Festival helps spawn new Hispanic group Chispa to focus on culture, education

BANGOR – For a few minutes Sunday afternoon, the dance floor at the American Folk Festival’s Kenduskeag Dance Stage looked like a ghost town. Not a soul had ventured onto the floor. And Grupo Fantasma was warming up.

Clearly, something was up.

All at once, nearly 60 people streamed in from stage left, waving flags from Puerto Rico, Colombia, Mexico and the United States. They wore the colors of their nations, and at the front of the line, a small group held a white banner with the word “Chispa” written in capital letters.

Sunday’s final Latin dance performance was a coming out party for Chispa, which means “spark.” The group, which has been in the works for several months, has a three-part mission. It is dedicated to educating the community about eastern Maine’s Hispanic population, helping both Hispanic and American-born people with Hispanic heritage learn more about their ancestry and traditions, and creating a resource center that will help people of all backgrounds learn more about Hispanic culture.

“The community of Bangor is growing, but so is the multicultural community,” said Santiago Rave, 27. “There’s so much each individual can share and teach about each culture – through food, the arts, culture and costumes – we’re all here to be able to share with the community.”

The group is spearheaded by Rave’s mother, Maria, a native of Colombia.

Her husband, Alejandro, hails from Argentina. Chispa’s membership also represents Cuba, Mexico, Spain, Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Panama, Venezuela and the United States.

“One of our goals is to unite the Hispanic community,” said Maria Rave, who was wearing a traditional Colombian dress of lace-trimmed white gauze purchased specifically for the occasion.

Though the Raves’ restaurant, Thistle’s, has become an unofficial gathering place for the area’s Spanish-speaking community, the group hopes to create a permanent space where people can go to dance, learn the language, share -their culture and find common ground.

“This isn’t just about foreigners,” Santiago Rave said. “It’s also about people who have traveled and embraced the Hispanic community and want to be a part of it.”

Though Santiago says the local Hispanic community is very close-knit, it’s equally inclusive. Sunday’s announcement included American-born friends, spouses and colleagues who support Chispa’s mission.

Rave grew up keeping his Hispanic heritage “inside,” speaking Spanish at home, while living his “outside” life embracing American culture. For him, the opportunity to celebrate and share his background with the community is key.

“I think it’s a beautiful thing.”

For more information on Chispa, call Maria Rave at 735-5480.