SAN ANTONIO — The city’s newest Hispanic Heritage Month celebration is making its debut this October. The International Latin Jazz & Arts Festival is the launch of what will be an annual state-wide Pachanga, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The festival will take place Saturday, October 5, 2024 from noon to 11 p.m. at the UTSA Downtown Campus – Bill Miller Plaza, at 501 W. Cesar Chavez. Admission to the event is free and open to the public. The Puerto Rican Heritage Society, also known in Spanish as Sociedad Herencia Puertorriqueña (SHP), is proud to announce the charity has been invited to join the festival.
SHP will present Bomba y Plena de Puerto Rico, a free workshop introducing the two traditional musical genres and dances from the island. The workshop will feature professional instructor Jeanitza Aviles from Puerto Rico, as well as award-winning musicians and educators from New York, Victor Rendon and Yasuyo Kimora, along with San Antonio’s own, Henry Brun. The workshop will take place at 4 p.m. at the International Latin Jazz & Arts Festival.
Although admission to the festival is free, a VIP Experience is available at the cost of $100 a ticket. Festival organizers are generously committing to make a $25 donation to SHP for each ticket sold. The VIP Experience is for adults ages 21 and up only, with ID required to be shown during VIP check-in. The VIP area opens at 6 p.m. and allows patrons to be up close and personal to the music. It includes light bites and signature cocktails from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The experience also includes free access to El Gran Baile, the after party, at 11 p.m. on the rooftop Terrance overlooking downtown San Antonio. Proceeds benefit the Starlite Organization For The Arts, a 501(c)3 educating and inspiring our underserved communities with music and performing arts. For more information about the Starlite Organization For The Arts, visit http://www.starliteorganizationforthearts.org
Other entertainment lineups for the festival include:
- Salsa On 2 School, who will be performing, featuring students from the newly formed Kids Latin Hip Hop Class
- A special presentation by The US Army Latin Jazz Band, stationed in San Antonio
- Renowned pianist and educator, Ramón Alarcón of the Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, will be accompanied by his colleagues for an unparalleled performance
- A Latin Big Band Orchestra comprised of professional musicians, students and Educators, will perform songs from the musical books of two San Antonio Legends, the late PAUL ELIZONDO and Adalberto (Al) Gomez, Sr.
- Grammy Award winning Puerto Rican jazz flutist, Nestor Torres, will perform
- Four-time Grammy Award winning band, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, will perform the grand finale
The International Latin Jazz & Arts Festival will also feature Latin cuisine from local restaurants and artisans. For more information on the International Latin Jazz & Arts Festival, visit https://internationallatinjazzartfestival.com/
Comments are closed