The first-ever ‘Día de la Concha’ will take place in Pilsen this Sunday to celebrate Mexican culture through their iconic ‘pan dulce’ and at the same time, raise money to fund local programs in the neighborhood.
Stemmed from his love for conchas and its important representation of the Mexican-American identity, Fernando Nieto created and organized ‘Día de la Concha’ festival.
“The concha reminds me of my family and home”, Nieto said. “It represents our heritage and our culture. My family and friends have it while ‘chismeando’ or during family gatherings”, he added.
The event will also serve to showcase Pilsen’s culture, Nieto said, who is part of Inner City Culture, a not-for-profit organization responsible for organizing other festivals in the neighborhood, including Pilsen Taco Fest. Nieto also helps organize the My House Music Festival with the non-for-profit org My House Music Festival. All of their events, including ‘Día de La Concha,’ are free and all collected donations are given to a community organization in need.
All proceeds collected at the festival this Sunday will benefit Elevarte Community Studio, a community-based art organization in Pilsen. Panaderia Nuevo Leon also agreed to donate 50% of their sales to the art program.
“We are living in a time were a lof public services are being cut. There are a lot of layoffs and not enough money for important community services”, he said. “Anyone organizing any type of festival in any neighborhood has the responsibility to make some type of donation to support one of their local programs that are suffering”, Nieto added.
Born and raised in Pilsen, Nieto said that hosting an event at Thalia Hall, a popular venue in the neighborhood, with 100% local vendors and artists is long-time accomplishment.
“I’ve always wanted to partner with Thalia Hall and have a truly cultural event that celebrates our heritage there”, he said.
The event will feature conchas and other Mexican pan dulce from various Pilsen bakeries. There will also be tamales and traditional hot drinks such as atole and hot chocolate. Vegan and vegetarian options will be available.
Aside from live music by DJ MDK and Boi Jeanius, it will also feature Chicago’s first female mariachi, Mariachi Sirenas.
January 21 from 11 am.- 4 pm., at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St.
