From Bonnaroo to the Mother Road: Las Cafeteras to Headline Route 66 Summerfest
July 18, 2022 - The City of Albuquerque's Route 66 Summerfest is set to take over a mile-long stretch of Central Ave. from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 23 with multiple stages featuring local bands, food trucks, free activities for kids, and more. Headlining Route 66 Summerfest is national touring band Las Cafeteras who use music as a vehicle to build bridges among different cultures and communities.
Las Cafeteras have taken the music scene by storm with their infectious live performances crossing genres and musical borders. Their electric sound and energy has taken them around the world playing shows from Bonnaroo to the Hollywood Bowl, WOMAD New Zealand to Montreal Jazz, and beyond. Las Cafeteras sing in English, Spanish, and Spanglish and add a remix of sounds, from rock to hip-hop to rancheras.
Local entertainment includes:
Main Stage at Central Ave. & Girard Blvd.
6 p.m. - Picoso (Latin/Variety)
7 p.m. - Frank Leto & PANdemonium (Caribbean/Brazilian)
8:30 P.m. - Las Cafeteras (Afro-Mexican)
Wellesley Stage at Central Ave. & Wellesley Dr.
5 p.m. - Merican Slang (Funk)
6:20 p.m. - Bobcats (Swing/Jazz)
7:50 p.m. - The Art of Jazz with Tracey Whitney (Sophisticated Jazz/Classic Soul)
NM Jazz Festival Stage (with a focus on Black music in New Mexico) at Central Ave. & Carlisle Blvd.
5 p.m. - Diane Richardson & Soul Shadows
6 p.m. - The Rodney Bowe Experience
7 p.m. - Andrew Cooper & Smooth Soul featuring Cat Powdrell
8 p.m. - Toni Morgan & Soulful Sound
Route 66 East Stage at Central Ave. & Graceland Dr.
5 p.m. - Burque Jazz Bandits (Jazz)
6:20 p.m. - Reviva (Reggae)
7:50 p.m. - Big K & Blue Train (R&B Soul/Variety)
Nob Hill businesses will be open during Route 66 Summerfest. In addition to the brick and mortar shops and restaurants, there will be a number of food trucks offering a variety of snacks and more than two dozen local artisans selling a wide range of handmade products.
Free activities for kids include face painting, inflatable obstacle courses, and two 25-foot climbing walls presented by the City of Albuquerque Parks & Recreation Department.
Route 66 Summerfest is located on Central Ave. between Girard Blvd. and Washington St. Traffic and bus routes in the area will be effected as Central Ave. will be closed. Free Park & Ride will be available at the lot on the southwest corner of Lomas Blvd. and University Blvd. Free buses will run from the lot to Johnson Field throughout the event. Paid parking lots and street parking is available in the surrounding area. A free bike valet will be provided by Esperanza Bike Education Center.
Route 66 Summerfest is free to the public. Pets are welcome on leashes. This is a rain or shine event. Event sponsors include iHeart Radio and Lucky Boyz Limousine.