The diversity and vibrancy of Mexican culture comes to Central Park with music, food, crafts, art and giveaways. Presented in association with National Geographic TRAVELER and Mexico Tourism.

Due to serious illness, Alejandro Escovedo will not be performing.

Kinky is a five member electro-pop band from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico who formed in 1998. After signing to Chris Allison’s label, Sonic360, they recorded three albums and have been touring in the international scene ever since. Their most recent album Reina is a mixture of rock, hip-hop, electronica, Latin rhythm and regional Mexican music that was nominated last year for three Latin Grammy Awards.

Mexican Institute of Sound (MIS; or Instituto Mexicano Del Sonido in Spanish) is an electronic music project created by Mexico City-based DJ and producer Camilo Lara. By day, Lara is the president of EMI Mexico and at night he is mastermind of M.I.S. Along with groups like Nortec Collective and Kinky, M.I.S. is part of a growing Mexican electronica movement, encouraging fusions of folk and more traditional music with modern sounds. Songs from M.I.S. releases have been featured in ABC’s “Ugly Betty”, Showtime’s “Californication”, New Line Cinema’s “Pride & Glory”, a Dos Equis national advertising campaign and the EA Games “FIFA 2008” video.

Pistolera is an NYC-based quartet that is redefining Latin alternative music, with their accordion melodies, pop-rock sensibilities and an unbeatable rhythm section. Their debut album, Siempre Hay Salida was recorded and released by producer Charlie Dos Santos, and has guest appearances by members of Si*Se, Slavic Soul Party and Antibalas. In addition to their extensive southwest tour of the US, the group has been featured on NPR’s “Open Mic,” and “Soundcheck” on WYNC.

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