Bésame Mucho fest explores various facets of Mexican culture at Dodger Stadium

With the inaugural Bésame Mucho Festival at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday night coming to a close with Los Tigres Del Norte on the Las Clasicas stage, the band reminded attendees of a powerful sentiment. While delivering a set that united the young and the old with songs that spanned multiple generations, the message was clear: No matter who you are, all Latinos belong here.

That short yet powerful message was felt across the large-scale venue that played out on four stages and around the vast Dodger Stadium property. And as Jorge Hernandez, accordion player for Los Tigres del Norte, so eloquently put it at least every 15 minutes during his turn, “Long live Mexico, forever!”  Even though the crowd was more than a hundred miles away from Mexico, it seemingly lived there for the day.

“I can’t really think of another festival that brings together the best of our culture,” Samantha Regalado said of the event while waiting to catch Mexican rock group Hombres G. “There’s a little something for everyone no matter what age you are and that’s what makes it so special.”

Most of the festival goers seemed to have that same admiration.

In its first year, Bésame Mucho brought out some of the finest food from local Los Angeles eateries, Mexican vendors and beautiful Día de Los Muertos art that flooded the festival grounds. If you were lucky to witness it, there was an exhilarating fighting match with various luchadores (wrestlers) in the ring to compete in teams. Everything felt authentic to the Latino culture.

As we strolled around the festival for the single-day, 12-hour event, here are a few things that caught out attention.

Music that moves you

If there was a stage that could bring out every emotion and every dance move to life, it would be the Las Clasicas stage at Bésame Mucho. Placed right in the middle — between the Rockeros and Te Gusta El Pop? stages — this particular section had its own aroma.

The Regional Mexican band Grupo Kual, which blends pop and folk styles from Colombian, Peruvian and Caribbean traditions, had everyone from the front of the crowd to attendees waiting in line for food a couple of feet back dancing away. It was a sight to see as young daughters danced with their fathers, to older couples dancing the bachata in the crowds. However, what made this stage so special was the crowd creating a complete dance floor with room to sway your hips and enough wiggle room to take the hand of someone asking you to dance.

Another Regional Mexican band, Banda Machos, was a hit with songs like “Me llamo Raquel,” “La celebra.” The band also had everyone bolting to the stage once the horns initiated its hit single, “Historia sin fin.” It was hard to must up the strength to leave and head to any other area of the festival, as Banda Machos’ set had everyone in a trance and ready to dance the night away while the sun melted into a smooth, cotton candy-like sky.

The Rockeros stage conjured up the nostalgia for the fans with its ’80s new wave and rock en Español lineup. One of the highlights of the night was Caifanes, the Mexico City-based rock band that brought a larger-than-life crowd to the stage. Looking at the massive sea of people, it was clear that anyone who was a fan of ’80s music was in front of this stage. Popular tracks like “Viento” and “Afuera” caused the crowd to go wild as some were screaming the words and some were dancing with the little room they had.

Zoé, another Mexican rock band, gave the night a nice jolt of energy with an electrifying set. Frontman Leon Larregui surprised fans by climbing over the barricade and jumping into the crowd to hug and even exchange a few kisses with a few fans who were lucky enough to get them.

The art and murals

The festival grounds were beautifully surrounded by Día de Los Muertos art and murals, making it hard not to stop and stare, or even take a couple photos with the artwork. The festival’s art was created by Los Angeles-based artist Ricardo Soltero, the scenery director and stage set designer for the biggest Día de Los Muertos celebrations in the country and at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

The sculptures that lined the grounds depicted female skeleton characters, with some standing as tall as 14 feet high and dressed in brightly colored Mexican dresses. Soltero’s artwork honors the decades of traditions in Mexican culture.

Authentic eats

Whichever food stand or vendor fans chose to go to, they were in good hands. I got to try a few different spots including Perro Tacos, Avenue 26 and Las Chelaguas. At Perro Tacos, I ordered a quesadilla made from flour tortillas straight from Tijuana, Mexico, that sat perfectly in a bed of cheese, cabbage, cilantro, lemon and a nice side of jalapenos. The tortillas were massive — and a serving I don’t think anyone could finish entirely — but it was worth the 20 minute wait.

As the night cooled down, I made my over to the Las Chelaguas stand, ready for a refreshing aguas frescas. The drinks on the sign were labeled as “Michelaguas,” a good mix of aguas frescas with a michelada flavor and, of course, a chamoy rim to top it off. With six varieties available, I chose the strawberry lemonade with a chamoy straw, watermelon candy and pineapple chunks on top. The drink was in high demand as these lines were the longest of the night. I understood why with the first sip.

Enthusiastic crowds

What made the festival experience unique was that from stage to stage, everyone in the crowd seemed genuinely happy to be there. Bésame Mucho brought together multiple generations of Latino families and friends who danced to songs that often play at family parties and events they’ve grown to love over the years. It’s true that the festival grounds were absolutely packed, which did make it difficult to walk around in certain areas, but there were plenty of people dancing and laughing the day away.

“I’ve met so many people here at this fest, and they all have the same excitement to catch bands we grew up listening to while literally dancing our (butts) off. It’s a feeling I don’t think you can forget,” Paloma Sanchez said while walking out of the festival at the end of the night.

Bésame Mucho

When: Saturday, Dec. 3

Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles