'Havana Nights' here to stay, city council says

DOWNEY - “Havana Nights” will still take place this October, and could potentially see expansion in the coming years.

The fate of the annual community festival was seemingly up in the air on Tuesday, as the City Council was set to discuss the possibility of reallocating funds from the rooftop party at the request of Councilwoman Catherine Alvarez.

There was some confusion early on, as Alvarez said that she did not intend to cancel the popular soiree. Instead, she stated that she had thought that the event had already been put on hold due to Covid-19.

“I do not know who said about cancellation,” said Alvarez. “We’re just reallocating money because it’s not going to be used this year.

“I want to make it clear that neither I or my colleagues on the city council cancelled Havana Nights. The event was cancelled by the theatre committee at the beginning of the year because of Covid.”

Instead, Alvarez suggested that those funds be used for another, all-inclusive Hispanic heritage month event, while adding that she would still support the Havana Nights event if it took place this year.

She also said that there was “a bigger issue facing the Cuban community than canceling cultural events.”

“I would like for staff to draft a resolution in support of the Cuban people in their fight for freedom, and commanding that the abuses of power that the Cuban government is currently subjecting its citizens to,” said Alvarez. “I hope my colleagues will support taking such an action.”

“I love Cuba. I went to Cuba. I know how it is to be in Cuba. For two weeks, I was there. I know the community; I went to support my Cubans.”

In actuality, it is the Parks and Recreation department – not the Theatre Committee – who oversees Havana Nights. While the event was canceled last year due to the pandemic, it is tentatively scheduled to take place on Oct. 7, and funds were allocated for it as part of the FY 2021/22 budget.

According to City Manager Gilbert Livas, the annual budget for Havana Nights is $31,000.

Downey’s Cuban community came out en force to voice their support for Havana Nights and their displeasure of the councilwoman’s apparent move to defund it.

Resident Michael Cueto said that “if there’s anything we need right now, it’s your support for the Cuban people.”

“There shouldn’t have been a meeting on this, especially this year. These past two weeks have been hell, not only in Cuba, but it’s been hard on us, the Cuban-Americans, the kids and the grandkids,” said Cueto. “I know that guys went through hell under a communist government. So did my dad, and so did many others here.”

“This is not just a party; this is not just a fiesta. It’s a place where we’re gonna gather and we’re going to lean on each other.”

Resident Gene Peguero was willing to give Alvarez the benefit of the doubt, however said that the Cuban community was “vocal, awake, and watching.”

“We are very good at organizing. We’ve been trampled before, and we will not be trampled again,” said Peguero. “I hope you are sincere Ms. Alvarez, and I hope the rest of you are too, because we’re not willing to go back to what happened to us in Cuba.”

“This is more than a party; this is a celebration of who we are, and it involves many cultures.”

Councilman Mario Trujillo said “Downey would not be Downey without the influence of the Cuban community.”

“Even though it’s only 2% of our population, it’s a vocal minority,” said Trujillo. “It’s so good to see cities that embrace the diversities of our residents.”

Ultimately, Mayor Claudia M. Frometa suggested that the event be expanded in future years.

“This brings the community together in a way that the arts, the music and the culture of the Caribbean is celebrated,” said Froemta. “Many restaurants, including several nonprofit organizations, raise money at that event. It is such a successful event that the rooftop has been outgrown. My suggestion and recommendation would be for future years to actually expand that event beyond the rooftop to really accommodate.”