| ||||||||||
  |
Summer Salsas in with Latin Fest at the Beach By Stephanie Brannick The Virginia Beach oceanfront will come alive with the sights and sounds of "Calle Ocho," during the city's annual Latin Fest, presented by Selecta 1050 AM, Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7. The weekend celebration will be filled with fun and entertainment, ending with a Salsa Cruise on the Virginia Jewel Saturday evening. Along with entertainment on the 24th street stage, the Festival Marketplace will feature food from a variety of countries, arts and crafts, and cultural merchandise.
Saturday's entertainment will begin at noon, featuring cultural musicians Tumbao Salsero, Essencia and Eva Fine. Firing up the musical stage Saturday night is internationally renowned salsa diva, Choco Orta. Considered one of the most accomplished female artists from Puerto Rico, she counts singing, percussion, dancing and acting among her many talents. Orta's passionate style of singing and her deep contra-alto voice have earned her the distinction of natural successor to Celia Cruz. Orta has performed all over Puerto Rico as well as in France, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Chicago, Tampa (as Puerto Rican Cultural Ambassador), Miami and New York City. She has appeared with Masters of Salsa, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente and La India. The evening culminates with the Salsa Cruise aboard the Virginia Jewel from 11:30 p.m. until1:30 a.m. The cruise includes musical entertainment, food, drinks and a cash bar. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple. All concerts will be held on the 24th street stage and are free and open to the public. For more information and a complete schedule of festivities for the Latin Fest and Salsa Cruise, visit www.beachstreetusa.com. |
| ||||||||
| ||||||||||
A mix of Latin musical entertainment will begin Friday at 4:45 p.m., with Tropical Trio, Baco and Hampton-based Rico Rengue. Alex Torres headlines the evening's festivities. Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra perform their original blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms including salsa, merengue, cha-cha, bomba, plena and Latin Jazz at hundreds of festivals, performing arts centers and events annually. They have garnered an abundance of awards, including the New York State Music Achievement Award, The Governors' Excellence in Arts Award, The NAACP Albany Chapter Award and Metroland Magazine´s "Best Of Award" for seven consecutive years. Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra performed for Bill and Hillary Clinton at the New York State Democratic Convention, and shared the stage with Tito Puente, Tito Puente Jr., Branford Marsalis and The Count Basie and Woody Herman Orchestras.
