“PURA Vida” – we’ve told you before that it means “pure life” in Spanish and something like “she’ll be right, mate” in the Costa Rican vernacular.

Here in Canberra, of course, it’s Frank Madrid’s Latin showcase, seen for the last couple of years on Stage 88 at Floriade.

Now, in what Madrid tells “CityNews” will be its last Floriade appearance, “Pura Vida” winds up on Sunday, October 7, with Chilean singer Francisca Valenzuela, Latin funk group Gang of Brothers, Colombia’s Malalma with electronica, funk, salsa and hip-hop and Grammy-nominated Peruvian group Novalima.

Madrid says the idea of the program, which “takes Latin fever to new heights”, is to break down barriers and get local audiences familiar with “what contemporary Latin American music is all about”.

Assuming Madrid achieves his aim, the plan will be to move the event into the steamier, more tropical months of the year, to stand on its own where the international acts he’s bringing into town – some of them Grammy winners – will be given centre stage.

“Pura Vida”, Stage 88, Commonwealth Park, noon to 5pm, October 6 & 7. Free entry.