The 2016 weekend series Noches de Ritmo program runs from 6pm – 9pm on Friday, May 6; 3pm \u2013 8:30pm on Saturday, May 7; and concludes with a special Mother\u2019s Day concert from 1pm \u2013 4:30pm on Sunday, May 8. The free, weekend-long event will include live performances by a variety of popular local groups whose rhythms range from merengue to salsa to bolero. La Ola Radio 99.5fm is the partnering sponsor and will provide their radio personalities to emcee the event, as in previous years.<\/p>\n
Saturday evening\u2019s Jazzfest at Noches de Ritmo will host Hector Rosado & Orq HACHE from 5pm \u2013 6:30pm, and The Jeff \u201cTain\u201d Watts Quartet from 7pm \u2013 8:30pm. Rosado, the area\u2019s premier percussionist, leads his 12 piece band.\u00a0 Hector previously performed with Tito Puente and David Byrne from Talking Heads.\u00a0 Jeff \u201cTain\u201d Watts is the surprise announcement of the 2016 JazzFest.\u00a0 Mr. Watts has five Grammy awards and leads a world class band.\u00a0 Both performances are free to the public.<\/p>\n
The Allentown JazzFest is a ten day music, film and arts festival that occurs in venues throughout Allentown\u2019s West End, Hamilton Street District and Arts District.\u00a0 JazzFest will present approximately 30 performances throughout the 2016 Festival.\u00a0 In addition to funk, jazz, EDM and electronic music, JazzFest\u2019s partnership with La Ola Radio exemplifies the importance of Latin Jazz to the program.<\/p>\n
The Noches de Ritmo program series began in 2013, attracting more than 1,600 attendees in its first year. The program has continued to expand and attract new participants as the series begins its fourth season.\u00a0 The title of the program, which translates to \u201cRhythm Nights,\u201d is accompanied by the tagline which defines the essential components of these events: \u201cMusic, Dance, Art & Community.\u201d All Noches de Ritmo events are held in both English and Spanish, and include different elements of local culture through music, singing, dancing and artwork. The program won a state award for excellence in March 2015 from the Pennsylvania Parks & Recreation Society.<\/p>\n
Noches de Ritmo\u2019s planning committee is made up of partners including La Ola Radio 99.5fm, Hispanic American League of Artists, Puertorrican Culture Preservation Organization, and Allentown City Council Parks & Recreation Committee Chair Cynthia Mota.<\/p>\n
The Allentown JazzFest is presented by Performing Arts Live Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.\u00a0 Please like JazzFest\u2019s Facebook page or visit them on the web at http:\/\/allentownjazzfest.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information on the Noches de Ritmo series, call the Department of Parks and Recreation at 610-437-7757<\/a>. \u201cLike\u201d the Department of Parks and Recreation on facebook to stay up-to-date on program information at www.facebook.com\/allentownparkandrec<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nMike Moore
\nCommunications Manager
\nMayor’s Office
\n435 Hamilton Street
\nAllentown, PA 18101
\nMike.Moore@allentownpa.gov
\nhttp:\/\/www.AllentownPA.gov<\/div>\n
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