Thanks for joining us at our First Ever Community Concert in the Park!
An evening of entertainment for our entire community in support of Kidzfest.
Featuring:
– a “Draw-Off” with author/illustrator Lee Edward Fodi
– Music performance by Latin Beat
– Food trucks available
Admission by Donation. Bring your own lawn chairs/blankets.
LEE EDWARD FODI is an author, illustrator, and arts educator—or, as he likes to think of himself, a daydreaming expert.
His books include Spell Sweeper, The Secret of Zoone, The Guardians of Zoone, and the Kendra Kandlestar series. In his free time, he’s a traveler, adventurer, and maker of dragon eggs. He was born and raised in the Okanagan Valley and now lives with his fie and son in North Vancouver, on the unceded traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
LATIN BEAT was born in Kelowna in 2024 because destiny brought us together to enjoy Latin music. Our group is made up of excellent, highly renowned musicians:
Lisette Pérez Esquenazi was born in Havana, Cuba. She graduated from the National
Professional School of Arts in Havana, Cuba as a flutist and music teacher; she studied
Educational Sciences with a mention in music at the Pontifical Catholic University of
Ecuador, Quito; and she did a master’s degree in Music Therapy at ESNECA Business
School, Spain. Lisette has been playing in different countries as a soloist and being part of
orchestras, symphonics bands, musical groups and chamber music. Her roots have called
her back from Canada, through the musical groups Alma Kubana and Latin Beat she offers
some of the best Cuban music along with other excellent musicians from the beautiful
Okanagan Valley.
Stephen Buck is proud to be playing electric bass with Latin Beat and to be celebrating 50
years of performing professionally. He spent his early career playing internationally in theater
orchestras. He performed on the David Letterman Show, with the NDR Big Band, as a
soloist for Leonard Bernstein, played musical theater on Broadway, in London’s West End
and many venues in Europe, Canada and the US. In Kelowna he plays woodwinds with the
Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, hosts the Jazz Jam at the Rotary Center and enjoys an
active musical career.
Neville Bowman is a pianist/vocalist residing in the Okanagan. Known for
his jazz performances for 35 years, this multi-award winning musician plays with groups all
over Canada, often as a Music Director for theatrical and symphonic productions. He
admires the Latin music of Michel Camilo and Chucho Valdés, reasons that inspired him to
play it with “Latin Beat”.
Miguel Ángel Ramírez Corona was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Since his
adolescence he was interested in Latin percussion, starting with the bongo. He received
classes with teacher Efraín “Kasin”. He played with some musical groups such as “Los
Caribe”, “Candela Son”, “Pico de Gallo”, “Orquesta San Francisco”, among others along the
Pacific coast. Since his arrival in Kelowna, British Columbia he has been taking percussion
lessons with maestro Trevor Salloum. He joined the musical groups “Alma Kubana” and
“Latin Beat” in March 2024.
