The first edition of the “ADN Bachata World Festival” is scheduled for 17 to 20 November 2022 with performances starting at 8pm at the Atlantic Ocean-fronting Juan Lockward Amphitheater. Other festival activities will take place at the Senator and Playa Bachata hotels in Puerto Plata.
Víctor Minaya of ADN Films, Carlos Rodolí of the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the North, Rudi López and artistic producer Erick Zapata made the announcement last week in an event at the Isabel de Torres Botanical Gardens.
The event honors Jose Manuel Calderón is regarded as the father of the genre. Calderon is the author of the emblematic bachatas, “Amorcito de mi corazón” and “Me bebí tu recuerdo,” among others.
Calderón has asked that 30 May to be declared National Bachata Day. Calderon was present when the UNESCO Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2020 in Paris. He is motivating the authorities to dedicate 30 May every year to celebrate bachata.
“Thank God that I still have the opportunity to participate in these events, because since 30 May 1962 to date, quite a bit of rain has fallen,” said Calderon. He thanked Victor Minaya for the recognition and for sending him to Paris for the UNESCO event. He appreciated the media and people for their support.
Artistic producer Eriko Zapata said the event will be unprecedented. He said to date the most important world important bachata festivals are held abroad. He said there are many expectations for the festival, especially at the international level, given that bachata originated in the Dominican Republic. The country had not yet organized an international bachata festival.
He explained that production runs through the early years of bachata and projects it to the future. Zapata explained the event will be a journey for all with the catchy music by José Manuel Calderón, Luis Vargas, Alex Bueno, Raulin Rodríguez, El varón de la bachata, Eudy el Impensable, Leidy Laura, Grupo Extra, and the dancing children of the Bachata Academy of Cabarete, Puerto Plata.
The president of the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the North (Ashonorte), Carlos Rodolí highlighted the importance of the festival and the contribution it will make to promoting Puerto Plata abroad.
Rudi López, president of Island Touch and who is responsible for coordinating the international bachata dancers, emphasized that the world had been waiting for a bachata festival in the Dominican Republic. “Today there are hundreds of festivals in various countries and everyone wondered, why in the country where bachata got its start there was no official event of the genre, but starting in November the story will change. We will not only have a bachata festival, we will have the best bachata festival in the world,” he assured.
There is a US$5,000 cash prize for the couple that wins the ADN Bachata World Competition in Puerto Plata.
Several of the world’s most famous bachata-dancing couples and performers will participate. Already registered are Ataca and Alemana, with a billion views on their social media platform will be transmitting the festival during the four days.
Also registered to perform are Anthony Santos, El Tiguere & Bianca, Sami El Mágico, Carlos and Susan, Carolina Rosa, Farifeo, Alex and Desirée, Ana Saldaña, Magda and Valeria, Sterling Cabral, Jesús and Maria, Yúnior and Carolina, Eddie Peligro, Guarav and Yana, Antoni and Belén, Ninafrika, Willy and Noura and Frank Santos.
Victor Minaya said there will be concerts, parties and contests but also classes and workshops during the four-day event.
The program is:
Thursday, 17 November. Juan Lockward Amphitheater, Puerto Plata city
Jose Manuel Calderon, children performers of the Bachata Academy, Grupo Extra, Alex Bueno and Luis Vargas.
Friday, 18 November. Senator Hotel/ Playa Bachata Resort/ Juan Lockward Amphitheater
Senator/ Playa Bachata
10-5pm. Workshops, first competition round
5pm. Rehearsal
12pm – 6pm. Pool party
4am: Beach bonfire party
8pm. Bachata dancing show.
11:30pm-4am. Dancing and Concert at the Juan Lockward Amphitheater with El Varon de la Bachata and Raulin Rodriguez.
Saturday, 19 November. Senator/Playa Bachata resorts.
9am – 5pm. Workshops
5pm. Rehearsal.
12-6pm. Pool party.
8pm. Shows with dancers and finals of the ADN Bachata competition.
10pm. Dancing and Concert at the Hotel Senator/Playa Bachata. Theme: Party in White. Performance of Lady Laura and Kiko Rodríguez.
Sunday, 20 November
Senator/Playa Bachata hotels.
9am-5pm. Workshops.
5pm. Rehearsal.
8pm. Bachata dancing show.
11:30pm-4am. Dancing and concerts at the Hotel Senator/Playa Bachata: Theme: Tropical fiesta. Performer: Eudy el Impensable.
For more information, contact ADN Group 809-422-2144 My Travel 809-780-3633/809-261-1121.
Read more in Spanish:
Festival Bachata Puerto Plata 2022
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Listen to the original bachata music by Jose Manuel Calderon
25 October 2022