By Yvette Rodriguez

Who needs to travel abroad when the sights and sounds of Latin America and the Caribbean can come to you?  Little Havana’s monthly arts & culture festival, Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays, is ready to take festival-goers on a tour through Colombia, Brazil and Cuba without ever leaving South Florida.  For October’s festival, guests can enjoy a variety of live performances that will entertain the young, the old and everyone in between.

New Mexico native, Severo Martinez welcomes guests at the first stop of this special trip as he brings the Cumbia flavor with a touch of tropical rhythm to Miami.  His style is very versatile, with a band that has embraced musicians from all over the United States.  Severo is not only a musician, but also an all-around entertainer that will have everyone up and dancing. Next, guests can discover the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira as a group of Capoeira students and instructors show off their moves on the Domino Plaza stage.  The blend of acrobatics and dance is a marvelous act to watch.

The journey will then take guests to the Caribbean with a hot performance by Charanga La Original.  These talented young musicians from Florida International University spearhead this prestigious Danzon/Charanga orchestra, led by distinguished flautist, Nestor Torres. The repertoire of the group is based on the traditional Danzon style.

The next stop on this trip is the island of Cuba with Elayne y su Cubaney.  Cuban born, Elayne Hernandez  will take the audience on a tour of the island as she sings Boleros, Guaguanco and Timba with rhythm, soul and unique style.  Winner of Univision’s Idolo Latino and Minuto de Fama of America Teve, this guarachera will keep you dancing all night. The night doesn’t end there.  The festival’s young ones will also take a trip to fantasy land.

Viernes Culturales is pleased to send its young guests on a trip through their imagination with Cuenteros & Company, a storytelling workshop for children.  It’s part of the ‘Children’s Art Clinic’, a new series of arts workshops for children that will be held every month during Viernes Culturales.  Children between the ages of 4 and 16 are encouraged to attend.  The workshop will be held from 8:00 to 9:00pm, along Southwest 8th Street & SW 15th Avenue (North Side)

Last but certainly not least, is the popular ‘Walking Tour of Little Havana’ with legendary, local historian Dr. Paul George. Learn the fascinating details about Little Havana’s history, people and places.  Viernes Culturales is pleased to announce Dr. Paul George’s new tour, known as “Riverside East,” a tour focusing on the historic Riverside neighborhood. It is the tenth tour in the series. Guests will meet in front of the Tower Theater (1508 SW 8th St.) at 7:00pm.

Visit www.ViernesCulturales.org for the performance schedule