Four-time Grammy Award nominee Plena Libre brings the music and culture of Puerto Rico to downtown Las Vegas. The ensemble of 12 virtuoso musicians performs at the Historic Fifth Street School on Friday, June 17 at 8pm. The show includes a swinging rhythm section, horns, vocals, dance and even a bit of education about traditional Puerto Rican culture. Plena Libre has produced 13 albums and performed in 15 countries.

The music style, called plena, is a combination of African, Spanish and Caribbean sounds. Plena Libre Founder Gary Nuñez says the musical style was born in the barrios of Puerto Rico in the early 20^th century and evolved into a popular form of social expression that recounted the lives of the island's inhabitants.

"Plena has been called 'the people's newspaper," says Nuñez, "because its songs recount the history of our land. It comments on and satirizes everyday life. You won't read its stories in history books."

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. The concert begins at 8pm in the Historic Fifth Street School's auditorium. For tickets and information, call (702) 229-3515 or visit www.artlasvegas.org. All ages are welcome.

For more information on the band, visit www.plenalibre.com. The program is funded in part by a grant from the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Photo: Plena Libre

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