A new Latin music festival called Centro Popular will debut at Wild Acre Live east of downtown Fort Worth on July 31.
In a press release, festival co-founder Lorenzo Zenteno spoke about its intention to highlight Latin culture across North Texas. “[The festival] welcomes individuals of all backgrounds to experience the Latin culture in a way that’s been missing in DFW.” Zenteno’s mother was a Mexican immigrant who operated the Fort Worth record store Centro Popular. He also sees the festival as a way to honor his late mother.
“I thought it would be really cool to bring that back and pay homage to what she did as a business owner, especially being a Mexican immigrant in the ’80s and ’90s,” he said. “That’s why this event is really meaningful to me.”
Zenteno selected local Latin businesses to operate on the festival’s grounds, such as Frezko Taco Spot, Chicano Style, Sweets and Berries by Janelle, and AB Tapitaz. His curation of mainstream Latin artists, like Baby Bash and Frankie J, are complimented by Dallas-Fort Worth musicians xBValentine, Louie The Singer, and Renizance. A number of Latin artists from El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio round out the festival’s roster. The event will take over Wild Acre Live, the new venue about 1.5 miles east of downtown.
Tickets for the one-day music festival are on sale now.
