Our W is Practically Famous

Our high school band director, W (because she has this long, sometimes hard to pronounce last name, and it's easier just to call her W - so everyone does) and the band with she plays with had a gig this past weekend. Jeffrey was gone so I didn't really think seriously about going. Now I'm kind of wishing we did go. Cory and I would have enjoyed it. Beth, of course, would not have gone for anything. She doesn't know a good thing when she has the chance to hear it.

Anyway, Cory came home from school and told the story W told the band today. I guess her band, Sergio Poventud y su Orquesta Veneno, opened for this performer who is really big - like famous in Puerto Rico, Gilberto Santa Rosa. Apparently, he really liked the way W played and asked her to play with his band. Then, he had her play a solo - without telling her ahead of time. It sounds like she must have done well, because Cory says she may get to play with Santa Rosa in the future. How exciting it that?

Just as long as she doesn't decide to leave and focus on this full-time. We really appreciate her as our high school band director.

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.