The Azúcar Music Festival is a celebration of the music of Celia Cruz, “The Queen of Salsa,” and Tito Puente, "The Mambo King." For the past four years, the festival has been presented by Cruz's niece, Councilwoman Linda Pritchett, in the City of South Fulton at Wolf Creek Amphitheater. Although Cruz passed away in 2003, her legacy lives on through the artists who continue to perform her iconic songs, and the audiences that can't stop dancing along. Born in Havana, Cuba in 1925, she was extremely proud of her Afro-Latina heritage but chose to leave her homeland for political reasons, eventually landing in New York, where she proudly became a U.S. citizen. One of her most popular songs, La Vida Es Un Carnaval, sends a powerful message of resilience, optimism, and joy. Even when we are facing life’s most difficult challenges, we must move forward no matter what.
Date & Time 📅
Saturday, September 26th | 4PM - 10:30PM
Featured Artists 🎺
Tito Puente Jr., Jessy Diaz, João José, Luis Alas, Encanto Latino Dance Company
Location 🎶
Wolf Creek Amphitheater: 3025 Merk Rd SW, South Fulton, GA 30349
✈️ Flying in to the District soon? Take a complimentary airport shuttle straight from Hartsfield-Jackson to many of our amazing hotels. Less traffic. Less stress. 30% more savings than staying in Downtown Atlanta.
The Legacy of Celia Cruz
Cruz has her own Barbie, U.S. quarter, a stamp, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, she won six Grammys, and she sang for five U.S. presidents. She is an icon in the Latino community, and yet, many Americans aren't familiar with her music. This free festival is the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself and your whole family to this incredible artist, via a showcase of songs that will get stuck in your head, and in your heart. Plus, there will be plenty of room to dance, so practice your salsa moves before the festivities!
Below is an excerpt from an interview with Celia Cruz's niece, City of South Fulton Councilwoman Linda Pritchett:
What inspired you to create the Azúcar Music Festival for the City of South Fulton during Hispanic Heritage Month?
I feel like, as Latinos here in Georgia, we're few and far between, but when we find each other, we embrace each other. And my city, which is 94% predominantly African American, we're kind of sometimes forced to just blend in, and we do, you know, but our culture is so diverse, so rich, that as Celia Cruz's niece, there was no way that I could just pretend that I'm just another Black girl like everybody else.
We're making a point that we matter. Hispanic history is also Black history because everyone that's Puerto Rican, Dominican, Panamanian, even Mexican, Colombian, they all know that we all share the same roots.
It's just what people see visually is how they judge us. So this has been an interesting experience, but I think it's an important statement that we're here. We're a part of this American history, the history of this city. And we're not going anywhere.
Of all of Celia Cruz's songs, which one is your favorite?
Bemba Colorá. She went through this tirade at the end where she would always start breaking it down to her name and she would say, "el día que me muera" (the day that I die). So it's almost like it was really important for her to be remembered after she passed. And as a child, you always hear this. But now it means something.
Why is it important to you to maintain her legacy?
Because she was bigger than I realized. She meant a lot to a lot of people globally, and I think because she carried her traditions, her culture, and the music that came out of Cuba, she spread it all over the world. So it's almost like a gospel. She spread the Cuban culture, and she was relentless with it, meaning that she took it so seriously, it was like a job. So, she didn't do it for publicity, she did it because she kind of felt like she was called to do it, she made commitments, so she felt like it was an obligation. She wanted to die on stage. She brought so much joy to so many people that that's how she saw herself.
Why is the festival called "Azúcar?"
"Azúcar!" was what she would say in her songs. And the concert actually really wasn't my idea at first. Nakia Roberson owns a restaurant in Atlanta (BOSK), and she just found out that Celia Cruz was my aunt. And she was like, "You have to have a concert. You have to put something together." We put it together with her partner, Barbara Rexach (The Kind Team), and started working on it. So we did it based on what Celia would say. But this year, the epiphany finally came that the Americans don't know what we're talking about. They don't know what azúcar means, but they know what salsa means, what salsa is. So this year, we hosted a free salsa dance class, which people loved. So now we're trying to merge, so that even more people will come. The concert is amazing, our venue is premier, the artists are legendary, so people have been missing out because they didn't know this was a salsa concert.
The event is free to the public. Why is that important?
Well, it's something we want to give to the public. In our city, we do a lot of free events and it's our way to show appreciation to the public and provide them positive things to do. As a city that's still growing and developing, there are a lot of sit-down restaurants people want. People would love to have theatre, movies, all kind of stuff that we don't have yet. But what we do have, we make it free and accessible to everyone. And Wolf Creek Amphitheater, which holds 5,000 people, has been the perfect venue for this.
What can guests expect to enjoy at the festival?
In addition to the music, which is a fun atmosphere - people actually dance! We create a dance floor, so people just get up and they dance and have a great time. There's going to be food vendors that will have medianoche, sandwich cubano, croqueta, empanadas. So we're going to have a lot of vendors with great food, and then also crafts and souvenirs.
She sang in Spanish, and you have said that you don't have to speak the language in order to connect with the songs. Why do you think that is?
Because the music was so vibrant, it's like dance music, and a lot of the phrases are simple enough to be able to repeat. It's just easy to get into. A lot of people now, I hear, are embracing wanting to be bilingual and trilingual, so this enhances it.
You don't have to understand the lyrics, but you can feel the rhythm. And that's like another kind of language, right?
