On March 1 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC), Frank Leto will present “Carnaval 2025: Veinte Años,” his 20th almost-annual celebration of Carnaval at the NHCC. This year’s performance, which, as usual, features Frank’s vibrant original music and the Odara Dance Ensemble’s energized choreography and lavish costumes, is dedicated to his late wife, the inimitable dancer and life force Pilar Leto, who unexpectedly passed away February 11, 2024.

The Letos presented their first Carnaval in Albuquerque back in the ’90s at Seagull Street, with a five- or six-piece band and three or four dancers. “It was awkward,” says Frank over coffee and tea at Flying Star in Corrales. “There were no dressing rooms for the ladies, and they would dance on carpeting.”

Twenty-one years ago, things changed when the NHCC invited the Letos to present their production on the main stage, after they’d been performing it in restaurants and nightclubs for several years. “It really upped our game in a lot of ways, not just musically but visually,” Frank says. “ We were able to use a lot of the elements that make theater so great—lighting, and having projection art while we’re performing, having the stage and dressing rooms.” In every year but one since then, Frank’s band PANdemonium and Pilar’s Odara Dance Ensemble have combined to wow NHCC audiences with original music and dance keyed to a new theme each year, paying homage to the Carnaval traditions found in Brazil, Trinidad, Cuba, and New Orleans. “I am so thankful. I never would have written these songs unless I had this blank canvas to fill every year. So I’m very grateful to the NHCC for elevating me, not just as a musician, but as a songwriter, as a producer, as a director. These are all skills now that I have that I didn’t have before I started working there.”

For Frank, it’s been something of a blessing and a curse coming up with a new production each year. It’s a difficult task, but he says, “I feel totally blessed to have these experiences and even touch the community here. I mean, there’s so many people and kids and young dancers that Pilar taught and musicians.” The gratitude of that community was on ample and emotional display at Pilar’s Celebration of Life last year, with several hundred people overflowing the Education Building at the NHCC to pay their respects.

“I am dedicating this year’s ‘Carnaval 2025: Veinte Años’ performance to Pilar,” Frank wrote in an email. “Without her wisdom, talent, vision, and guidance, the past 20 years would not have been possible! She uplifted anyone who was lucky enough to be in her presence. She danced her way through life, spreading LOVE along the way. I’m certain she would want the celebration to continue.”

This year’s production will offer audience participation opportunities, including a dance floor down at the front of the auditorium. “We’re looking for more of a party atmosphere with this one,” Frank says, and he’s chosen highly danceable party songs to get people moving. Seating will be general admission to encourage audience members to move around.

Frank has assembled a superlative group of musicians for the project: Frank (vocals, steel pan, percussion), Kanoa Kaluhiwa (sax), Chris Buckholz (trombone), Daniel Ward (guitar), Steve Figueroa (keyboards), Howard Cloud (bass), John Bartlit (drums), Ricky Carrido and possibly Tomás White (percussion).

They’ll be sharing the stage with Odara Dance Ensemble, which in 2025 features Evelyn Linzy, Victoria Gutierrez, Sabrina Carabajal, Natalia Casiano, Amina Dunn, Naomi Montoya, Sarah Quesnell, Deidre Gordon, Suzanne Scatliffe, and Kimara Reynolds. With Pilar’s passing, Linzy has stepped in to fill the role of organizer and, along with input from all the dancers, choreographer.

“Veinte Años” promises to be a fun- and emotion-filled evening for one and all. Don’t forget your dancing shoes.

Carnaval 2025: Veinte Años
Saturday, March 1, 7:30 p.m.
National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 4th Street SW, Albuquerque
Tickets: $28
with a $2 discount for seniors,
children 10 years old and younger,
and NHCC members
For tickets or more information, go here.

Check out the limited-edition T-shirts and 
fridge magnets at the Musically Speaking store.
Your support is much appreciated.

© 2025 Mel Minter