HoLa Hora Latina

0:00Good morning and welcome to East Tennessee now. A weekly public affairs program featuring some of the people and organizations that make our community such a great place to live, work and raise a family. Here's your host for East Tennessee now. My name is Frank Murphy. Thank you for listening to East Tennessee now or maybe I should say Minombre es Paco because today we welcome Pedro Tomas who is the president of Ola Orelatina and the head of the Ola Festival coming up on October 10th. Welcome Pedro. Thank you. Thank you for having me here. Well, first of all, was it even in the ballpark when I said Minombre es Paco? Yeah, I think you were doing it. You can always go like Miyamo. Miyamo Paco. Oh, I like it better. Miyamo Paco. Miyamo Paco. Yeah. Alright, because that's Paco I think is like Nicknamed for Francisco. For Frank. Yeah, Francisco. Oh, good. Yeah. See, I have a tree that's named like that. So you're like the Colto Caillos in Spanish. Like when you have the same name with somebody else. Oh, yeah.

1:00Yeah. So you're a tocaiote with my tree. Alright, well, let's talk then right up front about the details of the Ola Festival because we're going to mention that multiple times during the interview so we can make our plans to join you at World's Fair Park on October 10th, which is Saturday. Yeah. Right. We are this year. We're going to go to just one day. It just gets really complicated with volunteers and our vendors with a two days. So we're going to try again. We had to do it a couple of years ago due to another event in the city. But we're going to go on just Saturday and just be there all day so people can come out whatever time it is. Starts on 11 a.m. On 11 a.m. And we go all the way to like 10 p.m. So truly the last part is just like really like a salsa party. We should mention there is free parking available. It is on the 11th street car parking garage. And is that the section of the park then that I'm thinking of that is right immediately

2:00adjacent to 11th street? Exactly. But that's not the entrance. Oh, where's the? Yeah, the entrance will be over by the amphitheater. By the amphitheater. Exactly. Yeah. Because this is the part when the city put this together they gated and fenced that area. Yes. So it makes it really, really nice because especially with the children, it's, you know, we have an enclosed. Yeah. And there's only like two entrances. So it's quite safe, you know, to see, you know, officers and the front gate and the event or gate for especially for children. And over time, the city has been directing more and more of our wonderful festivals to that area. Because I mean, they went to spend all that money to make it nice. Oh, yeah. And you've got the the hardscape where you can put the various food trucks and vendors. And of course, I was thinking about, you know, the Asian festival goes there now. The festival on the fourth goes there now. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. So it's a beautiful job. And in one side, they have all this area that is just, I'm not going to say concrete, but it's kind of like really beautiful blocks.

3:02Yeah. And that's actually where our main stage is on that side. It's like paving stones. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. But they did that. So the stage wouldn't sink down into the mud like you used to. Yeah, like it used to. Yeah. Yeah. So it will have, you know, food and craft vendors and, you know, children's activities and we have two stages full of again dance dance groups from from Enco to salsa to the Aztec dance, which is just a really fantastic group with all the feathers and all of that and the bells and that. And some of the best cookies I ever got in my life where the all of festival years ago, I think it was in the either the biggest parking lot or market square. But the problem is I didn't pay attention. So I can't remember from which country they came. I want to say. I want to say Argentina, but I might be wrong. It could be. It could be. Yeah, well, we're growing a little bit. Yeah. So, yeah, the food is the food is amazing.

4:02And you'll find some bakers as well. We have one that just joined us from Puerto Rico that I saw them at the International Festival for the Children at the Children's Museum in Oak Ridge. And they were just fantastic. So I'm very excited to try those. These are it's again and cookies and stuff. But mainly the food is just amazing. We have about 12 vendors right now. I'm sure in the next two and a half weeks, we're going to have more. They're coming in quite quickly. And from Cuba to Spain to Puerto Rico to Venezuela to Colombia, we have just a plethora of things. Of course, Mexico or our neighbor. Yeah. So many great options and so many great countries represented. There's so much great food. And now I remember the parade of nations. So tell me about that. Yes, the parade of nations is done every year and everybody represents in costumes and with the flag and with the sign coming in all the way we gather at right outside this

5:06year has to be from the amphitheater because it's under reconstruction. And then they come in through the front and come down the center of the festival to the stage. And then we just hang out there. One of my favorite times to the festival because everybody's just together. Just like our motto says, we are one America, Somosuena, America. And the colors that are just popping not only from the flags, but the costumes is just totally, totally an amazing moment. Yeah, especially just seeing it, you know, once we're the first ones in the golf cart opening the parade. And at the time I get down there and I turn around and I see, you know, all those countries coming down the center. Where did the participants even get the authentic clothing? Do they have to have it shipped in from the motherland? They don't build a make up. You know, there's a lot of, you know, artists that do all of that, you know, talented people because they just, they're just beautiful. And I'm like, how much fabric did you have to get from that? A lot of frills on some of those dresses.

