PIX11 to Broadcast 116th Street Festival Live with Tribute to Willie Colón
PIX11 partners with 21 Events to present a live celebration of Latin music at the 116th Street Festival in East Harlem, featuring a tribute to salsa legend Willie Colón and performances by Tito Puente Jr., Safire, and others.
PIX11, in association with 21 Events, will broadcast the 116th Street Festival live from East Harlem on June 13, 2026, from 1-5 p.m. The event, held at the iconic 116th Street location, will feature a lineup of legendary and emerging Latin music artists, highlighting the cultural heritage of the Latino community.
One of the festival's key attractions is a tribute to salsa icon Willie Colón, featuring performances by Luis Damon and Papote Jiménez. The tribute will culminate with Grammy Award-winning artist Roberto Blades performing the classic anthem "La Murga." This homage underscores Colón's enduring influence on Latin music.
The PIX11 Stage will also host Tito Puente Jr., who continues his father's legacy by introducing new generations to Latin rhythms. Additionally, freestyle and Latin music icon Safire will perform in Spanish Harlem for the first time, returning to the neighborhood where her career began. Safire is preparing to release a Spanish-language album in August 2026.
"As one of New York City's most celebrated cultural events, the 116th Street Festival continues to serve as a gathering place where music, heritage, and community come together in the heart of El Barrio," said Michael Schwartz, Director of Sales for PIX11. "We at PIX11 are proud to broadcast this excitement to fans throughout the Tri-State area."
The festival will feature internationally acclaimed violinist Alfredo De La Fe, celebrating his 60th anniversary in music. Known as the first solo violinist to perform with a salsa orchestra, De La Fe has worked with Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Willie Colón, and others. Other performers include Colombian singer-songwriter Yuri Toro, veteran salsa vocalist Frankie Morales, Panama's Willie Panamá, New York-based Fuego Taibori, and emerging Bronx duo CRILL & CLOS.
"For the 21 Events Team, we are honored to bring together so many talented artists to present their music to the live audience and broadcast the 41st Annual 116th Street Festival live on PIX11," said Ralph Paniagua, Managing Director of 21 Events. The PIX11 Stage is produced by Paniagua with musical production by Luis Miguel Cruz.
The event reflects the diversity and innovation of Latin music, bridging generations and genres. PIX11's live broadcast extends the festival's reach beyond East Harlem, allowing viewers across the Tri-State area to experience the celebration. The partnership between PIX11 and 21 Events underscores the importance of cultural events in fostering community and preserving musical heritage.