Que pasa in Los Angeles - Artículo Breve

Latin Beat Magazine, Sept, 2002 by Rudy Mangual

One of the summer's most anticipated concert events took place on Sunday, July 7, 2002, at the Hollywood Bowl as part of the Bowl's World Music Summer Series. The event, titled African Heart/Latin Soul, celebrated the global grooves of masters Hugh Masekela and Eddie Palmieri. Opening the event was the New York-based Cuban/pop group Yerba Buena and LA's own Ozomatli, featuring vibrant and eclectic multi-ethnic sounds. Both Masekela and Palmieri's individual sets were very short, with the highlight of the event climaxing with a special collaboration by both masters on several tunes closing the evening. The local group Spellbound played the pre-event concert hosted by Tom Schnabel (Hollywood Bowl's Director of World Music and KCRW radio personality) showcasing their unique sounds to a hefty crowd of early concertgoers.

The world-renowned Puerto Rican band El Gran Combo also came through town July 20, celebrating their 40th anniversary in the business and delivering their unequaled brand of salsa music to thousands of Angelinos.

The 6th Annual LA Latino International Film Festival was held July 19 through 28, 2002, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. This year's festival showcased close to 100 films and short programs of filmmakers from Argentina, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Spain, Uruguay, Venezuela, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and the USA. Chairman and co-founder of the festival, actor Edward James Olmos, was present with his board of directors on a daily basis, supporting and presenting all of this year's film entries. The Puerto Rican film "12 Horas" (12 Hours), directed and written by Raúl Marchand Sánchez, was a favorite this year; a film about living on the edge and experiencing the rush of life during a span of 12 hours in the nightlife of San Juan, Puerto Rico. This year's GABI Lifetime Achievement Award recipient was Nelson Pereira dos Santos. Known as "The Pope of Cinema Novo," this Brazilian filmmaker developed a style throughout his career that focused on previously ignored segments of Brazilian society and its rich culture and traditions. Also honored with a tribute this year was the recently deceased Mexican actress Katy Jurado, the only Mexican actress nominated for an Academy Award and winner of a Golden Globe Award. In her honor, the festival presented the world premiere of her last film, "Un Secreto De Esperanza" (A Beautiful Secret).

The 2nd Annual 2002 Verizon Music Festival in Los Angeles kicks off on September 30 through October 6, 2002, with a diverse line-up of established and emerging artists, as well as several free events around town. Headliners include Ray Charles, Al Jarreau, Teddy Pendergrass, Eddie Palmieri, Bela Fleck, Ozomatli and Julieta Venegas. Opening this year's festivities will be the master of love songs Teddy Pendergrass on September 30, 2002, at UCLA's Royce Hall with The Billy Mitchell Trio opening the evening. On October 1, the Verizon Music Festival continues with an evening with vocalist Lea DeLaria plus the Jazz Classics, featuring Patrice Rushen and Ndugu Chancler at the Center Theater in Long Beach. Bela Fleck will take the stage with the Flecktones at Royce Hall on October 2. LA's own Ozomatli and Toshi Reagon will bring their multi-cultural sounds and urban flavors to the California Plaza in downtown for a free concert on October 3 at 6 p.m. Vocalist extraordinaire Al Jarreau will headline a concert at the Wadsworth Theater on October 4, with smooth jazz trumpeter Chris Botti sharing the stage. In another free concert, Julieta Venegas and the group Quetzal will perform at the California Plaza on October 5 at 7 p.m. Also that same evening, Eddie Palmieri y La Perfecta II will be performing their unique Latin sounds at the Conga Room. On October 6, the legendary Ray Charles will headline a free outdoor concert at Old Pasadena/Central Park at noon. Sharing the stage with the maestro will be Katia Moraes & Samba Guru, Soulive, Gerald Clayton, Eugene Maslov and others to be announced. The festival will also include a seven-night series at the Temple Bar, The Jazz Bakery and World Stage. For full Verizon Music Festival information call 212-501-1390; in Southern California call 310-450-1173, or visit www.verizon.com/musicfestival.> Fandango Jarocho, a Benefit Concert for El Casón (School of Popular Music of Veracruz), will be held on September 7 at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. Mexico's premier son jarocho ensemble, Mono Blanco, will be featured, joined by some of LA's finest interpreters and leaders of this musical genre.

Colombia's Grammy winning rocker/pop star Juanes makes his first full-length Southern California concert tour in support of his latest CD release Un Día Normal, performing on Thursday, October 10 at the Mayan Theater in downtown, Los Angeles and on Friday, October 11, at the House of Blues in Anaheim, located in downtown, Disneyland.

Local favorite, singer Candi Sosa is now appearing every Friday and Saturday night at Havana Mania Restaurant in Redondo Beach, together with Havana Sound. Show times are from 8-11 p.m.