Free Heineken Dwntwn Miami Concert Series with Conjucto Progreso and Palo!
Friday, August 9, 2013
Theater Doors Open 7:00 p.m.; Showtime 8:00 p.m.
Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts
174 E Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33131

The Miami Downtown Development Authority (MiamiDDA) has extended the popular winter event, The Heineken DWNTWN Miami Concert Series presented by Car2Go year-round, with four FREE summer shows at the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. The expanded concert series, features four genres of music, aims to introduce new generations to the Gusman, increase foot traffic in the downtown area and spur commerce while promoting Flagler Street as a neighborhood where new businesses and rich history come together.

The August 9 show is the final show in the series and features Grammy nominated Cuban Band, Conjunto Progreso and Afro-Cuban Funk band, Palo!

· The Heineken DWNTWN Miami Concert Series presented by Car2Go is FREE to the public.
· A pre-performance Happy Hour, sponsored by the Olympia Theater will feature ½ price cocktails in the theater lobby lounge from 6:00 – 7:00pm
· This is the final concert in the Heineken DWNTWN Miami Concert Series presented by Car2Go

Since their inception in 1999, the traditional Cuban Son ensemble Conjunto Progreso, has taken audiences back in time to the nostalgic era of early Cuban popular music. Led by Johnny Aguiló, son of Cuban trumpet legend and band leader Rolando “El Ruso” Aguiló, Conjunto Progreso has grown from a quartet, to its recent incarnation of eight members. In 2004, Conjunto Progreso released its long awaited debut album titled Masters of Cuban Son, featuring an array of songs by legendary Cuban composers Nico Saquito, Miguel Matamoros, and Compay Segundo. The album was honored by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences with a 2006 Grammy Award Nomination under the category of Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album. www.facebook.com/conjuntoprogreso

PALO! is a favorite among South Florida’s live music devotees and in 2012 was named Miami New Times’ BEST BAND in the Readers’ Choice Awards. The group plays a style of extremely danceable music they call “Afro-Cuban Funk”. Their appeal lies in their unmatched musical energy, catchy original songs, and amazing display of impromptu virtuosity. A mix of Latin and Urban sounds gives PALO! their unique, infectious style. Formed in 2003, when Steve Roitstein invited fellow musicians Leslie Cartaya (vocals), Philbert Armenteros (vocals, percussion), Ed Calle (sax) and Raymer Olalde (vocals, percussion) to join him in an improvised musical experiment, PALO! combines Cuban music with funk beats. PALO has performed for packed houses at New York’s legendary SOB’s, Ryles Jazz Club and Villa Victoria Center for the Arts in Boston, and the Chicago Folk and Roots Festival. The band often appears at venues throughout South Florida. Their first CD, “This Is Afro-Cuban Funk” is available on gopalo.com as well as in music stores, on iTunes and other digital stores. www.GoPalo.com