Amigos805 staff reports
OXNARD — The 22nd annual Oxnard Salsa Festival returns to Plaza Park during the weekend of July 25 and 26. The festival kicks off with a special “Friday Night Concert” featuring Oscar Hernandez and Alma Libre, with special guests Justo Almario and Dr. Bobby Rodriquez at 7 p.m. July 24. Hernandez is known as a very gifted pianist and arranger on the contemporary Latin, Latin Jazz and Salsa scene and is considered one of the most important composer / arrangers of Latin Jazz today, event organizers reported in a media release.
Photo courtesy of Oxnard Salsa Festival
His recording of “Un Gran Día en el Barrio” resulted in a Grammy nomination and Latin Billboard award for Salsa Album of the Year. Admission is $15 per person for adults and $10 for kids 6 to 14 years of age for general concert or lawn seating, with tables for six available for $120.
Today, July 20 is the last day to buy discounted tickets online. Click here.
The festival itself begins with performances by Orquesta Rumbankete, Son Mayor and Carlo Lopez and the Echo Park Project on Saturday, July 25, and Conjunto Oye!, Sabor De Mi Cuba and Orquesta Tabaco y Ron on Sunday, July 26 at Plaza Park.
Orquesta Rumbankete, known for its explosive rhythm section, powerful trombones and energetic vocal delivery, kicks off the celebration on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., festival organizers reported. Next at 2 p.m., Son Mayor takes to the stage, performing its unmistakable vintage and contemporary Cuban sounds. Closing on Saturday is Carlo Lopez and the Echo Park Project, bringing legendary NYC-style salsa to Southern California. Their set begins at 4:45 p.m.
Sunday’s celebration begins with Conjunto Oye!, an 11-piece band specializing in classic Nuyorican salsa. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sabor De Mi Cuba will entertain the crowd with its Afro-Cuban roots influenced by world music. The 12-piece Big-Band orchestra, Tabaco y Ron closes out the festival with its high-energy, hard-edged brand of salsa music.
“Dancing With Our Community Stars” image courtesy Oxnard Salsa Festival.
Besides the concerts, the festival brings backs its traditional “Dancing With Our Community Stars” fundraiser with contestants Christina Albert (dancing for Soroptomist of Oxnard); Jim Duran (The City Center); Meredith Garofalo (Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties); Mary Jo Fuentes Leste (Loving Heart Hospice Foundation); Tyler Marie (Community Action) and Edgar Mohorko Jr. (Oxnard PAL Police Activities League). Dancers and their charities can be supported by going to http://oxnardsalsafestival.com/dance/.
Other festival favorites include The Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge, the Salsa Tasting Tent Experience, the Festival Marketplace Food & Shopping and the Kids Korner with Tortilla Art.
Festival admission and parking are free. No pets or coolers are permitted on site. Visit http://oxnardsalsafestival.com for more information.