Festival Betances 2006 - the longest running Latino folk art and culture celebration in New England July 13 - 16, 2006. The Tito Puente Music Series starts the event at O'Day Park on West Newton Street July 13th at 7:30 PM.  Join the crowd for the parade at 6 PM on Friday July 14th starting at the Plaza Betances on West Dedham.

1. Art Exhibit-- Betances Memories (A photographic celebration of Puerto Rican Culture in honor of Jorge Hernandez), this Th. July 13th, 5:30 pm Center for Latino Arts Gallery 85 West Newton Street
 
2. The Tito Puente Music Series, this Th. July 13th from 7-9 pm at O'Day Park in Boston's South End  (immediately adjacent to the Center for Latino Arts at 85 West Newton St. in the South End) featuring outstanding Latino musical ensembles led by Berklee faculty member Bernardo Hernández in partnership with Berklee and City of Boston's Parks Department.
 
3. FESTIVAL BETANCES 2006, the oldest Latino folkloric arts festival in Boston--Fri-Sun, July 14-16, 2006

Location: The Villa Victoria community of Boston's South End                

Schedule of Activities

Friday July 14

Plaza Betances, 100 West Dedham Street in Boston's South End

6:00 PM - 6:40 PM              Opening Procession
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM              Family Day
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM              Noche de Bohemia - Celebrating Christmas in July

Featuring Luis Morales "El Montañero"                               

Saturday July 15

12:00 PM- 4:00 PM                 Youth Day
O'Day Park, 85 West Newton Street in Boston's South End

4:00 PM - 9:00 PM                 International Day

Plaza Betances, 100 West Dedham Street in Boston's South End

4:00 PM- 4:05 PM                   Luis "Lowkey" Rivera (Latin R&B)      
4:00 PM- 5:00 PM                   Branches Pan-Groove Steel Orchestra (Trinidad)         
5:00 PM- 6:00 PM                   InkasWuasi (Andean Music & Dance)
6:00 PM- 6:15 PM                   Bajucol (Colombian Dance)                                         
6:15 PM- 7:15 PM                   Grupo Chévere (Salsa & Bachata)                               
7:15 PM- 7:45 PM                   Ery & Bullet (Reggaeton)                                             
7:45 PM- 9:00 PM                   Grupo Fantasía (Dominican Music)    
                          

Sunday July 16

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM                 Palo Ensebao'/Grease Pole Contest

O'Day Park, 85 West Newton Street in Boston's South End

Puerto Rican Heritage Day

Plaza Betances, 100 West Dedham Street in Boston's South End

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM                  La Selección Perfecta (Salsa)                                       
5:00 PM - 5:15 PM                  Fuerza Internacional (Dance Performance)                   
5:15 PM - 6:15 PM                  Típico Criollo & Luis Morales (Jíbaro Music)
6:15 PM - 6:30 PM                  Ritmos Academy (Dance performance)            
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM                  Monch Rivera (Headliner)