New York (Top40 Charts/ Harbourfront Centre) - Mexico's heritage and vibrant culture is celebrated at this inaugural festival happening July 17 to July 19 at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. Mexico: Beyond Your Expectations, is made possible due to the generous support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, Mexico Tourism Board and Aeromexico, the official airline of this festival. The festival takes place this summer in anticipation of the upcoming of the 200th anniversary of Mexican independence in 2010. Grammy award-winning Mexican rock group Cafe' Tacuba celebrate their 20th anniversary. Tropipunk and ska group Los de Abajo (first signed to
David Byrne?s Luaka Bop label) and Arts & Crafts? Mexican Indie rock band Chikita Violenta show off the wide range of music coming out of Mexico.
The cultural icon of the mariachi will also be featured in music and dance throughout the weekend with performances from Toronto-based Mariachi Viva Mexico, Mariachi Amigo and Cascabel along with the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company.
2009 is also the 25th anniversary of El Santo's death, one of Mexico's most famous and iconic luchadores (Mexican wrestlers) who is credited with having popularized professional wrestling in Mexico much like Hulk Hogan did for the USA. In a fitting tribute, Mexican luchadores Blue Demon Jr. and Incognito go head-to head against Canadian luchadores Superxtremo, Cody 45, Sombra and Tigerstar in Toronto?s first live outdoor Lucha Libre wrestling match. Afterwards, wrestling fanatics can meet their favorite masked heroes in an intimate and interactive Q&A session and even morph into their own luchadores persona at a late-night Lucha Libre Dance Party with Latin-Rock group Dirty Maria. Film highlights for the festival include Santo y Blue Demon vs. Los Monstruos (a luchadores film featuring the father of Blue Demon Jr. who will be on site over the weekend) as well as a screening of Santo y Blue Demon en la Atla'ntida.
Authentic and Contemporary Mexican cuisine is also highlighted with food demos from downtown Toronto restaurants La Tortilleria and Frida Restaurant and Bar. The World Cafe' also features Mexican and Latin American vendors preparing an array of typical Mexican dishes including fajitas, tacos, soups and more!