6:06Yeah. Yeah. The vendor booths that sell handmade crafts, these beautiful, you know, jewelry and all sorts of things that you can buy at the Ola festival. Yeah. Also relates to making the costumes. Yeah. And also, let me reiterate that we accept only handmade, original, authentic vendors. So that if you're getting something, it's going to be something that was not mass produced. It's going to be something that's, you know, yeah, truly, truly there. But it reminds me to ask you about Louise Mandrel, but we'll get to that in the morning. Oh my goodness. Yeah. Hearing it on the stage. But yours, like my sister anyway, so. But I wondered about your personal history, Pedro Tomasov getting to the Ola festival because you're a showbiz guy. Yeah. I came from Cuba and I went to New York and I studied in New York. I studied, you know, went to Fortamu University at Lincoln Center and then my dance classes and all of that. Yeah. And I had the opportunity to audition for Opera Land USA, which is that.

7:09In existence anymore and I went to Nashville. So from Fortamu, you're a Fortam Ram. Yeah. Yeah. And Opera Land guy. To Opera Land guy. And it's a funny story if I may say it. Please. So like I'm told that, you know, I've only been here in the United States for like eight years or seven years in like the New York area. And when they call me, well, you know, we want you to work at country music USA. I really thought it was like a tribute to America at that point. I didn't really. Because I didn't know country music at that point in that area. And when I got there and, you know, the director and we meet with the cast and they said, well, let's go and see the set. And we walked over there and I saw this like kind of barn with like, like some hall. Yeah. So we and I was like, well, I don't know about this. So what was your field of expertise? Did you say it was a music dance or kind of music theater? It was like what I was doing. How to put it all together singing in the dancing. Right.

8:10So from there a couple of years after my last year at Opeland in 83, I joined Luis Mendrell. So then, you know, just evolved from there and, you know, to just a backup singer to the lead dancer and partner with her and on and on and on. And we got bigger and then we got more dancers and all of that. And we, you know, she and I started kind of going with costumes and what concepts, you know, just what are we going to do that? And then on top of that, we also brought my mom in who was a great seamstress and also be that beat, you know, beatwork. And so she worked with us, especially when we opened here at the theater in 97. So that's how you got from Nashville to pigeon four. Forge. Yeah. 1997 Luis opened the theater, Luis Mendrell theater in pigeon four. And we were there for eight seasons, eight years, which was, you know, the most magical years because we actually didn't have to tour. So we sat in one place and we were able to really be creative and bring on amazing, amazing

9:11costumes and big production. Yeah. Just to, as to supporting the amazing entertainer that she was. Oh, she is. She is. Of course. Yeah. Of course. I'm just thinking about the people who click on this episode specifically to hear about the Ola festival. Yeah. And then ten minutes in. We're talking about the bridge, Mendrell. And then after she, you know, when she was, you know, I was getting older and I'm like, well, this kind of, you know, it's hurting to do three shows a day and six days a week. And I was like, when did I go back to school and do finish when I started at Fordham, which was a double major with Spanish literature and theater. So I went back to UT and finished my bachelor's with that with both Spanish literature and and theater. And then I had 21 hours of grad hours with the theater department. And I did get my master's from in the Spanish program.

10:12Oh, congratulations. Yeah. Thank you. And then I, after that, I got hired and I was like, hey, this is great. Of course, I have to get involved with the theater department over there. So I did some shows and it's a great family as well at Clarence Brown. Oh, yeah. I just went recently to see production. Oh, yeah. Dialog Informator? Yes. Wonderful. Yeah. So then I became part of the board of directors too over there. I did my last show there was in 2018. But back going back when I was be mentored by one of the teachers at UT, we got together. It was like, you know, hey, Peter, there's an all a festival. And I was like, oh, my gosh, that's wonderful. So like you said, it was the first time that I saw it down at Regus Parking Lot. Yeah. So I started this as like an art exhibit at borders just to show some art in Borders Bookstore. That was like out west for, you know, I was in the front hall.

