Yo Soy la Cumbia:” A Night of Cumbia Tradition, Culture and Dance

Arte Américas and Radio Bilingüe are thrilled to join forces once again for a very special evening celebrating the heart and soul of cumbia in our communities. This second collaborative event shines a spotlight on the newly released book “Yo Soy La Cumbia” — published by the University of Guadalajara Press (UdG) and the Ibero-American Network of Music Journalists (REDPEM) as a compelling follow-up to the first volume, “Somos Cumbia”. We are delighted to welcome back renowned music journalist Betto Arcos as our guest presenter for the night.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 25, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (PST) , and join us at the beautiful Arte Américas Placita (kiosk platform and picnic area) in Fresno, California. The evening is thoughtfully designed in two vibrant halves. During the first hour, Betto Arcos will sit down with Radio Bilingüe’s music programmers for an engaging panel conversation exploring the book’s cultural richness, followed by an opportunity to purchase your own copy and have it signed by the author. Then, at 9:00 p.m., the energy shifts as we open the floor to a full hour of cumbia music and dancing, featuring one or two DJs in an exciting “cumbiazo” — a lively, head-to‑head musical showdown that will keep everyone moving.

Radio Bilingüe plans to broadcast the first hour and a half live (subject to reliable Ethernet access), inviting listeners to tune in and then come join us in person. The event will also be recorded for future broadcast. We are proud to have the Mexican Consulate in Fresno as an allied partner, with Cultural Affairs Consul Rebeca Ron Noriega expressing keen interest in supporting promotion and activities. Arte Américas will provide the inviting venue, PA system, technical support, a no-host bar, and a food truck, along with promotional materials. Radio Bilingüe will handle Betto Arcos’s travel and program coordination, confirm the DJs, manage broadcast and recording, and promote the event on-air and online.

This is more than a book presentation — it is a true celebration of our shared musical heritage. Come for the conversation, stay for the rhythm, and dance the night away with us. We can’t wait to see you there!

como una continuación convincente del primer volumen, “Somos Cumbia”.