Local Musicians, Dancers, Artist Sought for Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Organizers of the Banning Cultural Alliance 7th Annual Art Hop are seeking artists, musicians, dancers, hairtylists, vendors and volunteers for this year's event on Saturday May 5.

Since Art Hop 2012 is on Cinco de Mayo, organizers of the downtown event have a special call out for mariachi and folklorico performers, and others who want to showcase Latino history and art.

The Banning Cultural Alliance is also seeking painters, potters, chalk artists, woodcarvers, and other artisans, according to a release from Art Hop organizers.

The May 5 date for Cinco de Mayo marks El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla in 1862, when Mexican forces defeated French forces in Central Mexico, and it has evolved into a celebration observed in communities across the United States as well as south of the border.

New at Art Hop this year is the "Really Hairy Art" competition and fashion show, an opportunity for hair and makeup professionals and beauty salons to showcase "wild and crazy hairsyles," organizers said.

Hair styles must have a minimum height of one foot to qualify for judging. Categories for the hairstyles include the themes Industrial, Organic or Fiesta. Hairstylists can complete the look with decorations, extensions, accessories and other props.

The competition is open to Pass area salons and cosmetology students. A $25 fee is required for each team that enters and hair salons can have multiple entries in the competition.

The "Trashy Fashion" competition, featuring recycled items, returns this year in partnership with Western Riverside Council of Governments, organizers said.

The Art Hop "is the Alliance's signature event in the Pass area, where thousands of people attend to view artwork, witness the art demonstrations, visit galleries, engage in free arts and crafts projects, shop the artesian and other vendors, play games, enter contests and indulge in delicious foods," a statement from organizers said.

The 7th Annual Art Hop is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday May 5, 2012.

Banning is in the San Gorgonio Pass about 85 miles east of Los Angeles.

More information, including vendor applications, is online at BanningCulturalAlliance.org. To volunteer, call (951) 922-4911 or email bcaevents@gmail.com.