Join Ozomatli for a FREE event at the Kennedy Center South Plaza Stage on September 15, 2010 from 6:30 to 10:30pm. This event is in celebration of Mexico’s Bicentennial Independence.

The celebration begins with El Grito, announced by Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan, and includes performances by the Ballet Folklorico de la Universidad Veracruzana, and Mariachi Los Amigos, with a smashing closing performance from yours truly, Ozomatli!

For those of you unfamiliar to the annual Mexican celebration of El Grito, El Grito de la Independencia, which means the ‘Cry for Independence’, began in 1810 during the Mexican War of Independence. A priest by the name of Miguel Hidalgo rang the church bells and called everyone to fight for Mexico’s independence and freedom. Since then, this memorable moment has been reenacted every September 15th at 11 PM. The Mexican President stands before an enormous crowd in front of Mexico City’s Constitutional Plaza named el Zocalo and commemorates the legacy of Mexico’s Independence, the heroes that fought the war, and rings the bell of the National Palace. This custom is performed in many different cities all over Mexico and has been brought over to the states in many Hispanic-dominated cities.

In honor of this event that took place 200 hundred years ago, the Embassy of Mexico, the Mexican Cultural Institute, and the Kennedy Center , invite you to this special ceremony to honor Mexico’s most important national celebration.