Latin Sounds Rock the Pier Thursday Night

By Lookout Staff

July 7 -- A Latin Beat will sweep the pier Thursday night when Little Joe y la Familia take the stage for the second free Twilight Dance Series concert of the summer.

For three decades, Little Joe has been one of the most recognized figures in the orquesta tejana tradition, which was popular among upwardly-mobile tejanos who wanted to showcase their biculturalism.

Invented by Beto Villa, who fused the orquesta music with a "ranchero," or country, element, the style was expanded by Little Joe y la Familia into a true hybrid.

"Like no other orquesta tejana, Little Joe y la Familia synthesized ranchero and jaitón to create an amalgamation that ranged from conjunto polkas to country-western, blues and jazz," according to palmpictures.com.

"In the 1970s, Little Joe was the indisputable leader in what became known as La Onda Chicana ("The Chicano Wave"). His polka- ranchera 'Las Nubes' ('The Clouds'), with its intricate synthesis of jazz and ranchero, became a virtual anthem for Chicanos (Mexican Americans) everywhere in the Southwest."

Opening the show is a legendary band in the history of chicano rock. Best known for the smash hit "Land of a Thousand Dances", Cannibal and the Headhunters celebrates their 40th anniversary this year.

The free concerts -- which start at 7:30 p.m. -- are held for ten consecutive Thursday nights on the historic pier.

For information visit www.santamonicapier.org or www.twilightdance.org or (310) 458-8900.