El Museo del Barrio celebrated its 28th Annual Three Kings Day Celebration.

Keeping our traditions alive! It was held Thursday, January 6, 2005 from

10:00 am to 1:00 pm at El Museo del Barrio located at 1230 Fifth Ave. at

104th St., New York, NY 10029.

Click Here->>Photos from the this Celebration taken by Senor BoriQua

Twenty-eight years ago El Museo del barrio and its Puerto Ricans founders pioneered
the Three Kings Day Parade, a cultural festival now celebrated in all of New York City's
boroughs. This beloved cultural tradition marks the feast of the Three Kings in the
Caribbean and Latin America on January 6, also known as the Epiphany.

This feast day commemorates the biblical legend of the three wise kings from separate
lands-- Gaspar from Spain, Baltazar from Asia, and Melchor from Africa- who came
together guided by a star to bring gifts to the newborn Jesus. Their gifts--gold
for royalty, frankincense for spirituality, and myrrh for humanity-- their journey
and their story have become universal symbols of faith, hope, and charity. And so,
January 6th has been for centuries the principal day of gift-giving in the Caribbean,
Latin America and Spain.

On the eve of January 6 it is customary for the children to prepare for the Three
Kings visit by putting grass, hay or straw in a shoebox under their beds and leaving
a glass of water. these items are meant as offerings for the the Three Wise Men
and their camels. The water is left to quench the three kings' thirst after their long
journey while the hay is offered to help replenish the camels.

Three Kings
Juan Guzman, Art Director, Casa Puebla
Jesus "Papoleto" Melendez, Poet
Moises Perez, Executive Director of Alianza Dominicana

Madrinas and Padrinos
Lorraine Cortez Vazquez, V.P. Government and Education, Cablevision; Parade Co-chair
Teresa Santiago, Chairperson/Executive Director of the NYS Consumer Protection Board;
Parade Co-chair

Johnny Colon, musician
Carmen Pietri and Joe Pietri, family of poet Reverendo Pedro Pietri
Herbie Quinones, Latin radio personality

Parade Music: Pepe Castillo and Estampa Criolla
Music in Courtyard : David Oquendo and the group
Costumes of the the three Kings: Original Design by Mario Cesar Romero

Toys Generously Donated by:
NBC Today Show Holiday Gift Drive
TY, Inc., Scholastic, Sanrio, Disney Worldwide Outreach, CenterCare,
Mt. Sinai Hospital, and Mr Victor Martinez

El Museo del Barrio thanks the their extraordinary staff and volunteers for
making this parade a reality. Most of all, they thank the generosity of our
Caribbean and Latin American Communities who give meaning to this festival.
To All: Mil Gracias and Feliz Dia de Reyes!

THE 28th ANNUAL THREE KING DAY CELEBRATION
THEATRE PROGRAM

Slide Presentation

Performances by Ballet Hispanico School Ensemble and
Ballet Folkorico de Mexico

1) Estampa del Estado de Guerrero

2) Solo from Bizet's Carmen
Choreography- Gabrielle Granados
Dancer-Mary Baird

3) Estampa del Estado de Nayarit

4) Servillanas- popular Spanish dance from the Andalucia, Spain
     Music- Rafael del Estad
     Choreography Melinda Marquez
     Dancers- Mary Baird, Vanity David, Kimberly Braylock,
                      Leilani Foster, Cristal Reyes, Danica Rosen

Toys distribution by the Three Kings

Emcees: Manuel Moran and Nonito-- Manuel Moran is the Executive
Director of SEA, the Society of the Education Arts, dedicated to the
empowerment and education advancement of children and young
adults. SEA is one of the few Hispanic/Bilingual Arts-in-Organiztion in
New York City and Puerto Rico and offers a year-round calendar
of general audiences performances and special school performances.
SEA was voted by NYC's El Diario-La Prensa as one of the "10 Best
Latino Theater Companies in New York.

Ballet Hispanico School Ensemble-- directed by Zelma Bustillo is composed
of students from the intensive training program at the Ballet Hispanico
School of Dance. Ballet Hispanico of New York was founded in 1970 by
Artistic Director Tina Ramirez and tours internationally to critical and public
acclaim.

Ballet Folklorico Espiritu de Mexico - Children Ensemble of Associacion
Tepeyac de NY under Dario Sanchez will perform two pieces:
one from the state of Guerrero and
another drom the state of Nayarit, Mexico.

El Museo del Barrio wishes to Thank the Following Supporters
of the 28th Annual Three Kings Day Parade:

Lead Sponsor - CenterCare Health Plan

Supporters
The Honorable Adam Clayton Powell IV and
The Manhattan Delegation of the New York State Assembly
The Honorable Olga Mendez, former New York State Senator
The Honorable Peter Rivera, New York State Assembly member
American Bible Society
Con Edison
Mt. Sinai Hospital

Friends
Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center
The Honorable A. Gifford Miller, Speaker
New York City Council

Media Sponsors
Univision 41
The New York Times Community Affairs Dept.

Acknowledgements
ASPIRA Club, Flushing High School
Boys and Girls Harbor
Casa Puebla
The Harbor Conservatory
Hispanic Day Parade
Lincoln Correctional Facility
New York City Police Dept., 23rd Precinct

El Museo del Barrio is supported in part by public funds from
the New York City Dept. of Cultural Affairs and the New York
State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

contents were taken from el Museo del Barrio, 28th Annual Three
kings Day Celebration Program and rewritten by Senor BoriQua.

Other related links:

eldiariony.com

nynewsday.com/nyc-kingsgallery

whatsonwhen.com

Click to see more

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last updated:Monday August 29, 2005