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Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA., May 22, 2024 – ArtsQuest, in partnership with media partner La Mega Radio, is proud to announce the 13th annual free admission ¡Sabor! Latin Festival taking place from Thursday, June 27 through Saturday, June 29, 2024 on the SteelStacks campus. The festival is a celebration of Latin heritage including music, food and family fun.
“We are so excited for the 13th annual ¡Sabor! Latin Festival. Each year, the festival honors Latin heritage, culture and community,” says Shayna Super, Programming Manager. “There will be food and music we all know and love, but this year we’ll enjoy some new offerings from new food, new musical artists, an expanded vendor section and the screening of the Panama vs. USA soccer match on Thursday, June 27! The festival is free to attend and there will be something for the whole family to enjoy, so we hope to see you there!”
As Super mentioned, there are many highlights to this year’s festival, including the screening of the Panama vs. US 2024 Copa America Soccer match at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 27 as a part of this year’s SoccerFest presented by Wind Creek Bethlehem, new Puerto Rican food truck, La Frikitona, will be providing authentic cuisine for the evening – and will be joining ¡Sabor! for the entire weekend and wrapping up the first night will be performances by favorites Herencia Jibara and DJ Breezzy.
Don’t miss the ultimate salsa reunion, together for the first time: one stage, one show, one ¡Sabor! ArtsQuest Performing Arts board member Miguel Perez worked hard to join three big Lehigh Valley area Latin salsa artists to headline Saturday night at Levitt Pavilion. Band leaders Pablo Batista (percussionist), Hector Rosado (percussionist) and Luisito Rosario (singer) will be performing several songs together on Saturday, June 29. Old chums from growing up in the Lehigh Valley, Batista and Rosado, will be joined by one of Rosado’s prodigies, Rosario, for an exciting performance where we get to see the three of them together for the first time ever.
The Brugal Lounge will return this year on Friday, June 28 (6 pm. – 8 p.m.) and Saturday, June 29 (5 pm. – 8 p.m.) with featured Brugal Rum samples and domino tables for the enjoyment of our 21+ guests.
Finally, festival food favorites of Hogar CREA and Holy Infancy will be returning, joined by La Frikitona, in addition to an expanded crafter and vendor selection.
Weekend Schedule:
Thursday, June 27
Levitt Pavilion at 6-8 p.m. – Panama vs. USA soccer
Levitt Pavilion at 8-9:30 p.m. – Herencia Jibara
Air Products Town Square at 9:30-11 p.m. – DJ Breezzy
Friday, June 28
Air Products Town Square at 6:30-8 p.m. – East Coast Salsa Scene
Levitt Pavilion at 8-10 p.m. – Combo Melaza
Air Products Town Square at 10 p.m. – 12 a.m. – Pancho Bongo y su Orquesta
Saturday, June 29
Air Products Town Square at 4-5 p.m. – Viva Vallenato
Levitt Pavilion at 5-6:30 p.m. – Fabricio Orihuela
Air Products Town Square at 6:30-8 p.m. – Jimmy Bosch Salsa Masters
Levitt Pavilion at 8-10 p.m. – Hector Rosado, master percussionist Pablo Batista and guest vocalist Luisito Rosario
Air Products Town Square at 10 p.m. – 12 a.m. – Mambo Caliente
An annual Puerto Rican Flag Raising Ceremony will take place on Friday, June 28, to kick off the festival, just prior to the music beginning that day, featuring US and Puerto Rican National Anthems and community speakers.
“What you’re doing this year, bringing three icons of salsa music in our region together (Rosado, Batista and Rosario), is truly a special moment,” says Miguel Perez, ArtsQuest Performing Arts board member. “The Lehigh Valley has never seen anything like it and I’m proud to play a role in pulling it all together. ¡Sabor! is all about preserving the Latino culture in our area and ArtsQuest’s dedication to that mission is remarkable.”
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events.
Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, over 50% of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.
Information provided to TVL by:
Bryn Keeney
