(Prensa Latina - Cumbancha ) Santa Isabel de las Lajas, Cienfuegos.- All Las Lajas seems to be working on preparations for the 14th International Benny Moré Music Festival, to take place here September 11 through 14. Every two years, the people from Lajas, Cienfuegos and Cubans in general get ready to celebrate with a big party, the birth anniversary (this year 84th) of the late musician, rumba star and great improviser. More than 30 bands and singers will play in concert during the four days of the festival, and the scheduled performances include Los Van Van, Isaac Delgado, Equis Alfonso, Pupi y los que Son Son, Elíades Ochoa, Augusto Enriquez and his Mambo Band and the Varela Miranda Family.

The performance of Omara Portuondo and her group, Elito Revé, Héctor Téllez, Arte Mixto, the Charanga Cienfueguera, Selección Latina, Los Moddys, Nueva Clave, Estilo Propio, Ecos and the Festival Orchestra is expected. The list of foreign acts announced include the Swedish Calixto Oviedo Band, and Calle Real, Puerto Ricans Manolo Rivera, Truco y Zaperoco and the Coabey Dancers, Aja from Barbados, the Japanese band Cachimba, and Claudia Acuña and La Timba Loca (US). The Festival will open on the morning of September 11, with the traditional pilgrimage to Benny's tomb.