11:12They did it again at a church parking lot and then it evolved to there. And then it makes sense to me if I think about the Hispanic and Latino culture that's very strong at churches. Yeah. And I think that's a huge celebration of the church that already selling tacos and tamales to raise money for our Lady of Guadalupe, which is not until December 9th, you know. So they're already planning or December 12th, excuse me. Well, I was thinking of St. Juan Diego, but he is just saying together. Yeah. There's many of them. Yes. Yes. But you know what I mean? It's in that's a huge celebration with parades and flowers and all the things. So I can see how the church community would want to grow that into the popular culture as well. Well, actually when it started, Ola Ola, Latina was actually just Ola, Ola. Yeah. Ola, Ola. What does that mean? Ola Latina hour. Okay. So it actually had was Bible study along with discussions about culture.

12:12Oh, so it was like you get together for an hourly ride. Right. And then, you know, just like four ladies, that is a start. And then they started bringing artists and community members, Luis Velasquez, who was the original creator of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the old one. I believe there's a new one now. And it just started to grow from there and they started doing what I think one time they did like a block party somewhere. I've got to get with you. Yeah. Sure. Because I really want to get everything archived. Right. Because the organization has changed and grown. Yeah. And you came in at a time when they needed your help. Yeah. I was part of the board of directors and then one day I worked in and somebody congratulated me. Congratulations, Mr. President. And I was like, okay, let me. I have a lot to learn now. This is like an up doing another master's degree. I've been on a couple of boards and it happened to be twice.

13:14They made me president. And I thought I'm never ever going on another board again. Yeah. If you keep showing up for the meeting, so like that guy make him the president. But it's been lovely. It's been a wonderful experience. It's been a tough experience. And but you know, you learn so much and the more you learn one year, the easier it gets the next year. Sure. But you're always learning new things. Especially as the president, you find you really are the lowest ranking member of the board. You've everything that falls to the cracks lands on you or your desk. Yeah. So I did come in as president in 2016. Okay. And we were already by that time at Market Square. The reason they got to Market Square, we won a little story. It was one the following year that after I went with my friend to to to to Riga's parking lot. Just as a spectator. I was going the next year. Oh, sure. Yeah. So I was like boom, boom, boom, and it was like raining heavily on our way there.

14:14And I was like, I'm going anyway. It's going to stop. It's going to stop well. It's like like a deluge of water coming down in Knoxville. And they had to actually kind of cancel it. Yes. Well, later that afternoon, the city of Knoxville said, hey, it's getting sunny. If you want to go, you can bring some food vendors or so and do something at least do something at Market Square. Wow. And that's how it actually began at Market Square until we had to grow. Yes. Market Square because we were tight, man. Yeah. In 2019 when we were there, it was it was so tight. You know, the period of nations were like single file getting through, you know, to get two places. So then, you know, talking to the city and, you know, where to, and of course, this, this amazing venue, the performance lawn of Wells Faribarque.

15:15So wonderful place for events. Yeah. And being what they did being fenced in, we're able actually to like this time that we're doing it on Saturday, we're able to set up on Friday night. Is that mean the service is involved? Oh, yeah, service is involves. That's the other Spanish word I picked out of you. Yeah. We have people distributing this here, not that I want to do a commercial, but I'm very excited because we're going to be carrying shul this, this time, the shul lager. So which I believe is very popular right now in Knoxville. And so I'm excited about having them, but we're in close. So like we can leave things overnight. Yeah, we do have security overnight. But it makes it a lot easier that way. Yes. You know, markets where when we did that and we had to come back, a lot of things happened to, to stuff. So we had to be careful. Right. There's no way to lock everything down. Yeah. Right. So this is another advantage then. Yeah. So let's walk into the olifestibles, get that date time place again.

16:17It's World's Fair Park. It's Saturday, October 10th, starting at 11 a.m. Go until 10 p.m. That's it. And we walk in those gates over by the amp computer. It costs what? Four bucks? Is that right? Four bucks to get in. Yeah. Children under 12 are free. And if you are a member of all, you can in free. So if you want to join all of which we would be very happy that you did, just go into our website, olawadalatina.org to the web and just find the membership's page. And that's, you know, it'll get you also to the invite store. Frutus Latinos at the Knoxville Museum of Art every year. And also to our Christmas get together at the end of the year to celebrate all the accomplishments that we've had. So we also have to admit that four bucks is probably one of the least expensive tickets for a fundraiser. Right. It is a fundraiser for the organization. It is the only big fundraiser that we have. We do sell some imported crafts at our olaw gallery at the Emporium.

