Latin rock acts heading to Charlotte

Grammy winning Mexican alternative rockers Molotov, who draw equally from hip-hop and punk rock, are heading back to Charlotte. The musically versatile group, who I think of as a sort of Spanish language Beastie Boys, is set to play The Fillmore September 21. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 8. (The above video is old, by the way, but I included it because its my favorite Molotov track).

Molotov isn't the only Latin artist heading our way. Mexican rock act Zoe plays The Neighborhood Theatre August 21. French-born world music artist Manu Chao (who sometimes sings in Spanish) plays The Fillmore September 7.

The Latin American Coalition also announced its lineup for The 21st Annual Latin American Festival Monday. The lineup includes Colombia's Aterciopelados, Grammy winners Xperimento (who blend Merengue, ska, Kuduru and jazz), New York-based Jose Conde (who combines the singer-songwriter genre with a funky Afro-Cuban ensemble), and New York's Gersey Nicolas (playing Bachata from the Dominican Republic), as well as Charlotte's own Los Tarascos de Michoacan and Fusion Latina.

From what I remember about Aterciopelados, their inclusion on the bill is quite a coup. La Rua, a local Latin rock band that broke up several years ago, use to play some of its songs in concert and the crowds would go wild. The reaction to the real thing will undoubtedly be even better.

The Latin American Festival takes place at South Park's Symphony Park Sunday, Oct. 9 from noon until 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 9 to 12, and free for younger children and Mint Museum members. For more information: www.festivallatinoamericano.org