Super Bowl XLI’s “Nations in Rhthim Concert” in S. Florida on (2/04/2007)

Super Bowl XLI’s "Nations in Rhthim Concert" in S. Florida on (2/04/2007) 

 

Written by Todd Elliot

               

      Super Bowl XLI’s Latin and Caribbean Rhythms

 

 

When you think of the Super Bowl, you think of football. When you think of South Florida, you think of miles of tropical shoreline and the Latin and Caribbean influences that are such a part of the area’s culture. So when the National Football League chose South Florida as the location for Super Bowl XLI, it was only fitting that they wanted to take advantage of this area’s rich cultural heritage by showcasing it to the more than 75,000 tourists and fans who will travel here for the events leading up to the spectacle known as Super Bowl Sunday.

 

For the past five years, as part of the "NFL’s Super Bowl Community Impact Program," they work with a local organization to create an event that will showcase more than football. This year, Super Bowl XLI’s Nations in Rhythm concert will feature the pulsating beat of Latin and Caribbean music, soulful dance, vibrant art, ethnic cuisine and exotic costumes as the official kickoff event leading up to the big game.

 

The NFL’s Super Bowl XLI’s Nations In Rhythm concert, which will take place on Saturday, January 27, 2007 will showcase the culturally rich world beat of Latin and Caribbean artists and bring more than two thousand guests to one of South Florida’s most beautiful and unspoiled destinations, John U. Lloyd State Park in Hollywood/Dania Beach.

 

Starting at 5 pm, there will be several musical acts to delight the audience including the Sista SanJah Reggae Band and Latin sensations Hoja Seca, an up and coming Latin group on the recording scene.

 

When the main concert begins at 8 pm South Florida’s top Latin acts including Paulo Gualano’s Brazilian Show featuring the vibrant athleticism and grace of capoeira dancers with their mixture of martial arts and dance, rhythm beater drummers and exotically-costumed samba dancers. They will share the stage with Caribbean music groups Slice International who will perform a variety of calypso music and a 13-piece steel drum group, the Lauderhill Steel Ensemble, made up of musicians ranging in age from 13 to 76. This unprecedented mixture of cultures and rhythms will surely have the audience swaying and singing throughout the evening. 

 

Latin Grammy winner Nestor Torres and his orchestra will headline the show. Torres, a local and internationally-renowned Latin celebrity based in South Florida, is a much-loved and respected jazz recording artist with a huge following of all races and nationalities. During the finale, Torres, like a pied piper, along with costumed performers, will lead the crowd along the beach for the area’s largest conga line.

 

"When we heard that the NFL was looking for a unique cultural experience and location, we just knew that a beach concert was the ideal venue for this multi-cultural experience," said Stacy Stern, president of The Special Events Group and co-producer of the concert. "Combine that with the incredible Latin and Caribbean talent that we’re showcasing and the opportunity to see Latin Grammy winner Nestor Torres, and you have an incomparable night of South Florida-style excitement."

 

Although attendees will not be able to bring food or beverages to the concert, they will be able to purchase a variety of beverages and Latin and Caribbean dishes at a number of food booths on the beach.

 

General admission guests are encouraged to bring beach chairs and blankets for seating at this rain or shine event.

 

The net proceeds from the concert will benefit the Young at Art Children’s Museum in Davie. In addition to the museum itself, the organization has extensive visual arts outreach programs for children at community events and area schools where many arts programs have been eliminated due to budget cuts.

 

During the pre-concert, children visiting the Museum’s tent will have an opportunity to test their own artistic skills by coloring in a 20’ banner that features the outlined design of the event’s colorful original artwork created by South Florida award-winning artist, Romero Britto. Guests will also have an opportunity to meet and be inspired by the artist himself. In addition to the art activities, children who stop by the Museum’s tent will also receive a free pass to the La Casa de Dora temporary exhibit at the museum and play in their other multi-cultural permanent exhibits.

 

General admission seating is $20 per person. VIP tickets are $100 each with special seating and a pre-concert cocktail reception. Parking is free and plentiful.

 

To purchase tickets, go to the www.NationsInRhythm.com website or TicketMaster. The first 500 people to purchase tickets through the event website and attend the event will be entered into a drawing for six pairs of tickets to the “Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash” featuring performances by Kanye West and John Legend.