Presented by Vermont Arts Exchange, in partnership with Better Bennington Corporation, Sponsored by the Bank of Bennington

• Free Dance lessons 4-5pm with Tango Fusion Dance Co.
• Homemade Latin Food by Latina Chef Carolina Ponce available for purchase
• Bring a Lawn Chair or blanket
• Rain venue @ Bennington Theater around the corner

Formed October 1980 in Amsterdam, NY, this twelve piece orchestra is led by the Bronx-born bassist Alex Torres.  They have been presented by hundreds of festivals, performing arts centers and events annually to perform their original blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms such as Salsa, Merengue, Cha-cha, Bomba, Plena and Latin Jazz.

The Orchestra has been the recipient of numerous awards including the New England Cultural Arts Preservation Award, the New York State Music Achievement Award, the Schenectady League of Arts Award, The Governor´s Excellence in Arts Award, The NAACP Albany Chapter Award and three awards from NY Capital District Original Music Awards in 2016.

Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra have performed for President Bill and Hillary Clinton at the New York State Democratic Convention and also for New York Governor’s George Pataki and Eliot Spitzer’s Inauguration. They have shared the stage and billings with such major acts as Tito Puente, Tito Puente Jr., Eddie Palmieri, Andy Montañez, Los Hermanos Moreno, Arturo Sandoval, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Ray Barretto, Jane Burnette & The Spirits Of Havana, Larry Harlow, Jose Alberto “El Canario,” Brenda K. Starr, Tito Nieves, Jerry Gónzalez & The Fort Apache Band, King Changó, Arrested Development, Branford Marsalis, The Count Basie and Woody Herman Orchestras.