Cafecito Caliente Events

My apologies to all for finally updating Cafecito with the photos from Latino Day with the Lugnuts at Cooley Law Stadium. Sunday, August 20, 2017 was our 6th year and it was considered a success by many. So many folks to thank. The whole day for me begins and ends with the Latin Old timers who took the field to be recognized before the game. For the many families who braved leaving their families in the 1930’s to 1950’s from Texas and many other states for the Michigan weather in search of jobs and a better life, we thank you. You fought discrimination that many of us in the next generations will never experience. You paved the way for us to have a life in workplaces that didn’t get sprayed with pesticides, homes that weren’t built as two room shacks with outhouses that were barely tended to. You probably couldn’t imagine all the benefits we would gain by the sacrifices you made. Thank you and God Bless you all. The 2018 Latino Day with the Lugnuts will take place Sunday, August 12, 2018. The day started with a group I had not seen perform before. My entertainment guy Victor Vasquez made Cafecito Caliente look brilliant. I received so many compliments from many who had not heard them. Xplozivo was electric to say the least. I honestly can’t wait to bring them back in some capacity for Cafecito as they prove again, that Michigan is home to top talent in the Tejano World. Ballet Maria Luz gave us plenty to smile about as their youthful dancers took the ballfield and danced beautifully. The Oldtimers took their place as well as some folks who represented loved ones who had passed. We hit our goal of 400 in ticket sales and 200 in shirt sales. Speaking of shirts, Flavored Threads gave us an awesome design that will change the way we approach many of the things we do at Cafecito. Thank you Eric Fuentes and Juan Hernandez again. Each year Flavored Threads knocks it out. If we had gotten the shirt out sooner, I truly believe we could have sold 300. Working all over the place were the photographers Albert Lopez and my daughter Antonella Benavides. Your work will outlive us as its now documentation for future generations. Supplying support for the tickets and shirt sales were Project Manager Juanita Garcia and her daughter Ashley Garcia. You helped me avoid the chaos of that chaos. Much thanks to you both. Project Manager Tammy Salazar helps coordinate the promotion of the game and helps keep me sane during the whole process of putting it together. I couldn’t do it without you Tammy. Behind the scenes working the business end were Vice President Diane Hernandez-Wojda and Project Manager Laurie Briseno. They handle all the paperwork, adbook and offer plenty during strategy sessions for everything Cafecito. Finally, I give thanks to my parents who continue to amaze, inspire and encourage me despite all my crazy ideas and running around. I travel about 30,000 miles a year since I was 21. They have been with me each and every mile. Te amo mucho!

There have been 5 versions of Latino Day/Night and Cafecito Caliente has been hit with rain three of those years. This year, we were Blessed with the rains coming through but clearing out and only setting us back about 30 minutes. I have to say thank you to all that expressed their gratitude for the days events and entertainment, but deep down, I know we have more that we need to do to make this truly Latino Day. Much thanks to Fantasia Ballet Folklorico and their beautiful display of dancers. Dorotea Rocha and Christina Ferrar Medina did a fabulous job of getting their dancers ready to put on a show for the fans. Tejano Sound Band came through and were actually set up and playing before the rain drops fell. And if you know TSB, they proved why they are one of the best Tejano bands in the Midwest. Amanda Cena showed Lansing what beautiful vocal chords she has in singing the National Anthem and God Bless America and made Cafecito look like a genius for choosing her to sing both songs. The highlight of course was the Latin American Old Timers who were recognized on the field before the game. With the rains, we lost many fans, ticket holders, and of course some of the players who thought the game was canceled. I can only blame lack of communication on my part in making sure that everyone understood, these baseball games are played at all costs. Before the game I joked with a few people that this game really isn’t about us Latinos, its about the team providing good entertainment while making a fair dollar. As the game played out, I could see the game and community in a different light. Although I was heavily thanked for the putting