General Admission | A Night in Oaxaca: A Philanthropic Tribute to Guelaguetza

🌺 A Night in Oaxaca: A Philanthropic Tribute to Guelaguetza 🌺

There are roughly 40 million dogs and 25 million cats in Mexico—and a staggering 70% of them live on the streets. Of these, only 15% will ever see a veterinarian in their lifetime. In Oaxaca, where over 61% of the population lives in poverty and nearly 23% in extreme poverty, the situation is even more dire.

To make matters worse, many veterinarians are forced to abandon the field due to unsustainable wages and inadequate training, leaving vast regions with little to no access to veterinary services. This deepens the crisis—both for animals who continue to suffer needlessly, and for communities facing the public health threats that come with unmanaged stray populations. Rates of injury and disease run high, while hopes for consistent care run low.

Global Outreach Programs for Animal Welfare is here to change this. Through complimentary sterilization, vaccination, parasite control, public health education, community workshops, youth-based programming and advanced surgical training for local veterinarians, we’re working to close the gap—improving lives not just for animals, but for the people who live alongside them.

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the vibrant culture, music, and cuisine of Oaxaca, Mexico—all for a wonderful, community-driven cause.

A Night in Oaxaca is a cultural fundraiser that pays tribute to the annual Guelaguetza festival, featuring traditional folkloric dance, authentic Oaxacan cuisine, and a festive, community-driven atmosphere. Hosted at Seventh Son Brewing Co. in Columbus on Sunday, August 31 at 5:00PM, the event is designed to highlight the beauty of Oaxacan traditions while raising critical funds for life-saving animal welfare programs in the region.

🌟 What to Expect:

• Traditional folkloric dance performances
• Authentic regional cuisine and tastings
• Silent auction, raffle + special giveaways
• Live music, cultural presentations, and more
• Fun photo opportunities

❤️ Who It Benefits:
All proceeds support our new international outreach program, Global Outreach Programs for Animal Welfare – México (GOPAW), a nonprofit delivering:

• Free sterilization, vaccination and parasite-treatment clinics in underserved communities
• Public health workshops to prevent zoonotic disease and animal-related injuries
• Youth-focused educational programs to cultivate the next generation of animal advocates
• High-level veterinary surgical training and stable employment for local new-graduate veterinarians and veterinary professionals
• Data collection and reporting to promote continued aid in the region

Read more about the program at www.go-paw.org.

🎟️ Come hungry, come festive, and come ready to make a difference. This is more than just a night out—it’s a celebration with purpose. Families, friends, animal lovers and cultural enthusiasts are all welcome!

📅 Schedule of Events
5:00 PM – Welcome & Happy Hour
Kick off the evening with opening remarks, regional tastings, and signature cocktails while enjoying live music by Yo Soy Marco Torres.

6:00 PM – Dinner & A Show
Savor an authentic dinner, carefully prepared by Casa Oaxaca, accompanied by a vibrant regional dance performance from Sol y Luna Grupo Folklorico and live music by Yo Soy Marco Torres.

7:30 PM – Cultural Presentation & Special Remarks
Discover the heart of Oaxaca through a cultural showcase, an introduction to GOPAW’s mission, and insights from our guest speaker.

8:00 PM – Auction & Raffle
Raise your paddle for our live auction, see if you’re a winner in the silent auction, and join in the excitement as raffle prizes are drawn.

8:30 PM – Grand Finale
Enjoy a captivating closing performance by Sol y Luna Grupo Folklorico, then wind down the evening with more music from Yo Soy Marco Torres.

🍽️ The Menu
Our menu will feature items for omnivores, pescatarians and vegetarians, and will be uploaded once we finish our careful deliberations!

🙌 Get Involved
Want your impact to go even further? Consider a sponsorship or donation. Visit our sponsorship page to learn more or our donation page to make a charitable donation.