Downtown Oxford’s authentic Mexican restaurant is celebrating its one-year anniversary Saturday, Dec. 2 and everyone is invited to enjoy to an evening rich in south-of-the-border artistry, music and of course, cuisine and libations.
‘We’re going to have a big party,? said Alberto Pimentel, owner of Casa Real, located at 21 S. Washington St. ‘This is for the customers, not for us. They’re the ones supporting the restaurant.?
Renowned Mexican artist Efrain Fuentes Santiago will get the party started by demonstrating how he makes his unique and colorful Oaxacan wood carvings from 4 to 6 p.m.
The carvings are a form of prized folk art that originates from Oaxaca (pronounced wa-ha-ka), one Mexico’s largest and poorest states located in the southeastern portion of the country.
Hand-carved from the green, sweet-smelling wood of the Copal tree, the techniques and artistry behind these sculptures come from the Zapotec Indians who live in the Oaxaca valley.
Called ‘Alebrijes,? these brightly painted sculptures reflect both the religious and everyday lives of the artists who create them. Iguanas, dogs, cats, pigs, angels, devils, frogs, snakes, armadillos ? these are some of the more popular subjects.
Fuentes, who’s visit to Oxford is being sponsored by Kingsbury School, began carving when he was just seven years old. Three generations of the Fuentes family work in wood carving today.
Using a machete and chisel to transform the Copal wood into his creations, Fuentes, who hails from the Zapotec village of San Martin Tilcajete in Oaxaca, specializes in carving cats, armadillos and anteaters.
Fuentes will visit Kingsbury School on Monday, Dec. 4 to demonstrate some simple wood carving techniques and discuss the color, paint mediums and stylistic approaches to Oaxacan art.
Under Fuentes? guidance, Kingsbury students will begin their own art projects.
Once Casa Real customers are done feasting their eyes on Fuentes? masterpieces, a mariachi band will fill their ears with the joyful sounds of old Mexico from 6 to 9 p.m.
At 9 p.m., Casa Real will turn up the heat with a DJ and spicy salsa dancing until 2 a.m.
Plenty of food, gifts for the customers and drink specials involving the restaurant’s impressive selection of tequilas and Mexican beers will help keep the party going into the wee hours.
A token of his gratitude and appreciation for a successful first year in business, Pimentel hopes the anniversary celebration will let his customers know just how special they are to him, his family and his staff.
‘I’d like to thank everybody, all of our customers, for their support and acceptance,? he said.