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Arts & Entertainment

Cinco de Mayo!

Vamos a celebrar el Cinco de Mayo (Let's celebrate Cinco de Mayo). Here's a list of festivities displaying Mexican heritage and pride in the Anne Arundel County area.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s surprising victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

This event is often confused with Mexico’s Independence Day, the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico, which is actually Sept. 16.

The holiday is celebrated primarily in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and with limited recognition in other parts of Mexico. It is mainly observed in the United States, especially in areas with a heavy Mexican population.

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican pride and heritage and serves to educate people about Latin American culture.

Maru Montero, founder of the Maru Montero Dance Company in Washington, DC, said Cinco de Mayo is celebration for all people.

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“Officially, Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday, but we have turned it into a day of celebration for all Latinos living here and for all Americans who enjoy the culture,” Montero said. “Our festival is like the Latino St. Patrick’s Day. That’s why we say, ‘On Cinco de Mayo, everybody’s Latino.'”

Experience Cinco de Mayo at these events:

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Chili’s

Say sí to Cinco de Mayo at Chili’s Bar and Grill. There will be appetizer specials through May 5. Location: 715 W. Nursery Road, Linthicum. Phone: 410-694-8080

Chevys Fresh Mex

Celebrate four days of Cinco de Mayo at Chevys at Arundel Mills. There will be a variety of $3 drinks and half-priced appetizers through May 5. Location: 7000 Arundel Mills R-5, Hanover. Phone: 410-799-1505

Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Join the Prince George's, Anne Arundel and Howard County Chapters of the Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in commemorating Cinco de Mayo. Admission is free and a variety of tapas and drinks will be available for purchase. You must RSVP to attend this event. For more information, please contact Prince George's County Chapter Vice President Cindy Crockett at 301-262-2771 or Jorge Ribas at 301-404-1946. Location: Jalapeños, Forest Plaza Shopping Center, 85 Forest Drive, Annapolis. Date and time: May 5, 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Fourth Annual Fleet Feet Cinco de Mayo Fun Run

There will be a four-mile and a one-mile route for participants, plenty of prizes, giveaways and discounts. This year’s run will benefit the Centro De Ayuda charity. The Center of Help was established in 1999 to offer assistance to the previously underserved non-English speaking population of Anne Arundel County. To RSVP, e-mail staff@fleetfeetannapolis.com. Location: Fleet Feet Sports, 318 6th St., Annapolis. Date and Time: May 5, 6 to 10 p.m.

Cinco de Mayo at Twins Jazz

U Street, in Washington, DC's hottest jazz district, is the perfect place to celebrate
Cinco de Mayo this year. Twins Jazz will host the globetrotting Duende Quartet.
Duende is a unique small group devoted to playing Latin Jazz. The group captures
the vibe of the jazz combo while using the rhythms of a Cuban conjunto. Their
repertoire ranges from traditional Cuban songs to modern jazz compositions.
Location: 1344 U St. NW, Washington, DC. Date and Time: May 5, 8
p.m. and 10 p.m.

Second Annual Cinco de Mayo 5K Race and PerfectSmile Mile

The Oceanfront Jaycees invite all runners and walkers to participate in the Second Annual Cinco de Mayo 5K Run/Walk to support Camp Virginia Jaycee. The 5K race (8 a.m.) and one-mile run/walk (8:15 a.m.) course both begin and end on the boardwalk at Neptune's Park. Location: Neptune's Park on 31st Street and Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach. Date: May 7.  Register online at http://www.ofjc.org/events/CincodeMayo5K.html.

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