There were several different types of presentation formats employed in the program. Each shaped different types of engagement between artists and visitors. The “Al son que me toquen” stage was the largest of the performance venues. It had a big dance floor and featured music, dance, and circus performances, as well as evening concerts. The “El Rumbiadero” stage was a smaller venue designed for interactive music workshops and dance classes. The “Me contaron los abuelos” narrative stage, located in the middle of the craft demonstration area, engaged participants from the different ecosystems and from other Festival programs in more intimate conversations. The “El saber de los sabores” foodways demonstration area presented indoor and outdoor cooking traditions. The site, with its benches and small tables, also provided “hang out” areas for people to gather, play games, and informally talk.
The overall site design (see Designing the Festival) complemented the thematic structure for the different presentation venues.
Twenty bilingual presenters enriched the presentations. They introduced the participants and the program’s central themes; framed and contextualized presentations with background information; led narrative workshops; and facilitated craft demonstrations; and translating when necessary.
