Fiesta leans toward family fare

Half a million people are expected to crowd downtown Los Angeles streets Sunday for the 15th annual Fiesta Broadway, despite the absence of many of the high-profile international stars who dominate the Latin pop scene.

Unlike past years when established stars such as Celia Cruz and Tito Puente topped the bill for the all-day Cinco de Mayo festival, many of Sunday’s scheduled performers are second- and third-tier entertainers.

Talent coordinator Miguel Chacon says the festival has been leaning more toward Mexican regional acts in recent years because the audience for the free event is predominantly Mexican and working class. One of the biggest local stars of the genre, singer Lupillo Rivera, won’t be appearing because an agreement couldn’t be reached.

Other regional acts are just too hot to handle for Fiesta Broadway, Chacon says. A top-selling norteno group such as Oxnard’s Los Razos, known for its rowdy, raunchy performances, would draw the wrong crowd, he said.

“I want talent that’s family oriented,” says Chacon, who also books talent for Calle Ocho, Miami’s annual street festival. “I want to see the moms and the dads and the kids, and that’s who I target.”

Two former child stars from Mexico -- actress and pop singer Lucero and mariachi singer Pedro Fernandez -- were chosen as queen and king of this year’s event. Lucero is scheduled to appear at a kickoff ceremony today at L.A. City Hall, and later at a news conference officially unveiling the full talent roster.

Among the more critically acclaimed artists on the bill are Cuban singer-songwriter Albita and Tex-Mex accordion ace Flaco Jimenez.The rest of the lineup, spread out over four stages, reflects a variety of styles, including pop, mariachi, salsa and norteno acts -- among them norteno-pop singer Jimena, the flamenco-pop duo Andy & Lucas, salsa singer Rey Ruiz and merengue singer Elvis Crespo.

Also appearing will be former Miss Universe Alicia Machado, promoting her new pop album on the Univision label, and the lively all-female Mariachi Divas.

Fans looking to catch specific acts will have to hustle once the festival begins at 11 a.m. Most artists will be on stage for about 10 to 25 minutes each.

“We’re trying to have a bigger variety on the stages,” Chacon says. “I’d rather have more talent and give them a little less time, so the audience can enjoy a better show.”