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Latin music concert raises funds for hurricane victims

Latinos De La Musica Unidos included a dozen Latino musical acts from across the country.

By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
Published September 26, 2005

TAMPA - As the wooden claves clicked, the brass section roared and the congueros tapped out their polyrhythms, shoulders wriggled back and forth.

But mostly in the seated section.

"You need more people up in here," said Marisol Tirado, 33, of Tampa, perched Sunday afternoon among the sea of blue plastic seats at the Ford Amphitheatre during the daylong Latinos De La Musica Unidos to benefit hurricane victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Tirado and her friend Hugo Rosado, 32, were, along with more than 100 or so other Hispanic listeners, taking their time before deciding on whether they would get up and dance.

A small throng of listeners - some high school age, some older - stood in the pit area staring up at the players cranking out reggaeton, salsa and meringue music.

Tirado and Rosado predicted the place would get hopping with elbow flashing salsa swirls later in the evening as more people came.

They were content listening to some good music and contributing to a worthy cause.

"It could be us next time," Rosado said about the hurricane. "You never know."

The event, from noon until 9 p.m., was put on by entertainment promoter Frankie Rodriguez, said media coordinator Mariangie Navarro.

Numerous Spanish-language radio and television stations advertised the event, which was put together in just the last week, she said. The amphitheater and the parking were provided for free. And the two dozen artists flown in from New York, Miami and Puerto Rico and some local acts, were playing for free, she said.

Their trip and hotel expenses, however, were covered by the concert promoters, who plan to donate ticket proceeds, minus those expenses, she said.

The cost of the tickets ranged from $14 to $24.

"We're appealing to the hearts of the Hispanic community to come and have a good time and by coming they are donating" to relief efforts, Navarro said.

Nancy Vega, 43, of Tampa was there as soon as the gates opened, she said.

"Let's go early because it's going to be crowded," she said she told her friend, 38-year-old Antonia Rodriguez. But the two got a chance to relax at their seats, waiting for the crowd to build.

Vega liked the idea of pulling Tampa Bay's Latino community together to support hurricane victims. The pair planned to stick around several more hours to see if more people would show up.

"Everyone is so spread out. We have to get everyone together to enjoy it more," she said. "You don't feel the heat."

[Last modified September 26, 2005, 01:18:19]