LOS ANGELES — Salsa Fest, a daylong celebration of Latin music and dancing hosted by LMU Radio’s KXLU-FM, returns to the Loyola Marymount University campus for its sixth run on Saturday, June 24, 2023.
Paused for three years due to the pandemic, Salsa Fest’s reawakening comes as LMU Radio’s KXLU-FM marks 50 years of its popular show “Alma del Barrio,” started by then-LMU students Enrique “Kiki” Soto and the late Raul Villa, in fall 1973.
Salsa Fest VI will include a special 50th-anniversary ceremony honoring Soto, Villa, and other “Alma” hosts who have helped to elevate Salsa music in Los Angeles and beyond. Also being recognized: the late D.J. Gustavo Aragon; Eddie Lopez, who passed away earlier this year; and Hector “La Voz” Resendez.
“Salsa Fest returns this summer with deeper meaning as we celebrate a cherished community event along with the individuals who helped lay its foundation,” said Lydia Ammossow, who directs LMU’s radio operations within LMU Marketing, Communications, and External Relations. “We are forever indebted to Kiki, Raul, Hector, Gustavo, and Eddie for their vision, dedication, and unrelenting passion for the life-giving force of salsa music. Their contributions to ‘Alma del Barrio’ have truly uplifted and engaged Los Angeles culture.”
Guests will enjoy “Alma del Barrio” D.J. sets, and featured performances spotlighting different sound influences, including Orquesta Bonkó (Puerto Rican inspired-sound); Trombor (New York inspired-sound), and Clave Dura (Cuban Timba). The program honoring “Alma” founders and alumni is at 5 p.m.; a headliner performance by Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca (Afro-Caribbean inspired-sound) is from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Free, family friendly, and open to the community, Salsa Fest VI runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, in LMU’s Sunken Garden, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, 90045.
Listen to “Alma del Barrio” on Saturdays and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on 88.9 FM in Los Angeles, and online at www.kxlu.com, or by downloading the free KXLU smartphone app in your platform’s app store.
The event is presented by LMU Radio’s KXLU-FM and LMU Marketing, Communications, and External Relations.
Salsa Fest VI Schedule of Performances
11 a.m. “Alma del Barrio” DJ set
Noon to 1:15 p.m. Orquesta Bonkó
1:15 to 1:45 p.m. “Alma del Barrio” DJ set
1:45 to 3 p.m. Trombor
3 to 3:30 p.m. “Alma del Barrio” DJ set
3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Clave Dura
4:45 to 5 p.m. “Alma del Barrio” DJ set
5 to 5:30 p.m. Program honoring “Alma del Barrio” founders and VIP alumni
5:30 to 7 p.m. Headliner, Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca