Concert offers relief for busy students and starving families

Photo Courtesy of UApresents

Members of Las Farikas perform their trademark "Son" music, a combination of salsa and dance music. The band, which plays a free show tonight at Reid Park, was discovered by UApresents director Ken Foster last year, who calls the group "amazing".

UApresents offers an outdoor benefit concert featuring the Cuban quintet Las Farikas tonight.

The group was brought to the United States in part by UApresents director Ken Foster.

"I was on a trip to Cuba last year with some other U.S. arts presenters, and we stopped in a little town called Santa Clara where the group was playing at a local tavern," he said. "We were just blown away by how amazing they were."

This is the group's first U.S. tour, and Tucson is one of the select cities on its itinerary.

"It's a cheap date," Foster said. "And it's a pretty rare opportunity to see a group of this caliber that's not well known."

The group plays a type of music called Son, a fun, dancy style of music akin to salsa.

The concert is free, but attendants are encouraged to bring a donation of cash or non-perishable food items to benefit the Community Food Bank. Food banks are in special need of donations this year because they have taken backseats to Sept. 11 causes.

This is the first time UApresents has offered a free show.

"We saw it as a gift we could give to the community," said UApresents publicist Tara Kirkpatrick, "while also giving the community an opportunity to come together and give back."

The show may also give some students the chance to take a breather between finals and the busy holiday season.

"I'd go, if I were a college student," Kirkpatrick said. "It's a chance to relax and enjoy yourself."

The group, consisting almost entirely of septuagenarians, has been performing for decades. Its sound is distinctively Caribbean, blending African rhythms with Spanish lyrics.

"It's transportive music," Kirkpatrick said. "No one will be able to resist them."

As to why UApresents decided to offer the concert for free, Uapresents said they felt it was a worthy cause in the spirit of the season

"At this time of year, people tend to be more giving," said Mark Rasdorf, UApresents director of communications and audience development.

Both food and cash donations greatly aid the food bank. For every $1 donation, the organization is able to provide $10 worth of food.

"We are very exited about this special concert," stated Punch Woods, executive director of the food bank, in a press release. "This is a tremendous opportunity for us to come together. In a sense, everyone who comes will be giving back to their Tucson neighbors."

The concert will take place tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Reid Park at the Demeester venue.