Cuban Cougar on the Prowl

Miami is immensely proud of its Cuban A-listers. Andy Garcia, Gloria Estefan, Desi Arnaz, Pitbull, and even Steven Bauer (holla at ¿Qué Pasa, U.S.A.?) still hold a special place in the 305’s heart. So it’s a little odd that we don’t automatically consider Hollywood Latina icon, accomplished musician, and Miss Universe finalist Maria Conchita Alonso one of our adopted daughters. She’s had about the best career a native-born Cuban could imagine in Tinseltown — starring alongside heavyweights such as Sean Penn (Colors), Danny Glover (Predator 2), and Arnold Schwarzenegger (Running Man), just to name a few. She’s also a multiple-Grammy-nominated and gold- and platinum-selling recording artist. But Alonso doesn’t get some of the love reserved for other Cubans. Maybe it’s because her family traveled south to Venezuela instead of north when it left Cuba.
Even so, Alonso’s Miami following is primed to get a major boost when she saunters onto the stage at the Colony Theatre Sunday at 8 p.m., launching a nationwide tour. She’s returning to the music scene with a new album, which will be a remix of some of her older hits as well as new influences, including (gasp!) reggaeton. Tickets start at $40.

Sun., May 29, 8 p.m., 2011