Contact: Vanessa Silberman

Senior Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives

213.201.6106 vanessa@levitt.org

For Immediate Release

Flor De Toloache to Headline 2019 Levitt National Tour GRAMMY-winning mariachi sensation will perform an electrifying fusion

of jazz, salsa and pop-infused mariachi

Mark your calendars—a GRAMMY-winning mariachi experience will soon be coming to Levitt stages across America! This summer, the all-female, critically acclaimed Flor De Toloache will headline the 2019 Levitt National Tour. Levitt audiences will enjoy the band’s energetic, mesmerizing shows that blend traditional mariachi with jazz, salsa and pop music.

Taking place between June and August, the 2019 Levitt National Tour will stop in seven cities including Arlington, Texas; Bethlehem, Pa.; Dayton, Ohio; Denver; Los Angeles, Memphis; and Sioux Falls, S.D. This year’s Tour follows on the heels of the 2018 Levitt National Tour, which featured Southern rocker Paul Thorn and gospel legends Blind Boys of Alabama, and previous Levitt National Tours featuring Gulf Coast soul sensation The Suffers (2017), genre-busting violin outfit Black Violin (2015) and the world-music fusion of Playing For Change (2014).

“We’re thrilled to present the exuberant mariachi of Flor De Toloache,” says Sharon Yazowski, executive director of the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation. “The Levitt network was unanimous in their artist selection for the 2019 Tour, as Flor De Toloache reflects the rich cultural tapestry of our country through their genre-crossing music. It’s going to be an unforgettable experience for all!”

Veterans of the Levitt stage, Flor De Toloache has performed at permanent Levitt venues in Denver, Los Angeles and Memphis, as well as Levitt AMP sites in Middlesboro, Ky.; Ocala, Fla.; Santa Fe, NM; Sheboygan, Wis.; St. Johnsbury, Vt.; and Utica, NY. The group looks forward to returning to some of these Levitt stages as part of the Tour. “It’s exciting to be headlining the Levitt National Tour this year,” says Mireya Ramos, violinist and co-founder of Flor De Toloache. “We’ve played some of the venues before, but we never imagined it would lead to an invitation to do something this special for communities across the U.S.!”

Co-founder and vihuela player, Shae Fiol, who has been with the group for 11 years, agrees. “What’s cool about Levitt is bringing music and that experience to places that don’t necessarily have the access and creating that draw. I love bringing mariachi and Latin music and culture to places that are open to learning. It’s everything.”

Audiences can expect a series of pop music hits to be performed with Flor’s signature Latin fusion twist that draws inspiration from Erykah Badu to Led Zeppelin and everything in between. Popular tracks like “Juan Ga: Se Me Olvidó Otra Vez” and the fan-favorite “Amor De Mi Amores” will be performed alongside songs off their new album, due out this May. “It’s really a unique composition. Both Shae and I listen to R&B, salsa, reggae, she comes from rock and soul. Our approach to the music is always like ‘Oh, what if we do this?'” says Ramos. “We all have such mixed backgrounds…it’s really a reflection of our country.”

Levitt audiences eager to hear more from Flor De Toloache before the Levitt National Tour this summer are in luck: the first single “Besos de Mezcal” (featuring Camilo Lara, the artist behind the music of animated film “Coco”) is releasing in just two weeks on Valentine’s Day. There’s also a slew of collaborations coming up, including a guest appearance on No Te Va Gustar’s new album in March (alongside features from other Latin legends Julieta Venegas, Jorge Drexler and Draco Rosa), and perhaps most notably with platinum-selling R&B artist Miguel, who was put in touch with the band after family heritage was discovered between him and Ramos. “Our grandmothers used to sing together back in Mexico,” says Ramos, fangirling over the prospect of working with the artist. “You’ll hopefully be the first to hear it live!”

About Flor De Toloache The New York-based ensemble and beloved media-darling, Flor de Toloache continues to win the hearts of both contemporary and traditional mariachi music fans alike through their distinct artistic vision and sophisticated, fresh interpretation of mariachi classics. Led by co-band directors Mireya I. Ramos on violin and Shae Fiol on vihuela, Flor de Toloache’s passionate performances have connected concertgoers to one another and the tradition of mariachi. The group’s diverse ethnic and musical backgrounds transcend cultures and break

barriers by forging new paths. Much like the Toloache flower—widely known for its use in Mexican 'love potions'—the ladies of Flor de Toloache cast a spell over audiences with their soaring vocals and magnetic stage presence. Following the debut of their GRAMMY-nominated self-titled 2015 album, Flor de Toloache’s follow-up 2017 release “Las Caras Lindas” was awarded the 2017 Latin GRAMMY for “Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album.” The group has since captivated audiences across the nation from such legendary stages as the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, The Vic in Chicago, Terminal 5 in New York City, 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., and First Avenue in Minneapolis—as well as permanent Levitt venue stages in Denver, Los Angeles and Memphis, and Levitt AMP stages in Middlesboro, Ky.; Ocala, Fla.; Santa Fe, NM; Sheboygan, Wis.; St. Johnsbury, Vt.; and Utica, NY. Flor de Toloache has delighted international audiences from Chenai, India to Paris, France and has toured extensively throughout the U.S. as a supporting act for Dan Auerbach of “The Black Keys”’ new project “The Arcs," as well as Café Tacvba, La Santa Cecilia, Ozomatli and Ana Tijoux.

About the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation is a private foundation that exists to strengthen the social fabric of America. Through its support of creative placemaking, the Levitt Foundation empowers communities to transform underused public spaces into welcoming destinations where the power of free, live music brings people together and invigorates community life.

The Foundation's primary funding areas include permanent Levitt venues and the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards, an annual grants competition. During the past decade, the Foundation has awarded more than $20 million in grants to support access to free, high caliber live music experiences while bringing new life to underused public spaces.

In 2019, the Levitt Foundation is supporting free concerts in 26 towns and cities through permanent Levitt venues, Levitt AMP concert sites and the Levitt National Tour collectively serving 750,000 people through nearly 550+ free, family-friendly concerts. As an example of the high caliber talent presented across the Levitt network, the 2019 GRAMMY nominees included 17 artists who have performed on Levitt stages in recent years.

Permanent Levitt venues are located in cities as diverse as Los Angeles; Denver, Westport, Conn.; Dayton, Ohio; Bethlehem, Pa.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Arlington, Texas. Each permanent Levitt venue is programmed, managed and supported by its own 501(c)(3) Friends of Levitt nonprofit organization, with Levitt Los Angeles run by the Foundation. Each presents 50+ free concerts every year featuring acclaimed, emerging talent to seasoned, award-winning performers in all music genres. Due to accelerating interest from cities and engaged citizens, the permanent Levitt venue program is growing. Developing Levitt locations across the country include Sioux Falls (opening this summer), amongst other cities. Learn more: http://www.levitt.org.