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TUESDAY 05 JULY
EXTRA DATE ADDED
WEDNESDAY 06 JULY
LONDON PALLADIUM
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‘9 DEAD ALIVE’ Out Now
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I S S U E N0.9 SPRING GUIDE 2016
WELCOME TO There is not much to celebrate these days. And yet, after 50 years of civil war, it is Colombia that is proving to be a beacon of hope in the world. Not only is it on the verge of finalising a peace deal, in the process it has innovated some ground-breaking precedents likely to inspire future peace deals elsewhere. Find out more about this on p22-23. Meanwhile, even in its dark days, Colombia’s fantastic literature, art, music and dance amassed its worldwide fans. In recent years the UK has been the lucky recipient of its creative overspill with thousands exiled here, forming the worlds 3rd largest Colombian diaspora, now well into its 3rd generation. We pay tribute to the movers, shakers and creators that have resulted from this immigration (p14-21). Colombians are known for their work-ethic, kindness and above all good manners (a rude Colombian is indeed a rare specimin) and of course their love of a good party. There are just too many good reasons to celebrate this thriving community and culture. We hope you enjoy it. Amaranta Wright, Editor amaranta@latinolife.co.uk
CONTENTS 4
FRONT SECTION: Latin Hotlist, News and Gossip
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Galeria - Livin’ the Latin vibe
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INTERVIEW: Carlos Vives, Colombia’s original megastar
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FEATURE: Colombia’s UK movers, shakers and creators
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SOCIETY: The Blue Line to Cali
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CURRENT AFFAIRS: Colombia Bring’s Hope TRAVEL: Top Ten To Do’s in Colombia
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Chasing Butterflies – A visit to Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ birthplace
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FOOD: In Praise of The Colombian Breakfast
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MUSIC: Top Ten Disco Fuentes Albums
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Latest CD reviews
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WHAT’S ON: Your listings guide to Latin London FESTIVAL GUIDE: London Goes Latin Free Summer Festival
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Latinolife is produced by: Editor Amaranta Wright Music Editor Jose Luis Seijas • Food Editor Natalie Salmon Designer Antonella Perreca www.latinolife.co.uk • twitter.com/latinolifeuk • facebook.com/LatinoLifeWeb
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THE LATIN HOT LIST
One Man Dining Show
Now in its 3rd season, Argentine chef Martin Milesi’s culinary project UNA, is making waves on London’s dining scene. Why Una? Because it’s one restaurant, one table, one chef, for just 12 people. Set in St. Pancras tower, Milesi’s dining table promises a gastronomic journey through the Latin American continent. Traditional ingredients translate classic dishes into modern urban cuisine. Just the facebook photos of dishes such as ‘Locro without meat’ or the Yerba Mate cocktail or Cassava Croquette are enough to get any mouth watering. www.unalondon.com
Dangerously Smooth
Colombian Home From Home
Another of London’s best kept secrets, of a very different kind, is at the other end of town in the Colombian Republic of Elephant and Castle. La Bodeguita has been London’s favourite Colombian restaurant for years. Very much born out of the community, it brings that little piece of home for the lively Latinos of South London and certainly brightens up what would otherwise be one of London’s lesser attractive shopping centres. www.labodeguita.co.uk
We couldn’t get enough of this deliciously sweet, honey tequila at The Latin UK Awards Gala ceremony last year. It was definitely the reason why some beautiful ladies started to get up on stage and strut their stuff and for us producers, it was the perfect relaxer after a hard nights work. The smokey, caramel taste goes down a treat (too much in fact) on the rocks, or with a lemon or orange mixer. It also comes in ‘Blanco’ and Coffee variations. www.cazcabel.com
Mochilamania We were long wondering where you can get hold of the beautifully woven and typically Colombian bags known as mochilas. Online we found the answer. These ones are particularly bright and stunning, handcrocheted by the indigenous Wayuu tribeswomen of the Guajira Peninsula in the North of Colombia. Claudia Correa-Bell, of supplier Brand Native, says: “The women are so inspiring, beautiful and humble. They are the leaders of the community as it’s a matriarchal society.” So, no need to feel guilty when splashing out on one then… www.brandnative.co.uk
FRONT SECTION
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LATIN MOMENTS OF THE YEAR… Colombian Takeover
Obamas soak up the Latin Vibe
Carlos Vives, the man who made vallenato cool, was clearly overwhelmed at the Premios Lo Nuestro recently, when Colombia’s great and the good came out to pay tribute to the original Colombian mega star. Juanes, Fonseca, Silvestre Dangond, Jorge Celedón, Chocquibtown, J Balvin and Maluma all performed on stage alongside Vives, joined by some of the most popular ex-footballers from the tricolor: Juan Pablo Ángel, Mario Alberto Yepes, Faryd Mondragón and Carlos ‘El Pibe’ Valderrama. A truly magical Colombian moment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0t-Lj2BWq0
Even the cool customers that are the Obamas couldn’t help but get caught up in the Latin spirit, from a rowdy Havana baseball match to steamy tango in Buenos Aires. While security prevented too much of an authentic experience, it was symbolic all the same. Highlights included Obama’s momentous efforts to pronounce words such as “pollo” and “cerveza.”
