An idea born in an airport became one of Salinas’ most enduring nights of art

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By Marcos Cabrera

Eighteen years ago, Adela Castillo found herself stranded in an airport with time to think.

She had been invited to Arizona to read poetry — one of her many creative pursuits — but somewhere between delayed flights and waiting at the gate, another idea began taking shape. What if her hometown of Salinas had a night dedicated entirely to poetry, music and the arts? What if local artists shared the same stage as visiting performers? And what if the entire community was invited?

That idea eventually became Noche Bohemia de Salinas, an annual celebration of literature, music, dance and culture presented entirely in Spanish. Now entering its 18th year, the free, family-friendly program returns to Sherwood Hall on Saturday, Aug. 15, continuing a tradition built around a simple belief in the transformative power of the arts..

“We truly believed that the arts have the power to change lives,” Castillo said. “I honestly thought this was something our community needed.”

The first Noche Bohemia, held in 2008 at the National Steinbeck Center, was organized for roughly 200 guests. More than 250 people showed up.

Even after organizers returned to the Steinbeck Center, attendance continued to push the limits of the venue. Eventually, the event found a larger home at Sherwood Hall, where audiences now regularly exceed 1,000 people and have reached as many as 1,500.

For Castillo, however, success has never been measured strictly by attendance.

The event was created to give artists — especially local artists — a stage where their voices could be heard.

“We wanted to promote the arts in general,” she said. “We wanted to offer a platform where people could express themselves.”

That platform has become increasingly diverse over nearly two decades.

Alongside poets, musicians and dancers from Salinas and the surrounding region, Noche Bohemia welcomes visiting performers from California and beyond. Some artists have even offered to cover their own travel expenses simply for the opportunity to participate.

At the heart of the event, however, remains a commitment to local talent.

Many performers are discovered through Peña Cultural, a monthly arts gathering held in various locations that allows organizers to meet emerging musicians, poets and performers before inviting some onto the larger Noche Bohemia stage.

“It’s not really a formal audition,” Castillo said. “It’s how we get to know our local artists.”

And the opportunity for local creatives extends beyond those performing under the lights.

Former Salinas City Councilman and current Alisal Union School District trustee Roberto Ocampo will be among the local authors and vendors with tables at this year’s event. Ocampo recently published a book based on his father’s life and migration from Zacatecas to the United States. 

“The Biography of José G. Ocampo — The Life Story of an Undocumented Worker in Salinas Valley” is a project born from hours of recorded conversations with his father and more than 40 years of research, writing and rewriting.

“I got the sense that he wanted his story told,” Ocampo said of his father. “I believe he wanted other people to hear his story.”

Ocampo recorded roughly eight or nine hours of his father recounting his experiences coming to the United States, then painstakingly transcribed those recordings by hand. The project later grew to include interviews with relatives in Mexico as he pieced together a broader family history. Now comes another part of the creative process: finding an audience.

Noche Bohemia gives Ocampo and other local writers and creators an opportunity to put their original work directly in front of the community. Organizers expect roughly 20 tables throughout the venue, including authors offering their books.

For Ocampo, who will be attending Noche Bohemia for the first time, the setting feels appropriate for a book rooted in the experiences of a local immigrant family.

“It’s an event put on by the community,” he said. “The people that are performing are community members, and the people who come to watch are community members.”

Despite nearly two decades of growth, Castillo believes there are still many residents who have never experienced Noche Bohemia.

Each year, organizers distribute flyers, visit local businesses and promote the event through community calendars, traditional media and social media. Still, she wonders how many people remain unaware that one of the region’s largest free cultural celebrations happens in their own backyard.

“We still feel like there’s a lot of people out there who don’t know about Noche Bohemia,” she said. “Sometimes we ask ourselves, ‘How can we reach everyone?’”

That question reflects the spirit behind the event itself.

There are no ticket sales and no expectation beyond showing up with an open mind.

“It’s a family event,” Castillo said. “Everybody is welcome.”

Over the last 18 years, the country has experienced dramatic political and cultural shifts. Through changing presidential administrations and an increasingly polarized national conversation, Castillo said Noche Bohemia has remained focused on its original mission: giving people space to express themselves through art.

“We try to stay positive,” she said. “There’s so much negativity going on. I always go back to why we started this. The arts play a huge role.”

That expression, she said, can take many forms.

“Whether someone wants to express themselves through politics, through love or simply through everyday life, this platform belongs to them.”

This year’s program reflects that philosophy, bringing together local poets, musicians, folklórico dancers and other performers, along with visiting artists from outside California. Castillo said the program will also feature performers appearing at Noche Bohemia for the first time — including a young pianist from the region — while organizers are keeping several parts of the evening under wraps.

“We’ve prepared a beautiful show,” Castillo said. “Come see what we do. Give us your opinion. Give us your ideas. That’s how we improve.”

Noche Bohemia de Salinas takes place Saturday, Aug. 15, at Sherwood Hall in Salinas. Doors open at 5 p.m., the program begins at 7 p.m., and admission is free. The program is presented in Spanish and is open to the entire family. Additional information is available at nochebohemiadesalinas.com.

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