Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 08/21/2025
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Latinos of Montclair is proud to present the 4th Annual Latino Heritage Celebration, an immersive, family-friendly cultural event taking place on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 12:00pm to 5:00pm at the Montclair Art Museum. Attendees will enjoy a vibrant afternoon filled with live music and spoken word, youth showcases, artistic presentations, hands-on activities, food trucks serving authentic Latin cuisine, and a bustling community marketplace of local vendors and artisans.
The festivities are crafted to honor the rich cultural heritage of Latin America, highlight the impact of diverse Latino communities in New Jersey, and take guests on a journey from Latin America to NJ’s own neighborhoods with deep Latino roots, culminating in a community parade celebrating the beauty of diversity and community unity. Here are a few of the highlights:
* Festival Kicks-Off Outside - This year’s event will open with latin beats by DJ One Day, open dance, a Latin marketplace of food trucks and vendors, and special opening dance performance by MDN Latin Dance Studio’s award winning Salsa group.
* Dynamic duo - Wendy Tirbucio and Jonathan Echeverry will take the audience on a journey through Latin America and Community Across NJ during the main Latino Heritage Celebration.
* Star line-up of performers - Performers from across Latin America - Colombia, Puerto Rico, Peru, Venezuela - in addition to Latin Grammy Winner Jose Luis "Cheo" Pardo and his band Cheo y Los Consentidos de Casa and Ritmo Jardín’s tiniest stars.
Spotlight: Latin Grammy Winner Cheo Pardo | CHEO Y LOS CONSENTIDOS DE CASA is the latest groove-laced project from CHEO PARDO (Los Amigos Invisibles), was born from a love of vintage Latin soul and the raw energy of NYC’s dance floors, Cheo assembled an all-star crew of the city’s hottest Latin players to cook up a high-octane blend of SALSA, BOOGALOO, CHA-CHA-CHA, AND BOLERO — all filtered through wah-wah pedals, space echoes, fuzzy guitar solos, and a deep, unshakable groove.The result? A psychedelic, percussive party that’s equal parts tradition and funked-out future.
The band features NEIL OCHOA (congas), Ruben Coca (timbales), José Benjamin (keys), Dan Martínez (bass), Fernando Garcia (bongos), Leo Gruber (vocals), and Cheo himself on guitar — a tight, fearless unit on a mission to put the funk in the salsa and the swing in the soul.
Their debut album, recorded live at Nublu, captures the heat, sweat, and sabor of their wildest nights — reimagining classics from Joe Cuba, Willie Colón, Eddie Palmieri, Mon Rivera, and more. Each track is a tribute and a reinvention, breathing new life into the old-school with a cosmic twist, and opening the doors for a whole new generation to feel that sabrosura in their bones. This isn’t your abuela’s salsa night — this is CHEO Y LOS CONSENTIDOS DE LA CASA. Funk-forward. Rhythm-obsessed. 100% dance floor approved.
Spotlight: Ritmo Jardín Youth Showcase | RITMO JARDIN, Latinos of Montclair’s 9 week Summer Youth program will invite summer participants from across New Jersey to rock the stage with a variety of dance performances and theater skits that will illustrate the cultural bridge from Latin America to Nueva Jersey. Performances will share Latin Dances - Merengue, Bomba, Salsa, Bachata - and highlight the impact of NJ’s Latino population across key communities - Passaic, Paterson, Newark, Perth Amboy, and Union City - along with stand-out NJ Latino hidden figures.
Tickets are $10 (General Admission), $25 (Family Admission) and available for purchase online. Montclair Art Museum is located at 3 South Mountain Avenue in Montclair, New Jersey.
Latinos of Montclair is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, wholly operated by volunteers, committed to uplifting Latino voices through cultural education, youth empowerment, and community-building. This event supports inclusive cultural initiatives, strengthens neighborhood narratives, and promotes resilience through representation.
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