Outdoor Latin Series Comes to South End

What's better than a free Latin concert? A free outdoors Latin concert right here in the South End. 

Taking place on three Thursdays in July and August at outdoor locations across the South End will be three concerts from the Tito Puente Latin Music Series, featuring salsa, bolero, danzón, Afro-Latin, Caribbean, jazz, funk, R&B, and more. Performers include Berklee faculty, students, alumni, and world-renowned artists from Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Venezuela. 

Audiences should bring their dancing shoes; the MetaMovements Latin Dance Company will provide free salsa lessons for one hour before each performance.

The free concerts are the work of Berklee College of Music, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and IBA–Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción

The series will start in the South End on July 18th in O’Day Park at 7 p.m., with performances on July 25 and August 1, with other performances in other Boston neighborhoods. All concerts are at 7:00 p.m. 

The concerts will move inside to Villa Victoria Center for the Arts in the event of inclement weather. 

Full Schedule from Berklee College of Music:

July 11 at Mozart Park in Jamaica Plain–Jeremy De Jesus

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Berklee alumnus Jeremy De Jesus ‘13 has been recording, performing, composing, and arranging in many different styles, including jazz, Afro-Caribbean, salsa, neo-soul, R&B, hip-hop, and fusion. Many of these styles are displayed on his debut album, Semi Formal, which features his original compositions.

July 18 at O’Day Park in South End–María Mulata

A native of Colombia, vocalist María Mulata blends the rich cultural influences of great cantaoras (flamenco singers) like Toto la Momposina, Etelvina Maldonado, and Petrona Martínez, among others. Known for her memorable, high-energy performances, Mulata incorporates new sounds into her folkloric repertoire.

July 25 at O’Day Park in South End–Leo Blanco

Venezuelan pianist, arranger, and composer Leo Blanco combines influences from Venezuelan folklore–a blend of African and European musical traditions–as well as jazz, classical music, and pop.

August 1 at O’Day Park in South End–Jimmy Bosch

Salsa and jazz trombonist Jimmy Bosch–aka “El Trombon Criollo”–is known to be a powerful force on stage as well as a composer and producer. Audiences across the world know to expect something different from the norm during Bosch’s expressive performances. 

August 8 at the Mission Hill Playground–Jesus Pagan

A true sonero, vocalist Jesus Pagan was born in New York City and raised in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, where traditional troubadours and talented soneros on the island influenced him. His album, Salsa de la Mata, was awarded a Paoli Award for Best Tropical Salsa Singer, and his latest release, Un Regalo Especial, is rapidly gaining popularity among salsa fans.

August 15 on the East Boston Greenway–Latin Heartbeat Orchestra

Founded by William Mendoza, the Latin Heartbeat Orchestra is a 13-piece group of musicians, including Berklee College of Music alumnus trumpeter Brian Wallace, that performs exciting renditions of salsa classics as well as energy-infused original compositions.