In an effort to promote community unity, the First Street Community Businesses (FSCB) have partnered, in an act of solidarity, with a local talented musical collective of artists, Colectivo Cenizas, to bring the first annual Unity and Solidarity Festival—Boyle Heights. The festivities will begin at 10:00 AM at Mariachi Plaza where musical performances will have center stage. Throughout the festival, MC’s will introduce to the general public the participating businesses and organizations along the East 1st Street commercial corridor, highlight the products they offer, and present the mission, objectives and activities the FSCB will be involved in towards a more self-sustainable economic future for the community of Boyle Heights.
The Festival Unidad y Solidaridad—Boyle Heights name embodies the mission of the FSCB. The solidarity aspect comes from working in conjunction with Colectivo Cenizas, along with other local artists. The concept behind the festival is to display and celebrate the diverse cultural treasures in our community, and encourage festival goers to patron the shops and restaurants the day of the festival and beyond. Further, in order to encourage festival goers to visit the different restaurants and shops, artists will work with business owners to display their art, creating an “art gallery” component in every participating business and organization.