17:17But then, you know, that helps a lot with the scholarships and all of that that we have for the artist and that we have. We have two competitions a year. One of them is students and then our Frutus Latinos, which is a collaborative exhibit with like we had, I believe, 14 artists. This, this time and for a cash scholarship. Yeah. We give the artist a certain amount of money for first, second, third place. Okay. And the people that come into on that first Friday of September vote for their favorite. That way we don't have judges and like in power realities and all of that. So it's very, very fun. But we also have to take that like a week later over to the Knoxville Museum of Art. And it was just beautiful last night. We had the Frutus Latinos event there. And of course, again, members can invite it to that. They get a little dinner and they get to experience not only the museum, but our exhibit.

18:24And we give out the awards that night to the artist. Vendors are invited. Sponsors are invited. Members are invited. Our craft vendors. So. We have the voting on the first Friday of September, which is a big thing. The first Friday art walk in downtown Knoxville. It's not just right. Right. Right. Many organizations, many artists and galleries are involved. But that first Friday in September is right before the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which you've already explained to me once, as we were walking to the studio. But tell me again, why does it start on the middle of September, on the 15th of September? The 15th of September was the day that all of Latin America became, well, I'm not going to say all of them. Most of the countries in Latin America got their independence from Spain. So that started on the 15th and 16th were the major days. Because I remember from living in California, there was taught us that September 16th was Mexican

19:25independence day, not synchro de Mayo. Right. No, that's the Battle of Fuebla. I went there one against, I think Emmanuel French, yeah, the French Napoleon. And King Emmanuel, like they wanted to have a King, but anyway. So September 15th, then, is the start of the month. September 16th is specifically Mexican independence day, but many of the Latin American countries were free from Spain. September 15th through October 15th. Oh, so little by little, they all got their independence, which is also a beautiful thing. To have actually the city proclaim it to every year, it's a really, really special time. Yeah. And it is proclaimed our Fútbols Latinos event at the Knoxville Museum of Art. Which also explains why the Ola Festival has always been on the most convenient weekend in late September, early October. You know, you know where that is, right? Because we have, we have football. We have. Don't you call football? I know what football is. Footballer, Americano, okay.

20:27We have footballer, Americano. And yeah, so we have to go by that schedule. We can't really have a festival because downtown is overwhelmed by, by, by Neil and Stadium and the activities. Which is just amazing. The garage should be full of cars. We know place for people to park. When we come down to the Ola Festival, we need the falls to be out of town. Yeah. But it's great because, you know, we have the event here in another event, the following week and in a football game, the following week and another festival. So I love that about Knoxville. It's just a vibrant cultural city. Yeah. Well, who are you rooting for in the world to cup this past year? Spain. Spoiler alert. They won. Yeah. I kind of think they did. Well, it's only because of my ancestor. My grandfather was from Barcelona. Okay. So and he, because we're talking about independence from Spain. Yeah. I know. But when I had to, because he like me, root in Feringland, I wonder why would I do that?

21:29He was from Barcelona. So he migrated to Santiago de Cuba, which is where I was from. And so there's a connection. There's still some family members that we visited. Beautiful. We go to Barcelona. Oh, I mean, I'm playing. You had to go. I had to. Yeah. They would have been like bombing my phone. Because the other team that was really good this year was Argentine. No, they're always good. Yeah. Yeah. But there's nothing about football soccer, but except that my grandsons are now interested in it. They came to visit and everything was, well, we can't go to pigeon forge because we want to watch the game on what game? Oh, well, it's more and more. We're getting, you know, more football stadiums, not football, but I mean, it can't lose stadiums, but football. Yeah. Yeah. Then brand new stadium in downtown Noxville is built for soccer and baseball. Right. Right. Yeah. And UT has a soccer stadium. Very good teams, too. Yeah. Excellent. So we're talking about all of the wonderful things. Actually, we're talking about the culture here in East Tennessee that supports the Ola Oralatina Organization, Pedro Tomasio, the president, and head of that.

22:34It all culminates really with this festival every year, but remind us of the other things that happen throughout the course of the calendar year that Ola Oral is involved. Yes. First of all, we have a monthly exhibits at Casa Ola where we call it. And where we have... At the Emporium for the Arts. Yeah. Downstairs to the right. It's a cute little gallery that we have there. And also a little store with all the... Like I told you earlier, the little imported crafts that... That through the sales, so that we are able to raise some money for our scholarships. And some of them are themed. Some are not themed. For example, like in January, we take advantage of the Adelor Treyes Magos, the King Day. Yeah. Oh, yeah, Piffney. So then we have some children's, little kids' artwork displayed. And at the same time, when they go, we have a toy drive.