together this event, I was also heavily criticised and rightfully so. The question is always asked, what makes it Latino Day? Although people had no clue that Latino Day was originally scheduled for May 5th, due to an injury, I had to push the date back to late July. We ended up sharing the day with other groups most notably Princess Day of some sort. For Gente that never seems to get recognized especially in Lansing, we deserve better and in 2017 we need to make it better. I understand that Benny Huerta who turns 90 this year and is the last remaining original founder of the Baseball Leagues was very excited and couldn’t wait for Latino Day. Well Benny and the rest of the Old Timers deserve better from me and from the Lugnuts. Here’s my promise that next year, we won’t play second fiddle. Much thanks to those who constructively spoke to me about this issue. As for the injury, I suffered a concussion on October 1, 2015 which put me way behind in the marketing of the game which includes bringing in sponsors. For the third year in a row, Cafecito took a loss as expenses were a little higher this year and an estimated 75-100 folks purchased tickets through the Lugnuts instead of Cafecito Caliente. All in all, I am glad we made it through and can’t wait to show you what I had originally planned for 2016, next year as we move permanetely back to late August. Much thanks to my team of Diane Wodja-Hernandez, Tammy Corina Salazar, Martin Hernandez, Ashley Rosales, Ashly Garcia and Antonella Benavides who helped me get through this year without me at my best mentally or physically. Victor Vasquez did a awesome job at Lansing Brewery giving us an after party that was family oriented. Thanks to all of you for your patience with me. And for all those who came out and supported, although many of you stated 2016 was fun and was a great time, August 2017 will be so much better that you will look back and realize, 2016 had its flaws and I take full responsibility. God Bless and may we all see that Dios, familia y la cultura is what we need to focus on for our community move forward.

In 2012, rain interrupted Latino Night with the Lugnuts in the third inning as the game was finally stopped after light rain fell right after the game started. Now in its fourth year, lightning didn’t strike twice or even once, but the rains fell in the third inning again and canceled the game. But with ticket sales at 350, I was amazed at the many compliments, thanks you’s and I would be willing to help next years comments I received despite the fact that we didn’t get to enjoy the game for very long. But then again, this is really not about the game. Latino Day with the Lugnuts is about the story of how quite a few hard working young families moved to Michigan from other States, many from the fields, many not knowing English and no one knowing what they would find. If you showed up at Cooley Law Stadium on Sunday, August 23, 2015 you found Johnny Vasquez and Friends jamming in front of the stadium. The on the field pregame festivities began with Ballet Maria Luz and their beautiful display of dancers and outfits. Next up was Benny Huerta, Tony Rodriguez, and Benjamin Benavides throwing out the first pitch. We finished at the Nuthouse led by DJ Victor El Fuego Vasquez with the start of Latino Fest. It was a fun filled day and despite the rain, I am not sure too many were disappointed. The game brought a nostalgic feel to it with the memories of those Old Timers who showed up and those who have passed away.The weekends of heading to the Lansing parks of Sycamore, Municipal Park, Washington Ave., bring fond memories to many of us. Traveling to Lake Odessa, St. Johns, Eaton Rapids, Jackson, Charlotte, Adrian to mention a few. Teams such as the Cardinals, Aztecas, Astros, Blue Sox, Los Merchants, Los Bravos, Los Indians to name a few. As we look back it was a magical time for us “kids”. For those families who made the journey to Michigan only to return back to Texas, California and other states, you may have better weather then us Michiganders, but you missed out on the celebration of life that started in 1948 that we got to enjoy each Sunday at the ballparks. Whether it be the game itself, the seeing of compadres long before sharing pictures with them on Facebook became commonplace, to the after game picnics that finished a day long stay at the park. It was a sharing of culture, familia and pride in who we were and who we would become. It continued til 1979 and today still plays out every Sunday with the Latin American Coed Softball League and roughly about 500 people each at Benjamin Davis Park. The Latino community last year