Music Without Borders

Maria Cardenas and her friends had one thought early Sunday when they woke up: “Today is the concert!”

They rushed to Hansen Dam and waited at least four hours to see the lineup of Latino performers at the 10th annual Sin Fronteras (Without Borders) Festival in Lake View Terrace.

Even with the heat, it was worth the wait, said Maria, a 17-year-old from Panorama City. “This is the event of the year.”

Concert organizers estimated that more than 50,000 people packed into what has become a popular cultural event in the northeast San Fernando Valley.

The Hispanic Broadcasting Co., which owns several radio stations in Los Angeles, organized the concert. The company hoped to raise $250,000 to donate to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Foothill Division Jeopardy “Balancing the Odds” Foundation, a program for at-risk youth in the northeast Valley, said Harold Austin, one of the organizers.

The money is used to pay for year-round Jeopardy programs designed to keep youth out of gangs and trouble, said Irwin Rosenberg, Jeopardy Foundation president.

Now the program serves about 125 youths ages 9 to 17, he said.

“We have a great success rate,” he added. “The money that comes from this event plays a key role in keeping this program alive.”

During the year, LAPD officers talk to children about the dangers of gangs, take them on field trips or sailing to teach them the importance of teamwork, Rosenberg said.

“Some of these kids might be from rival gangs, but when you put them on the same sailing boat and the boat falls, they have to work together,” he said.

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The concert was born 10 years ago when Foothill Division officers began searching for ways to fund the project. Police contacted the Hispanic Broadcasting Co., which liked the idea, said Vicki Edwards, Jeopardy director.

Since then, the media company has brought some of the hottest Latino acts to the Valley, including Limite, Ramon Ayala, Voces del Ranco and La Sonora Tropicana. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $2 for children.

The crowd got a chance to visit booths selling items from tacos and giant margaritas to giant Mexican hats.

“I have heard about Jeopardy, and they do a pretty good job,” said Alex Hernandez, 24, of Sunland. “I am not a huge fan of the bands, but I came because the program helps others.”

Maria Cardenas and her group of Monroe High School friends said they would not have missed the chance to have a good time while giving back to their community.

“I like all the bands. They are all good,” said 16-year-old Noemi Calderon of North Hills. “It’s also for a good cause, so that’s good.”