Musicians bring international flavor to WNC

Singer/songwriter Laura Fuentes stepped off the plane in Reno from her native Santiago, Chile on Wednesday, bringing a new sound to a new audience.

Carrying her small reed and wind instruments, Fuentes said she was eager to explore the high desert and Sierra landscape during her first trip to Northern Nevada. The classically trained singer and her longtime friend, collaborator and master violinist Raquel Gonzales, will headline Western Nevada College's 13th annual Multicultural Festival 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Before they do, Fuentes and Gonzales will sit in on and share their world views with a handful of WNC classes and present a free lunchtime campus mini-concert today.

It's a part of the school's effort to expose WNC students to other cultures and to give individuals from diverse backgrounds who attend the school a chance to lend their voice as well, college director of information and marketing services Anne Hansen said.

"Stereotypically, I don't think people think of Northern Nevada or WNC as a diverse place," she said. "But it's quite the opposite. We've just got a great mix of students and faculty here.

"They all have something to share - and we think the festival really brings that out and into the community."

Embracing the cultural divide is a theme that drives her, Fuentes said.

Born to American parents in Santiago, she lived in Chile until the fourth grade. The year was 1973, and a military coup overthrew the country's fragile democratic-based government. Her family fled to Madison, Wis. Fuentes made the U.S. her home until she was 24 - when she returned to her native land for the first time in a decade and a half.

Living in an international city of more than six million and watching the perception and world view of America change has been another theme behind her music.

"I was here touring when Sept. 11 (2001) happened," she said. "Immediately things were different. A country that was separated into two groups, one that supported and one that questioned its leader, suddenly (universally) stood behind (him)... somewhat blindly.

"It was difficult to navigate. Every checkpoint they'd inspect our (fragile) instruments. It wasn't a good feeling, but I thought it would fade. Now, we're here - and it's gotten worse, not better."

It is the experience these musicians have as citizens of the world, that gives their music its heft.

"We combine so many sounds," Fuentes said. "Sounds from Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto Rico."

The artists felt fortunate to have a brief spotlight at the college this week. They lament that more of their peers don't have the same opportunity.

"It is so hard to get a visa to come here now," Fuentes said. "Many musicians just can't do it or aren't let in."

"As a result, perceptions change. And it's hard. People (here) are beginning to miss out. So whatever we can do to help prevent that ..."

That's part of the reason the musicians are here, student life coordinator Katie Leao said.

"We want not only people who (attend) WNC to be exposed to a bigger world view, but the community as well," she said. "Their talents as artists are unmatched. They bring something special."

"We're able to create a forum where we can have polite discussion about issues that are pertinent and sometimes uncomfortable," WNC's Hansen said. "Sharing views and food and music - it's a way to embrace our basic humanity. Hopefully, we can do our small part here."

• Contact reporter Andrew Pridgen at apridgen@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.

If you go

What: 13th annual WNC Multicultural Festival

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: WNC campus, 2201 W. College Parkway, Carson City

What's happening: International food offerings, including Native American tacos and Maui Wowi Hawaiian cuisine; entertainment will include Reno Taiko Drummers, Irish dancers, a Turkish folkdance group, Native American Dancers, Capital City Cloggers and a performance by featured artists Laura Fuentes and Raquel Gonzales.

Visit: www.wnc.edu