Rolling Stones’s historic Cuba Gig
Unable to let Obama steal all the thunder, Mick Jagger landed in the Cuban capital two days later. Hot off the US President’s trail, the Rolling Stones became the first western band to play an open-air free concert in Havana. At last Cubans could listen live to something other than salsa and reggaetón, and escaped grainy TVs to be dazzled by breathtaking lighting and video displays. Who cares that they are a bunch of white guys playing black music not very well when you have history and a giant high-definition screen before you?
Straddling Continents
London’s favourite Colombian, Royal Ballet dancer Fernando Montaño, was stolen back by his nation temporarily to be a judge on Colombia’s Dancing with the Stars, together with Beto Pérez, the creator of Zumba; and Estonia’s Nina Shablinskaja, world ballroom dancing champion for 10 consecutive years. The BBC were hot on his trail filming a documentary about about Fernando called ‘Dancing for Peace’, which included a visit to the Presidential Palace to interview President Santos.
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The
Accidental Hero Once a struggling rock star in Bogotá, Carlos Vives became a national symbol almost overnight by fusing Colombia’s traditional vallenato rythmns with modern rock and pop. As if to represent the unity of a country in conflict, the universal popularity of this carefree Caribeño has surpassed any other musician in Colombia, including Shakira and Juanes. In this exclusive interview, the vallenato rock star tells Latinolife what fame feels like, the value of roots and authenticity and much more. By Santiago Oyarzabal A sturdy drum-heavy rhythm, electric bass and guitars, make way for a sweet Colombian gaita pipe. A diatonic accordion joins in and envelopes you in a melody so catchy and overpowering that without even realizing, you are dancing to La Gota Fria. This was the song that in 1993 marked a milestone in Carlos Vives’ career as an international Colombian pop star, long before Shakira and Juanes. The song is a traditional vallenato composed by Emiliano Zuleta in 1938. At that time juglares (troubadours) settled scores by improvising and Zuleta accused rival singer Lorenzo Morales of breaking out in a cold sweat (‘la gota fría’) and leaving the party early in an attempt to avoid an accordion duel he was doomed to lose. Originally a rock musician, Carlos Vives’ transformed the traditional vallenato sound of the Colombian Caribbean. Traditionally played with an Afro drum (caja), an indigenous guacharaca and a European accordion - a perfect metaphor for Colombia’s mestizo heritage - Vives’ rock interpretation captivated the youth audience. “I recorded those vallenatos because I wanted to find another way of expressing this tropical musical heritage that is uniquely our own, different from the Cuban tradition which is typically orchestrated with timbales and congas. Of course what Cuba was doing was very important, but we wanted to return to our indigenous roots and start again.” Born in Santa Marta (Magdalena) in 1961, Carlos lived there until he was twelve. When his parents split up, he moved to Bogotá with his mother and his brother. By the end of the 1980s he had recorded three rock albums – which were not very successful – and played several roles in soap operas. In fact, it was as an actor that Vives’ break came; in the 1991 soap opera Escalona, based on the life of Rafael Escalona (1927-2009), one
of the most important vallenato composers of all time. Vives not only played the role of Escalona and sang his songs, he also released two albums of classics like ‘La casa en el aire’, ‘El testamento’ or ‘Honda herida’. Having got this break, Vives’ next records Clásicos de la Provincia (1993) and in particular La Tierra del Olvido (1995), which brought together big Bogotá Rock names (‘Teto’ Ocampo, Iván Benavides and Carlos Iván Medina) and traditional musicians (Egidio Cuadrado, ‘Papa’ Pastor’ or Mayté Montero), catapulted him into a status of national idol, as if his music could in itself deliver peace to a nation in conflict. Most Colombians hate or or love vallenato, as if it defined them personally. But every Colombian loves Carlos Vives. Not surprisingly, as if by accident, Vives became a symbol of unity, sanctified like no other Colombian pop-star.
