Courtesy photo.
OXNARD — The entertainment schedule is set for 26th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival held in Oxnard July 27 and 28 in Oxnard. The lineup features hot salsa, Latin and Cuban sounds performed by musicians from around the world. Nonstop music on the festival’s main stage will be featured both days at Plaza Park from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Here is the 2019 entertainment lineup:
Saturday, July 27:
La Marcha Sound – 11:00 a.m.
Community Dance Showcase – 1:00 p.m.
Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca – 2:00 p.m.
Calixto Oviedo & Lily Hernandez Orquesta – 4:45 p.m.
Sunday, July 28:
La Seleccion – 11:00 a.m.
Dancing With Our Community Stars – 1:00 p.m.
Guicho y La Tribu – 2:00 p.m.
Yari Moré Latin Band – 4:45 p.m.
Saturday Entertainment
Saturday’s entertainment begins at 11 a.m. with La Marcha Sound. The seven-member group started as a cover band in Bakersfield performing many well-known songs in the genres of cumbia, salsa, merengue and bachata. It has now become a continually evolving force of performing art and entertainment.
A Community Dance Showcase featuring local dancers begins at 1 p.m. These talented dancers will perform routines to popular Latin tunes. Their skill and enthusiasm means they are always crowd favorites.
At 2 p.m., Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca takes the stage with Lemvo’s mix of Cuban salsa and African rumba, music that has been described by the Los Angeles Times as “seamless and infectious.” Since forming the band in 1990, Lemvo has refined his craft and vision, raising his joyous voice with strength, and always inspiring his audiences to let loose and dance.
Calixto Oviedo & Lily Hernandez Orquesta perform at 4:45 p.m. They sing son cubano, salsa, timba, bossa and has charisma and powerful dynamism that easily wins the hearts of audiences. Calixto Oviedo is a musical director and drummer/timbalero with an illustrious 38-year career as a professional percussionist.
Sunday Entertainment
La Seleccion starts things off on Sunday at 11 a.m. La Seleccion has been around since 2010. They play some of the best energetic salsa from Colombia, Puerto Rico and Cuba. The band plays at all the top salsa venues in Los Angeles. Band members come from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Peru and of course the USA.
At 1 p.m., seven community leaders will put on their dancing shoes for charity during the “2019 Dancing With Our Community Stars Dance Contest and Charity Fundraiser.” The contest is a salsa version of the hit TV show “Dancing With The Stars.” Local celebrities are paired with the area’s top dance instructors for a salsa showdown at the festival main stage dance floor that has raised over $850,000 since its inception.
Guicho y La Tribu performs at 2 p.m. The band’s music is reminiscent of the New York City style salsa from the 70s. It also incorporates other blends of salsa styles while staying true to its musical roots. Bandleader Luis “Guicho” Vasquez was born in Nicaragua to a musical family and came to the U.S. in 1988 fleeing civil war. In spite of these harsh circumstances, he remained focused on his music. His bands perform at top venues throughout Los Angeles.
Yari Moré Latin Band wraps up the festival entertainment when it takes the stage at 4:45 p.m. The band has been providing live entertainment in Southern California for more than 20 years. Hailing from Colombia, Yari Moré has a tremendous voice for salsa and has performed with some of the most well-known salseros in the world, including Tito Puente and Celia Cruz.
Friday Night Kick Off Concert
On Friday, July 26, a festival kick-off concert will take place at Plaza Park. Legendary percussionist Pete Escovedo headlines the concert. Escovedo is an artist who for more than 50 years has been breaking down the barriers between smooth jazz, salsa, Latin jazz and contemporary music. General admission is free. The concert is from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Concertgoers can bring their own picnic dinner. Food trucks will be onsite with food, beer, wine and margaritas. No outside alcohol permitted. Free lawn seating tickets can be picked up at designated Oxnard Downtown Merchants. Upfront tables that seat six are also available for $120.
About the Oxnard Salsa Festival: The 26th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival is presented by the Oxnard Downtowners. The two-day event draws an estimated 35,000 salsa lovers. In addition to non-stop live entertainment, highlights include a salsa tasting tent, a craft vendor marketplace, international foods, a kids’ play zone and a salsa recipe contest.
Admission and parking are free. Main stage seating is $5. No coolers or pets are permitted on festival grounds.
For a listing of hotels and visitor attractions, visit www.visitoxnard.com or call the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-2-Oxnard.
For festival information, call 805-535-4060 or visit www.oxnardsalsafestival.com