A magnificent 130-year old Moreton Bay Fig tree, stately Italian Cypresses and the historic two-story, 1844 adobe home will provide the backdrop for a variety of free Friday night concerts at the Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site this summer.
On Friday, June 25, Voxinglero will present a new blend of Latin rhythms, spotlighting original compositions by bringing together musicians from a variety of different influences and backgrounds. Group members have had musical experiences in television, theater, radio and tours throughout the United States and Latin America.
Isaac Ruben Izquierdo, the founder and director of the group, trained at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the Escuela Nacional de Musica de UNAM (University of Mexico City). Other musicians include: Rodrigo Rodriguez, who has toured extensively with Andean bands and has mastered regional folkloric styles from South America and Mexico; Alfredo Lopez, who teaches Latin American Folklore music in Los Angeles; and Juan Pedro Estanga, a music instructor at the San Gabriel Mission Elementary School.
Steel Parade calls itself “A Happy Southern California Funk Rock Reggae Calypso Soca Island Party Dance Steel Drum Band.” The group will perform its lively music on Friday, July 23. Led by Phil J. Carillo on drums and vocals, the band also includes Chris Roy on bass and vocals and Gabe De La Parra on drums and vocals. The band fuses the excitement of the steel drums with the style and power of today’s contemporary rhythms.
Sligo Rags will headline the final concert of the summer on Friday, August 27. The group combines a classically trained violinist (Michael Kelly), a bluegrass banjo picker (David Burns), a jazz bass player (Gordon Rustvold) and a percussionist (Andy Reilly) performing Irish reels and jigs with a bluegrass twist. The group plays traditional tunes but adds bluegrass-style flat-picking and world-music rhythms to create a unique brand of Irish music.
Gates to the Rancho’s main garden open at 5pm for picnicking, and concerts begin at 6pm, lasting until 7:30pm. Parking is limited to Virginia Road, so bicycles and carpooling are encouraged. No pets are allowed on the grounds.
The Rancho is located at 4600 Virginia Rd., northwest of the intersection of Long Beach Boulevard and San Antonio Drive.
More Information
(562) 570-1755
rancholoscerritos.org