“I wanted to record the vallenatos because I thought that the same thing that happened with rock & roll in the U.S. could be done here too. The blues was a music of folkloric, humble origin on the Mississippi river, which was later industrialised, or electrified. Cumbia and vallenato are also matrixes, like blues.”
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So, how has fame treated you? “I am 54 now. Perhaps because of my education or my family, I quickly learned not to get carried away and to be grateful. I was 18 when I started on TV. I had just finished school and was in prime time soap operas, so it would have been easy to be stuck up. But maybe my environment, the people I grew up with, or the reality of the land I am from, helped me understand that my job is like anyone else’s. If I’ve been lucky enough to have a life that’s a little more comfortable, I try to serve and help other people. My brother and I have a bar/restaurant in Bogotá called Gaira and I still work there. We have 200 people working, between actors and staff”. I have so many questions: did he know that his vallenato rock was going to be so popular? Cumbia is now hugely popular, is the same thing happening with that? “I wanted to record vallenatos because I thought that what happened with rock and roll in the U.S. could be done here too. The blues was folk music, of humble origin on the Mississippi river, which was later industrialized, electrified. Cumbia and vallenato are also matrixes, like blues. In Colombia we have talked so much about cumbia as Colombia’s greatest afro contribution to Caribbean culture. However, although it is Caribbean, cumbia’s major influence is on the Andes, where the indigenous cultures are, and it has stayed in the Andes, to the extent that from Argentina to Mexico people think of cumbia as local. I even wonder if Selena knew before she died that the patterns of her music and arrangements came from the Colombian orchestras.” Roots are clearly important to Vives and he mentions the power of cumbia in Bomba Stereo who“ definitely explored and exploited catchy lines and rhythms which work so well with electronic music.” He does, however, warn young musicians against creating music for the market rather than for its own sake:
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‘Sublime’ The Times ‘Magical’ The Independent
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
‘AFROBEAT MEETS BRAZILIAN FLAIR AND LEAVES THE LISTENER GASPING IN ADMIRATION.’ MUSIC NEWS
BIXIGA70 THE SCALA THURSDAY 23 JUNE COMONO.CO.UK
Monday 26 September
INTERVIEW
“There are many young musicians who are more focused on the market and less on a music, with lots of social media and new fragrances… but without music!” Yet it is also clear that Vives’ value for authenticity isn’t a provincial view limited to his own music. It only takes a mention of Argentine rock star Charly García to get him started (he recorded Charly’s songs in one of his 1980s albums).”Charly has left a mark. Charly to me is… a god. I respect his work a lot, it fascinates me,”
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And how about reggaetón? “When people talk about reggaetón I find there is a lot of confusion and I get frustrated by people’s ignorance. For example, it’s easy to complain about some of their poor lyrics or sounds. But what I’ve found is that, when you look at reggaetón’s history and you go to Puerto Rico and Panama where it all started, reggaetón’s origins are very, very ancestral rhythms. And cumbia is there in reggaetón, no doubt about it. Cumbia is one of the big ingredients, so raggaetón is a new machine, a new expression of very old patterns”. When Carlos mentions the blues as sharing patterns with these two very popular Latin American rhythms, I cannot help but think of Gabriel García Márquez. The influence of William Faulkner and other writers from the US South on the Colombian are well-known. And Gabo himself described his book ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ as a vallenato, a long story that talks all about life in the Caribbean.
