For the past 31 years, the Encuentro del Canto Popular festival has been an important and beloved cultural event. This year, Acción Latina is producing the new Encuentritos Concert Series and Contest, showcasing local and emerging artists for the audience’s consideration for the 32nd Annual Encuentro del Canto Popular in December.
The first concert in the Encuentritos series will be on Friday, June 14, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., free and open to the public. One of Acción Latina’s goals is to help support emerging artists.
“I’ve been looking for ways to promote my solo project,” said singer-songwriter Carlos Xavier, one of the artists featured at the kickoff concert. “This show will help me get the word out about my new CD.”
Lina Luna Torio, lead singer of the Latin-Soul band “Mestiza,” relishes every opportunity to share the music she loves.
“Every time we play we get new fans,” explains Torio. “Once people get up to dance it doesn’t stop.” Mestiza will also be performing at Encuentritos on June 14.
Encuentritos is also a way for the community to help decide who will be performing at this year’s Encuentro del Canto Popular, with audience feedback providing input into the booking process. And with free admission, Encuentritos will be the place to be on the second Fridays of the month this year.
If you have a musical group and would like to be considered for the Encuentritos showcase & competition, contact Acción Latina’s cultural programmer at camilo@accionlatina.org.
