Contact:
Aida Hurtado, Pochteca Media
(213)745-7717, aida@pochtecamedia.com
ANTICIPATION & EXPECATIONS RUN HIGH AS THE LATINO BOOK & FAMILY FESTIVAL RETURNS TO HOUSTON ON MAY 6-7, 2006
Acclaimed Author Laura Esquivel Headlines Festival
Los Angeles, CA (February 28, 2006)
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Actor, community activist and co-producer Edward James Olmos is proud to announce the 4 th Annual Houston Latino Book & Family Festival presented by the Houston Chronicle set for May 6-7 th at Houston Community College, Central Campus, 1300 Holman Ave, Houston, TX, 77004. The event runs from 12 p.m.-6 p.m. both days and admission is free. Anticipation for the Festival has been mounting after the event was cancelled due to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
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.
Headlining this year's event will be the acclaimed author Laura Esquivel, author of the highly praised novel Like Water for Chocolate , which later was turned into a major motion picture success. Esquivel will also be reading from her new novel Malinche . There will also be classes and workshops ranging from "What Latino Writers Need to Know to Get Published" to "How to Start a Family Library" and "How to Read to Your Kids", available for all LB&FF attendees to participate in. All workshops are available in English, Spanish, or both.
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 LBFF 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 in on this mission: Amtrak, Barnes & Nobles, Western Union, NEA-National Education Association, Washington Mutual, Nestle, Chase Bank, Sav-On, Houston Chronicle, Univision and Telemundo.
In addition, the 2006 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 2005 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 exhib it hall to meet their specific ne eds. May 6-7, 2006 4th Annual Houston, TX, George R. Brown Convention Center
July 29-30, 2006 2nd Annual Dallas, TX, Dallas Market Center
October 14-15, 2006 10th Annual Los Angeles, CA, Pomona Fairplex/LA County Fairgrounds
November 11-12, 2006 8th 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 F estival 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 country's 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.
