With the support of financial institution Ally, and big food and beverage brands Goya Foods, Corona and Pepsi, the return of the iHeartMedia-produced iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina is now confirmed. The venue? One of the friendliest in terms of COVID-19 era staging — Central Florida, where the Delta variant is raging.
Even as positive cases of the virulent variant of the virus rise dramatically across the Sunshine State, Orlando is largely open for business. Mask restrictions are gone at Walt Disney World; Disney Cruise Line ocean voyages are at sea. And, live events are back at the Amway Center, where the 2021 Fiesta Latina event is scheduled for Saturday, October 16.
The annual event will have a viewing option for those who can’t make it to the Amway Center or don’t wish to put their health at risk: Streaming will be available via preferred iHeartMedia partner Live X Live.
Who’s on the bill? Only the biggest names in Latin Contemporary music, with Wisin & Yandel headlining alongside Prince Royce, Natti Natasha, Zion & Lennox, and other acts. Plus, there’s a “special performance” from J Balvin. Luis Fonsi will perform and receive a Corazón Latino honor. Fonsi has been supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for nearly 16 years and was heavily involved in recovery efforts after Hurricanes Irma and Maria impacted much of Puerto Rico and Mexico, which inspired him to create his 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, the Luis Fonsi Foundation.
Hosting the event: iHeartLatino President and Chief Creative Officer Enrique Santos.
“Nothing matches the energy of live Latin music,” said Santos. “After a wonderful virtual event in 2020, we are excited to be back in person at the Amway Center with a truly impressive lineup. We are especially excited to present Luis Fonsi with the iHeartRadio Corazón Latino Award, for his dedication to uplifting the Latin community and sharing Latin culture around the world.”
Fiesta Latina is in its eighth year, and staging it in Orlando rather than Miami is perhaps a nod to iHeartMedia’s local management. Here, Latin Contemporary WRUM-FM “Rumba” is No. 5 overall in the latest Nielsen Audio ratings for Orlando — even as Cox Media Group’s WOEX-FM “Exitos 96.5” gains audience share with its 35+-appealing modern Tropical format.
WRUM, along with iHeartMedia’s other Spanish-language properties — even regional Mexican, Tejano and Spanish-language Oldies properties that share nothing in common with the Wisin & Yandel fan — will air the concert live.