Salem, Ore. – Nine bands performing on two stages will fill Salem’s Riverfront Park with Latin-influenced music from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, during Marion-Polk Food Share’s debut Latin Music Festival, with Gregg Rolie of Santana fame as the headliner.
The Gregg Rolie Band, which features several former Santana band members including Rolie, who was a founding member and lead vocalist, will top off a daylong procession of Latin music performers, classic cars and ethnic foods from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Rolie, an inductee into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall Of Fame as part of the original Santana band and a multi-platinum performer in his own right, brings his Rock Latin fusion style to Salem at 9 p.m. Expect Latin, rock and blues and renditions of classic Santana greatest hits including “Black Magic Woman,” “Evil Ways,” “Oye Como Va” and more.
Pepe & the Bottle Blondes, currently performing in night clubs throughout Portland, will warm up the audience with popular songs from the ’30s to the ’60s, plus a strong selection of tangos, boleros, rhumbas, sambas and other Latin rhythms. Expect an eclectic, “Copacabana style” ensemble of saxophones, congas and percussion, trumpets, and three-part harmonies at 7:15 p.m.
Son Melao, touted as Oregon’s premier salsa band, performs at 1 p.m. on the Safeway Stage. The nine piece ensemble with lead vocalist Neri Rodriguez performs hip swaying Latin dance music from Colombia, Venezuela and Cuba, including Son Montuno, Guaracha, Guajira, Salsa, Cumbia, Plena, and Merengue.
Chayag takes the stage at 3 p.m. with its Andean folk music. The group, founded in Equador, has shared the stage with a wide range of musicians. The versatility of Chayag’s musical style delights audiences of all ages.
Los Cumbiamberos promises the best Cumbia from Columbia and Mexico. This family group has been playing dance music for more than three generations. They say they’ve given Cumbia a tropical touch and they play Merengue, Vallanato, Charanga, Bolero, Chilenas and more.
On the Varidades Stage, Los Palomitos Del Norte performs at noon, Piel Canela at 2:15 p.m., Grupo El Patron at 4:15 p.m., and Los Gallos De Luis Y Julian at 6:15 p.m.
Festival tickets will be $10 at the gate for attendees over 18; free admission with two cans of food for those 18 and under. The festival will feature a custom/classic car show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., brew and wine pavilion, and food purveyors. Proceeds benefit the regional food bank, Marion-Polk Food Share, and its local hunger-relief mission. For more information, go to www.LatinMusicFestivalSalem.org.
Safeway is the presenting sponsor of the event. Other sponsors include Wells Fargo, Capitol Toyota, Fast Signs, NW Natural, Highway Trailer Sales, Latinos Touch Inc. Maps Credit Union, Umpqua Bank, Salem Electric, Portland Timbers, and Print Specialties.
Source: Marion-Polk Food Share www.marionpolkfoodshare.org