Que Pasa - TT: What's happening

Latin Beat Magazine, April, 2000 by Rudy Mangual

LOS ANGELES

Last month, El Floridita Restaurant was the stage for an incredible improv jam session of salsa in the city of Hollywood. The customary Monday Night Cuban Jam Session led by Johnny Polanco y Conjunto Amistad was enhanced by the guest appearances of New York-based band-leader Jimmy Bosch and percussionist Bobby Allende plus west coast musicians Karl Perazzo, Kevin Ricard, Oscar Cartaya, and José "Papo" Rodríguez, among others. The always standing-room-only crowd was treated to a memorable display of musicianship and exceptional live salsa music. The restaurant features live music nightly Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays.

The popular Latin pop star Shakira will be bringing her Anfibio Tour to the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim on Thursday, April 20. Tickets are on sale now at most major ticket outlets throughout Los Angeles and Orange County.

Fiesta Broadway, Los Angeles' largest street festival celebrating Cinco de Mayo, is dedicating the 11th Annual event to "Dia de los Niños." This year's event falls on Sunday, April 30, the very day "Dia de los Ninos" is celebrated in Mexico, our neighbor to the south whom we share many ties with. The free event will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 30. Mexico's popular singer/actress Verónica Castro will be this year's Queen of the Fiesta. Also scheduled to perform throughout six concert stages are Cristian Castro, Los Lobos, Carlos Ponce, José José, Moenia, Banda Machos, Grupo Manía, Gipsyland, Nydia Rojas, Charlie, Los Tiranos del Norte and Eddie Santiago. Talented young stars Gerardito Fernández and Tatiana Bolaños will be featured, as will up-and-coming artists from the thriving Los Angeles music scene including Carlos Pacheco. The event encompasses 36 square blocks along the sale environment of the famous downtown Los Angeles Broadway corridor.

The Downtown Anaheim Association presents the Annual OC Art & Jazz Festival 2000 to be held May 5, 6 &7 at Pearson Park, Anaheim. Friday, May 5, opens the event with a free concert starting at 5 p.m., featuring the group Karen Galenger & Friends. On Saturday, May 6, the festival continues from 12 noon with a lineup of the Fullerton College Big Band, Johnny Blas Latin Jazz Band, Missy Hasin Quartet, Billy Mitchell Group, Jeff Kashiva, Robert Incelli's Latin Jazz Band, and MC Chuck Niles of KLON Jazz radio. Sunday's lineup includes the group Impulse, Pacific Crest, Cabana Boys, Chris Ho Group, ZZAH, All That, Steve Oliver, and MC Terence Love of Steamers (jazz club). Admission for Saturday and Sunday's concerts is $10, children 12 & under free. For more information call 714-956-3586.

The 22nd Annual Playboy Jazz Festival, to be held on the weekend of June 17 & 18 at the famous Hollywood Bowl, in Hollywood, California, will be headlining the following: Saturday, June 17, Dianne Reeves, Boney James & Rick Braun, the Count Basie Orchestra directed by Grover Mitchell, Los Van Van (from Cuba), Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Los Angeles' Ozomatli, the Regina Carter Quintet, the John Scofield Band, Richard Bona, Mingus Amungus, and the L.A. County High School for the Arts Jazz Ensemble.

Sunday, June 18: the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades & Editus, Lou Rawls, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Elvin Jones' Jazz Machine, Norman Brown, the David Sánchez Sextet, Cos of Good Music V featuring Gary Bartz, Dwayne Burno, Ndugu Chancler, Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, Hilton Ruiz and Wah-Wah Watson, Bonesoir, and The Spotlight Awards Alumni Jazz Band. Master of Ceremonies as always, Señor Bill Cosby. Get your tickets soon, this event sells out every year. Continue supporting live music in your town. Peace.