Latin American concert and Expo celebrates culture and makes connections in Worcester

"Concierto de las Américas," a free concert presented by Worcester’s Latin American Business Organization and set for April 20 in Tuckerman Hall, promises diverse and dynamic sounds of Latin America.

"The concept of this event is to bring a little bit of the Latin culture to everyone in the community. Music is a very strong tool to connect people with each other," said Worcester singer, percussionist and composer Manolo Mairena, who will be a featured performer along with other musicians.

Music and a mission

Latin American Business Organization is a nonprofit organization whose stated mission is to bring together the Latin American community to implement solutions to achieve social, economic, cultural, recreational and business advancement.

The concert kicks off activities connected to the organization's annual Latin American Business Expo, set for noon to 4 p.m. April 27 at the DCU Center. The expo is an admission-free event featuring over 200 Latino and minority-owned businesses serving Central Massachusetts.

'A very strong connection'

Elizabeth Cruz, president of Latin American Business Organization, said both events show the depth and wide-ranging scope of Latino culture and enterprise in this area.

In Tuckerman Hall, Mairena and his band will play original compositions from his three albums (“Esto es lo que Hay," “De Todo Un Poco” and “Mi Oportunidad”) as well as musical influences from countries such as Chile, Argentina, Peru and Brazil.

Originally from Costa Rica, Mairena, 55, came to Worcester when he was 16. He sings "everything in the Latin genre — different styles," he said. "Latin American music is definitely very diverse. Starting from Mexico down, every country will have their own identity. But there's a very strong connection ... In the end, even though we are separated by countries, I believe we're all one big family with a lot of things in common."

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'A concert just to have fun'

Latin American music events as the April 20 are not at all commonplace in Worcester, Mairena said, although U.S. Census data indicates that people of Hispanic or Latino heritage make up 23.1% of Worcester's population.

The annual Latin American Festival behind Worcester City Hall is a big cultural showcase, and Mairena has performed there in the past. He has also been involved with the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra's "Jazz in the Park" program at Institute Park. However, "most of my work for some reason, even though Worcester is a big city, most of my work is in Boston. I hardly ever work in Worcester," he said.

"The music scene is not that strong for the type of music I do. I'm so pleased to do this at Tuckerman Hall. And it's a free concert just for the audience to have fun."

A time of change

Mairena said he has been able to make a living as a musician. "In my situation I've been very, very blessed. I'm a singer, but I'm also a percussionist. I've worked a lot because of that."

Not that it's always easy by any means. "Music — there are good days, good weeks when you make good money. But you have to have your health insurance and things you need." He said he's been fortunate that his wife's job provides health insurance that covers them.

Mairena has appeared with many ensembles, including Tropical Sound, Mango Blue, La Clave Secreta, Manguito, Balatón and the Egui Castrillo Orquestra, among others. He collaborated with Venezuelan musician Gonzalo Grau on the album "Frutero Moderno," which was nominated in 2009 for a Grammy Award for Best Tropical Album.

Besides Worcester, Boston and New England, he has performed around the world at festivals and venues such as the Opera House in Sydney, the Benny Moré Festival in Ceinfuegos, Cuba, the Blue Frog Club in Mumbai, Inida, the Heineken Jazz Festival in Puerto Rico, Centro de Convenciones de Cartagena in Colombia and the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

When he came to Worcester in 1986, he said the city "was more blue-collar. A lot of factories ... I worked at a factory."

Now there has been a big change. "The place I used to work is the parking lot for the WooSox," he said.

"I'm aware of a lot of good musicians in Worcester Somehow maybe there needs to be more support. I'm hoping little by little some organization will say, 'Let's do this concert series.' People can say, 'I can go and listen to Latin music,' and the Latin community can say, 'I want to listen to some jazz or rock or Irish music.' All that would be great."

Sharing music and culture

The Tuckerman Hall event is the first time LABO has presented an indoors concert, but it has sponsored the "Jazz in the Park" concerts at Institute Park, said Cruz. The April 20 concert is funded in part by the Worcester Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. In addition to LABO, other concert sponsors include private donors.

"We want the community to share our music and culture. It's a great way to have a positive experience," Cruz said.

A VIP reception for exhibitors at the Latin American Business Expo will follow the concert at Tuckerman Hall, with refreshments furnished by Comeketo Brazilian Steakhouse of Leominster.

The April 27 Latin American Business Expo is the seventh put on by the Latin American Business Organization. Cruz said. The event provides an opportunity for businesses to promote their goods and services, interact with other businesses and attendees, and create opportunities for mutual development and growth. But it's also "a great day for the family," Cruz said. There will be musical entertainment, children's activities, food vendors, door prizes and more.

Concierto de las Américas

When: 7 p.m. April 20

Where: Tuckerman Hall, 10 Tuckerman St., Worcester

How much: Free. eventbrite.com.

For more information on Latin American Business Organization, including the Latin American Business Expo set for April 27 at the DCU Center, visit labous.org.