bought 370 tickets and 170 t-shirts to Latino Night with the Lugnuts which took me 6 weeks to sell. This year, wanting to work more efficiently, I promoted it heavily through Facebook and with El Chayo Cevantes from WKAR’s Ondas Con Chayo during a 8 day blitz, I sold 350 tickets and 200 shirts in those 8 days which some might say is a credit to me, but I say its a testament to the many families who not only see but feel a connection to those old baseball leagues. Whether it be our families who played or we as kids who had fun getting to know others we still know til this day now that we are hitting our 50’s and 60’s (I am 50 years old and counting), we remember a day when our families were younger, fuller, and perhaps even stronger as the deterioration of the family has hit every community rich or poor. Did we really realize what those on the ball field really have to deal with? They came to Michigan looking for work, and left behind families including their own parents across the country. The racism they must have faced because of the color of their skin. The back breaking work of the fields here, the weather (snow, are you kidding?) and then there was families to be raised. These families laid the groundwork for the many of us to make a life here. I have already heard some improvements that we need to make in order to bring more players in, and to make aware to the many families that this day exists not only as a tribute to those Old Timers who took the field Sunday, but also to a Latino community who took the time to celebrate a time when our families were young, and for many, our families were still alive taking their swings on the field. I still remember Benny Huerta showing me how to hold a bat, Mario Montalvo teaching me how to field a ground ball, Lee Lopez telling me to get in there and don’t back out of the batters box even though I was only about 7 years old. He was fiesty. Wedo Montalvo’s deep voice comes to mind. I so miss those days. Next year comes some changes as we will move the game to Friday night at 7:05 and along with the fireworks brings a bigger audience as more then 7,000-8,000 usually pack Cooley Law Stadium. Saturday will bring a Festival that I have already begun to put a team together for. Sunday will also bring a yet to be announced fundraiser making it a Cafecito Caliente Weekend. For the many who say, “Sein, I would love to help” well, stay tuned as I will be forming a team to put everything together as a community. We as Latinos, really need to push forward and build what other cities like Saginaw, Grand Rapids, and Toledo have done for years. We need to set aside our differences but that article is for another day. For now, much thanks to all those folks who made things easier for me. Diane Hernandez-Wojda who helped with the planning, Fabian Benavides Photography who provided most of the pictures you see. Antonella Benavides who stepped in to provide a second camera for the day. Ballet Maria Luz, led by Maria Luz Salas Arambula who always seems to wow us with her choreographed dances. Johnny Vasquez for offering to step in and play for free to help support Latino Day with the Lugnuts and brought people near the stadium who never would have showed up. Corinna Salinaz who stepped in before game time to sell tickets and shirts when I was needed elsewhere and then turned things over to Juanita Garcia and Ashley Garcia who sold during the game. Alexis Rosado from WLNS Channel 6 who came in, interview us and then gave us a few minutes on the 6 News, much appreciated my friend. To Connie Torres and her staff at Sir Pizza in Old Town as I sit there taking up space selling shirts and tickets each year. El Chayo Cervantes from WKAR’s Ondas Con Chayo gave me some good air time with announcements on it, and a live interview. Victor Vasquez who helped put together what is the beginning of that Latino Fest with an after party at the Nuthouse by providing us with his Dj skils. We had quite a few little ones there as we tried to keep things with a family feel to it. With the rains, came the disappointment of not being able to hear the beautiful voice of Amanda Cena who was to sing God Bless America in the seventh inning. I have already promised her she gets the first offer for both the National Anthem and God Bless America in 2016. And most importantly, thank you Lansing for supporting what I feel we need to do more of and that is recognize and honor the past generations that came before us who laid the foundation for many of us to live our lives here in Michigan. Latino Day with the Lugnuts is a beautiful event. Again, it was never about baseball. Its all about Familia!

