On Saturday, July 16 2011, Live Nation and the Gibson Amphitheater are proud to present the 2011 L.A. Cuba Fest -a Los Angeles Cuban Music Festival. The concert features headliner Willy Chirino as well as Albita, Rey Ruiz, Hansel y Raúl and the Miami-based Celia Cruz All Stars. 

The Gibson Amphitheater is located at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608. The venue can be reached at (818) 662-4440. The Yelp review site has rated it 4 out of 5 stars. 

About the artists:
Willy Chirino - Combining the musical traditions of Cuba with American rock and jazz, Cuba-born and South Florida-based vocalist and bandleader Willie Chirino helped to create the "Miami Sound" of Salsa music. The composer of more than one hundred songs, Chirino's material has been covered by a lengthy list of artists including Raphael, Ricardo Montaner, Rocio Jurado, Celia Cruz, Oscar D'Leon, Angela Carrasco, Jorge Muniz and Nydia Caro. Chirino's song, "Soy," has been recorded by more than sixty artists including The Gypsy Kings, whose interpretation sold more than four million copies. Chirino also composed and performed the theme songs for Spanish-language television soap operas, "La Zulianita" and "Pobre Diabla."Chirino has received numerous awards throughout his career. He was named "King" of Miami's Calle Ocho Festival in 1993. Two years later, a section of NW 17th Avenue in Miami was christened "Willie Chirino Way". Chirino received a UNICEF award for his work for children via the Willie Chirino Foundation. In May, 1989, Chirino opened a restaurant and night club, Zarabanda, in Coral Gables, Florida. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide

Albita - Albita Rodríguez, known in her music career simply as Albita, is a Grammy-winning Cuban-American singer, producer and composer. In 1994 she was signed by Emilio Estefan's Crescent Moon label and her first single in the U.S., "Qué Manera de Quererte" ("What a Way of Loving You"), was released. In 1995, her album No Se Parece a Nada (Like Anything Else) saw daylight. Her career in the U.S. has produced success. She travels extensively, performing in such places as Australia, all Europe, Malaysia, Africa and of course all of Latin America. She has shared the stage with Celia Cruz, Willy Chirino, Phil Collins, Tony Bennett, Gilberto Gil, Juan Luis Guerra, Daniela Mercury, Miriam Makeba, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera and Melissa Etheridge. In 2005, Albita was cast for a major role in the Broadway produced Musical play “The Mambo Kings”, where she worked for six months to rave reviews. Albita sings the theme song "La Mega Se Pega" for Mega TV, a Miami based TV station where she also hosts her own show "La Descarga con Albita" ("Jam Session with Albita").She had many hit singles. ~ Wikipedia

Rey Ruiz - Cuban born salsero Rey Ruiz has been in the United States since 1992. He's been hailed as the "Elvis of Salsa," by Miami music critics. He got his start after Sony Tropical heard his demo and signed him. Later in 1992, he released his eponymous debut album. With a style reminiscent of the mambo singers of the 1950s, Ruiz soon found himself a star when his first album went platinum. He next participated on the Los Soneros de Hoy project, a tribute to the originators of salsa music in the '60s and '70s. On that album, he sang "Compone un Son." His second album Mi Media Mitad also proved to be a hot seller; other releases included 1995's En Cuerpo Y Alma, 1997's Exitos del Rey and 2000's Fenonmenal. In 2008 Ruiz fulfilled a lifetime dream by performing on stage with some of his closest musical colleagues at the Adrian Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. Along with Grammy Winner Arturo Sandoval, Objectivo Fama winner Marlon and Los Tres de La Habana, this musical collaboration was recorded for a soon to be released DVD. Ruiz signed on to a new recording contract which brings him back to his original label Sony/BMG with a highly anticipated album. ~All Music Guide

Hansel y Raúl - Hansel Enrique Martinez and Raul Alfonso were born in Cuba. Their musical careers began in 1976 in New York City as vocalists and co-founders of the world famous Charanga 76'. In 1983 the formed what is now considered The Most Dynamic and Successful Duo in the history of Latin Tropical Music. Hansel y Raul are International recording stars and renowned composers who have performed their Charanga based music all over the world. Hansel y Raul have sold millions of records and have been awarded Multi-Platinum and Gold Albums in a career spanning 30 years. Hansel y Raul are Multiple Grammy Nominees and 2 time Winners. Some of their greatest hits include Kukucha-Kucha, Con la Lengua Afuera, Maria Teresa y Danilo, Ayer and La Esquina Habanera just to name a few. In December of 2009, In celebration of their 33 years in the music industry HANSEL & RAUL “33” is released, it also happens to be their 33rd CD. The first single “El Muñequito” has reached the #1 spot in music charts in Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador and has been certified gold in Colombia. The CD will be released in the U.S. and Europe in the summer of 2010. ~ Hasel y Raúl Website

Celia Cruz All-Stars - For more than fifty years, the legendary Celia Cruz delighted us with her talent, happiness and unmistakable voice. Her musical legacy along with her distinct voice travels daily throughout all continents of the world through hundreds of recordings that she popularized during her unprecedented career; furthermore her rhythm is timeless. The Celia Cruz All Stars was created with a group of young, talented musicians that gathered together to pay a tribute to the hits that the Guarachera de Cuba immortalized. Songs like “La Negra Tiene Tumbao”, “Quimbara”, “Usted Abusó”, “La Vida Es Un Carnaval”, “Bemba Colora”, among others, are coming back to remember and honor one of the most influential artists of all times. More than music, this group contributes to “Celia Cruz Foundation,” which grants musical scholarships to needy children. The members of Celia Cruz All Stars are Luis “Papo” Márquez, musical director and 1St trumpet; Pepe Montes, piano; Daniel Stable, (bass); Raúl Rodríguez, 2nd trumpet; Braily Ramos, trombone; José González, baritone sax; Raymer Olalde, timbal, Dannys “ Papacho” Savon, congas; Erick Castaneda, bongos; Anthony Columbie, background vocals; Lissete Morales, singer. ~ Celia Cruz All Stars Website