“ When people talk about reggaeton I find there is a lot of confusion. For example it’s easy to complain about some of their poor lyrics or sounds. It is frustrating. But what I’ve found is that, when you look at reggaeton’s history and you go to Puerto Rico, and Panama where it all started, reggaeton’s origins are very, very ancestral rhythms.” “The town where Gabo was born, Aracataca, is only 30km from Orihueca, where my grandpa had his small ranch. There are so many connections between Gabo and his dear friend Rafael Escalona. Both created fantastic worlds, one with words and the other with songs. And the whole region is so full of fantasy and creativity”. Vives can also be seen as part of this tradition, of bringing the landscape of magical realism to a new generation, through music rather than words. Talking to Vives is like plucking clues. If I were a musician I would be writing everything down as rules, indicators, for example the importance of relying on great musicians in the creative process.
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SPRING GUIDE 2014
INTERVIEW
“We’ve had some big dogs, so when people like Teto plugs in the guitar or Papa plugs the bass there is very little I can say. Today I work with Andrés (Castro) on guitar and also as a producer, but we’ve always been a big team and work with lot of freedom”. Vives’ music has changed over the years, the earlier songs more experimental, linked to vallenato. Recent ones like Más and Corazón Profundo are slower and more melodic. Carlos is far from defensive about this suggestion. “Yes. We recorded it after a break of about eight years during which we were working on and producing other projects. That made me see more clearly and making the album was easier, less entangled in terms of the kind of sounds and the concept I wanted. In the previous stage there was a lot of experimentation and we always tried out a lot of things. Today things flow well as result of the learning process we went through. I think the original drive is still there, and the original motivation is intact. Of course,
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I feel these albums more commercial than the previous ones. I’m not talking of custom songs or anything like that, but many things happened in the meanwhile, many years of transition”. Vives’ honesty reflects his friendliness and modesty. When I mention his show in London, he responds like an excited child, “Qué groso, si estás en Inglaterra, groso!” (In England, you rock!), as if he doesn’t.
“The town where Gabo was born, Aracataca, is only 30km from Orihueca, where my grandad had his small ranch. There are so many connections between Gabo and his dear friend Rafael Escalona. Both created fantastic worlds, one with words and the other with songs. And the whole region is so full of fantasy and creativity”. In fact, he recognizes he doesn’t really need to play in England. “Usually concerts happen in the places you sell CDs,” meaning that in the UK, he doesn’t really sell CDs. “That’s why we generally go to Spain, there is a strategy of promotion and doing shows, and there is a historical relationship with the community. Coming to London is like an ‘extra’, an opportunity to come and play for our Colombian and Latin community here. They have been asking for us to come and we’re really happy we are making it this time!” Carlos Vives’ show at the O2 Academy Brixton originally scheduled for 31st March has been rescheduled to Friday 24th June. All tickets for the original date remain valid for the new date. Ticketholders who are unable to attend on 24 June and who would like a refund are kindly asked to request this from their original point of purchase. All requests for refunds should be made by Friday 15 April. We are sorry for the inconvenience but are delighted that the show has been rescheduled.
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Colombia Creates
Take a trip to Elephant and Castle or Seven Sisters’ indoor market and you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’d been transported to Colombia. Salsa blaring out of little shops, couples dancing in tables in mid-afternoon, and invariably some marital dispute being broadcast in public; London wouldn’t be the same without its piece of Colombia. The UK hosts the world’s third largest Colombian diaspora, after the US and Spain. Many arrived in the late seventies and nineties, fleeing the political terror and economic hardships of a 50year long civil war. Since then, this incredibly industrious, entrepreneurial and creative community has contributed greatly to Britain’s economy and culture. While their economic input is largely unrecognised, the Colombian cultural contribution is more difficult to ignore. As far back as 1975, Guardian writer Richard Williams described the Monday night when salsa king Héctor Lavoe took to the stage in a grotty London pub full of Colombians and, “for a couple of hours it seemed like the only place to be.” The Colombian party spirit soon began spilling over into the mainstream Latin-themed bars springing up all over London, playing a huge part in kicking off the salsa club phenomenon that can now be seen all over the country. Now a established community, well into its third generation, Latinolife pays tribute to London’s indomitable Colombian movers, shakers and creators
the MUSICIANS CAMILO MENJURA - The Singer Award-winning Colombian singer, guitarist and choir master, Camilo is one of the most versatile singers around and is loved by Londoners, not only as an artist but as a community leader. Apart from being a guitarist with three bands of diverse styles - Andean Jazz, Sudanese, and Afro-Colombian - Camilo’s passion for choral and A Cappella music has taken him to festivals leading school choirs, including the SOAS University World Music choir and the Lolchoir. www.menjuramusic.com
COVER STORY
DORANCE LORZA The Band Leader The Cali born Vibraphonist already had an impressive reputation in Colombia as an arranger, composer and producer when he arrived in London. Dorance continued to record excellent albums in the UK with his Sexteto Café and, in 2014 won his first LUKAS award. Since then Dorance has gone on to win more awards from the Colombian government, for spreading the heritage of salsa con vibes in Europe. http://www.dorancelorza.com/
ELPIDIO The Bass Genius Born in Buenaventura, Elpidio has gone from a childhood immersed the Colombian Pacific rythmns, an adolescence performing at weddings, to becoming the most sought after latino bass player in the UK. His swing and timing are considered unique. He has played with the greatest Latin salsa bands and now has his own orchestra, Alegria, the number one band for accompanying touring salsa singers.
