by Alex Morales
Published: August 26, 2009
Last Friday August 21st, 2009, Tarde en El Zócalo—The Resurrection Project’s annual celebration of Mexican culture and heritage—took place on the Zócalo plaza in Pilsen (18th Street & Paulina Street). 700 neighbors spent a fun evening enjoying festivities that included music, film and faith.
The evening kicked off with a beautiful performance of the Rondalla Voces Románticas de Chicago: 12 acoustic guitars led by Juan José Noyola serenaded the audience, performing nostalgic romantic ballads and classics by the likes of Los Panchos and Los Condes.
The Rondalla’s guitar sounds set the perfect pace for the evening as abuelitas in attendance remember their first danzon while eagerly waiting for a special street Mass service sponsored by the Pilsen Catholic Cluster. Special guest Francis Cardinal George of the Archdiocese of Chicago delivered the Mass in English and Spanish. Other priest from local parishes, including board member Father Mike Michelini, assisted the Cardinal in the proceedings. The Mass service also featured the music from Grupo Éxodo, a local Christian musical group with a tropical flavor (featuring  TRP’s financial counselor Guille León).
Around 8:00pm, local artist groups Tarima Son and Fandanguero came together on stage to perform.  Their fusion conjured the sounds of Son Jarocho (Son is musical time signature, Jarocho is a Mexican region) to an audience that, regardless of the drizzly weather, couldn’t stop dancing or tapping their feet.
After this phenomenal performance, the evening ended with popcorn and a special presentation of the movie Gol!, an inspirational story about a youngster who crossed the border with his parents and his dreams of becoming a futbol (soccer) legend. The movie was sponsored by National Louis University.
TRP would like to thank all of those who made this year’s Tarde a successful event.  We are already looking forward to celebrate the next Tarde en El Zócalo in 2010 and predicting it as the most special Tardes yet since 2010 marks our 20th anniversary.  Stay tuned.