The annual Latin Music Fest returns for its 16th year tonight as it looks to bring music, fun and dance to Thanksgiving week while highlighting excellent local bands and raising funds for important community organizations. This year it will be held at a new location — the Majestic Theatre — in downtown Madison.
Latinos Organizing for Understanding & Development (LOUD) is taking the reins of Latin Music Fest after 15 years at the Cardinal Bar, 418 E. Wilson Street. Latin Music Fest was founded in 2008 by long-time Cardinal Bar owner Ricardo Gonzalez who wanted to highlight the best musical groups while also raising funds for Madison-based non-profits like Centro Hispano of Dane County, Madison Camaguey Sister City Association and Wisconsin Medical Project, Every year, Gonzalez would showcase the best of Latin music and salsa in Madison during a time of year where the city typically shuts down for the Thanksgiving holiday.
“He said that’d be a good night to party, especially if you’re not the one in charge of making a turkey,” said Oscar Mireles, founder of LOUD.
The Cardinal Bar has been historically one of the few places with salsa dancing in Madison. Now there’s significantly more venues that offer it, Mireles notes, but the cultural impact has continued for decades.
Gonzalez talked with Mireles about potentially taking over Latin Music Fest — which he was happy to do. He’s used to taking over previous ventures like the Latino Art Fair and Dia de los Muertos celebration under LOUD’s efforts.
Tonight, Latin Music Fest will take place at Majestic Theatre, 115 King St., with a capacity of around 600 people. Music acts will include Grupo Candela, Charanga Agozá and Tony Castaneda Latin Jazz Superband; DJ Francis Medrano will DJ and give dance lessons.
“Grupo Candela has been around for 20 years and they’re kind of the old guard. They’re kind of a fan experience,” Mireles said. “Tony Castaneda Latin Jazz Superband has been playing at the Cardinal Bar for almost 20 years now, too.”
Latin Music Fest annually selects a “Musician of the Year” to recognize local artists’ contributions to the music scene. This year’s honoree is musician Richard Hildner Armacanqui, who is recognized for his decades of service in performing, teaching, and promoting Afro-Peruvian and Latin jazz music in the greater Madison community.
Armacanqui grew up in Madison playing Peruvian Andean guitar styles with his family. He later studied under Thelonious Monk’s saxophonist Paul Jeffery and later in the Black Music ensemble with jazz bassist and UW-Madison professor Richard Davis.
All proceeds from tonight’s event will benefit Latinos Organizing for Understanding and Development, supporting Latino artists and promoting cultural diversity.
Latin Music Fest will be held Wednesday, Nov. 27, 8 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre. Tickets are currently on sale for $25 on the Majestic Theatre’s website.
