Thursday, August 30, 2007

Orquesta Veneno


Our high school band director not only teaches class and directs our band, she's also in a band. (She's the blond trumpet player - the only girl in the band) We went to see them a couple of years ago at Summerfest - didn't understand a word because all the words were in Spanish - but really enjoyed the show anyway. They're playing at Fiesta Boricua this weekend. We live near Milwaukee. There's an ethnic festival of some kind every weekend.

Here's the press release she forwarded:
The Gentleman of Salsa" Will Headline Fiesta Boricua 2007
at Milwaukee's Summerfest Grounds

MILWAUKEE - The sixth annual Fiesta Boricua will round out the list of ethnic festivals held on the Summerfest grounds when the celebration of Latino culture kicks off its day-long fiesta at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park on Sunday, September 2, 2007. Fiesta Boricua is a cultural celebration of Latino music and food from Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

Gilberto Santa Rosa, known throughout Latin America as "The Gentleman of Salsa," will headline the Latino festival on the Harley Davidson main stage. Santa Rosa, an international superstar, will be making his first appearance in Milwaukee.

Sponsored by the Latino Community Center in Milwaukee, Fiesta Boricua grew from a small street festival into a major musical and cultural celebration that attracts thousands locally and nationwide. In 2006, nearly 7,000 loyal supporters attended Fiesta Boricua in the rain.

The day-long musical lineup also includes special performances by local favorites: Frankie Sabath, Alberto Rivera and his Old School Salsa Band, Sergio Poventud y su Orquesta Veneno, Cache, Rey Rios One Man Band, Trio Puerto Rico, Clave Y Afinque, Orquesta Nabori and Milwaukee Public Theater. A special production of Christian music (English and Spanish) will be held from noon until 4 p.m. featuring Jose "Papo" Rivera directly from Puerto Rico.

Santa Rosa has recorded numerous albums in his 30-year music career. He sang lead vocals with several orchestras, including El Gran Combo - an act that spurred excitement in Latino community at this year's Summerfest. He began his solo career in 1986 and was the first singer of tropical salsa to carry out a concert at the Carnegie Hall Theater in New York City.

The Latino Community Center serves young people and residents from throughout the city of Milwaukee through programs in education, recreation,technology and environmental awareness; attracting well over 3,000 youth each year. Proceeds from Fiesta Boricua help support the center's youth programs.

Advance tickets are $13.00 or $15.00 at the door. Children under 10 years old are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets are available at all four El Rey Grocery stores, Pueblo Supermarket, Pyramax Bank, E&J Records and the Latino Community Center.