On Thursday night, the Richgrove Memorial Hall came alive with music, food, community, and conversations centered on cultural resistance. Xochitl Morales organizes these annual events in Richgrove to foster dialogue and connection.

Local artists Sonidos Unidos (Delano), Colectivo Altepee (Veracruz), and Tierras Milperas (Watsonville) welcomed Richgrove residents to a fandango—a traditional celebration from Veracruz rooted in music, dance, and community.

The fandango, a 400-year-old tradition originating in Veracruz, Mexico, creates space for people to unite, share art, and build relationships. Today, the tradition continues to grow, spreading to various regions in Mexico and the United States.

Hugo, a member of Colectivo Tierras Milperas, shared that their group nurtures Mother Earth by growing and harvesting their own food to sustain families and communities. Their name comes from the ancient Mesoamerican farming system known as the milpa, which has supported people for over a thousand years through its rich soil and biodiversity.

By preserving and practicing this traditional farming method, members of the Milperas region view their work as a powerful form of resistance.

Tierras Milperas includes migrant communities in Watsonville and Pajaro, California, who have established community gardens to promote ecological sustainability and challenge systems rooted in capitalism.

Carmen Cortez of Tierras Milperas explained that although their region is saturated with pesticides, the community actively grows nutritious food using native seeds. She emphasized how the music performed during the fandango celebrates the resilience and cultural wealth of these communities.

“The music highlights the potential for growth we’re cultivating in these regions,” Cortez said. “With the strength of our communities, we hope not only to improve agriculture but also to ensure dignified labor so workers no longer endure exploitation.”

Farmworkers often face direct exposure to harmful pesticides in the agricultural industry, leading to serious health consequences.

Colectivo Altepee has been performing for 18 years, including 15 years in their home region of Veracruz. One member explained that in that time, organized crime, industrial development, and other challenges have significantly affected southern Veracruz.

Still, he emphasized that music has deepened their connection with their grandparents and ancestors, who passed down the values and traditions that shape their way of life.

Members of both collectives stressed that through organizing, performing, staying informed, and using a variety of community tools, they are working toward systemic change.

They explained to the audience how capitalism has shifted communities toward individualism at the expense of collective well-being. Through their art, outreach, organizing, and music, these artists are driving conversations about politics, humanity, basic needs, and social transformation in their communities.