Contact:
Sacha Ferreira, Pochteca Media
(213)745-7717, sachaf@pochtecamedia.com
CELEBRATING A MILESTONE OF ACHIEVEMENT 9th ANNUAL LATINO BOOK & FAMILY FESTIVAL
Touching The Lives Of Latinos In The United States Through Books, Education and 'Cultura'
Los Angeles, CA (May 21, 2005)
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Actor, community activist and co-producer Edward James Olmos is proud to announce the 9th Annual Los Angeles Latino Book & Family Festival. Since its inception the festival's primary mission is to promote literacy, education and culture, by providing people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the multicultural communities in the United States in a festival atmosphere.
As festival co-producer, Olmos states, "we are very proud to celebrate not only the success that this event has earned throughout the years, but more importantly the indelible impression that it has left in the lives of many Latinos throughout the United States. In celebrating our 9 th anniversary we are thrilled to rise to the occasion by presenting an event that is 100% committed to our community, by promoting literacy, culture and education in the United States. We've planned a variety of exciting activities including author panels, book signings, poetry readings, children's events and live entertainment to engage every member of the family."
Produced by the Latino Literacy Now (LLN), a 501(c) (3) non- profit organization dedicated to promoting literacy in the Latino community while advancing the cause of reading as a means of self-fulfillment and improvement. The LLN launched the Latino Book & Family Festival (LB&FF) in Los Angeles in 1997.
Since its inception in 1997, the Latino Book & Family Festival has touched people's lives across the United States by promoting education, literacy, donating books, scholarships and much more. While providing an enriching opportunity to the Latino community, the Festival has successfully united the literary and education worlds with that of the entertainment industry, by showcasing an incredible cast of high profile personalities ranging from authors, celebrities, musicians and very importantly gaining the trust and commitment of numerous sponsors who have supported this event since day one.
Highlights of past LB&FF events include authors such as: Rosa Martha Villareal, Yolanda Nava, Marcos McPeek Villatoro, Art Rodriguez, May Helen Ponce, Loretta Lopez, Graciela Limón, Bobbi Salinas, Ethriam Cash Brammer among others. Celebrity guest appearances by George Lopez, Maria Antonieta Collins, Christina Saralegui, Hernan "el cucuy"Almendarez, Victor Villasenor.
Also, providing live musical entertainment the Festival has featured magnificent talent such as: the late legendary Lalo Guerrero; the 'Father of Chicano Music'; Martin Espino (who recreates the sound of indigenous instruments and music), the Ballet Folklórico de Nuestras Tradiciones, performing dances from Veracruz, Jalisco, Chiapas, and more, the Ballet Folklórico Viva Panamá, presenting the music and dance of Panamá and the bands of Spirit and East L.A. Sabor Factory among others.
An eminent piece to the development of our Festival has been our sponsors since day one. Throughout the years the event has been honored to have the following companies join us on this mission: Nissan, Western Union, Washington Mutual, Nestle, Chase Bank, Sav-On, Houston Chronicle, Univision and Telemundo. New major sponsors for 2005 include the National Education Association (NEA), Barnes & Nobles and Amtrak.
In addition, the 2005 regional Folkorico Challenge USA (FCUSA) competitions will be held once again in all markets at the Latino Book & Family Festival. The FCUSA is the home of the fastest growing ballet folklorico dance competition in the United States. During the course of the 2004 FCUSA regional competitions over 100 dance groups participated and were watched by a total of 80,000 Festival attendees. The Latino Book & Family Festival offers a unique experience for visitors through a very hands-on family and consumer two - day extravaganza , presenting s ix major villages (pavilions) and an array of activity areas that includ e: books, careers, culture, education, health, the home, recreation, travel and more. The festival's unique "village" concept will continue to allow for exhibitors and sponsors to select among s ix different areas within the exhibit hall to meet their specific ne eds. Postponed 4th Annual Houston, TX George R. Brown Convention Center
October 22-23, 2005 9th Annual Los Angeles, CA, Pomona Fairplex/LA County Fairgrounds
November 12-13, 2005 7th Annual Chicago, IL, Unity School
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About the LB&FF: The Latino Book & Family Festival was launched in 1997 in Los Angeles to promote literacy, culture and education and to provide people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the multicultural communities in the United States in a festival atmosphere. The 2000 Los Angeles festival drew 48,000 attendees and over 800 exhibitors , making it the largest Latino consumer expo in the United States . V isit www.LBFF.us
About Pochteca Event Works: Pochteca Event Works is the leading Hispanic Event Marketing, Promotions & Entertainment company servicing the largest and high-profile Latino properties nationwide. The company has successfully initiated and branded some of the countries most important Hispanic events in the United States such as Edward James Olmos Latino Book & Family Festival , the largest Latin expo in the U.S. and Fiesta Broadway - Los Angeles , the largest Cinco de Mayo event in the country and Fiesta Del Sol - Chicago , the largest Latin festival in the Midwest.
