Fiesta Broadway Promises More Live Performances

The new L.A. Fiesta Broadway--same as the old one. Almost.

In its seventh edition, the annual free musical event--to be held Sunday on six stages along downtown’s Broadway between 1st and 9th streets--has been renamed the AT&T; Fiesta Broadway and is experimenting with new methods to make the seven-hour event easier for everybody. But basically, the package is the same mixture of commercially successful names, a few bona fide treats and a long list of new talent ranging from the pathetic to the promising.

The event’s highlights include salsa stars Oscar D’Leon and Marc Anthony (3:30 and 5 p.m., respectively, at the Marlboro stage at 9th and Spring streets), up-and-coming ranchera singer Beatriz Montes (1:30 p.m. at the Target stage on 9th and Hill streets) and Latin jazz legend Tito Puente (5:15 p.m. on the AT&T; stage at Olympic Boulevard and Broadway).

Among other key artists appearing: Rudy Regalado, Marisela and Pimpinela (all on the AT&T; stage); Alvaro Torres and Carmen Jara (Budweiser stage at 1st Street and Broadway); Nelson Ned and Angela Carrasco (Target stage); Gerardo, Fantasmas Del Caribe, Emilio and Calo (Sears stage at 7th and Hill streets); and Sonora Dinamita (Marlboro stage).

In previous years, the celebration was criticized for making too many artists sing over recorded tracks. This year, things look considerably better.

“I’m confident enough to say that 80% of the talent will be playing live,” said Luis Medina of UNO Productions, the talent booking agency for most of the event. “But, when there are so many artists and so little time to check sound, it is very hard to make sure that everybody will have proper sound.”

The event, which drew about 300,000 last year, will also experiment with a new crowd-control strategy in front of the usually crowded AT&T; stage. To better follow recommendations by the Fire Department, organizers will place 1,200 chairs in the rows immediately facing the stage. Special tickets are being given away by Spanish-language television station KMEX Channel 34 and several nonprofit organizations.

* MAP TO FESTIVAL: See Metro