NocheUnidos: A Wonderful Evening

On Friday, April 28, the second celebration of NocheUnidos took place at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. A house of eager and thrilled spectators filled this iconic venue in the Bay of Sarasota to enjoy the combination of the old and the new worlds through music. The “Rolling Stones” of the mariachi world, Mariachi Cobre, and The Venice Symphony, conducted by Ismael Sandoval, shared the stage once again to bring two cultures together in one room.

Our Volunteer Parent Leadership Director Marnie Howell shared these thoughts after attending and relishing the event:

This is what stood out for me:

Hector’s tribute: the power of one. It was a main theme, so poignant, respectful, and beautiful. Hector’s family was sitting several rows in front of me. His mother, stepfather, sons and their families, and Deanne, with a few tears and so proud. How could one not be moved by Andrea Aguirre and Jonathan Bruzon’s speeches and testimonies?

Conductor Ismael Sandoval’s story: an immigrant himself, whose parents never had the opportunity to go to college (his father holding down four jobs, his mom three). He was very moved, and when The Venice Symphony was not playing, he was beaming—I wish I had a better word to describe how meaningful this seemed for him.

The smiling faces and cheers. When not playing, the members of The Symphony were smiling. Mariachi Cobre was having fun, and the audience sang along. Even Padre Celestino from St. Jude Catholic Church donned a sombrero for a song.

The notion of “Sí se puede” and “achieving the American Dream” were the undercurrents in so many of those on the stage and in the audience. We have beautiful notes from participants in our Parent Leadership program. Our volunteers were so proud to be part of the event, and everyone did an amazing job. 

What an inspirational night!