FIESTA! PUERTO RICO - FREE Outdoor Festival

What: Indoor Concert: 7pm featuring Grammy Winner EDDIE PALMIERI
When: Sunday, June 29th
11 am to 6 pm

$25 Ticket sales to concert benefiting ASPIRA of Florida
Coral Springs Center for the Arts
FREE Parking

The unique musical traditions that often combine Spanish language song forms with African-derived instrumentation and rhythms is what local Puerto Ricans, and the entire community will enjoy at the 6th annual FIESTA! Puerto Rico set for Sunday, June 29th at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts from 11 am to 6 pm. The annual FREE outdoor festival will take place on the grounds of the Theater and parking is free all day.

The indoor concert features Grammy winner EDDIE PALMIERI, a ticketed concert inside the Coral Springs Theater to benefit ASPIRA of Florida. Tickets available through Ticketmaster for the show and by contacting (305) 576-8494. Limited tickets for VIP reception after the show.

The outdoor FREE cultural festival venue will feature Bomba, the uniquely Puerto Rican and African-derived sound, Plena, a song form performed by singers with narrative lyrics and fast-tempoed salsa music is the most widely known indigenous Puerto Rican music.

Outdoor Festival Performances include: 5th Avenue Latin Band, Saborlatino Orchestra, Trio Modelo's Puerto Rican Bolero music, Rich Hernandez Trio, TamBoricua, El Kynto Elemento Reggaeton and Ballet Folklorico de Puerto Rico. Also inclulded are free salsa dance lessons all day with Salsabor Tropical, U4RIA and children's performances, Zumba Dance craze and more.

The traditional costumes, the dances and songs and the performers simply cannot complete a Puerto Rican celebration without the FOOD of the island. Many dishes are seasoned with a savory mixture of spices known as “sofrito” garlic, green peppers, onions & seasoned salt in a wooden bowl sautéed in hot oil and “achiote seeds, the base for an oily sauce. Bacalodo, a staple of the Puerto Rican diet is a flaky, salted cod fish. Other gastronomical delights that will be sold by food vendors include arroz con pollo, lechon asado, gandules, pasteles, asopao, deep fried plantains and alcupurria.

While having a great time, many charities will benefit with free booth space and outreach support. Arts and crafters, small businesses and corporate sponsors will be manning colorful booths with giveaways and raffle prizes. Voter Registration drives, health fair and a children’s area with games and prizes...make it a full family day.

Sponsors to date include State Farm Insurance, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Care Plus Health Plans, Florida Blood Centers, Ana Mendez University, DeVry University, Puerto Rico Cultural Association and City of Coral Springs Multicultural Committee.

For information on vendor space or sponsorships visit www.wedoevents.net or call (954) 527-0627.

Eddie Palmieri, known for his charismatic power and bold innovative drive, has a musical career that spans over 50 years as a bandleader of Salsa and Latin Jazz orchestras. With a discography that includes 36 titles, Mr. Palmieri has been awarded Nine Grammy Awards. He received his first Grammy Award in 1975 for his release The Sun of Latin Music, which is often considered the most historic.

Palmieri Wins 9th Grammy
The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has awarded Eddie Palmieri's newest release, Simpatico, the 2007 Grammy in the "Best Latin Jazz Album" category. Simpatico is a collaboration with trumpet master Brian Lynch.This is Eddie Palmieri's 9th Grammy in a career that spans over 50 years and was awarded on February 11, 2007 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.