*A vendor at the Sep. 2 Cine de Oro. The next movie night is Sep. 30. Image courtesy of Councilmember Valenzuela’s office.*

Sacramento (Sep. 20, 2022) - The bright lights of golden age Mexican cinema will be shining in Cesar Chavez Park at the end of September as people gather for the second presentation of Cine de Oro.

On Sep. 30, a special presentation of Ahí está el detalle (You’re Missing the Point) starring Cantinflas, one of Mexican cinema’s most famous and recognizable comedic actors, will start at 8 p.m. with festivities beginning at 6 p.m. There will be craft vendors, food, and informational tables in addition to the movie and some special performances by local cultural arts groups. The film will be in Spanish but will include subtitles.

It’s part of an ongoing effort by a group of civic leaders, business people and elected officials to activate and improve the park, which sits across from City Hall in the heart of downtown.

Mayor Darrell Steinberg’s office has been participating in the planning along with other City Council members. “I’m proud to be mayor of a city that has so many creative people working to add vitality and culture to our central city and neighborhoods,” Mayor Steinberg said.

This gathering is the second in a family-friendly event series titled, “Bienvenidos a Cesar Chavez Park,” which kicked off on Sep. 2 this year with a showing of the classic Mexican film, Una Familia de Tantas. Mayor Pro Tem Eric Guerra and Councilmember Katie Valenzuela, who represents downtown, kicked off the initial event with help from Liliana Ferrer, the Mexican Consul General. Roughly 70 people attended the gathering despite the triple-digit temperatures. Community organizations such as La Familia, the Sacramento Lowrider Commission, and Instituto Mazatlán de Bellas Artes (a Mexican folk dancing group) also participated.

A broad coalition of local leaders, the City of Sacramento, arts, and business organizations pooled efforts to bring this event series to life. Their goal is to show residents and visitors the potential of Cesar Chavez Park, which sits in the heart of downtown at I and 10th streets. The group, which has been meeting for the past four months, includes the Mexican Cultural Center of Northern California, representatives from the offices of Steinberg, Guerra and Valenzuela; the Consulate of Mexico in Sacramento; The Delgado Hospitality Group; Casa de Espanol; the Latino Economic Council; the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Dance on the Edge, and the Sacramento Downtown Partnership.

Ernest Delgado, the owner of La Cosecha restaurant in Chavez Park, attributes the initial success of the first movie night to the group working closely together on solutions and having a clear vision for what Cesar Chavez Park can be.

“This is a great template for what could be in the future.,” he said. “The idea is to make the park inclusive for everyone while embracing the name of Cesar Chavez and what he stood for.”

The group has also been focused, along with the city, on delivering aesthetic improvements to the park. Recent improvements include extensive tree trimming, additional planters, and way-finding signage around the park. Further improvements that could be added are additional string lighting and a custom planter with native plants that will use the dormant fountain in the center of the plaza.

“I’m really excited to be able to host these movie nights in the district. Classic Mexican cinema is perfect for Cesar Chavez Plaza, and a great way to bring our communities together on Friday evenings. I really appreciate Ernesto, Councilmember Guerra’s office, and our friends at the Mexican Consulate for partnering with us to make it happen,” said Councilmember Valenzuela