VIDEO: Grandma’s Got Sol

By Marielle Shaw in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 10, 2014 6:00PM

Last week, the Pilsen Neighbors Community Council held Fiesta Del Sol. The gathering ,which started in 1972 as “a celebration of the city’s commitment to building Benito Juarez Leadership Academy” is now nationally publicized and is billed as the Largest Latino Festival in the Midwest. And from open air markets and restaurants with authentic Mexican food to murals and museums celebrating the same, Latino culture runs through the city’s veins.

One of our favorite things about Latino culture is its vibrancy. The bright colors, blaring brass sections, swirling skirts and piquant cuisine are its calling card. Teresa Fraga, a PNCC board member and community leader explains it this way: “We are the people who work under the sun…and we also celebrate under the sun.”

This year’s celebration included a moment we couldn’t help but share with you, when a local “grandma” got in the groove and impressed us with her dance moves. The video made it to Facebook and got thousands of shares and plenty of likes, and we were pleased to see that nary a troll showed up to rain on her parade.

Whoever she is and whatever her story is, she’s an inspiration to us here at Chicagoist. We hope we’re this fun and unfettered when we’re her age. Wherever you are, Grandma Del Sol, we tip our hats to you.