11 May 4th–May 10th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | cONTeNTs | feeDBacK | OPiNiON | NeWs | feaTuRe | NighT+Day | culTuRe | film | cafe | music | Taking the Fifth Your ultimate guide to Phoenix’s best Cinco de Mayo parties and events. By Benjamin Leatherman T hink you know what Cinco de Mayo is all about? Probably not, cabron. First off, there’s more to the holiday than just an excuse to over- indulge in tacos, tequila, and cerveza. According to the history books, Cinco is a cele- bration of Mexico’s unlikely defeat of the Second French Empire back in 1862. Truth be told, the day isn’t widely celebrated in Mexico. Here in America, though, it’s become a day of parties and fiestas. And given Arizona’s close proximity to the border, folks tend to go over the top every year during Cinco de Mayo with numerous bars, clubs, and drinkeries marking the occasion. Some offer deals on drinks while others throw massive fiestas in their parking lots with DJs, bands, and live entertainment. You’ll find a variety of such celebrations in our annual Cinco de Mayo guide, as well as a number of special concerts, festivals, and cultural events happening around the Valley from Friday, May 5, to Sunday, May 7. ¡Salud! ▼ CONCERTS Casino Arizona 524 North 92nd Street, Scottsdale casinoarizona.com The musical legacy of influential Tejano superstar Selena will be celebrated on Saturday, May 6, in the casino’s showroom during the Selena Super Show. Expect to hear such signature Selena songs as “Cobarde,” “Como La Flor,” and “Amor Prohibido” during the 90-minute-long tribute show, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 to $35. Call 480-850-7777. Chase Field 401 East Jefferson mlb.com/dbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks will host a Cinco de Mayo postgame concert starring Chicos del 512: The Selena Experience on Friday, May 5, following their battle against the Washington Nationals, which starts at 6:40 p.m. Tickets start at $22. Special packages will allow fans to see the show from the field and include admis- sion to the game. They’re available for $50 for bleacher seating and $70 for seats along the baseline. Call 602-514-8400. Crescent Ballroom 308 North Second Avenue crescentphx.com You can’t help but dance whenever the musicians of long- running local band Jaleo begin performing their colorful and electrifying blend of salsa, cumbia, merengue, bachata, bolero, cha cha, and Latin jazz. They’ll embrace this fact during their “Salsa vs. Cumbia Dance Night” on Friday, May 5, inside the Crescent’s main room. Jaleo will play tunes from both genres, which will likely get bodies moving. DJ D-Lo will also perform. The music starts at 8 p.m. and admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Call 602-716-2222. Gila River Resorts & Casinos — Wild Horse Pass 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler playatgila.com A trio of Latin-influenced bands from Tucson will make the trip up Interstate 10 for a special Cinco de Mayo show on Friday, May 5, at Wild Horse Pass. Critical darlings and “desert noir” rockers Calexico will headline with support from “indie mambo” ensemble Orkesta Mendoza — which mixes cumbia, ranchera, and psych into a potent sound — and bluesy/gothy Latin rock act Xixa. The concert starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $45 to $75. Call 800-946-4452. Madison Center for the Arts 5601 North 16th Street themadison.org José Hernández has numerous claims to fame. The Mexican-born musician, composer, and vocalist has had music featured in films like Rango and Seabiscuit, arranged and produced recordings for Jose Feliciano, and been nominated for a Grammy Award. In 1981, Hernández formed the esteemed Mariachi Sol de México, which has brought its big, bold sound to venues around the world. The ensemble is scheduled to perform at Madison Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 5. Tickets are $35 to $55. Call 602-664-7777. Valley Bar 130 North Central Avenue valleybar.com Latin indie band Y La Bamba performs an intoxicating mix of traditional Mexican music, folk rock, and dreamy pop with lyrics in both English and Spanish. Fronted by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Luz Elena Mendoza, they’ve released six critically lauded albums, including this year’s Lucha. Catch them in concert at Valley Bar on Friday, May 5. The 21-and-over show is at 7:30 p.m. and Isabeau opens. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door. Call 602-368-3121. Westside Blues & Jazz 17045 North 59th Avenue, Glendale westsideblues.com Carmela y Más has been a staple of the Valley music scene for more than a decade. Led by vocalist Carmela Ramirez, the ensemble combines Latin jazz with salsa music and Afro-Cuban rhythms during their lively performances. Hear it for yourself when they take the stage at Westside Blues & Jazz at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. Admission is $25 plus a two-drink minimum. Call 602-761-6816. ▼ FESTIVALS Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center 147 East Adams Street alacarizona.org ALAC will host its first-ever Cinco de Mayo Block Party from 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 5. Highlights will include displays by local artists, game tables, a fashion show with Latino vendors, food trucks, poetry readings, and more. The live entertainment lineup will feature performances by the South Mountain Community College Mariachi Band, fire dancer Cora Quiroz, DJ Dunie, and others. Admission is free. Call 602-254-9817 for more details. Cinco de Mayo Phoenix Festival Washington Street and First Avenue cincophx.com It wouldn’t be Cinco De Mayo in the Valley without this annual block party in the streets of downtown Phoenix, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023. Just like its previous editions, this year’s event on Sunday, May 7, will offer a mix of live entertainment and activities, ranging from baile folklórico dancers and traditional mari- achi musicians to high-flying lucha libre wrestling matches. The live music lineup will include sets by “Texican rock ‘n’ roll” trio Los Lonely Boys, Tejano artists Latin Breed, Chihuahua-born country music Sarah Schumacher >> p 12
