Crowd Pleasers Range From Opera to Jazz, Japanese Drumming to Salsa, and More
ALBUQUERQUE NM—The Albuquerque Centennial Summerfest will present live entertainment on five stages positioned on Central Avenue between 2nd and 10th Streets. The World Stage, located at 4th Street and Central Avenue, will offer an incredible variety of sights and sounds that bring cultural diversity in musical styles.
From the Coleman Academy of Irish Dance come step dancers of all ages who will tear up the stage floor with their intricate and exciting patterns performed to rollicking Irish tunes. The mood quickly changes when Wagogo takes the stage to perform. This eclectic group of musicians makes a rhythmic cocktail out of their Chicano influences, Northern Mexico folk songs, warm calypso island grooves, and the captivating spirit music of Zimbabwe.
As unpredictable, fearless, and entertaining as their namesake, Le Chat Lunatique purveys an addictive genre they call “filthy, mangy jazz,” a signature sound that honors Le jazz hot of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli while navigating through a wide range of genres, blending Western swing, classical, reggae and doo wop into strikingly original compositions.
Switching to a completely different mood, Opera Southwest will bring a touch of class with memorable scenes from famous operas. The thrilling sound of truly magnificent voices soaring to impossible heights will leave the crowd spellbound.
For a total change of pace, Taikko Drumming-breaking their own sound barrier to imbue the listener with a visceral experience that fills all of the senses. The audience will truly feel their performance.
Son Como Son brings a hot Latin beat to the stage that defies their audience to remain immobile. From salsa to cha cha, merenge to timba, this is the band that keeps Albuquerque on their feet and thrills listeners who feel they have experienced true Latin rhythms.
PANdemonium leader Frank Leto brings a wide variety of cultural musical forms such as calypso, reggae, Hawaiian, jazz, blues, salsa, samba, rumba, zydeco, African and Native American, all of which are played on traditional instruments. This highly energetic group keeps the audience engaged from start to finish-and clamoring for more!
The Centennial Summerfest in Albuquerque, the largest event in New Mexico celebrating 100 years of statehood, will feature popular genres of music on five different stages along Central Avenue, a Science & Technology Center, a juried art exhibition, food vendors, a Kid’s Fun Zone, and much more. The event begins at Noon and ramps up at 6 p.m. when the Main Stage becomes the focal point for the evening with a performance by the multiple Grammy®-winning band, “Los Lobos.”
