August: It’s the last month of summer (September doesn’t count!). It’s almost time to pack up the lawn chairs, say adiós to summer Fridays, and start adjusting to the harsh reality of it being completely unacceptable to wear shorts to work.
Almost! But not quite just yet. So to send off summer properly, hit up the best Latin concerts in New York (FREE) this August. Our list has a splash of everything: salsa, electronica, pop, rock, and bachata. A nice dose of variedad: this is New York, after all. So let’s boycott fall a bit longer by indulging in the best free Latin music this city can muster.
For a summer-long guide of the best Latin events in New York, download our Official 2010 NYC Latin Summer Events Guide.
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THURS, AUG 5
Sweet Electra at Museo del Barrio
As part of their Summer Nights series, Museo del Barrio will treat us to electric flavor 100% hecho en Mexico: Sweet Electra! You all know about this Guadalajaran indie band that blends a sort of acid cabaret, deep house, and trip-hop, with elements of jazz and bossa nova. The product: a musical smoothie spiced with experimental beats. Plus, this performance will be extra special for vocalist Nardiz Cooke and guitarist Giovanni Escalera, as they’ll be sharing songs from When We Abandoned Earth, a nostalgic album full of memories and experiences that the duo lived during their first year as New Yorkers. You don’t know them? Well this is your chance to start knowing. Just don’t forget to RSVP!
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SAT, AUG 14
La Raza Latina, Salsa Suite ft. Ruben Blades at Damrosch Park
Salsa master Larry Harlow performs his 1977 suite La Raza Latina, which outlines the history of Latin music rooted in African rhythms, and cooked throughout the years in the urban melting pot of cosmo New York. Full of rhythm and color, it features eclectic sounds sprinkled with English, Spanish, and African words; some jazz, rumba, salsa; a 19-piece big band led by Bobby Sanabria; and, of course, great vocals by Grammy winner Ruben Blades (pictured). Don’t miss the opportunity to see the famous Panamanian salsero interpret once again pieces from La Raza Latina Suite, which he and Harlow’s Orchestra made famous 33 years ago.
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Neon Indian at Governor’s Island
Alan Palomo is known for his alternative take on music, which is why Neon Indian has been so successful as of late. Their beats, punctuated by a psychedelic push, produce a somewhat spiritual journey, in which the audience’s connection to the music transcends the senses. Whoa! On August 14th, Neon Indian will perform their spacey, psych-indie sounds at Governor’s Island while you try your best to empty the sand from your shoes. Stare at the downtown Manhattan skyline once you hop off the water taxi. Hey, if anything, it’s a good excuse to take a water taxi. Who doesn’t love a water taxi?
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Bachata Fest at Central Park SummerStage
Once found only in the back of a bodega, bachata has emerged on the world stage. Come see the world’s best bachata artists, from Andy Andy (pictured) to Luis Miguel de la Amargue, at Central Park. New York’s Bachata Fest offers a great combination of old and new, past and present. What better place to do so than SummerStage, where you can go cheek to cheek, la’o a la’o, with hundreds of fellow bachateros.
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SUN, AUG 29
Delorean & Secret Special Guests at Jelly Pool Parties V
Delorean continues to travel around the globe, powered by the success of their newest release, Subiza. Lucky for us, these españoles will kick off their North American tour with a performance at Brooklyn’s Jelly Pool Parties, one of our favorite free concert series. This year, Delorean will close the whole shebang, playing to a no doubt sweaty and enthusiastic swarm. Cling to your beer while you dance to their dreamy, electro-pop rhythms and distinctive Balearic house beats, right on the Williamsburg Waterfront.
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