Friday, May 7th, 2010:
7:00 to 9:00pm @ Esperanza Academy Charter School ()
Saturday, May 8th, 2010:
3:00 to 10:00pm @ Upper Darby Performing Arts Center ()
Sunday, May 9th, 2010:
3:00 to 5:00pm @ Esperanza Academy Charter School ()
In May 2010, Raíces will debut the first annual Latin Roots & Rhythms Festival, a fusion of our popular and long-running Fiesta (1992 to 2002) and Feria (2003-2007) series.
[Tentative Schedule]
Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas Inc.'s first annual Latin Roots & Rhythms Festival kicks off Philadelphia's summer arts season with a bang on May 7, 8, and 9 in 2010. The three-day festival celebrates Latin American, Spanish and African dance, music, and culture with 11 hours of entertainment and authentic cultural performances that start at a recession-friendly $8 to $17.
The festival begins on Friday, May 7, 2010 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Esperanza Academy Charter School with critically acclaimed Delaware Valley ensemble Latin Fiesta, preceded by internationally renowned flamenco dancer and choreographer Tomas Dura of Fiesta Flamenco.
The festival continues on Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center (UDPAC), with a full day of diverse outdoor and indoor entertainment.
From 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the UDPAC's outdoor courtyard will be transformed into a family-friendly pan-Latino street fair featuring artesanías, food vendors, and dance and music performances and workshops by artists hailing from countries including Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, Spain, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Panama, and Colombia.
At 5:00 p.m., the first of Saturday's two indoor performances begins inside UDPAC's 1650-seat theater. The Kulu Mele West African Dance Ensemble joins Raíces de Borinquen/Familia Rojas to explore and commemorate the African roots of Latin American culture through invigorating music and dance.
At 8:00 p.m., experience flamenco dance taken to new and exhilarating heights by the all-female flamenco troupe Pasión y Arte and nuevo flamenco favorites Flamenco Olé! Saturday's Flamenco Olé! performance will feature a magnetic appearance by Spain-based guest artist and flamenco dancer Carmela Greco.
Celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday, May 9, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. when the third and final day of the Latin Roots & Rhythms Festival culminates with a dazzling performance by Casa de Venezuela, a troupe influenced by Venezuela's indigenous, African, Caribbean, European, and Middle Eastern cultures.
Festival tickets are $8 for Saturday's outdoor caseta events at the UDPAC; $17 for each of the four evening performances at Esperanza Academy and UDPAC; $15 per person for each evening performance ticket for groups of 10 or more; and $60 for an all-festival pass. Tickets are available online at or at the Esperanza Academy and UDPAC box offices during the festival.
Major support for the 2010 Latin Roots & Rhythms Festival is provided by Pew Center for Arts and Heritage through Dance Advance and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
Please visit the festival Web site at for up-to-date information about schedules and performances.