When I was growing up, I remember she would pack out Madison Square Garden. We were there on a regular night, and she would get standing ovations, and I would see people get out of their seat, go into the aisle, and actually dance. And when we just had the salsa class, one of the musicians said that, as many places as they play salsa, that our city is one where people always get up and dance. Other places, they just watch them. I don't know what it is, but when you're playing Celia Cruz music, it just makes you feel like you want to dance.
Now that you know more about this legendary Afro-Latina, come celebrate her legacy, honor the tradition of salsa, and make new memories with your loved ones at the Azúcar Music Festival this September 26th at Wolf Creek Amphitheater!
Where to Stay
Check-in to a nearby District hotel so you don't have to worry about driving home after dancing the night away.
South Fulton
Fairfield Inn & Suites Atlanta Fairburn An easy, comfortable stay at a hotel with sustainable practices. In the morning, hit up their free buffet, continental breakfast, work out in their fitness center, or take a lap in the indoor pool before you take on the day.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Fairburn Atlanta Rise and shine after a restful night, and take advantage of their complimentary hot breakfast. Other amenities include a combined fitness and laundry facility, outdoor saline pool, connecting rooms for the kids, free WiFi, streaming entertainment, and more.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Atlanta/Fairburn A well-appointed, specialty extended-stay hotel with rooms featuring separate living and sleeping areas and a fully equipped kitchen. This home away from home also features an inviting pool, grills, fire pits, and spacious patio for relaxing after a day of work or play.
Fairburn & Hapeville
Hampton Inn Atlanta-Fairburn A clean and comfortable stay with plenty of amenities: breakfast, an outdoor pool, fitness center, in-suite refrigerators, microwaves, and coffeemakers, and a small pantry in the lobby, stocked with snacks, cold beverages, and meals that can be enjoyed in your room or on the go.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Airport North For a budget-friendly option that doesn't skimp on style or comfort, take advantage of the amenities here: complimentary breakfast (complete with omelet and waffle station), airport shuttle service, WiFi, an indoor pool, and more.
Hilton Atlanta Airport Take advantage of the luxury accommodations here, such as streaming services, dining at on-site restaurant RedEye Southern Kitchen, staying in a full suite complete with a kitchen and workstation, or even booking a King Bed Fitness Room with a Peloton bike and other workout equipment. It's like having your own private gym - roll out of bed and be ready to ride.
Kimpton Overland Hotel Atlanta Airport A full-service modern boutique hotel with a the best rooftop bar in the city, The Rooftop at Overland , perfect for plane spotting with a craft cocktail. Bring your pets along for this upscale stay, take advantage of their free public bikes for getting around town, relax by the outdoor firepits, and wind down with luxurious Atelier Bloem bath products.
Where to Dine
Nobody should have to dance on an empty stomach. Hit up these Latino hot-spots before getting your groove on.
Blu Cantina You'll find "Southern soul meets Mexican spice" with the drinks to back it up at Blu Cantina in South Fulton. Their margaritas come in Regular and "Big A$$" sizes, or you can split a pitcher with the whole table. Start with an order of their housemade chips and salsa or lemon pepper wings while you vibe outside on the patio or kick up the energy nightly with the DJ.
Don Nachos Enjoy authentic Mexican flavors at Don Nachos. Their extensive menu includes mole enchiladas, aguachile, birria tacos, and even some breakfast items. Besides the amazing food, the vibrant atmosphere, music, and accommodating staff are all cited as reasons customers keep coming back to this hidden gem.
Gabby's Paletería y Taquería Come to Gabby's Paletería y Taquería for the delicious tacos picantes and stay for a refreshing paleta de fruta. More Mexican flavors await you in this Hapeville shop, and to unwind after a long day, treat yourself to a Chamoyada Raspado made with shaved ice, chamoy, Valentina, tajín and fresh mango purée.
La Fiesta With two District locations in Fairburn and Union City, La Fiesta has plenty of authentic Mexican dishes to try. Their salsa is made fresh in-house daily and their open patio is the perfect place to enjoy a hand-crafted margarita fresca. The enchiladas verdes, chori-nachos with chorizo and jalapeño peppers, and tacos carne asada taste just like your abuela cooked it.
Los Mariachis Mexican Restaurant This family-owned restaurant is run by brothers Mario and José Garcia, who were inspired to bring genuine Mexican dining to their customers. At Los Mariachis, you can sip on a viral soft-serve smooth margarita in-between bites of their traditional tacos, which are made from scratch (and made with love). Diners agree that the flavors and the plating of the food are a step above your typical restaurant experience.
Sombreros Mexican Cantina Looking for a casual spot with a familiar feel? This seat-yourself restaurant welcomes you with complimentary baskets of chips and salsa, and they keep ‘em coming. Whether you want to sip cervezas on their dog-friendly front patio during happy hour or enjoy live music with your tacos and tamales, Sombreros is the perfect neighborhood cantina.
Tía Rosie's Kitchen Don't want to wait for lunchtime for your first bite of Latin flavor? Tía Rosie's Kitchen has you covered with some delicious breakfast tacos and burritos! Plus, you can come back for the lunch and dinner menu to try more authentic Mexican street-style food like elote, chicharrones, and tacos al pastor. Customers love the family-feel, the reasonable prices, and the generous portions.
Weepa Puerto Rico Stop in for Caribbean vibes and cuisine as close to Celia Cruz's Cuban roots as you can get in the District! This authentic Puerto Rican restaurant is new to Hapeville and already winning over crowds with their hearty mofongo and crispy bacalaito.
With an incredible line-up of restaurants and hotels coupled with a line-up of iconic salsa music, you can't beat the experience of the Azúcar Music Festival! Share your favorite memories by tagging us in your Azúcar #ATLDistrict pics.
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