Culver City Observer -

By Lynne Bronstein

Observer Reporter

Visitors to this year’s Fiesta La Ballona will have the enjoyment of experiencing Culver City through a special exhibit, courtesy of KCET.

The city and KCET, the nation’s largest independent public television station, now celebrating its 50th year in Southern California, are partnering to host a multimedia community exhibit in the form of a traveling arts and education kiosk which will be at the Fiesta on August 29.

Measuring 84 inches in length, width, and height, created by KCET and local environmental designer Melissa Castellano, and built by fabricators Dave’s Signs and Tortoise Industries, the kiosk will offer an interactive tour of historic points of the region and will ask the question “How do you envision a better state?”

KCET staffers will be conducting on-camera interviews and raffles and will be available to answer questions during the exhibition period. Excerpts from the on-camera interviews will be aired later on air and online at kcet.org/50.

“We are so pleased that the City of Culver City is hosting our community kiosk and helping to strengthen our region’s cultural fabric, allowing our viewers to become a part of the conversation,” said Mary Mazur, KCETLink’s Chief Operating Officer. “We are also grateful to our Community Advisory Board for identifying important locations where the kiosk can be displayed, create a sense of community, and educate people about our history.”

In addition to the kiosk, Fiesta La Ballona will feature all the other diversions that are enjoyed by both Culver City residents and visitors. There will be carnival rides and games, live music and performances, over 100 booths with artisan wares and representatives of local businesses, non-profits, and civic organizations, a petting zoo, pony rides, a beer and wine garden, food trucks, a farmers market, and contests and special events.

Entertainment will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Friday August 28 in the Entertainment Tent with US 99 performing classic rock. At 6 p.m. Fiesta-Palooza will begin, featuring five local teen bands: Detoure, the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts Jazz Combo, Grounded, Scoop, and Silent Partner.

On Saturday beginning at noon Mariachi Voces de Mexico will perform, followed by Grupo Folklorico Macias performing folk dances of Mexico, country music with Kelly Rae Band, followed by Jackie’s Posse performing country line dancing.

Others in Saturday’s lineup include R & B, funk, and soul with A. D. and the Soul Company, OTE Dance Studio with a performance of jazz and hip-hop, popular music with Wildfire, folk dances with Grupo LaRosa, and a two-hour swing dance party with Jumpin’ Joz Band. This performance is sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

Sunday will feature ukulele music with Cali Rose and The CC Strummers, Hawaiian music with O’ahu, followed by the Ho’Aloha Polynesian Dancers, Conjunto Los Pochos performing Mexican Conjunto music, Grupo Folklorico Tzintzuni performing folk dances of the Americas, Igor and the Red Elvises’ Siberian surf music, Bulgarian folk dances performed by Xorotroptzi, and a closing set of Latin jazz with Louie Cruz Beltran Ensemble.

Fiesta La Ballona began as a weeklong celebration of the region’s early settlers and has evolved into a three-day summer festival for all ages. Fiesta will be taking place August 28 through 30 at Veterans Park, 4117 Overland Avenue in Culver City. Fiesta hours are 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, August 28; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, August 29; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 30.

And oh yes, it’s free.