The Great Fiesta Way

For anyone curious about the range of Latin pop music, the annual Fiesta Broadway is an inviting starting point. Over the last seven years, you would have had the chance to see such celebrated artists as Oscar D’Leon, Tito Puente and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs.

This year’s eighth annual event, sponsored by AT&T; and scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown L.A.’s Broadway district, doesn’t match the star power of some past editions. But it does include some up-and-coming performers and such established names as Olga Tan~on, Thalia (who will be crowned as the festival’s queen) and Marco Antonio Solis (the grand marshal).

You can expect some of the usual festival problems. The music will be spread out over a 32-block area on five stages, which means a lot of walking. The crowds will be huge, making it difficult to get close to the stage. And many of the artists will be singing to recorded tracks rather than live music--even if there’s a band on stage going through the motions.

If you want to make the most of your time, here are some of the highlights of Sunday’s Fiesta Broadway.

10:30 a.m. YARI MORE. One of the two or three busiest--and best--local salsa orchestras. Don’t miss this 40-minute live set, which exemplifies the good side of the Fiesta. (Miller Stage, 4th and Spring streets)

1:22 p.m. INTERNACIONAL SONORA SHOW. The group was the West Coast version of Sonora Dinamita until a judge decided the Miami-based band of the same name had the right to use that title. Nevertheless, the Colombian cumbia/tropical combo is one of the most popular party orchestras in Southern California. (Budweiser Stage, 1st Street and Broadway)

2:41 p.m. JAIME Y LOS CHAMACOS. The gutsy, Grammy-nominated Tex-Mex band’s Los Angeles debut is far too short at a scheduled nine minutes. Given the circumstances, an offer you can’t refuse. (Budweiser Stage; also 4:55 p.m. at Miller Stage)

2:50 p.m. MILLER SONG CONTEST. Four participants with a song each, in one of the Fiesta’s new features. Be prepared for the worst, but hope for some fun. (Miller Stage)

3 p.m. MANNY MANUEL. One of the hottest young merengueros. Too bad he’ll be singing to tracks. You might as well stay in the song contest (Target Stage, 9th and Hill streets).

3:40 p.m. ANGELICA. Arguably the hottest new voice of Latin pop. Worth checking. (Miller Stage)

3:45 p.m. MARIACHI TLAQUEPAQUE. One of the best U.S.-based mariachi orchestras. Always strong. (Budweiser Stage)

3:55 p.m. CARMEN JARA: Miss Banda. The voice and the beauty of quebraditas. Stop by. (Target Stage)

4:35 p.m. TATIANA BOLAOS: If you missed her at Mariachi USA or some other ranchera event, catch her now. The 7-year-old will sing live at the Target stage, followed by Gerardito Fernandez--another child star of mariachi music, made to order for little Tatiana. (Target Stage)

4:35 p.m. FRANCO DE VITA. One of the most popular and commercially successful Spanish-language singer-songwriters ever, this Venezuelan star makes a rare Los Angeles appearance. Question: Does he know he’ll be singing over tracks? (Sears Stage, 2nd and Spring streets; also at the AT&T; stage at a time to be announced)

5:30 p.m. EL GENERAL: Panamanian dancehall-reggae-rap- ragamuffin-rasta-looking discotheque star. Tracks, tracks, tracks. But fun. (Miller Stage)

5:42 p.m. MARIBEL GUARDIA: The veteran TV and film bombshell from Costa Rica returns to her part-time gig backed by a mariachi. One hundred percent live, this will be a good opportunity to see if she can actually sing. (Budweiser Stage)