By Lina Broydo
When the sold out to the capacity the stunning SAP Center, the home of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks Hockey Team, celebrates, they do it with class and tremendous enthusiasm by inviting and featuring the very talented local artists who performed and showcased the vibrant music, dances and traditional colorful costumes throughout the game against the visiting Anaheim Ducks Hockey team.
The month long Hispanic Heritage festivities culminated with a fabulous celebration of an exciting game and the entertaining performances on ice in the heart of Silicon Valley, additionally known throughout the world as the “Valley of Delights”, a reflection of the rich ethnic cultures, agriculture, music, songs and dances who for three hours made me want to dance in the isles of this spectacular evening. But the serious hockey fans just smiled politely and asked me to sit down as they were eager to see the San Jose Sharks’ puck slide with tremendous speed deserving a serious speeding ticket. Is there such a thing in hockey??
It was a very special, uniquely selected and choreographed to perfection an exciting night of lavish entertainment and special activities throughout the SAP Center, generously presented by Milagro Tequila which included a pregame performance by Johan Solteo, a finalist on La Voz de Mexico in 2017; Mariachi Tequila (I am sure you will never forget their name) and the fun activity of the piñata making. The Star Spangled Banner was performed by Gabriela Sepulveda who is familiar to all as a participant on “American Idol” in 2016. It was a wonderful and beautiful rendition. During the game, the arena’s center-hung video board display ran a heritage storytelling video featuring SJ Sharks player Matt Nieto, a Mexican-American who grew up in Southern California.
The second intermission lavished fans with an on-ice performance by the Ballet Folklórico Mexicano Fuego Nuevo, Inc. Seeing the Ballet Folklorico dance on the huge ice arena was the first for me. Now that they are experienced pros to dance on ice, how about we send them to the next 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, in Italy! I’ll be there! And so are some of the SJ Sharks hockey players who will be competing on the international teams representing their countries of origin.
I had so much fun!! I loved being back at the SAP Center as it brought for me some sentimental personal memories of my late husband Dr. Sam (Sasha) Broydo who was a true hockey fanatic (isn’t this the root for the word ‘fan”?) and who adored his favorite SJ Sharks team. Getting an invitation to attend the game was a priceless gift by our dear friend Randy (even if the invite came a few hours before the actual game). All the plans for the evening were dropped and we were zooming on Hwy. 280 straight to the SAP Center to root for our beloved team!
Thanks for the great memories SJ Sharks! I salute you with the popular Sharkarita cocktail by Milagro Tequila which was served at this special HIspanic Heritage festivity in a signature collectible shaker cup and came with a Milagro Sharkarita recipe coaster. Cheers!
Thanks SJ Sharks for this very special festivity and a great game!
Photos courtesy of SJ Sharks and Lina Broydo
