FESTIVAL DEL CARIBE, WITH LOS VAN VAN, TIPICA 73, LA VERDAD, DJ MELAO, DJ UKEIM
Latin-music fans will have multiple treats at this Sunday’s Festival del Caribe at Liberty Station Park. The seven-hour event is being headlined by latest iteration of the pioneering Cuban band Los Van Van. Formed in Havana in 1969, the group earned international attention for its propulsive fusion of son Cubana, charanga, jazz, rock, funk and more. This is the second consecutive year Los Van Van is headlining a benefit concert here for House of Music, the San Diego nonprofit that provides music instruments and lessons to underserved young people. A likely highlight at this year’s edition is the New York-bred bad Tipica 73. The all-star New York salsa, charanga and conjunto band made its concert debut 50 years ago and was formed by members of conga master Ray Barretto’s band. Ironically, Tipica 73’s 1979 concerts in Havana led to the group’s demise, fueled by subsequent threats of violence by Cuban American organizations against Tipica 73’s members and any promoters who dared to book the band. The group reunited for some 40th anniversary shows and is back again 10 years later. The current lineup features bongo dynamo Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez and tres player Nelson González, two of Tipica 73’s co-founders. The 14-piece ensemble also includes such esteemed musicians as trombonist Jimmy Bosch, timbalero Jimmy Delgado, violinist Ali Bello and singers Julio Salgado, Fernando Pinto and Jose Calderon. Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Liberty Station Park, 2455 Cushing Road.
$75 general admission; $65 active military, veterans and their dependents; $100 VIP. thehouseofmusic.org