Country musician and three time Grammy winner Kris Kristofferson will be joining Latin artists in various markets to raise money or the United Farm Workers in honor of its 50th anniversary.
The Kris Kristofferson & Friends Concert Series began June 15 in San Diego and then traveled to Fresno June 16, Stockton June 18, Bakersfield June 19 and will end with a show in Oxnard on June 21 and San Jose on June 22.
The Latin artists joining Kristofferson are Ozomatli, Los Lobos, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Little Joe, Mariachi Divas, Nydia Rojas with Trios Ellas and Los Tex-Maniacs featuring Mingo Saldivar.
The concert on June 21 featuring Kristofferson, Little Joe and Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano will be performed at the Oxnard Performing Arts and Convention Center at 7:30 p.m. The June 22 concert featuring Kristofferson and Los Tex-Maniacs featuring Mingo Saldivar will be performed at the San Jose Civic Center at 8 p.m. Tickets to the concerts can be bought at purchased at each venue's box office.
Kristofferson, 73, is known for his songs "Me and Bobby McGee," "Help Me Make It Through the Night" and "Sunday Morning Coming Down;" his acting in feature films such as "Billy the Kid" and for his political and social activism.
"It’s an honor for me to share my talent with an organization such as the UFW and its cause of advancing the lives of thousands of workers that put food on all of our tables," Kristofferson said in a statement. "Joining forces with renowned Latino performers through these special performances offer fans great music with a great cause!"
According to Teresa Romero, assistant to the president of United Farm Workers, the union is trying to raise money in order to organize more campaigns to enable farm workers to form contracts with employers so they get benefits, receive raises and provided with shade and water while they work.
"It costs $50,000 for each campaign," Romero said. "We need to raise money so we can expand our campaigns; we are currently working with the tomato, melon, strawberry, and vegetable workers."
The concerts have been a success, according to Romero. "People have been having tremendous fun and it is benefiting the farm workers who put fruits and vegetables on our table every day," she said.