MIKE KALLE – The Rapper
the DANCERS
The voice of the new generation of Latin Londoners, rapper Mike Kalle won a LUKAS 2015 in the Urban Act category. A second generation Colombian-Brit, Mike is the leading light of the young creative latino community. He is not only the UK’s best rapper, but personifies the positive the Pa’delante (onwards and upwards) attitude, making him a great example for Latino youth in the UK. https://www.youtube.com/user/Globalfaction
FERNANDO MONTAÑO The Ballet Dancer
EMERIS SOLIS The Percussionist A master percussionist from the pacific coast of Colombia, Emeris came from a musical family and grew up learning from some of Colombia’s best percussionists. He then moved to Cali to study at the prestigious Institute of Popular Culture. Now in London, Emeris is considered one of the most complete Afro-Latin percussionists in Europe, at home playing diverse Afro Latin sounds, from corrals to Cuban rumba.
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Also from Buenaventura on Colombia’s Pacific Coast, Fernando Montaño won a ballet scholarship to Cuba, and went on to become a soloist with the Royal Ballet. Fernando has performed for the Queen and Michele Obama, modelled for Vivienne Westwood, and has been honoured by the city of New York and the President of Colombia. Fernando is currently a judge on Dancing with the Stars in Colombia. http://www.fernandomontano.com/
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the ARTISTS
SISCO GOMEZ The Choreographer
OSCAR MURILLO - The Artist
The millions of UK talent show fans would have no idea that the funky choreographer called Sisco is actually Francisco Gómez of South London. At 16, Sisco joined the hip-hop company Culture Shock before becoming the youngest member of Bounce, the street dance sensation. He then went on to work with major pop artists such as Madonna and Kylie Minogue, before becoming a celebrity choreographer on The X Factor and a judge on So You Think You Can Dance UK.
Born in La Paila, a small town in the Valle del Cauca, Oscar moved to London when he was 10 years old. After graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2012, Murillo’s career rocketed when Miami art dealers Don and Mera Rubell - known for discovering the likes of Basquiat and Keith Haring - saw his paintings at an independent art fair and asked to meet him. By February 2013, Sotheby’s, Christies and Phillips sold 24 pieces for a total of $4.8 million. www.saatchigallery.com/artists/oscar_murillo
JOHN QUINTERO The Photographer Based in London, John Quintero’s work has been published in international newspapers and magazines including the Times, the Telegraph and the Guardian and has won numerous awards such as The Sony World Photo Awards, The Prix de La Photographie de Paris, and The Telegraph Photo Competition. His images have been exhibited worldwide. www.johnquintero. com
LUZ FERNANDEZ The Salsa Queen Luz fell in love with salsa in the UK so much that she returned to her birthplace, Colombia, to train with the world champions. Luz became the first to represent the UK at Cali’s World Salsa Festival. She returned to the UK to win first place at the UK Salsa Championships 2011 and then 3rd place in The European Salsa Championships. In 2014 Luz began her own dance company, Fuerza Latina UK, and is the only female director in the UK training Cali style salsa.
