Parks & Recreation Department

About the 2010 Latino Festival

(Rain or Shine)

On Saturday, August 7, Latin music lovers will "feel the music" at the Latino Festival organized by the Durham Parks and Recreation Department. The purpose of this festival is to share Hispanic traditions and folklore with Durham residents. The event will be held at Rock Quarry Park, 701 Stadium Drive, from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Festival-goers can dance to live music, taste authentic foods, shop at the marketplace for arts and crafts, and learn about health, education and employment opportunities available in the community. Children can explore hands-on activities and create traditional Latin American crafts.

Continuing the five year tradition, the Latino Festival will also feature a soccer tournament. To register for the tournament, participants must arrive at 3 p.m. to sign up. The tournament will begin at 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For information, call (919) 560-4355.

Festival Schedule

3 p.m. – 3:10 p.m. - Welcome, Rhonda Parker, DPR Director
3:10 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. - Mayor William V. "Bill" Bell, Chief Jose Lopez, Lorenzo Preciado, Consul of Mexico and RESPECTO
3:35 p.m. – 4:35 p.m. - Band #1 (Orq. GarDel)
4:35 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. - Host/Announcing Major Sponsor(s)
4:45 p.m. – 5:10 p.m. - Zumba
5:10 p.m. – 5:20 p.m. - Host/Announcing Sponsors
5:20 p.m. – 5:40 p.m. - Baile Azteca
5:40 p.m. – 5:50 p.m. - Host/Announcing Sponsors – Gifts
5:50 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. - Angel Figueroa (La Sombra de Vicente Fernandez)
6:45 p.m. – 7 p.m. - Host/Soccer Championship awards/Sponsors
7 p.m. – 8 p.m. - Band #2 (Farandula Show)

Festival Performers

Julio Martínez

The host for the 6th Annual Latino Festival is Julio Martínez, known to Triangle and Triad listeners as "El hombre de la Calle/The Man of the Streets." Martínez is a roving news reporter for different North Carolina radio stations. In addition to news reporting, Martínez interviews everyday people throughout the state to get their opinion on news, culture, sports, politics, music, art and issues important to North Carolina’s Latino community. A seasoned impresario, Martinez is proud to share Latin culture and to bring a diversity talents and music to the 6th Annual Latino Festival.

GarDel

Orquesta GarDel is an ensemble of North Carolinas finest salsa musicians whose diversity of ethnicity and cultural background continuously informs the group’s unique voice. Fronted by veteran soneros Nelson Delgado and Jamie Roman, Orquesta GarDel delivers a powerful mixture of intoxicating Latin rhythms, sizzling horn lines, intricate arrangements, and melodious vocalists every time they take the stage. Modeled after the classic salsa big band, Orquesta GarDel draws its inspiration from the New York/Puerto Rican connection of the 1970s, performing unmistakably classic songs by Bobby Valentín, Sonora Ponceña, Rubén Blades, and more. The ensemble's dedication to stylistic authenticity is matched by its cutting-edge original compositions which incorporate the modern, funky sound of Cuban timba music.

The Farándula Show

The Farándula Show is a popular Latin musical group that was born here in the heart of North Carolina. The band formed in 2006, the same year it released its first recording, titled Inseparables. Six enthusiastic young musicians make up this dynamic and energetic group, led by the exceptional vocal talents of lead singer Karen. Performing Cumbia, Nortea and Barduguese, the Farándula Show delight with versatility, and no doubt have a promising future in the Mexican regional music scene in the U.S.

Angel Figueroa

Angel Figueroa impersonates of Vicente Fernández, a famous Mexican pop singer. This is said because of his remarkable resemblance to Vicente Fernández. Like Vicente Fernández, Angel is from the state of Jalisco. Since he was very young, Angel has performed in festivals, and fairs all around México. More recently he has performed in Washington DC, Maryland, and North Carolina. After each performance, fans will gather around to take photos of him.

Directions to Rock Quarry Park

From Raleigh

Glenwood Avenue North-70 W/NC-50 N
Continue to follow US-70 W
US-70 W becomes US-70 BYP W
US-70 BYP W becomes I-85 S/US-15 S
Take the US-501 N./Duke Street/Gregson Street exit, Exit 176, toward Northgate Mall
Turn right onto US-501/N. Duke Street/US-501-Bypass
Turn right onto Stadium Drive
701 Stadium Drive is on the right

From Greensboro

I-40 E/I-85 N becomes I-85 N
Take the US-501 N./Gregson STreet/Duke Street exit, Exit 176, toward Northgate Mall
Take the US-501 N./Duke Street exit, Exit 176B
Turn slight right onto US-501 N./N. Duke Street
Turn right onto Stadium Drive
701 Stadium Drive is on the right

From Roxboro

S. Madison Blvd/US-158/US-501/NC-57 - Continue to follow US-501 S
Keep right at the fork to go on N. Duke Street S/US-501 S/US-501-Bypass S
Turn left onto Stadium Drive
Stadium Drive is on the right

From Cary

N. Harrison Avenue I-40 W. via the ramp on the left toward Durham/Chapel Hill
Take the Miami Blvd exit, Exit 281.Take the ramp toward US-70
Merge onto S. Miami Blvd. Turn left onto US-70/New Raleigh Highway
Continue to follow US-70 W.US-70 W. becomes US-70 by W. US-70 bypass W. becomes I-85 S/US-15 S<
Take the US-501 N./Duke Street/Gregson Street exit, Exit 176, toward Northgate Mall
Turn right onto US-501/N. Duke Street/US-501-Bypass
Turn right onto Stadium Drive
701 Stadium Drive is on the right

From Durham

N. Roxboro Street/US-15 BR N./US-501 BR N/US-70 BR E
Continue to follow N. Roxboro Street/US-15 BR N/US-501 BR N
Merge onto I-85 S/US-15 S via the ramp on the left toward Burlington
Take the US-501 N./Duke Street/Gregson Street exit, exit 176, toward Northgate Mall
Turn right onto US-501/N. Duke Street/US-501-Bypass
Turn right onto Stadium Drive
701 Stadium Drive is on the right