All of Cleveland was invited Saturday, May 25, to celebrate and learn about the traditions of many of the city’s Hispanic and Latino communities at “Carnaval In The Land,” hosted by Cleveland Play House. Party goers took dance lessons, saw how screen-printing works, ate ethnic dishes like jerk chicken and ginger curry chickpeas, and experienced music and costumes that represented nations in Central and South America. 

All Clevelanders were invited to “Carnaval In The Land” at U.S. Bank Plaza in Playhouse Square last Saturday, celebrating the city’s many Hispanic and Latino communities.
All Clevelanders were invited to “Carnaval In The Land” at U.S. Bank Plaza in Playhouse Square last Saturday, celebrating the city’s many Hispanic and Latino communities. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell
Amber Henderson of Cleveland and Troy Boltin of East Cleveland pick up a Bachata dance lesson at the “Carnaval In The Land” celebration. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell
Cleveland Documenter and publisher of La Villa newspaper, Ronaldo Rivera, Jr. (center right), volunteered at the carnaval with other members of the Young Latino Network.
Cleveland Documenter and publisher of La Villa newspaper, Ronaldo Rivera, Jr. (center right), volunteered at the carnaval with other members of the Young Latino Network. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell

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Visitors chatted in the shade, listened to music, and screen-printed their own free Carnaval posters, courtesy of Future Ink Graphics.
Visitors chatted in the shade, listened to music, and screen-printed their own free Carnaval posters, courtesy of Future Ink Graphics. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell
Cleveland Play House volunteers served up free food at the carnaval: salad, rice, chickpeas and two styles of jerk chicken – garlic-barbecue and peach honey mustard.
Cleveland Play House volunteers served up free food at the carnaval: salad, rice, chickpeas and two styles of jerk chicken – garlic-barbecue and peach honey mustard, courtesy of Yum Village. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell
Fried plantains, pictured here, are a popular dish. The meal was free to all who attended, but you had to stop and grab your ticket first.
Fried plantains, pictured here, are a popular dish. The meal was free to all who attended, but you had to stop and grab your ticket first. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell
Diego Martin Gonzalez, left, warming up with other members of the Mexican-American collective “Cleveland Son Jarocho.” Son Jarocho is a music genre that developed in Veracruz, Mexico, and is heavily influenced by Caribbean and Baroque sounds.
Diego Martin Gonzalez, left, warming up with other members of the Mexican-American collective “Cleveland Son Jarocho.” Son Jarocho is a music genre that developed in Veracruz, Mexico, and is heavily influenced by Caribbean and Baroque sounds. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell
Clevelander Florencia Mele, originally from Argentina, shared her meal with her two dogs, Luna and Lizzie.
Clevelander Florencia Mele, originally from Argentina, shared her meal with her two dogs, Luna and Lizzie. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell
The Esperanza Lawyerettes dance team.
The Esperanza Lawyerettes dance team. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell
The “Cleveland Son Jarocho” musical collective played to an audience of over 200 in U.S. Bank Plaza for the “Carnaval In The Land” celebration.
The “Cleveland Son Jarocho” musical collective played to an audience of over 200 in U.S. Bank Plaza for the “Carnaval In The Land” celebration. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell
The “Diablo Cojuelo,” or “limping devil,” is a character in traditional folklore of the Dominican Republic. The Diablo Cojuelo pulled childish pranks and committed other random acts of mischief in Hell. The Devil’s patience with the diablo ran out and he was banished for eternity and booted up to earth, where he hurt his leg on the way in, hence the “limp.”
The “Diablo Cojuelo,” or “limping devil,” is a character in traditional folklore of the Dominican Republic. The Diablo Cojuelo pulled childish pranks and committed other random acts of mischief in Hell. The Devil’s patience with the diablo ran out and he was banished for eternity and booted up to earth, where he hurt his leg on the way in, hence the “limp.” Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell
Birds of a feather: Signal Cleveland Audio Producer Gennifer Harding Gosnell spotted artist Malcolm Bellew. Bellew is the Studio Manager at Future Ink Graphics and spent the day teaching attendees at “Carnaval In The Land” to screenprint their own carnaval posters.
Birds of a feather: Signal Cleveland Audio Producer Gennifer Harding Gosnell spotted artist Malcolm Bellew. Bellew is the Studio Manager at Future Ink Graphics and spent the day teaching attendees at “Carnaval In The Land” to screenprint their own carnaval posters. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell

Audio Producer (she/her)
I create audio stories meant to engage and inform people in a way that pushes beyond media stereotypes. I aim to build trust between local media and the community, striving to teach people “how” to think about life in Cleveland, not “what” to think.