Summertime, and the choices aren't easy, by Ed Morales Click Here to go back. Newsday (New York City), Summertime, and the choices aren't easy, by Ed Morales >> Every summer, the New York metropolitan area becomes a Latin music paradise. With an array of outdoor venues and warm temperatures bringing out the tropical exuberance in us, it's an opportunity too good to miss. One of the centerpieces of this summer's fun is the JP Morgan Chase Latino Cultural Festival 2004, which will be held from July 28 to Aug. 8 at Queens Theatre in the Park. With its interesting curatorial strategy - mixing well-known artists with avant-garde ones - the festival, now in its eighth year, has become one of our area's summer highlights. Many of this year's featured performers are women. Mexican rocker Julieta Venegas will be singing her extraordinarily introspective and creative songs Thursday. On Aug. 3, a triple bill will feature Peruvian folk-jazz singer Eva Ayllón, Colombian-born, New York based singer Lucia Pulido, and Mexican-American singer Lila Downs, whose most recent album, "One Blood/Una Sangre" may be her best yet. But although the closing night (Aug. 8) performer will be the legendary salsa innovator Johnny Pacheco, the festival also features a strong lineup of emerging acts. On Friday night, New York Dominicans Super Uba plays music familiar to fans of Caribbean folkloric genres, followed by the Boston-based Sol y Canto Saturday afternoon. Percussionist Ralph Irizarry's new band, Son Café, featuring ex-Sonora Matancera vocalist Jorge Maldonando, will play music inspired by the Cuban son next Saturday night. In the second week of the festival you can practice the intricate steps of the tango with a master class preceding a performance by local band Fusion Tango next Sunday. But perhaps the festival's hidden treasure will be the Aug. 6 performance by Venezuelan folk singer Simón Díaz. His authentic style is reminiscent of both Colombian llanero music and the Mexican son jarrocho (remember Los Lobos playing "La Bamba" in the movie of the same name)? What's more, his song "Caballo Viejo" is the model for the Gipsy Kings' smash "Bamboleo." Ticket prices vary for the shows at the festival, which also features dance, film and poetry performances. For details, call 718-760-0064. 07/25/04 >> go there Click Here to go back.