Knoxville520.com

Click here to watch a video of last year's Fiesta de Las Americas.

Click here to watch a Fiesta Ritmo slideshow.

Imagine a Knoxville without the influence of the Latin American community. Knoxvillians would indeed have a hard time getting around town, that’s for sure. We might find ourselves missing many of the everyday luxuries we take for granted – clean buildings, education, fresh food, devout Catholicism, the Spanish language, the intensity of a night of sensual salsa and of course Soccer Taco. Without the support that many Latin Americans bring to the local economy, we would easily find ourselves lost in a world void of the hard work, diversity and warmth of today’s rapidly growing Hispanic population. Indeed, such a world is unimaginable.

The population tells us so.

Hispanic Population Estimates have only grown in the past five years and are projected to more than double in population by the year 2010. Approximately 167,000 Hispanics now reside in Tennessee, a 35 percent increase since 2000 and in East Tennessee alone, the Hispanic population has grown by more than 50 percent since 2000 in some counties. In the United States today, one out of every seven people is of Hispanic decent according to the 2000 Census. Thus, Hispanic-owned businesses are quickly emerging as an imperative and distinct sector of East Tennessee's economy.

Edwar Avila, co-owner of Knoxville’s Fiesta Ritmo Entertainment, knows these numbers by heart. After meeting business partner and fellow Columbian-born Fernando Parrado about six years ago, the duo decided to take a road trip and evaluate the impact of Hispanic businesses and entertainment on the region. They wanted to know what would bring people to Latin clubs and businesses. After years of taking surveys throughout the region, and researching Latin dance clubs, music groups, restaurants and organizations, Avila and Fernando were ready to revolutionize entertainment in Knoxville.

In 2001, FiestaRitmo was born. Five years later, the company now hosts three Latin dance parties at The Fairbanks and World Grotto, two radio shows, one on 93.5 and one on WUTK’s 90.3, the Knoxville Latino newspaper Mundo Hispano, not to mention a number of concerts and festivals. In fact, this Saturday, August 26, FiestaRitmo will be the first company to host a Latino festival of this kind in Market Square. The festival is appropriately named Fiesta de Las Americas.

The United States is not the only America, Avila said.
“America is a continent,” he said, explaining how FiestaRitmo wants to express how “we’re all Americans.”

Expect the smooth musical styles of Reggaeton, Salsa, Cumbia and many more tastes of Latin dance provided by the festival’s rich cultural lineup including regional bands and local DJ Milton, host of “Mundo Hispano in the Air” transmitted on Knoxville radio station 99.3 FM, “La Buena,” covering Knoxville, Maryville, Lenoir City and the surrounding areas. Also, the Mexican restaurant, Agave Azul Mexican Grill, which Avila considers “possibly the best Mexican food in the country,” will serve up spicy tamales, tacos and more treats in the square.

“For the Hispanic community, the fiesta is like a 'thank you' – a thank you for supporting us over the years. We want to tell the Hispanic community, ‘come have fun, you deserve to party.’”
La Fiesta will also appeal to the non-Hispanic crowd who is looking for something different to do on a Saturday night, or for people who enjoy Latin music, dance and food, Avila added.


FiestaRitmo Promoters

What’s in store for the future of FiestaRitmo?

“Shakira,” says Avila.

FiestaRitmo is looking to bring the sultry Columbian-born singer to either Knoxville for Nashville sometime in the next six or seven months, he said. As Knoxville grows, “it could boom like Atlanta,” he added, but is believes Knoxville needs time before its ready for a consistent lineup of more Spanish-based artists such as Juanes or Mani.
“Before it was a little tough because there was not much for the Latin community to do,” he said. “Now, the older can go out partying. There’s more restaurants, more events, more theatre. And Thanks to FiestaRitmo, there’s dancing every week at The Fairbanks and World Grotto and of course Market Square this Saturday.

With the booming Hispanic population in Knoxville, FiestaRitmo is preparing to serve the community in the best way possible. “We have many goals and dreams, Avila said. “I believe that diversity makes a great city and Knoxville is supportive of that diversity.”

Links:

Fiesta Ritmo Entertainment

The Fairbanks

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of East Tennessee

Mundo Hispano

UT's International House