Hispanic Heritage Month in Atlanta

I am part Puerto Rican. So of course, I celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month every year... actually, I guess I celebrate all year long. I am a musician. And I play latin percussion professionally with my latin jazz band, Rio Negro, and salsa y merengue con Orquesta Macuba every weekend at Loca Luna. However, this month is a good time to reflect, remember and learn from our past as we look forward to the future. Here are some things that I am doing to celebrate:

The other night, my wife and I watched a great documentary on the history of Latin music on GPB.

Atlantic Station is hosting a "Latin Taste of Atlanta" this Saturday.

Traditional dishes from Colombia, Cuba, Brazil, Mexico and Peru, plus new
culinary Latin creations will spice up Atlantic Station on October
17th, with DeGustar, a Latin taste of Atlanta event by the Georgia
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GHCC).

At least 25 restaurants, caterers and markets are expected to
participate. Among them are Coco Loco, Brazilian Bakery Cafe, Frontera, Fuego
Mundo, Lucianos, Lime Taqueria, Machu Pichu, Pampas, Palomillas, Rosa Mexicano,
Sal Grosso Brazilian Steak House, and Tia Maria Bakery.

This one day event will take place in the Central Park Area of
Atlantic Station from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 pm.

Currently on display at the Atlanta History Center until January, 2010

The Atlanta-based newspaper, MundoHispanico, has served as the voice of Georgia’s Spanish-speaking community, witnessing and recording its growth and
its contributions in Georgia, including those of leaders in business, politics, and the arts.

Opening during our nation’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, the Atlanta History Center presents the exhibition, Through the Lens of MundoHispanico: Georgia’s Hispanic Community. Presented in both English and Spanish, this new exhibition celebrates the 30th anniversary of MundoHispanico and its important role as a news outlet, while revealing stories and images from
the newspaper’s archives that explore the growth, diversity, success, and growing influence of Georgia’s Hispanic community.

So if you're interested in dancing this weekend, check out Loca Luna on Saturday night... if your spanish is a little rusty, check out the informal spanish lessons at Starbucks offered by the Latin American Association... if you're a history buff, check out the music documentary on PBS/GPB or visit the Atlanta History Center... if you love latin food, meet me and my family this Saturday at Atlantic Station. Hope to see you there!

Promo Code for Rio Negro Fans! 6th Annual Harvest Midtown - October 4th

Enter the promo code “RioNegro” for $10 off tickets
online at www.harvestmidtown.com until midnight Saturday!!

Hey Rio Negro Fans! We talked to the festival producers on YOUR behalf because WE know you really want to hear us play this weekend! Come out and join the fun at Harvest Midtown this Sunday, October 4th.


www.rionegromusic.com

Georgia Aquarium's Fourth Annual Aqua Vino - Sip, Savor & Sea

Georgia Aquarium's Fourth Annual Aqua Vino - Sip, Savor & Sea

Oct. 29, 2009; VIP Tasting: 6-7 p.m., Grand Tasting 7-10 p.m.
Georgia Aquarium and Oceans Ballroom
Aqua Vino provides guests an open door to Sip, Savor and Sea the wonders of the ocean, against the beautiful backdrop of the Oceans Ballroom and the Aquarium’s five galleries. Exclusively for one night, enjoy the sounds of Rio Negro (Atlanta's premier latin jazz band), more than 200 fine wines from around the globe, gourmet fare from Atlanta’s best restaurants and two amazing auctions. All proceeds from Aqua Vino support the Aquarium’s Veterinary Services through the Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health. Purchase tickets now and take advantage of Early Bird special pricing! Learn more.

6th Annual Harvest Midtown - October 4th

For the last few years, my latin jazz band, Rio Negro, plays at the Harvest Midtown Festival. We bring our wives, girlfriends, friends and family to enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting, great music and delicious samples of Midtown Atlanta's best restaurants. I hope you'll consider joining us this year.

Sunday, October 4th - 1pm - 5pm @ The Georgia Terrace

If you don't drink wine, they also have beer tasting and even water tasting! A few years ago, when my wife and I were expecting our daughter, she really enjoyed trying a wide variety of bottled waters and decided that Panna brand water tasted the best. Visit www.harvestmidtown.com for tickets.

Memorial Day Weekend in Hotlanta!

Atlanta will certainly earn its' title as the most happening city in the south this weekend with an event menu that's sure to satisfy the pallete of just about anyone. There's the Atlanta Jazz Festival with a line up that includes Dionne Farris, Russell Gunn, and the incredibly talented Vinx. There's the Smooth Jazz Lounge at Hotel Intercontinental with Nick Colionne and Warren Hill that goes down this Saturday or if you're in the mood for some Salsa you can definitely check out the mighty Orquesta Macuba on Saturday at Loca Luna. For all of my Caribbean bredren don't miss the Atlanta Carnival Caribbean Festival this weekend. If you're looking for some family fun with art and entertainment, then the Decatur Arts Festival is the place to be. All of this and so much more in the city we call Hotlanta!!!!!

Orquesta Macuba @ Loca Luna

Hey check out this video from last Saturday. Look forward to seeing you this Saturday. FREE admission, free valet parking, great tapas, and of course muy caliente music.

Salsa Saturdays @ Loca Luna

Every Saturday night (starting May 2nd) bring your dancing shoes with you to Loca Luna in Midtown Atlanta!


5/2/2009 9:00 PM at "Orquesta MaCuba Live" @ Loca Luna - 550 Amsterdam

Cost: Free

Come check out the Smooth & Agressive Sounds of "Orquesta MaCuba Live" @ Loca Luna. Bringing you the best in Salsa, Merengue, Son, Cha-Cha, Jazz, Latin Jazz and Afro-Cuban Rhythms every Saturday Night. Don’t miss out on this Live Entertainment!!!! You won’t regret it!!!

Contact me for directions or if you have questions or if you just want to let me know to expect to see you out on the dance floor!