By Rebecca Henely
Dozens of the city’s Latin dancers, musicians and comedians will take the stage at Queens Theatre’s 2012 Latino Cultural Festival Thursday to Saturday.
This will be the 16th festival for the Queens Theatre and will include a variety of events from musical acts and film to visual art and children’s programming.
“I think what people can expect is a celebration of New York’s Latino culture,” said Ed Kiley, director of marketing for Queens Theatre.
The theatre considers the festival one of its cornerstone events. Kiley said in previous years the festival centered on music from around the world but 2012’s acts will showcase artists from the city.
“This year we focused on local, New York artists who represent the various cultures around the world,” Kiley said.
The festival’s events, most of which take place in the evening, range from a comedy act in Spanish to a concert with singers of Bachata music, a style that originated in the Dominican Republic. The event also features an opening night with Argentine Tango dancing, a short film festival featuring artists from cultures across the globe and a free exhibition by Puerto Rican-born New York artist Ray Rosario. Mexican, Cuban and Peruvian/Colombian-style musical acts will also play on the main stage and the studio theater at the festival.
Tickets vary by performance or exhibition, but range from $20 to $40.
“This isn’t just the festival for people of Latino descent,” Kiley said. “It’s for people of all cultures, and I think what they get out of it is great entertainment at affordable prices in beautiful Flushing Meadows Corona Park.”
The National Endowment for the Arts has funded part of the 2012 festival.
For more information or on how to get to the theater, visit queenstheatre.org.
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