COVER STORY
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MARGARITA HERNANDEZ Sculptor
LAURA VILLEGAS The Community Worker
Shortly after Margarita arrived in London in 2002, the Royal Academy of Arts exhibited her work. In 2005 she was commissioned by the Royal College of Defence Studies to do a portrait of Winston Churchill. Her bust of Margaret Thatcher is on display at Conservative Headquarters in London and she recently presented another to David Cameron of him on his bike. http://www.margaritasculptor.com/
Laura Villegas has worked for over 20 years as a legal adviser for IRMO, one of the first Latin American community organizations in the UK, originally founded as a result of the 1973 coup in Chile. She oversaw IRMO’s expansion to cater for the huge influx of Colombians fleeing civil war, providing legal, education and artistic support to the Latin American community ever since. www.irmo.co.uk
EDWIN SERNA - Mr. Colombia Edwin is one of the community’s most popular personalities. DJ, promoter and all round Mr Colombia, He has promoted legendary London Latino clubs such as Chaney, Chicago’s, La Clave and Salsa City. It’s safe to say that wherever Edwin is, Colombians feel at home and you can be sure that there’s one hell of a party. Edwin’s hardcore following has secured his 25-year career in entertainment.
THE COMMUNITY LEADERS
TATIANA GARAVITO The Human Rights Activist Since arriving in the UK aged 18, Tatiana has been providing support for migrant and refugee communities, asylum seekers and unaccompanied children negotiating their way in the UK. As director of the Indo-American Refugee and Migrant Organization and recently of the Latin American Women’s Rights Service, Tatiana has helped to set up activist groups such as The London Latinxs, campaigning for gender, race, climate justice and migrant rights.
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COVER STORY
the ENTREPRENEURS
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the University of Cape Town, lectured in several universities around the world, and has been a PhD examiner in several countries.
LEONCIO CAICEDO The Promoter
ESNAYDER CUARTAS The Food Entrepreneur In 2004, In 2004, before all the fuss about Peruvian, Nikkei and Latin Fusion cuisine, this Colombian chef opened London’s first up-market Latin Fusion restaurant. Sabor presented Latin America’s diverse gastronomy in a modern and stylish setting partnered with excellent wines and cocktails. Now Sabor has expanded into catering and periodically co-hosting pop-up restaurants. www.sabor.co.uk
CESAR QUINTERO The Community Entrepreneur César founded Distriandina, London’s thriving multi-purpose venue in Elephant and Castle, including shops, restaurants and the ever popular Viejoteca Dominguera. It has been a home from home to Latinos in London for many years, through which César has managed to reinvent Distri many times, fighting constant threats from developers, always keeping it relevant to the community.
JULIO DÁVILA The Professor Professor of Urban Policy and International Development, and Director of the Development Planning Unit at University College London, Julio is one of the country’s most respected academics in his field. He has consulted on urban development projects in 15 countries in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, taught at the London School of Economics and
Leoncio is one of the longest standing Latin culture promoters in the UK, behind most of the major Latin events staged in London in the last 20 years. Super hard working and passionate, Leoncio has organized countless Latin concerts, tours, festivals, carnivals and club nights. He has co-promoted one of the longest lasting Latin clubs, El Grande, uninterruptedly for the last 11 years.
ELDER SANCHEZ The Dance Entrepreneur Elder Sanchez is widely credited with propelling the salsa phenomenon in the early nineties with his dance school SALSATECA, which created many of today’s established salsa teachers and performers. He has won countless awards by UK’s mainstream dance industry for his ‘outstanding contribution to the growth of Salsa in the UK through his excellent instruction, promotion and inspirational dancing.’
PABLO URIBE The Business Man In 2008, twelve years after arriving in London, Pablo Uribe started Snog – a frozen yogurt store. Now the firm has 10 stores in the UK, mostly in London, including a pink double-decker bus on London’s Southbank, as well as franchises in Pakistan and Qatar. Snog now plans to open more UK stores outside London, and enter the German and Nordic markets.
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The BLUE LINE TO Cali Mirca Moreira revels in the short London journey that quenches her craving for a little piece of Colombia.
The London underground tannoy announces “this is the Victoria Line to… Seven Sisters” but in my head I hear Siete Chismes. That’s Spanish for Seven Gossips, because the place I get off at is more like a Latin American village where salsa blares on the radio, while London’s Latinos gather to catch up on the week’s goings on. I emerge from the North London station on a Saturday afternoon and into the building called Wards Corner, which houses a little Latin labyrinth of sixty units selling Latin American necessities - from delicacies to quench your arepa or empanada craving to salsa DVDs. Latin film, Latin football, Latin hairdressing, its all here under one roof. Suddenly I’m transported to a traditional working class Centro Commercial in Cali or Lima.
