Annual Rochester Lilac Festival

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 12:00pm

Highland Park
450 Highland Avenue
585-473-4482

Celebrating 127 years in 2025! Featuring stunning gardens in an Olmstead-designed park, with hundreds of varieties of lilacs and other flora. This 10-day event features live music all day, everyday from 10:30am-8:30pm with local and national musicians.

Schedule of Events:

12:00 pm: Rochester School of The Arts
01:00 pm: TCMS Jazz Bands and Select Choir
02:00 pm: Alexander Jazz Experience
04:00 pm: Bachata Rebelede

La Bachata Rebelde is a dynamic bachata and merengue band founded in 2022 by siblings Julio and Thalia Pabon, and Anthony Santiago Canchani as the musical director. An extension of the renowned salsa band Sonidos Unidos, Bachata Rebelde brings passion, rhythm, and energy to the stage, blending tradition with a modern edge.

5:05 pm: 5 Con Swing

5 Con Swing formed in 2018 by Percussionist and Band Director Freddy Colon. Started as a Jam Band that eventually turned into an organized 7 Member Band, 5 con Swings infectious sound is guaranteed to make you move, playing Classic and New Salsa Merengue and Bachata. 5 con Swing will quickly transport you to a Tropical Island.

6:10 pm: Orquesta Antonetti

Orquesta Antonetti led by Victor Antonetti, Jr. is a dynamic force in the world of Latin music that captivates audiences with a unique blend of tradition and innovation. They celebrate the vibrant rhythms and melodies of salsa, mambo, cha-cha, and more, featuring tracks that highlight their innovative approach to Latin orchestration. Founded in 1970's, Orquesta Antonetti is a collective of talented musicians passionate about elevating Latin music locally and internationally. Their unique sound, charismatic performances, and dedication to their craft have quickly made them a standout act in the genre.

7:15 pm: AFriKan2 Vibrant Beats: Rochester's Latin Music Experience

AFriKan2 is an electrifying Afro-Urban-Salsa band founded in 2015 in Rochester, NY, by Karen Monserate and Frankie Diaz, under the musical direction of Freddy Colón. Blending the vibrant tropical sounds of Puerto Rico with the urban pulse of New York, AFriKan2 delivers a high-energy fusion of salsa, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and modern urban influences.

Fronted by powerhouse vocalists Franco, Karen, and Andeal, the band has captivated audiences at major events, headlining the New York State Fair and the Puerto Rican Festival of Rochester, performing for thousands. Known for their dynamic stage presence and rich musicality, AFriKan2 has collaborated with dozens of international artists, solidifying their reputation as a must-see act in the Latin and world music scene.

From pulsating percussion to infectious melodies, AFriKan2 is more than a band-it's a cultural movement that keeps the rhythm alive wherever they perform.