Mole de Mayo Festival Brief History
Mole de Mayo is an annual outdoor culinary festival in the Pilsen neighborhood in Chicago, attracting over 100K people, and growing every year.
The concept of Mole de Mayo was created over 10 years ago by then local non-profit ESDC Executive Director, Hector Salda?a. The idea was to have a Mole making contest with live entertainment and lucha libre. The first event attracted over 500 people who had the opportunity to sample 3 or 4 Mole's from local restaurants, the live entertainment was provided by a local Mariachi and performing live was Galli Lucha Libre.
In 2012, I was an independent freelancer, musician and producer working on the Pilsen Soundtrack 2.0, a compilation booklet with a CD featuring 7 musical artists/bands and 7 visual artists who lived or worked in Pilsen with introductions written by Maria Catalina Johnson and Stephanie Manriquez.(https://issuu.com/diablero/docs/pilsen_soundtrack_2_issuu).
That year I approached Hector about supporting our Pilsen Soundtrack 2.0, he suggested we work on Mole de Mayo and find way to collaborate by benefiting both the festival and the Pilsen Soundtrack Project. I helped book 6 performing acts for the one day outdoor Mole de Mayo fest, successfully attracting 500+ people.
In 2019, we are celebrating 10 years of Mole de Mayo (I have been involved in 7), expanding the fest to 3 full days attracting over 100k people. Now I curate the art and musical elements of the festival, booking over 30 to 50 local, national and international bands. Currently I am the lead curator of the festival, and since 2012 I have managed and booked over 250 musical acts and dance performances, as well as been the lead graphic designer for all marketing materials.
I know the importance of marketing, logistics, event production for cultural events. I have put my expertise in all areas into this festival, and plan to offer new and fresh activities every year. Check www.moledemayo.org for more info, and reach out to me directly at [email protected] for consideration on participating or finding common ground to collaborate.