Tito Puente Jr. at Brookhaven International Festival

CRITIC’S PICK: On separate succeeding weekend afternoons, reggae stars The Itals and Latin jazz maestro Tito Puente, Jr., respectively, headline this year’s International Festival organized by the City of Brookhaven.

The Itals, who take the stage on Sat., Oct. 19, have been laying down authentic reggae vibes since the 1970s. Joined by vocalists David Isaacs and daughter Kada Porter, founding member and vocalist Keith Porter leads the current iteration of the band. Classic reggae doesn’t get any better than The Itals.

Tito Puente, Jr. presides over the closing concert of the Brookhaven International Festival on Sun., Oct. 20. Leading a Latin jazz ensemble packed with as much talent and punch as anything assembled by his late father, Puente Jr. pays tribute to the original mambo music, which emerged in Havana during the 1930s and swept through American urban enclaves in the 1940s and ‘50s, while adding his own modern inflections to the mix. Puente’s concerts are known for their infectious drive, joyous melodies and seductively romantic atmosphere.
The festival also features an array of international performers ranging from the African women empowerment dance group Giwayen Mata, Colombian salsa musician Brayan Caceres, Matsuriza Japanese Taiko Drummers, Atlanta-based Norteño band Relevanzia and Lucha Libre wrestlers. – Doug DeLoach