The 3rd Annual LAVida Music Festival Sat. Sept. 17, 2011 At The Ford Amphitheatre

July 28, 2011 - PRLog -- Corniche Entertainment proudly presents THE 3RD ANNUAL LAVida MUSIC FESTIVAL, to be held Saturday, September 17th at The Ford Amphitheatre.  The famed Louie Cruz Beltran Jazz Orchestra makes their third consecutive appearance as headliners along with special guest, multi-platinum recording artist Al B. Sure.    In conjunction with the launch of National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15), each year the festival celebrates  music and artistry  influenced by diverse Latin cultures with internationally renowned artists sharing the stage with the finest local talent in an evening of vibrant music and dance with a Latin flavor.  This year's artist line-up also features the return of GRAMMY® Award winning Mariachi Divas, Fuego Flamenco and the high energy Chalo Eduardo and the Brazilian Beat.  Comedienne Kiki Melendez will serve as emcee.

Louie Cruz Beltran and his Latin Jazz Orchestra have been headlining LAVida since its inception. As the centerpiece of the festival, the master percussionist, whose Afro-Cuban beat and soulful sounds of his native California ethnic background have been captivating audiences throughout the West Coast, truly represents the diversity of the music and its appeal to all demographics.  In conjunction with this year's festival, Beltran will release his third album PAINT THE RHYTHM, which will be available first to LAVida FESTIVAL attendees.  Among the renowned guest artists featured on the new album are flutist Hubert Laws, percussionist Poncho Sanchez and saxophonist Justo Almario.

It's been nearly two decades since Al B. Sure exploded on to the music scene with his debut album "In Effect Mode,” which sold more than two million copies, topping the Billboard R&B charts for seven straight weeks and yielded four hit singles as well as several GRAMMY® nominations and Soul Train and American Music Awards.    In addition to releasing three more hit albums, Sure has a varied career in entertainment and is considered one of the most innovative writer, producer and recording artists in the business today. The multi-platinum artist, producer and composer also graces the airwaves as the popular morning drive host of www.SlowJams.com.

Returning by popular demand is the GRAMMY® Award winning Mariachi Divas, a unique, multi-cultural, all female ensemble imbued with the true flavor of Los Angeles, the exciting and critically acclaimed Fuego Flamenco Dance Troupe headed by Roberto Amaral, and the flamboyant high energy of Chalo Eduardo and the Brazilian Beat.  Comedienne Kiki Melendez, best known as the creator of "Hot Tamales Live" a talent showcase that celebrates diversity in America is emcee.

Each year THE LAVida MUSIC FESTIVAL has aligned with various charities as part of their mission.    This year they are pleased to announce the following charities:  PROGRAM FOR TORTURE VICTIMS (www.ptvla.org), an organization dedicated to rebuilding the lives of torture survivors from over 65 countries and ONE LEGACY (www.onelegacy.org), a transplant donor network serving Southern California.


THE FORD AMPHITHEATRE
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Los Angeles CA 90068

Showtime:  7:30 PM, Tickets range $35 -$45 prior to Sept. 10, $40 - $50 after
VIP premium package with pre-show reception $150/Students and Children $12
Telephone 323-461-3673 or www.FordTheaters.org
For non visual media - 323-GO1-FORD

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About Corniche Entertainment
Corniche Entertainment, founded by Chairman and CEO Anastasia Mann provides entertainment for corporate and private events and a variety of public venues including:  The Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival: Las Ventenas al Paraiso in Los Cabos, Mexico: Jazz Alley in Seattle: the Wildish Theatre in Eugene, Oregon, Music on the Main at Descanso Gardens, and at top hotels and nightclubs in southern California.  Corniche Entertainment is a division of The Corniche Group Inc., a recognized leader in the field of corporate and private full service travel management, including Anastasia’s Africa customized safaris.  www.corniche.com

About The Ford Amphitheatre
The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA  90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios.  The grounds open two hours before ShowTime for picnicking.  The Ford offers a number of dining options a variety of food and beverages is available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance.  Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink.

The Ford is disabled accessible.  Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request.  On site, stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle for evening shows and $1 per vehicle for morning family shows.  For evening shows only, FREE non-stacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford, for evening amphitheatre performances only, is available at the Universal City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga.  The shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stop in the "kiss and ride" area.

This event is part of the Ford Amphitheatre 2011 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations.  For a complete season schedule, direction to the theater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org.