PILSEN — Pilsen Fest will bring 18 bands, food and fun to the neighborhood this weekend.
The 5th annual fest, previously called Unisono, will take place from noon-10 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of 18th Street and Blue Island Avenue. Mexican band Hello Seahorse!, Guatemalan singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno and Jenny and the Mexicats, whose members are from Mexico, England and Spain, are slated to headline the fest.
The event is free, but attendees may be asked to give a donation upon entering the fest. Single VIP tickets to the music fest are available online for $62 and include access to the VIP tent to meet fest headliners, a cocktail reception and a pass to the Pilsen Fest after-party. The fest is for ages 21 and up.
The lineup also includes Brothers Star Race, Escuela de Rancho, Passport Louis, Firago, JC Munguia, Gypsy Influence, Esso! Afromjam Funk Beat, Dos Santos Anti Beat Orquestar Population and Guapachosos. A series of live DJ sets will be presented by Red Bull.
New this year, Pilsen Fest organizers will launch the Pilsen Art Showcase, featuring the work of local artists including Alejandro Romero, Marcos Raya, René Arceo, Nicolás de Jesus, Alma Dominguez, Piloto and others.
The social theme of this year's fest is "Multiculturalism and Multilingualism: Celebrating a Cutural Renaissance." As part of the festival, workshops and panel discussions addressing the diversity of culture and language in Pilsen will take place at the Rudy Lozano Public Library, 1805 S. Loomis St.
Proceeds from Pilsen Fest benefit El BeiSMan, a non-profit bilingual online publication based in Pilsen.
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