BCA, the Vermont Professionals of Color Network, Maiz Vargas Sandoval, Love Burlington, and Church Street Marketplace present the second annual Latin American Connection celebration! All are invited for a day of Latin music, food, dance, culture, and art in the park that kicks off with a community parade at noon!
Check out the full line-up
12:00 PM Community parade with Sambatucada beginning at the top of Church Street
Afro-Brazilian Percussion in Vermont since 1995. Sambatucada is an all-volunteer street bateria and community of men and women from all walks of life, united in their love for Brazilian music and percussion.
Based in Burlington, Vermont, USA, and founded in 1995 to play at Burlington’s Discover Jazz Festival, Sambatucada has developed steadily under the leadership of drummer extraordinaire Bruce McKenzie. Over the years, Sambatucada has become well known all over northern and central Vermont for exciting performances at parades, festivals, celebrations and community events of every conceivable variety.
12:40 PM DJ Amanda
1:30 PM Cintia Lovo
La Lovo brings a vibrant, cross-cultural sound to the Latin American Connection Celebration, blending Afro-Latin grooves, Colombian folk rhythms, soulful vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and rock n' roll energy into one unforgettable festival performance. Led by singer-songwriter Cintia Lovo, the band invites audiences into a rich musical journey filled with movement, storytelling, and connection. La Lovo celebrates the diverse rhythms of Colombia and Latin America while embracing the multicultural spirit of contemporary American music, creating an energetic, joyful experience that perfectly complements this annual celebration of Latin music, dance, food, and art.
2:15 PM Mexican Folkloric Dance with Anna and DJ Jah Red
2:20 PM DJ Jah Red
3:05 PM Los Songoros
Los Sóngoros (Named after a Cuban poem and a line in Guantanamera) is a group of people who came together because of their love of Cuban music. Then with the addition of a Brazilian guitarist, we incorporated Brazilian music as well, both music new to us and some already familiar to us. We try and be as authentic as possible, as for instance we have only studied with and continue to study and learn from Cuban music masters
4:30 PM UVM Alianza de Latines
4:35 PM Sonido Mal Maiz
Sonido Mal Maïz is a Vermont based musical group that creates explosive psychedelic Latin music. The expansive creations of Sonido Mal Maiz emanate a passion and fire that ignites the heart and soul of fans around the world. The band weaves together the rhythms and sounds of the Americas through spiritual improvisation and poetic storytelling of the myths and legends of Central America. Together we journey through the cosmovision of the past toward a creative collective future.
5:20 PM Costa Rican Folkloric Dance with Lily and DJ Jah Red
5:30 PM DJ Jah Red
6:00 PM Laura Sanchez-Parkinson
6:05 PM Ray Vega
New York born and bred musician, University of Vermont (UVM) music faculty member, host of Vermont Public's Friday Night Jazz and TRR as well as Origin recording artist RAY VEGA grew up immersed in the heart of two vibrant music scenes: Jazz and Salsa. A native of the South Bronx, Ray Vega is a veteran of the bands of Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Mario Bauza, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, Hector LaVoe, Johnny Pacheco, Larry Harlow, Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez and Louie Ramirez to name a few. As an educator, Ray Vega has conducted master classes in trumpet performance, jazz improvisation, brass performance techniques and Afro-Caribbean jazz.
7:00 PM Snow Motion Dance Class
8:00 PM Alma Picante
Igniting dance floors with their infectious rhythms and electrifying performances, @almapicante802 is a dynamic salsa band that brings together the vibrant sounds of Latin America. With a talented collective of musicians from diverse musical backgrounds, Alma Picante delivers a unique blend of traditional salsa, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and New York salsa style.
Latin American Connection has support from Alchemist Brewery, Church Street Marketplace, Vermont Professionals of Color Network, The City of Burlington's Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Burlington City Arts, Hotel Vermont, Love Burlington, Maiz Vargas Sandoval, Vermont Community Members.
Summer in the City is made possible in part thanks to Underwriters at the Pomerleau Family Foundation; Supporters Burlington Telecom, Myti, Soundtoys, and Lake Champlain Chocolates, and Community Partner American Flatbread Burlington & Mothership Brewery. Media Sponsors: Seven Days and WCAX.