Hartford Latino Fest to celebrate city’s multicultural population with salsa, bachata, reggaeton, hip-hop
Hartford Latino Fest 2021, a celebration of the Capitol Region’s multicultural Latinx population, will be Sept. 25 from noon to 7 p.m. at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 155 Wyllys St. in Hartford.
Victor Luna Jr., director of the festival, said the festival seeks to bring together all of the city’s Latin communities.
“There is a Puerto Rican community, a Dominican community, and many events concentrate on just the Puerto Rican and Dominican. This concentrates on all the Latinos, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South American, Central American, the Caribbeans.”
The free event, which is funded by dozens of corporate and foundational sponsors, is hosted by DJ Projo and DJ Santo from “The International Show,” with music by DJ MG and DJ Dimelo Nitty from BOMBA Radio.
Among the multicultural performers appearing at the event will be Catherine Cortes, Ms. Belleza Latina 2022; Bugz Villan, a freestyle artist; Kirliana, a bachata artist; Mr. KLK, a reggaeton artist; Brii Mena, a singer; Nelson Bello and Los Calientes, a salsa band; Grupo Energia, a Latin band; Union 860, a hip-hop group; musician Xzvr Quintana; Hector Tricoche and his salsa band; and Hyperdriver, a Latin rock band.
Luna said he was especially excited about the salsa bands. “Hartford loves salsa. They don’t care what country it’s from, they love salsa,” he said.
The event was canceled last year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Prior to 2021, Latino Fest was a one-venue event. This year, Luna also organized a Latino Fest in Willimantic in July. Luna said he is looking for a location to have a third festival this year, and hopes going forward there will be three festivals every year.
Attendees who have not been fully vaccinated must wear masks. hartfordlatinofest.com.
Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.
