ibet Herrera and Eréndira Izguerra, who was featured in Goodman Theatre’s acclaimed 2021 Destinos Festival opening production, American Mariachi. Both Herrera and Izguerra dream to bring women together for the art of mariachi music in their hometown. ¡Que viva la mujer y nuestra tradición Mexicana, si señor...a! mariachisirenas.com
Teatro Tariakuri, under the leadership of Karla Lopez Galvan-Raigoza, Artistic Director, has created a non-for-profit theatrical and cultural center in their three year old space at 3117 W. 63rd St. in the heart of Marquette Park. The teatro's Youth Arts Program provides an in-depth education that focuses on creativity and contemporary techniques of theater and dance rooted in Latino culture. teatrotariakuri.org
Teatro Vista is Chicago’s largest, Equity-affiliated professional Latinx theater company and one of the nation’s premier Latinx arts organizations.The company’s primary focus is producing new works by Latinx theater artists from its own ensemble, a group of multi-generational, multi-ethnic and multi-disciplinary artists. Lorena Diaz and Wendy Mateo were appointed Co-Artistic Directors in July 2021. teatrovista.org
About the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA)
The Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA) is a transformative cultural engine helping drive the city’s local Latino theater community to a more prominent level. CLATA was founded in 2016 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization by Myrna Salazar and Chicago’s three most prominent Latino arts organizations: National Museum of Mexican Art (NMMA), International Latino Cultural Center (ILCC), and Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA), with the generous support of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
CLATA’s signature program is Destinos, Chicago’s annual, citywide, live, international theater festival dedicated to showcasing the Latino experience as told by Latino artists and companies from Chicago, the U.S. and Latin America. For six weeks each fall, Chicagoans and visitors to the city experience a rich, diverse array of Latino-themed shows, panels and student performances at marquee venues downtown and storefront theaters and cultural institutions in predominantly Latino neighborhoods throughout the city.
CLATA receives generous support from The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, The Ford Foundation, The Walder Foundation, The Arts Work Fund, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, The Illinois Humanities, The Shubert Foundation, a CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Illinois Arts Council Agency, National Endowment for the Arts, Allstate, ComEd and Southwest Airlines.
For more, visit clata.org.
