Star-Studded Gala Featuring Grammy Award-Winning Edwin Bonilla and His Latin Jazz All-Star Ensemble Kicks Off ''Noches Tropicales/Tropical Nights'' 2013-2014 Concert Series
Free Concert will also Feature Guest Appearances by Grammy Award-Winning Artists Federico Britos, Gustavo Cruz, and Lucy Grau, on Friday, September 20, 2013, 8 p.m. at Miami-Dade County Auditorium
Miami-Dade Parks’ free “Noches Tropicales/Tropical Nights” concert series kicks off its 2013-2014 season with a Latin Jazz Gala Opening concert by 10-time Grammy award-winning Edwin Bonilla and his Latin Jazz All-Star Ensemble, featuring guest appearances by five-time Grammy winner Federico Britos on violin, legendary Cuban flute player Gustavo Cruz, and the sultry sounds of Lucy Grau on vocals, Friday, September 20, 2013, at 8 p.m. at Miami-Dade County Auditorium, 2901 West Flagler Street, in Miami. Admission is free. Tickets for the opening concert will be available to the public beginning September 3 online at www.NochesTropicalesGala2013.eventbrite.com, 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 six tickets per person.
An exclusive pre-concert VIP reception, sponsored by Bacardi, Coca-Cola and Publix Sabor™, will be held in the 2nd floor lobby from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. where 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 $35 per person and can be purchased at www.NochesTropicalesGala2013.eventbrite.com. Space is limited. Proceeds benefit The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, a 501(c)3, which supports Miami-Dade Parks and its programming.
In addition to his own band Edwin Bonilla y Su Orquesta, Bonilla has performed with national and international artists including Stevie Wonder, Patty Labelle, Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan, Cachao, the New World Symphony, and many others and has also performed at the White House. Performing for the past 17 years, he is featured in over 1000 recordings, released several of his own CDs that were nominated for both Latin Grammys and American Grammys, performed on videos, movie scores, jingles, and TV shows. Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Bonilla is a recognized percussionist performing a wide range of musical styles and rhythmic patterns including jazz, rock, pop, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Hindu and Brazilian music.
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. Other Knight Foundation concerts scheduled this year include Klass Band at Oak Grove Park on July 4, 2013; Mantrap at Country Village Park on January 17, 2014 for a night of Disco; and concluding March 7, 2014 at Goulds Park with Wyle Fyah for a night of Caribbean Reggae.
Concerts scheduled at Tropical Park are made possible by a $75,000 grant from Target Corporation. The 2013-2014 Noches Tropicales at Tropical Park include: Tropical/Salsa night featuring Albita on Oct. 18, 2013; Baladas music night featuring Luisa Maria Guell on Dec. 6, 2013; Charanga music featuring Andy Harlow on Feb. 14, 2014; and ending out the season will be Merengue artist Tony Swing on April 4, 2014.
Noches Tropicales and Tropical Nights are produced each year by Miami-Dade Parks to bring communities closer together through the presentation of culturally diverse entertainment that is free and enjoyable for families. Now in its eighth year, Noches Tropicales, inaugurated by Miami-Dade County Commissioner, Sen. Javier D. Souto, has showcased more than 28 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 45,000 patrons have attended Noches Tropicales concerts over the years. For more information on Noches Tropicales/Tropical Nights, call Vivian Greer Digon at 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 www.liveaparklife.org. For more information on sponsorship, call 305-755-7804.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County 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, Deering Estate at Cutler and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.
About The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that supports the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s effort to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities. For more information, visit www.liveaparklife.org.