2014 FESTIVAL LATINO to Be Held in Bicentennial Park, 8/9-10

Festival Latino, the two-day, family-friendly, free celebration of family, community, and Latin American culture, will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 9 and 10, from 11 am-8 pm each day. Due to City construction in Genoa Park, the 2014 Festival Latino will shift across the river to Bicentennial Park.

Festival Latino sponsors include Honda (presenting sponsor), the City of Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks, David & Mo Meuse, American Family Insurance, Hilton Columbus Downtown, the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, AARP, Aaron's, AEP, Erie Insurance, L Brands Foundation, McDonald's of Columbus & Central Ohio, Mount Carmel Health System,

Sensodyne Dental Health Spa, State Auto Insurance Companies, State Farm, Target, Walgreens, 5-Hour Sample, LLC, Bob Evans, Columbia Gas of Ohio, El Sol de Ohio, F & K Iglesia de Cristo, H&R Block, Hola Columbus!, Huntington, IDT Telecom, IntelliSource, La Jornada Latina, La Prensa, Mega 103.1 FM, Molina Healthcare of Ohio, Nationwide Insurance,

Safe Auto Insurance Company, The Ohio State University Center for Latin American Studies, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Time Warner Cable, and Trillium Farms.

Saturday, August 9

1:00pm - Noel Vargas

Mexican singer/songwriter Noel Vargas began singing on the streets of Mexico at age 11, telling the story of his life through music. He currently lives in Columbus, and will be releasing his new single, "Quiero Que Te Vayas," at the end of summer.

2:00pm - Herman Olivera

Olivera is considered by many as one of few remaining soneros (improvising lead singer) of salsa. He has toured and continues to tour all over the world, appearing as a featured vocalist in many prestigious festivals and TV shows, including stints with The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and The Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Band. His diction, vocalization, soul, and feeling combined with his charisma and the palatable timbre of his voice projects the well-seasoned mixture of Afro-Caribbean rhythms.

3:15pm - Frankie Negrón

Puerto Rican salsa superstar Frankie Negrón's distinct blend of traditional salsa with progressive influences such as pop, rock, gospel, R&B, hip-hop, and reggaetón has garnered him several Grammy nominations, Billboard Award nods, and two Premio Lo Nuestro Awards for "Song of the Year." He's also had several number one singles, four gold and platinum albums, and nine Billboard Top 40 Hot Latin Tracks.

4:45pm - Brazeros Musical de Durango

The six youths of Brazeros Musical de Durango began their musical careers when their ages ranged from 14 to 21. Only a few short months later, the group released its debut CD, El Errante, selling more than 15,000 copies in less than one month. Their follow-up record, Buscando Amores, opened doors to performing stateside in duranguense's capitol city, Chicago. A warm reception there led to regular airplay and an ever-growing fan base. The duranguense audience found their youthful looks and endless energy irresistible. With a noticeable presence on the charts since 2004 and a contract with the powerful Disa label, Brazeros Musical de Durango established a strong position for themselves even before all their members could legally drive.

SATURDAY HEADLINER

6:30pm - Joe Veras

Master of the bachata style, Dominican-born Joe Veras earned a new level of exposure with the release of Carta de Verano (2003), boasting hits like "Intentalo Tu" which hit the Top Ten in Billboard's Latin Tropical Airplay chart. His extensive history of touring has taken him all over the Americas and Europe, reaching audiences worldwide. La Travesia (2006) brought him back to the top of the tropical music world with Top Ten hit "En el Amor."

Sunday, August 10

12:00 pm - Latin Fashion Show

Catch a showcase and celebration of modern Latino style as local adults and children model a progression of fashion from traditional Latin clothing through the modern designs of today.

1:00 pm - Zancudo

Local musician Victor Zancudo and his band will perform a special acoustic set of his original music which fuses Latin pop with traditional and modern rhythms.

2:30pm - Vena

Superstar producer Lenny Santos and his brother Max Santos, the musical forces behind the genre-breaking sound of Aventura, have united with Steve Styles, former front man of Groupo Xtreme, to form the bachata supergroup Vena, revolutionizing Tropical music with a unique fusion of classic and modern urban bachata.

4:30pm - José Alberto "El Canario"

Dominican salsa vocalist José Alberto, also known as "El Canario," is noted for his exceptional voice, unique style, and superior improvisational skills. He became a major Latin star after his debut release Noches Calientes (1984), and established a new style called salsa romántica with Dance with Me (1991). His exceptional whistling abilities led fans to nickname him El Canario (The Canary).

SUNDAY HEADLINER

6:30pm - Los Hermanos Rosario

The 14-piece merengue orchestra Los Hermanos Rosario was formed by Dominican siblings Rafa, Luis, and Tony Rosario in 1978. Over the years, the group has released several hit albums including Bomba Mi Hermano, Insuperables, Los Dueños del Swing, and Bomba 2000.

Additional main stage attractions include:

Special Festival Host - B. A-Star

Richard Bastar Jr., known as B. A-Star, is a former member of the group Tercera Generation (or 3G) with his brothers, boasting the fact that they are the third generation of Bastar in the music industry. Now pursuing a solo project, B. A-Star has created a new urban dance sound, releasing more than ten singles since 2011.

DJ Cale

DJ Cale caters to Caribbean and Latin American tastes, spinning salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton, Latin pop, Latin dance, house, and a touch of American Top 40 music. He will be providing music from the main stage throughout the Festival.

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