Alberta Abbey & Soundstage Events Present:
Latin Independence Celebration 2023
Featuring Son de Cuba & Pura Vida Orquesta
Friday, September 15, 2023
Event: 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Doors: 7:30 pm
Event Website: Alberta Abbey & Soundstage Events
Community Organizers: Elevate Unity
Artist Website: Pura Vida Orquesta & Son de Cuba
These two legendary bands come together on one stage for a spectacular night of entertainment you won't forget.
Join the holiday celebration & showcase of Latin dance music from Salsa to Cumbia, Bachata to Bolero, Latin jazz & much more!
Our host MC DJ Osvaldo will keep the party going with all the top international hits we all love to dance to! Get you tickets early!
You will also experience incredible authentic food vendors plus sponsor cocktails specials as you dance the night away in this new historic community music and arts venue in the heart of the City.
Alberta Abbey is a beautiful, spacious 400 seat air conditioned theater, including a full bar and lounge, state of the art sound system and venue on-site parking.
Food Cuisine Includes:
Southern Grill - BBQ Grilled Chicken & Smoked Cajun Pulled Pork
Cuban, Mexican, Peruvian, Tex Mex & More!
Tickets:
$20 - General Admission Online
$25 - General Admission Door
The Elevate Unity Benefit Music Series is a collaborative effort created from the necessity to support the arts, reconnect our community, and promote unity through the healing message of music! Our focus is to advocate for inclusion, equality, and support of our local venues, staff, gig workers, and musicians from the lasting effects of our industry shut down from COVID.
Artist Lineup: DJ Osvaldo, Pura Vida Orquesta, Son de Cuba
DJ Osvaldo
Osvaldo Garcia-Contreras is one of the most recognized, accomplished, and admired members of the Hispanic community in Portland, Oregon. For over two decades, he has distinguished himself through his leadership not only as an outstanding educator and relentless advocate for equity and inclusion, but also as an ambassador of the rich Afro-Cuban culture and music. Osvaldo Garcia-Contreras has been recognized as one of the best among the salsa/timba dancers and instructors in the Pacific Northwest not only within the social theme, but also in the competitive arena. He was the founder of and choreographer for the dance team Orishas Pdx, who performed during the early 2000s in a number of cities such as Portland, Seattle, Roseburg, San Francisco, Veracruz (Mexico), and Vancouver B.C. (Canada), among other cities. Under Osvaldo’s leadership, his team was responsible for bringing the “Cuban Casino Rueda” style of dancing to the city of Portland about 25 years ago as well as traditional Afro-Cuban folk dances such as Guaguancó, Columbia, and etcetera. In addition, he has been one of the most popular Djs in the Hispanic community. Osvaldo was one of the official Djs in a number of venues that were popular a bit over a decade ago such as Fernando’s Hideaway, La Rumba, Cañitas, Andrea’s Cha Cha Club, Lola Room, Seges, Tequila Olé, and the Vizcount Ballroom. Most recently, he has performed in venues such as the Mississippi Pizza Pub, Stage 722, Shawn Gardner Dancing Event Center, Cubanisimo Vineyards, Club Sur (Seattle), Aztec Willies, Portland Downtown Hilton Hotel, and the Ilani Casino. Mr. Garcia-Contreras is a Black Cuban who takes pride in representing his community by modeling excellence and empowerment through his leadership as an educator, and as a cultural ambassador. The once homeless Cuban immigrant is now a very accomplished educator who continues to share his grace and artistic talents with our community. He is ready to enlighten the party once more in our next event. Let us all be ready for OsvaldoDJ!
Pura Vida Orquesta
Pura Vida Orquesta is an 8-10 piece Latin band based out of the Pacific Northwest, Portland, OR. The band plays Salsa, Timba, Cumbia, Cha Cha Cha, Latin Jazz, Merengue, Bachata, and Latin Funk.
Led by Saxophonist and Vocalist Gabriel (Paquito) Martinez from Costa Rica, Pura Vida Orquesta has been a mainstay in the Portland Latin Music Scene and includes amazing musicians from diverse backgrounds: Ethan Maier (Yakima) Piano/Vocals, Milko Escalera (Cuba) Percussion/Vocals, Carmelo Torres (Portland/Puertorican) Vocals/Percussion, Olaf Macola (Cuba) Bass, Andrew Thompson (Portland) Trombone, Adriana Wagner (Portland) Trombone, Farnell Newton (Portland) Trumpet. Singers: Joseph Núñez (Peru), Ronell Aguilera (Cuba).
Son de Cuba