Fania 50th Anniversary Concert Series Partners with SummerStage

By Justino Aguila 

The 50th anniversary of the iconic Latin label Fania Records will be celebrated this summer in partnership with Central Park's SummerStage program.

Starting June 14, the City Parks Foundation will feature a concert series, dance and theater performances, film screenings and other events that highlight the label's history in New York. The series will conclude with a Fania All Stars concert in Central Park on Aug. 24.

Fania Records was home to major recording artists who performed in genres such as Latin big band, Afro-Cuban jazz, boogaloo, salsa and Latin R&B. The label also introduced the musical group Fania All Stars and included entertainers such as Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Celia Cruz and Ruben Blades.

“The SummerStage series is one of best Summer concert series in the world,” said Michael Rucker, chief marketing officer at Codigo Group.  “We are thrilled to be a part of this series and couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this iconic label’s 50th anniversary.”

The series is also scheduled to showcase new acts and DJs that embrace the Fania sound. Also, Fania is releasing eight digital albums from May through September to coincide with the SummerStage events. Each album will feature tracks from both well-known entertainers and new artists, all of whom will also be performing through the summer.

The June 14 kick off has scheduled performances by Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound, La Mecanica Popular and DJ Louie Vega.

RUBEN BLADES performs in Lincoln Center NYC 8-7-2013

It was a free NYC concert which attracted thousands of Rubén Blades fans from all parts of the world. They came out to enjoy a night of salsa music and dancing.  And for Blades performing his hits hasn't slowed down at all. He is in full swing to securing a music career as an iconic salsa performer. Well, in actuality, for many salsa music enthusiasts or critics, Rubén Blades has reach iconic salsa status many years ago. Not to mention, he also accomplished a successful acting career and as an influential activist for the urban Latino community.

 

Many fans have enjoyed plenty of Rubén Blades' performances in New York City but unfortunately many was left out in the streets from this particular concert at the Damrosch Park Bandshell in Lincoln Center, NYC. It could have been their worst concert experience, however it was a experience that was entertaining and enjoyable. Why was it enjoyable? Because the show was part of the Lincoln Center Out of Doors festival and its was an outdoor festival open for the public to listen and watch.

Not everyone had a good seat. Some of the crowd audience watched the performances from the city streets through a protect screen that was used to make it look something  similar to a closed venue. It didn't matter because the sound of the music was vibrant for everyone to hear and dance the night away.

Overall, the entire scene was exuberant. Rubén Blades delivered several of his classic songs while providing the audience with a little brief  history of his musical journey for them to take home and remember.


VIDEO: Ruben Blades performs El Cantante. (Tribute to Hector Lavoe)



 

 To see more pictures of the concert click here. Photographs by Kevin Yatarola.