23:34And if the kids go and visit, they get a toy and they leave. In February, we have the Corazones, the And Hearts, of course. So some of them are themed. In March, we had the student art competition. And of course, they get, again, first, second, and third place. They get a little bit of money so that they can buy art supplies. Is that the counterbalance to the September or professional art exhibit? Sort of. But you have the children's in January. You have the students, which is like... We do like 14 through 20 years old. And then you have the collaborative frutos. Yeah. So each one of them... So monetary, but there is, you know, it's not a competition, but it's just an exhibit of children's. I see. Because we're giving toys to the kids. And so on and so forth, yeah. And then we have, of course, the big one frutos latinos. And then it continues because then we have the one in November for the day of the dead.

24:35And that's a big one for us at the gallery. And we have various artists come in and display their work and... Sugar skulls? Yeah, sugar skulls and all kinds of interesting things. So and also we are also involved with the University of Tennessee with the students. And we promote... We actually sponsor that program because they have an alter competition. And of course they get excited. But it is a really nice little thing. And of course, again, first and second place, all that does give them a little bit more monetary. So how is that different from the student scholarship? That because the student scholarship is done with us. We sponsor UT's Spanish program, they have the dead at UT. Okay. It is a competition of altars, but it's done there at UT.

25:39We are just sponsoring so that we can actually give cash to the students. How does a student qualify for the normal scholarship? For the regular one, they just call our office or email us and then we want to participate in... Specifically for UT or Pellissippi or anywhere. From anywhere. Oh yeah. From anywhere. If you're 14 to 20 years old. What about like Fordham? Could somebody from Fordham give it? Yeah. Hey airplane tickets are expensive and also shipping for the artwork. Of course. Again, our mission is to create bridges between Hispanic and Latinay communities and the community at large. And we've had some just regular, not Hispanic, Latinay, but also people from the community display exhibits. So we don't want to close ourselves. We want to serve the community so that we are one community learning from each other. Yes, there's differences from the culture of Cuba to the culture of Bolivia, but there's

26:44a lot in common too. Yeah. And the same thing. So the United States with let's say Costa Rica. So we're learning all from each other. Yeah. And yeah, there is a lot of differences between the Puerto Rican culture to the American culture. And the Puerto Rico is part of the United States and it's a territory, well, a free state. So it's just to bring us together. And that's the main thing. Yeah, our main focus is to go, this is who we are, come learn who we are, but we want you to be here so we can also learn about you. Yeah. Really, really, really. And that brings me to think. You just gave me an idea. I think we should have a clogging team come in and clog at the all a festival, you know, what I mean? It's like, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's good. I think that would be great. Put on some. Why didn't I think about that? I don't know. I don't know how to use it for the clogging. What would you did to me, Frank? That's your show business.

27:44Yeah, I know. The choreographer just came out. Yeah, that's good. Well, we got only a minute or two left, Pedro Tomas. Give us the commercial, the real hard sell for the all a festival this year. Well, a festival, 2026 will be at the World's Fair Park's performance lawn on October the 10th from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Please come out. We have free parking at the Leven Street garage. It's only $4 to get in and 12 years old and less getting for free. And if you're a member of Ola or not a member of Ola, make become a member of Ola and you get for free. I see. And you'll get a lot more other perks throughout the year. And then you get a lot more of the membership. 20 bucks or something. It's 20, 24 individual, I think it's 30 for two. And you get two meals a year. So, you know, and a fun time. Yeah, lovely. And the website. The website is ola. Ola. Latina.org. Fantastic. Yeah. And you can Google that as well, but it's a wonderful time.

28:44World's Fair Park. Four bucks to get in on Saturday, October 10. Oh, thank you so much, Frank. I'm delighted to be here. Pedro Tomas, we're glad to have you here as well. Thank you. This is East Tennessee now. My name is Frank Murphy. We'll talk to you again next time. You've been listening to East Tennessee now, a weekly public affairs program featuring some of the people and organizations that make Knoxville and East Tennessee such a great place to live. If you have a suggestion for the program, we'd love to hear from you. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 27100. Knoxville, Tennessee 37927 or call the studios at 865-525-6000. East Tennessee now is a presentation of Midwest Communications Company.