Music in the Air, a program of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, announces spicy new twists on Festival Latino in 2008, which is Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21. In preparation for development of the Scioto Mile park, Festival Latino will be reformatted as a gated event on the west bank of the downtown riverfront.

Also new in 2008, Music in the Air will partner with CAPA (Columbus Association for the Performing Arts) to present Concert Caliente — a special Saturday evening performance.

Continuing the 13-year tradition, each evening will offer dynamic Latin American music, dance, food and merchandise. The dance plaza will feature a simulcast of the evenings’ performances on a large screen. Festival- and concert-goers are encouraged to arrive early due to venue capacity. 

Admission at the gate is $1. Children ages 10 and under are free.

Friday’s music lineup includes Zon del Barrio with featured artists Sammy Ayala and Yomo Toro at 7 p.m. Zon del Barrio plays sounds of classic salsa, bomba, plena, merengue, boogalu and Latin jazz. Salsero Andy Montañez will spice up the riverfront with a performance beginning at 9:30 p.m.
Montañez gained fame during his 15-year membership in the group El Gran Combo, and his popularity continues to grow as a solo artist. Montañez spent three years co-leading the Venezuela-based band Dimensi’n Latina prior to embarking on an international tour with his own orchestra.

Concert Caliente will take place on Saturday, June 21 from 5 to 11 p.m. in Genoa Park. The highlight of the evening will be a Los Huracanes Del Norte performance. Concert Caliente is general admission and every attendee must have a ticket. Tickets are $30 and on sale now.

Throughout the evening, concert-goers can enjoy authentic Latin American food and shop for traditional arts and crafts in the Marketplace along Washington Boulevard. Lucero Terrazas, known for different genres and styles of Mexican music, will perform at 6 p.m. As the sun goes down, the night will heat up when norteño super-group Los Huracanes Del Norte take the stage at 8:30 p.m. A large LED screen will simulcast the performances on the street level plaza, providing plenty of room for dancing.

 
Los Huracanes Del Norte have spent most of their 35-year career at the top of the Mexican music charts. From the late ‘90s through 2006, each of their original releases climbed to Billboard’s regional Mexican Top Ten. The group’s latest release, Vientos Huracanados, maintains the characteristic style of Los Huracanes, but adds a youthful and contemporary touch. As one of the most popular and influential groups of the norteño genre, Los Huracanes Del Norte are well known throughout Mexico and the U.S.

Tickets for Saturday’s Concert Caliente are $30 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.) and at the event gate on the day of the concert. Tickets are also available at all Ticketmaster outlets and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, call 614-431-3600 or 614-469-0939. 

For more information about Festival Latino, visit www.FestivalLatino.net.