The 14th annual Chase Latino Cultural Festival hits Queens Theatre in the Park for ten culturally diverse days starting next week. From July 29 through August 8, visitors will be able to take part in the 13 planned events which include live music, dance, comedy, spoken word, film, family-friendly performances and more.

The festival was founded by The Latin American Cultural Center of Queens and Queens Theatre in the Park in 1997. It was established to highlight Latin American artists in the United States and abroad, and to spotlight New York-based artists within the community. Today the festival still upholds that goal.

Under the leadership of Claudia Norman, the festival's artistic director since 1999, the Chase Latino Cultural Festival is a celebration of Spanish, African and Caribbean influences, presenting rich folk traditions and spotlighting a range of popular and cutting edge artists.

"For the past 12 years I’ve been working to better this festival, bringing multiple artists to New York who represent the diversity of Latinos and Latin American culture,” said Norman. “We want the Queens residents to learn about their new neighbors since the census states that the Latino population is growing fast in Queens.”

Tickets range from $20-35. Admission is FREE to selected families and children. And in its 14 year, despite the current economic times, it’s still going strong.

“Despite the severity of the economic situation, this Festival continues to flourish, due in large part to its many supporters and sponsors,” said Jeffrey Rosenstock, executive director of Queens Theatre in the Park.



Queens Theatre in the Park's Chase 2010 Latino Cultural Festival includes: Thursday, July 29, 2010 - Contra Tiempo, Urban Latin Dance Theatre

Friday, July 30, 2010 - YOMO TORO Y Los Latino Del Son, Special Guest "El Topo.”

Saturday, July 31, 2010 - FREE - Pistolera - Moona Luna.

Sunday, August 1, 2010 - Tango y Vida.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010 - Alejandro Caceres Dance Company.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 - FREE - Film - Al otro lado.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 - FREE - Open Mic Night / Bonafide Rojas

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 - FREE - Milonga - Los Chantas Tango Quartet

Thursday, August 5, 2010 - Leon Gieco - opening act Claudia Acuña, Aquiles Baez and Lucia Pulido.

Friday, August 6, 2010 - Carlos Varela.

Saturday, August 7, 2010 - Jorge Velosa and Los Carrangueros.

Sunday, August 8, 2010 - Susana Baca.

“We have set the platform for educating the people of Queens about Latin Americans and hope to continue do so in the future,” added Norman.

Queens Theatre in the Park is located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. For more information, check their online schedule of performances or call 718.760.0064.