McDonald’s USA Launches Ritmo y Color with Manuel Turizo, Latino Music Stars and Pop-Up Art Installations to Elevate the Stories of Latinidad

Now through December, visual art and music fans can enjoy curated experiences, virtually and in person, to celebrate Latino culture.

(CHICAGO – Aug. 19, 2021) McDonald’s is serving up music and art alongside some of today’s hottest Latino musical and visual storytellers through Ritmo y Color McDonald's, a unique new experience that is elevating the voices and stories of Latinidad through pop-up art installations and music. To celebrate the culture and collective pride of the Hispanic community, select McDonald’s restaurants in Miami, Houston and Los Angeles— communities with deep Latin roots— will serve as canvases for local visual artists to transform restaurants into vibrant expressions of their Hispanic roots. Music fans everywhere will also be able to enjoy free virtual concerts featuring a star-studded lineup of artists.

“Celebrating mi gente and our cultura is at the forefront of everything I do. So, partnering with McDonald’s for Ritmo y Color is the perfect opportunity for us to come together to bring the heat of Latin art and music to fuel our Latino pride,” said Manuel Turizo, Colombian urban reggaeton singer. “As an artist, I am humbled to have a platform that allows me to share my story, and I’m proud to use my voice to share my unique expression of our culture.”  

THE ARTWORK

Ritmo y Color McDonald’s kicked off today in Miami’s iconic Little Havana neighborhood,  where Cuban visual artist Rigo Leon Herrera transformed a McDonald’s restaurant with artwork titled “Havana Dreams”- an articulation of his experience as a first generation Latino in the U.S. Additional thoughtfully-curated restaurant takeovers will continue through November, with the next taking place the week of Oct. 4 in Houston, featuring  Mexican-American visual artist, Gonzo247, followed by Venezuelan artist, Kelly Perez in Los Angeles the week of Nov. 15.  

THE MUSIC

And for music fans across the U.S., the virtual concerts will feature a medley of fan-favorite hits from Manuel Turizo, who will be first to hit center stage on Aug. 29, followed by two additional concerts with soon-to-be revealed artists. Bringing the program full circle, the concert stages will feature the art from the wrapped restaurants, giving fans a virtual space where they can hear, see and celebrate Latino culture. The full schedule can be found below.

“Music and art are such a huge part of Hispanic culture and McDonald’s and our Hispanic owner/operators are excited to highlight the community through visual and musical art that inspire our customers,” said Michelle Suarez, a Pennsylvania McDonald’s Owner/Operator and a McDonald’s Diversity Committee Lead. “We hope you’ll take part in the restaurant takeovers and virtual concerts to celebrate Latino culture!”

Ritmo y Color is part of McDonald’s longstanding commitment to feeding and fostering the Hispanic community through experiences that fuel Latino pride.   

“By partnering with Hispanic visual artists and musicians, we want our customers to feel seen and celebrated,” said Elizabeth Campbell, Senior Director of Cultural Engagement, McDonald’s USA.  “We are committed to uplifting and shining a light on the Hispanic community, and are honored to celebrate them through art, music and culture.”

The program will culminate the first week of December during Miami Art Week 2021 with a headlining surprise musical performance and live art by Los Angeles based visual artist Kelly Perez, as well as a never-before seen private art collection inspired by Latin music.

Visit www.ritmoycolormcd.com to register for the free virtual concerts and get more details on the exciting artist collaborations.

About McDonald’s USA

McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to nearly 25 million customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.

About the Ritmo y Color McDonald’s Artists

Manuel Turizo

Manuel Turizo, also known as MTZ, is Colombian urban reggaeton singer known for his captivating hits including his single “Una Lady Como Tu,” which earned the Top 40 spot on the Hot Latin Songs chart and currently features over 1.3 billion views, forming part of YouTube’s Billion views Club.

Rigo Leon Herrera

Born in Havana and raised in Miami, Rigo Leon’s journey is familiar to millions of Cuban-Americans. As a child, he would watch his class shrink as classmates and friends fled their native land in pursuit of a better life.

Rigo wanted to tell his story, and their stories, through art. He traded his toys for paintbrushes and taught himself to use a variety of media over his career. Today, he is one of the most recognized and respected artists in South Florida, and his murals and public works have adorned cities around the world.

GONZO247

The street has been the canvas for Mario E. Figueroa, Jr., artistically known as GONZO247, for more than 25 years.

Born and raised in Houston, GONZO247 is a self-taught, multi-disciplinary artist that has been at the forefront of Houston’s artistic youth movement. He produced an Aerosol Warfare video series, established the Houston Wall of Fame (the city’s first and significant art production of its kind), and is a leading figure in pioneering graffiti and street art culture in the city. Today, he is a visual and cultural arts ambassador for his hometown.

Kelly Perez

There’s room for everybody in Kelly’ Pérez’s world, and a role for anybody to play in her art. Kelly brings her own vibrant style, vision and purpose, along with her glitter paint, to LA’s public arts scene.

Born in Venezuela, Kelly began her career in animation after graduating from the University of Central Florida, where she worked on projects including “Smurfs 2” and Dreamwork’s “All Hail King Julien.” Hers is a message of belief in yourself, of inclusion, and of representation, especially for women in art. And it’s communicated with joyful colors, movement, and words of inspiration. Today, her work can be seen around LA, including an immersive mural at the Disability Community Resource Center in Mar Vista which is registered under the city of Los Angeles.