The concert will feature a unique blend of music styles from each of the artists who are coming together for the first time for Noches Tropicales.  The evening will also feature a special tribute to late Cuban music legends Celia Cruz and Cachao, who performed with many of the artists during their career. 

The free tickets for the opening concert will be available to the public on September 4 at the Miami Dade County Auditorium Box Office, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., or at the Tropical Park Office, 7900 SW 40th Street, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Limit four tickets per person.  

A pre-concert VIP reception, sponsored by Bacardi and Publix Sabor™, will be held in the 2nd floor lobby from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.  Patrons will have the opportunity to mingle with the artists and enjoy reserved orchestra seating for the Gala Concert. Tickets for the VIP reception are $30 per person and can be purchased at Park Store. Space is limited.  Proceeds benefit The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, a 501(c)3, which supports Miami-Dade Parks and its programming.

The concert is made possible by a $100,000 grant from the Knight Foundation to expand the Noches Tropicales concert series from its home base at Tropical Park to other venues throughout the County, including Oak Grove Park on Nov. 9 for a night of Haitian Jazz featuring Mushy Widmaier; Country Village Park on Jan. 18, 2013 featuring The Swing Band for a night of Swing music and dance; and Goulds Park on March 1, 2013 featuring Velvet Rope for a night of R & B music. 

Concerts scheduled at Tropical Park for the 2012/2013 season and sponsored by Target include:  Tropical/Salsa night featuring Elaine Hernandez on Oct. 19; Tropical/Guanguacó music night featuring Edwin Bonilla on Dec. 7; Spanish Pop balladeer Amaury Gutierrez on Feb. 8, 2013; and ending out the season will be Merengue artist Tony Swing on March 29, 2013.

Now in its seventh year, Noches Tropicales, inaugurated by Miami-Dade County Commissioner, Sen. Javier D. Souto, has showcased more than 20 evening concerts at Tropical Park that have included traditional Cuban contemporary music and zarzuelas, Argentinean tango, Brazilian Jazz, and a Spanish-language version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.  More than 40,000 patrons have attended Noches Tropicales concerts over the years.  For more information on Noches Tropicales/Tropical Nights, call 305-271-0812.

Sponsorship opportunities for the Gala Opening concert are also available, with net proceeds supporting the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, a 501(c)3 established to support Miami-Dade Parks and its programming, including cultural initiatives, recreation programs, parks facilities improvements, and preservation of parks and green space Parks Foundation.  For more information on sponsorship, call 305-755-7804.

About the Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Department
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award and winner of the 2009 Florida Governor's Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12, 825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world.  Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Ericsson Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more.  For information visit Miami-Dade Parks or call 3-1-1.