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Rock & Roll Hall of
Fame kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month
By Arooj Ashraf, La Prensa Correspondent
Keeping with a tradition
started two years ago, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
kicked off early Hispanic Heritage Month in Cleveland with a
free festival hosted outside on the Collection Auto Group Plaza
on Aug. 28, 2011.
Nearly 300 people came
with their families to enjoy performances by legendary musicians
like Hector Tricoche and Sammy De León. Tricoche,
an internationally renowned Puerto Rican artist, connected with
the crowd, inviting them to sing along with popular lyrics and
dance. His vocals along with the band performing live echoed
throughout the pavilion.
“I like this, great chance
to visit the Rock Hall and celebrate (our culture),” said El
Menor, an aspiring musician with Show Studio Records. With
his friends Maxim O, Cilo, the group performs a variety
of Latin beats at local events in Lorain. For Maxim O the
ultimate dream is to perform in Puerto Rico, and said the trio
is working hard and improving constantly to make it a reality.
Meeting backstage with
Tricoche and DeLeón they found inspiration from those who shared
the same dream and made it a reality. “We had the same dream,
and love for our music,” said Cilo, he looks forward to
continued opportunities for sharing his passion and culture at a
grander scale.
The festival packed with
entertainment included performances by Latin Soul Dance
Company, Julia De Burgos Cultural Center’s youth
performance groups; Grupo Coqui and Explosion Divina
Dance Troupe delightfully colorful cultural and contemporary
performances. Exciting everyone was the group Zumba
performances.
Heidy Torres Sossa,
and internationally renowned Zumba dance instructor, dancer and
model, led guests in high energy dance routines motivating
children and adults alike to move. Zumba has become an exercise
sensation for its Latin inspired moves combined with party
atmosphere music and claims to burn 500 – 1000 calories. Mostly,
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Robinson.
New at the pavilion this
year were food trucks that added a little flavor to the music
and entertainment flair. JiBARO Gourmet Food Truck and World
Eats offered street food with an attitude that satisfied
appetites.
Taraka Robinson enjoyed
the event for its mix of cultural music but her main draw was
the live Zumba performance. “I love every aspect of the Latin
culture, especially the food and people and as a Zumba
enthusiast I had to be here,” she said.
Latino Heritage Month will
be celebrated from Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, but events celebrating
culture, people and arts are already in full swing throughout
the city. |
