Qué pasa? - conciertos, festivales - TT: What´s up? - TA: concerts, festivals - Artículo Breve

Latin Beat Magazine, June, 2001 by Rudy Mangual

After a long Memorial Day weekend (May 25-28), which boasted the 3rd Annual West Coast Salsa Congress in Los Angeles, (an event that brought together thousands of salsa aficionados from all over the world plus non-stop dancing), we are more than ready for a hot summer season of great music.

On Friday, June 1, direct from New York City, singer Tito Nieves y Su Orquesta will be performing at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City. Doors open at 8 p.m.

The J. Paul Getty Museum will host the popular Getty Family Festival, a free day of celebration, on Sunday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This event features dance and musical performances, storytelling, artmaking workshops, and gallery activities. Highlighting the festival will be Celtic, Hispanic, Tibetan, and South African performances, including music and dance presentations by Buzzworld, the Mystical Arts of Tibet, Shaluza Boot Dancers, and Clarita & Arte Flamenco. The Getty is located at 1200 Getty Center Drive off the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles.

Los Van Van, the number one dance band from Cuba, returns to the Conga Room in Los Angeles, for a one-night only performance on Wednesday, June 6. Led by bassist Juan Formell, the band's live performances are unequaled and legendary. Also performing there on Friday, June 22, direct from Puerto Rico, will be the group Plena Libre. This popular contemporary plena group from the island that claims the reigning Miss Universe takes the native rhythm of plena to a higher level, creating a contagious dance-and-party frenzy. The Conga Room features live entertainment Wednesday through Sunday, and its located at 5364 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles.

The 2001 Playboy Jazz Festival will be held on Saturday, June 16, and Sunday, June 17, at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. This year's headliners include Juan de Marcos' Afro-Cuban All Stars, Ozomatli, Nancy Wilson, Isaac Hayes and David Sanborn, among many others.

The John Anson Ford Amphitheatre's 2001 Season presents Brazilian Summer Festival 2001 on Saturday, June 16, at 7:30 p.m. Directly from Bahia comes Olodum, the 23-member percussion-dance ensemble that invented the vibrant and sensual African-influenced street music called samba-reggae. Also performing will be the group TBA. The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East in Hollywood.

On July 11, the Hollywood Bowl's 2001 Concert Season will be presenting the event titled "Latin Jazz Legends," featuring Eddie Palmieri with special guest stars Dave Valentín, Cachao and Poncho Sánchez. Latin jazz master and five-time Grammy winner Eddie Palmieri will be showcasing his unique blends of Afro-Caribbean rhythms with jazz, together with special friends during this summer night concert. On July 15, the Bowl will present "A Night in Old Havana: Buena Vista Social Club Presents Orquesta Ibrahim Ferrer," with special guest Rubén González. This evening event promises an unforgettable combination of heartfelt songs, rousing instrumentals, and hot driving rhythms.

Albert Torres Productions will present, directly from New York City, Wayne Gorbea y Su Salsa Picante on July 13, at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City. This popular New York City band is known for their old-school salsa style and sound.

El Floridita Restaurant in Hollywood continues to be one of the city's main hot spots for live Latin music and excellent dining. The restaurant features live music Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Performing this month is Johnny Polanco y Su Conjunto Amistad, Charanga Cubana, and Orquesta Johnny Martínez. Be sure and make reservations, since the venue is always packed!

Have a safe and joyful musical summer season. Continue supporting your local artists and their venues. Peace.