The Ministry of Tourism has announced that the 2011 Merengue Festival will be celebrated 29-31 July at Plaza Juan Baron on Santo Domingo’s Malecon seafront boulevard. This year the festival will be dedicated to legendary artist Francis Santana, El Songo, best known for his merengue, bolero and son music. There will also be tributes to maestro Dioni Fernandez and bandleader Anibal Bravo, for their outstanding successes in the 1980s.
Anibal Bravo will take the stage on Friday, 29 together with Felix Cume, Bobby Rafael and Ileana Reynoso, who were also members of his band. On Sunday, Dioni Fernandez will be on stage with Sergio Vargas, Pablo Martinez, Diomedes and Charlie Rodriguez.
Brugal will be sponsoring the event with promotions here and in Puerto Rico. The Festival this year will coincide with Father’s Day, which is on Sunday, 31.
Bands that have been booked for performances during the festival are Milly Quezada, Miriam Cruz, Fernando Villalona, Fefita la Grande, Tono Rosario, Sergio Vargas, Tito Swing, Francisco Ulloa, Rafely and Banda Libre.
The Festival will be televised by Digital 15. The MCs will be Domingo Bautista, Brenda Sanchez, Michael Miguel Holguin and Carolin Aquino.