Latin Beat Magazine: Que pasa in Los Angeles

During the month of August throughout the Southland, several tributes were held commemorating the first anniversary of the passing of Celia Cruz, "The Queen of Latin Music." On Sunday, August 8, 2004 at Sr. Vincent's Church in Los Angeles, a special memorial service to Celia Cruz was held, led by Rev. Msgr. John Moretta and the reverends Diosdado Martín and Gustavo Ramón. Paloma Morales, who recited the poem "Son Para Celia," presented the tribute segment of the event. Singer Nieves Reyes performed Nostalgia Habanera, accompanied by pianist La Palabra, who also interpreted a medley of Celia Cruz's classic hits as well as the headlining song of the tribute.

On Saturday, August 28, 2004, The Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA) of Long Beach, in conjunction with Habana Vieja Productions celebrated "A Musical Tribute to Celia Cruz: The Queen of Salsa," featuring a performance by the acclaimed young Cuban vocalist Iris Cepeda and the powerful ten-piece Bayalo, an orchestral byproduct of the late Salsa Queen's west coast band. Led by trumpeter Luis Eric González and percussionist Carlos Bustamante Jr., the band interpreted many of Celia Cruz's hits. A video presentation of Celia Cruz's artistic career was a highlight of the event.

Bringing a positive end to the summer season in Los Angeles was "The 6th Annual Latin Pride Los Angeles Festival 2004." Held on September 4th and 5th during Labor Day Weekend in the center of downtown on 8th Street, the festival officially kicked off "Hispanic Heritage Month" celebrations for the City of Los Angeles. This year's festival queen and performing headliner was Latin pop singer Yuri. Other performers included Julieta Venegas, Pilar Montenegro, Mana Conchita Alonso, Moenia, Shali,, Axe Bahia, LU, Serralde, Myriam, Bayu, MP5, Los Bate, Skeey, Sultanes, Yolanda, Sonora Show, the salsa sounds of Yari More & his orchestra and Johnny Polanco & Conjunto Amistad. The festival represented every sector of the Latino population including Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, South American, Ibero-American and other Latin communities as well. As a benefit for HIV/AIDS charities, research and scholarships, Latin Pride Foundation Inc. hosted the first Latin Pride Los Angeles Festival six years ago in a small parking lot. In recent years, the event has become the largest Latin Gay/Alternative Pride Community Festival in the United States, with attendance surpassing 30,000 people per day. Major sponsors of the festival included Univision Channel 34, Telefutura Channel 46, LATV Network, Clear Channel, LA Weekly, La Opinion, Bank of America, The Walt Disney Company, The Hyatt Regency Hotel, The City of Los Angeles, The County of Los Angeles and The State of California, among others. The Latin Pride Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit community educational and research organization that was founded to educate and inspire people in solving their common social and health problems, including HIV/AIDS. Hawk Entertainment, Inc produced the 6th Annual Latin Pride Los Angeles Festival.

The Ford Amphitheatre's 2004 season comes to an end in October with performances by Ay! Flamenco with Domingo Ortega & Company on October 1 and 2, the Day of the Dead Celebration on October 16th, and Malayerba Theatre Company performances October 28-31st, 2004. Visit www.fordamphitheatre.org for more information.

Albert Torres Productions is proud to announce what has become an annual event in Los Angeles for the past couple of years; none other than Venezuelan Oscar D'León and his orchestra performing the day before Thanksgiving (Wednesday, November 24) at the Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood. Visit www.AlbertTorresEvents.com for more information.

Salsa Central at The Granada every Friday and Saturday nights is the place for live salsa music and dancing in the city of Alhambra. Great food at the tapas bar on the second floor.

Mama Juana's in Studio City features live music and dancing six days per week as well as great Latin American cuisine.

The Alex Haleigh Gallery in Gardena opened its doors to the general public on September 10, featuring a show of paintings and mixed media titled Eklectica. The gallery will be featuring new exhibits on a monthly basis as well as numerous special events. Alex Haleigh Gallery is located at 2928 Marine Avenue in the city of Gardena. For more information call 310-404-3352.