Edgar Cruz

Cinco de Mayo event canceled

By Brandy McDonnell
Staff Writer

MIDWEST CITY — "Edgar Cruz & Amigos: A Cinco de Mayo Centennial Fiesta” has been canceled because of the death of one of the performers.

The event was scheduled for 7 p.m. May 5 at Rose State Performing Arts Theater, 6420 SE 15, Midwest City.

Acclaimed classical guitarist Ruben Romero, 60, of Santa Fe, N.M., died unexpectedly in February. Romero often performed in Oklahoma and throughout the Southwest with guitarist Edgar Cruz and dancers Shannon Calderon and Erika Reyes, all of Oklahoma City. He was scheduled to play with them at the Cinco de Mayo event.

"Out of respect for our friend ... we decided not to do a performance right now,” Calderon said. "It's very heavy on us right now. It's very heavy on us. He was like a brother to us. We were like family.”

The Oklahoma City performers initially planned to go ahead with the Cinco de Mayo event and dedicate it to Romero's memory. But they had difficulty finding someone to play in his stead.

People who bought tickets in person should return to the Civic Center Box Office. For people who bought tickets over the phone or Internet, the ticket price will be refunded to their credit card.

For more information, call the box office at 297-2264.