Thanks to a combined effort by the Lansing Lugnuts and Cafecito Caliente, the Latino Night with the Lugnuts was a success on many levels. Recognizing the Latin American Baseball players from 1948-1977 by having some of the Old-timers take the field along the first base line was quite a moment to see. With kids, and grandkids watching from the stands, first up was the local childrens dance group Fantasia. They performed beautifully with their muliti-colored dresses and well orchestrated moves, and had the attention of a stadium. Much thanks to the photographers Albert Lopez, Fabian Benavides and Antonella Benavides for capturing these moments. Special thanks to Vita Medrano who caught the only picture we had on the field of the Old timers themselves. After that, Benny Huerta; Robert Saldivar; Ben Benavides; Olivia Mejorado; Andy Arambula; Pete Perez; Jose Enriquez; Frank Medrano; Elizer Reyes and Felix Montalvo Jr. (representing his dad Felix Montalvo Sr); and Mario Luna (representing his grandfather Al Mejorado). The hope next year is to have many more former coaches, players and key people who were apart of the 30 year history of the leagues. What started as Benny Huerta, Dario Medrano and Eluterio Lopez deciding to start a team as a way of entertainment, family time and relaxation from the migrant fields, became a place to be each Sunday during the summer. With a rise in ticket sales from 90 to 240 and this years 370, Latino Night with the Lugnuts is sure to grow. Sein Paul Benavides handled ticket sales while Diane Hernandez-Wodja took care of the business side and graphics for the booklet that was handed out free during the game. Flavored Threads once again provided a great looking shirt with 170 being sold. With help from Chayo Cervantes from WKAR Ondas Con Chayo, Grand Cafe Sir Pizza and Simple as 1,2, Tan, word got out slowly but surely. Sein was given a word from Kohl Tyrell, Corporate Account Executive for the Lansing Lugnuts right after the Pre-game festivities. Kohl told Sein that “you were right, we need to do more, we need to give you more to do. Next year we start planning early. All the players on the field thanked me for letting them on the field. It was great!” Although many enjoyed the evening, the question often asked is “what makes it Latino Night?” In Toledo, Ohio, “Latino Heritage Night” has celebrated the culture for 12 years now with the Toledo Mudhens Baseball Team fully invested in the festivities. Singing the National Anthem was Yvonne Ramos-Ybarra from the Grupo Fuego. Also part of the evening were Mariachis, Folkloric dancers and a staff member from the La Prensa newspaper staff throwing out the first pitch. About $3,400.00 in scholarships awarded to Latino students in the community with an on the field presentation. The community sold 400 tickets to support the event and included a pregame concert right across the street with Grupo Fuego performing along with a pregame “Taco Bar” for 50 people set up in the stadium. In Saginaw, Michigan, the Saginaw Loons have provided the Latino community with Folkloric dancers before the game, and then fireworks and a Salsa party right after. With the Great Lakes Bay Hispanic Leadership Institute taking the lead in ticket sales, the group hit their goal of 400 tickets along with some colorful t-shirts. Utilizing the Leadership group as Ambassadors selling tickets and getting the word out, Saginaw only looks to grow as they have a large group of people to organize the event year after. For more information please contact Sein for more information 57-303-7001.

The 2nd Annual Latino Night with the Lugnuts was a huge success as it attracted about 250 fans that bought tickets to support the event. They would see the dance group Ballet Maria Luz perform to their usual high standards, Anselmo (Chemo) Rodriguez throw out the First Pitch, and Ajah Montalvo sing the National Anthem despite having a sore throat, amazed everyone with a voice not common with someone who is only eleven years old. Throw in some $1.00 tacos, Lugnuts Baseball, and along with many people getting to see old friends, it was a pretty fun time at Cooley Law Stadium. The Greater Lansing Hispanic Chamber of Commerce have decided to make this an annual gathering as a way to provide a family friendly event for the Latino community. On a gorgeous sunny day much thanks go out to GLHCC President Jose Yanez, Vice President George Pena, Secretary Marie Mireles, Treasurer Sarah Rossell, Legal Advisor Lyonel Woolley, Director of Community Relations James Ramos and Membership Coordinator Sein Paul Benavides for putting this together. To learn more about the GLHCC please contact Jose Yanez 517-316-5333 for more information.