Que Comience La Fiesta Del Cinco De Mayo

It was a night of music, culture, family tradition, and history as the Town of Sinclair held its inaugural Cinco De Mayo Dance Festival on, May 4th.

The Latino community of Carbon County, along with family and friends, came to honor the history of their ancestry with a fun night of live entertainment and dancing. The Rawlins Latino Dancers performed a cultural dance wearing traditional costumes that are part of Mexican heritage.

People went out on the dance floor, enjoyed the food, and rode on a mechanical bull. Monte Thayer, Sinclair Community Events Director said a community member had approached him to start a Latino festival.

“A while back, some people had been asking about starting a Latino festival, “ Thayer said. “I spoke with Rawlins Music Academy Chairman Damien Cesco and we had plans to do this event together. Unfortunately, he could not make it because his band had a gig in Cheyenne.”

Thayer said even though Cesco had unexpected plans to travel to Cheyenne, he was pleased with how things turned out for this first-time event.

“We were able to get a hold of the Rawlins Latino dancers to perform for us, “ Thayer said. “Mr. Taco Loco came to serve some food such as carne asada, carnita and el pastor. Mike’s Big City (Bar & Grill) also came to serve beverages and so far it has been a good little party for a first-time event. I had no idea if 10 people would show up or 200 people would show up.”

Thayer hired Steve Narvais and The New Image Band from Cheyenne to replace the Rawlins Music Academy as the live performers. Narvais and his band played songs from classic Mariachi, Tejano music, and classic rock. Narvais band members include family and friends who have been together for quite some time.

“I have been entertaining for 40 years,” Narvais said. “I got my son on the drums and he started back when he was 12 (now 37). Glen Garcia has been with us for 9 nine years and brought his son into the band about seven years ago. Albert Quinones, our bass player, has been with us for 8 eight years and we all enjoy playing music. A good time to come together.”

Narvais had a deep interest in playing drums at a young age. He later developed his passion for playing different instruments such as the trumpet, saxophone, bass guitar, keyboard, and accordion. Navais said music is in his blood and is part of a family tradition.

“I just love music and wanted to play every instrument,” Narvis said. “My dad had a band in the 1950s and played the accordion. Music is in my family’s blood.

Narvais said being at Sinclair’s first Cinco De Mayo Dance Festival was an honor. He said it was an experience of a lifetime and hopes to return next year.

“This was awesome and what a great crowd that showed up,” Narvais said. “We hope we will return next year because I like this town.”

Narvais’s son, Mark, said he had a great time performing in front of the Sinclair crowd. He said it is one of the most fun events he has performed this year.

“It was a lot of fun and it seemed like everyone had a great time and that is what it is all about, “ Mark said. It’s all about family and friends coming together and enjoying music and the culture.”

Mark said the lesson his dad has taught him is that music is all about passion. He said he shared the same interest in playing drums as his dad.

“My dad told me if you love what you do, stick to it,” Mark said. “Dad never pressured me into music because I love being a musician and always wanted to play drums. One Christmas I got a drum set and since then I have continued playing and never looked back.”

Mark said he and his dad have a great relationship and a special bond when playing music. Outside of music, they spend time together as father and son. Mark said his greatest memory with his dad and the band was doing an opening act for the late Al Hurricane.

“We opened up for Al Hurricane in Cheyenne,” Mark said. “Al Hurricane is a big name in music and the state of New Mexico. Our band had the opportunity to open for him and it was something I will never forget. We had such a fun time that day.”

Garcia also said he was excited to be part of Sinclair’s Cinco De Mayo Dance Festival. This gig was special to him, especially having his family and friends watching the band perform.

“My girlfriend and son both have family from Rawlins,” Garcia said. “It was super fun and exciting to be at the town’s first Cinco De Mayo festival. The crowd was good to us and they loved the music we played for them.”

Garica said his musical experience was when he discovered the keyboard and taught himself to play the instrument. He played in his first band when he was 20. He hooked up with long-time friend Navis (Steve) and has been part of the New Image Band ever since.

Garica’s son Matthew said his gig in Sinclair was one of the best crowds he has performed at.

He said he had a great time and everyone appreciated the band’s performance.

“It was fun and one of the best crowds I have performed for,” Matthew said. “Everyone was cheering for us and it’s great to see everyone having a good time.”

Matthew said he grew up watching his family play music and knew he wanted to follow in the family’s footsteps in music.

“I watch my dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa play music, “ Matthew said. “I learned how to play the guitar and played with my dad and the Narvais family. It is exciting to have my family watch me perform on stage. They gave the same support for both of my grandpa’s when they were performing.”

The next event for the Parco-Sinclair Historical Theatre will be the Fat Bottom Boys, a Denver-based Queen tribute band. The Fat Bottom Boys will perform this Friday.