Cultural events in Puerto Rico

The Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico is hosting two major cultural events this summer in its exotic capital San Juan.

Visitors will enjoy the finest in Latin jazz music at the Puerto Rico Heineken Jazzfest 2011 in June 2011, followed by the 15th Annual Salsa Congress in July 2011, where the world’s greatest salsa dancers compete with each other.

Puerto Rico Heineken JazzFest 2011

This year’s Latin jazz festival will be held in the famous open-air Tito Puento Amphitheater in San Juan, which takes place between 2nd and 5th June 2011. World renowned Latin jazz artists will perform from 8pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 5pm on Sunday. Richie Flores and Sextet, Monty Alexander, Ted Nash Quintet, Ramsey Lewis Trio and Stanley Clarke Band are just a few of the bands lined up to play at the festival. Jazz lovers and those less familiar with this music genre are sure to enjoy this four day event.

Puerto Rico’s passion for jazz dates back to the 80’s, when the jazz movement began to surface making its way into mainstream music. The genre enjoyed considerable demand, and as a result the Puerto Rico Heineken Jazzfest was born in 1991, with the aim of promoting jazz through educating young talented musicians.

For more information, visit prheinekenjazz.com, and for tickets go to ticketpop.com.

15th Annual Puerto Rico Salsa Congress

The world’s greatest salsa dancers, musicians, instructors and bands, gather every summer at the Annual Salsa Congress in Puerto Rico. Guests at the international event can enjoy competitions, exhibitions, concerts, workshops and street parties. This year is the 15th anniversary and calls for an even more spectacular show hosting 15 parties over 15 nights. The congress will take place from the 16th to 30th July 2011, mainly at the Puerto Rico Convention Center. Other locations include the Sheraton Convention Center, Plaza del Mercado, Plaza de los Salseros in Santurce, Plaza Colon in Old San Juan and Latin Roots Restaurant & Club. With Eddie Torres, the master of masters as a special guest and living legends Mike Ramos and Freddy Rios, along with top world instructors, the congress is sure to be an exhilarating and unique experience for all.

For more information, visit: puertoricosalsacongress.com

British Airways now flies direct to San Juan, Puerto Rico from London Heathrow, twice-weekly, year-round. Tickets are bookable at: ba.com