Friday, May 23, East Austin live music venue The Sahara Lounge plays host to a great and diverse Latin music showcase from four of Austin’s best. Friday’s showcase marks the first time these four bands, headlined by salsa-fusion group La Vida Buena and Urban Tejano group Cinco Doce, have played together on one bill. Everything from hip-hop, salsa, Tejano and of course cumbia will be well represented.
La Vida Buena is arguably Austin’s hottest new Latin up-and-comer. Fronted by vocalist and KOOP Radio personality Vanessa Burden and Louie “Luison” Alarcon, La Vida Buena perform original tracks from their debut EP ¡Checkpoint Alpha! as well as salsa-fied covers of popular hip-hop and R&B tracks. La Vida Buena perform at 12:30 a.m.
Austin’s answer to Kumbia Kings, Kumbia All Starz, etc., Cinco Doce is emblematic of the young, bi-cultural Latino who loves mainstream urban music but is more than proud of their Tejano roots. They intertwine R&B, pop and hip-hop with traditional, often-synthed, cumbia beats. No cowboy hats and sparkly shirts on these guys. See Cinco Doce at 11 p.m.
Austin-based Cubana hip-hop duo Krudas Kubensi perform at 9:30 p.m while Organizacion Kumbiambera kick things off at 8 p.m.
The Sahara Lounge is located at 1413 Webberville Rd. Doors open at 7 p.m. Music starts at 8 p.m. 21+ welcome. $7 cover. Visit the Facebook event page here.
