Hispanic Heritage Month Gala 2024

Sunday, September 29, 2024
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sanders Beach – Corinne Jones Resource Center
913 S I St, Pensacola, FL 32502

Join us for a unique celebration of cultural presentations,
elegant dinner, drinks and dancing

TICKETS ON SALE SOON

Presented by
Latino Media Gulf Coast, Inc. | La Costa Latina Newspaper
assisted by Krewe de Karnaval

Event Organizer
Grace Resendez McCaffery
President
Latino Media Gulf Coast, Inc.
La Costa Newspaper
Hispanic Resource Center of
Northwest Florida
Grace Resendez McCaffery

Special Guest
Tito Puente, Jr

Musician

Tito Puente, Jr. holding drumsticks
Emcee
Michael Aldahondo

Singer/Songwriter and Pensacola Children’s Chorus Director of Community Programs

Michael Aldajondo
Chef
Manuel Rodriguez

Corporate Director of Food & Beverage for Innisfree Hotels

Chef Manuel Rodriquez

Performances By:
Amid Montelongo Golpe Latino Grupo Folklorico Mitotiani
Amid Montelongo Golpe Latino Grupo Folklorico Mitotiani

MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS TO OUR SPONSORS:
University of West Florida | Ramirez Hormaza Law Group | Seanger Theatre Pensacola


Dinner Menu: TBA

Photos from 2023 Gala

TITO PUENTE, JR.: Tito Puente Jr. continues to entertain audiences and celebrate the life and music of his father, legendary percussionist, Tito Puente. While Puente continues to performs at venues around the world, television shows and recording studios he will speak at our Hispanic Heritage Gala about his experience growing up surrounded by Latino Legends such as his father, Celia Cruz and others.

MICHAEL ALDAHONDO: Is a singer and songwriter and director of community programs at the Pensacola Children’s Chorus. Aldahondo is a lifelong entertainer in Pensacola known for his Latin music performances in his youth and vocalist and keyboardist for Nobius. With a repertoire blend of Soul, Funk, Jazz, Pop, and R&B, Nobius has been voted “Best Wedding Band” in Pensacola multiple times.

MANUEL RODRIGUEZ: Manuel Rodriguez is an award-winning chef who has cooked for presidents, royalty, and celebrities. He brings two decades of culinary talent and experience to his role as Corporate Director of Food & Beverage for Innisfree Hotels. 

Originally hailing from Washington, D.C., Rodriguez moved to Florida in 2020 to direct food and beverage operations at Innisfree’s SpringHill Suites in Panama City Beach, one of the country’s most popular oceanside destinations. The classically trained chef quickly showed that his organizational skills, managerial talents, and passion for culinary excellence were worthy of a much bigger assignment. In 2021, Innisfree promoted Rodriguez to his current role, overseeing all dining and drinking experiences at the company’s Gulf Coast properties in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina.

Rodriguez, who is bilingual in English and Spanish, has a deep knowledge of South American, Caribbean, Italian, Greek, Spanish, and American cuisines, allowing him to incorporate local ingredients and flavors into exciting and delicious dining concepts at more than two dozen Innisfree properties.  

Before joining the Innisfree family, Rodriguez was a sought-after executive chef and private caterer in the nation’s capital. His work has earned a slew of impressive awards and accolades, including Regional Chef of the Year, the Embassy Chef Challenge People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice Awards, and Top Latin American Restaurants in D.C. In his free time, Rodriguez enjoys golfing, fishing, giving back to his community, and being with his family.