Latin Music at Central Park SummerStage 2008

New York's Central Park is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon or evening for natives and tourists alike. There are lots of things to do but one of the best is the Central Park SummerStage. The SummerStage offers concerts at a regularly scheduled pace from June 13th - Aug. 17th. Some of the concerts are scheduled for the evening, others are the perfect way to beat the afternoon heat.

This year there are 3 dozen scheduled events and about a dozen of these are devoted to Latin music. All but one of the concerts are free. Here's a preview of some of the notable artists you can look forward to.

For a complete listing of artists, schedules and tips on the best way to enjoy the show, spend some time with about.com's guide to New York City Travel.

Mexican
• Julieta Venegas - Venegas started out in alternative/rock but she's moved into a more mainstream pop sound. A reminder that her new MTV Unplugged album is due out on June 17th.
  
• Los Lobos - East L.A.'s favorite sons hit the stage in August.
  
• Los Lonely Boys - The Garza brothers were born in Texas; their father steeped them in both Mexican and country music from a young age. Their new album Forgiven is due out July 1st.
  
• Kinky - From Monterrey, Mexico and currently residing in S. California, this quintet performs music that mixes electronic samples, funk, jazz, hip hop.
  
• Alejandro Escoveda - Another Texan, guitarist Escoveda's music spans from punk rock through string quintets. June 24th is the release date for Real Animal.
  
• Pistolera - Pistolera is NYC-based pop/rock quintet. Their new album, En Este Camino, is due Aug. 5th.

  Salsa
  

• Victor Manuelle - Puerto Rico's given salsa many great artists and there's no doubt Manuelle is one of the best. His new album, Soy, is due this week. (June 10th)
  
• Baby Loves Salsa - Led by Jose Conde, this NYC group of musicians bring salsa enjoyment to kids.

  Brazil
  

• Seu Jorge - Growing up in Rio's notorious favelas, singer/songwriter Jorge mixes Brazilian rhythms with rock and his own charismatic style.
  
• Bebel Gilberto - Bossa Nova and electronica is the music of choice for Joao Gilberto's daughter.
  
• Maria Rita - Popular Brazilian diva Maria Rita made a name for herself in MPB although her last album, Samba Meu, showed her firm grasp of the more traditional samba.
  
• Dance Brazil - Brazilian dance performed in dramatic & rhythmic style. Take a peek at a Dance Brazil video clip.

  Alternative/Electronica
  

• Plastilina Mosh - Plastilina Mosh is a popular Mexican alternative rock group.
  
• DJ Bitman - From Santiago, Chile, DJ Bitman wows the crows with his mixture of electronica/hip hop.

  Other
  

• Bajofondo Tango Club - For tango lovers, Bajofondo boasts a stellar, innovative group of musicians that includes Grammy winner Gustavo Santaolalla. Their album Mar Dulce is being released on July 15th.
  
• Max Pollack & Rumbatap - If you've never seen tap dancing to Afro-Cuban rhythms, then you've never seen Rumbatap. Check-out this Rumbatap Video for a preview.
  
• CuCu Diamantes - Yerba Buena fans are already familiar with Diamantes familiar vocal sizzle. She's gone on to a solo career but I bet that she'll continue with the rhythmic/funk sound that made the band so popular.
  
• Los Pinguos - Really good band of LA-based Argentinean musicians that perform a mix of cumbia, vallenato, son, guajira, rumba and lots more.
  
• Federico Aubele - Aubele is an Argentine singer/songwriter, blending reggae, hip hop, bolero, tango and other pan-American musical styles. That's probably why his last album was titled Panamericana.