“Can you party like Latinos at Tesco? I don’t think so.”
Spanish-speaking children play happily, while parents shop and grandparents play chess, draughts and dominos in the corridors. As nights falls, musicians may randomly appear and perform a live show. The dancing starts, and all of a sudden there is a full on party, as tightly-clinched couples sweat the night away, escaping the hardships of London life. After all, like the Celia Cruz song, La Vida es un Carnival, which is probably playing on the speakers, Life is a Carnival and…las penas se van cantando. Am I in really in London, or in some village on the outskirts of Medellín? But yes, I am in London. I can tell because my dad’s shop – he sells salsa DVDs - is next to the famous Ugandan letting agent Ben’s Property Solutions, who is so full spirited
SOCIETY
it is impossible not to be charmed by him. The other side is Jamaican barber Tony. They’ve been trading in the market for over 20 years, reuniting the continents of Africa and Latin America in this little North London enclave. Looking for unique haberdashery? Forget John Lewis, las viejitas have the quality. Want the J-Lo look? Colombian salons will goddess-ify you like no others can. Can you party like Latinos at Tesco? I don’t think so. Any stressed out Londoner should pay a visit to this oasis of Latin joy. It does the trick for me, anyway. Alas, I have now moved from Tottenham, where Pueblito Paisa, as it is also known, was just a hop away. Now it’s a two-hour commute from my rural village in the Cotswolds, which I do every Saturday. And yet, for all the joy this community has brought me, it saddens me to write that this unique gem of a Latin American village is un-
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der threat of demolition, despite being a listed building, the land to be sold to developers. Our only hope lies is public pressure and our approved community plan to restore, not demolish, the historical building. Please sign our online petition to save the second largest Latin American concentration of businesses in the UK. Sign online on www.latincorner.org.uk #takevictorialinetolatinamerica
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A I B M O COL OPE BRINGS H
Kristian Herbolzheimer, a key analyst in the soon-to-be-signed Colombia Peace Agreement, explains how this historic achievement came about and its significance for Colombia and the world.
Most people in Colombia have never experienced their country at peace. For over five decades several guerrilla groups and the Government have been fighting each other, leaving millions of victims. Colombia alone has experienced more forced disappearances of people than Chile, Argentina and Brazil combined. The country is also on the top of the world list in regards to land mines, kidnappings, and internally displaced people (over six million). This is about to change. At a time of rising concern about violent conflict throughout the globe Colombia is about to finalise the most significant peace process in the world. Over the past three years the Government and the Armed Revolutionary Forces of Colombia (FARC) have been talking peace in Havana. They have already reached agreements on four major topics: land reform, illegal drugs, political participation and justice. The only remaining issues to complete the negotiations are the reintegration of guerrilla combatants into civilian life, and the oversight mechanisms to ensure that the agreements are implemented.
What brought about peace? The main reason for the peace negotiations is that neither side could win the war. Under the Presidency of Alvaro Uribe (2000 – 2008) the State stepped up its military capacity to unprecedented levels. FARC resisted the formidable offensive but began to understand they would never achieve a military victory over the State.
In parallel, neighbouring countries saw leftist politicians reach government through the ballots instead of the bullets. Evo Morales in Bolivia, Rafael Correa in Ecuador, and Hugo ChĂĄvez in Venezuela. At the same time, the government acknowledged the country had long delayed some structural reforms which were fundamental for its modernisation and development, such as rural and political reforms, and addressing the problem of illegal drugs production.
Innovations Not only is Colombia finally on the path to peace. The country is also innovating in a number of ways that will inspire peace processes elsewhere: 1. This is the first peace process where negotiating panels have invited and listened to victims of the armed conflict, with the commitment to respond to the victim´s rights to truth, justice, reparation and guarantees for non-recurrence. This commitment is largely a response to the unwavering efforts of human rights organisations. The level of documentation and analysis of violence in Colombia is unprecedented. A Unit for Reparations of Victims has been created and this government body has embarked in the most ambitious programme for reparations of victims in the world. Despite initial reluctance, government and FARC have increasingly acknowledged their responsibility in human rights violations, and have started asking victims for forgiveness. Parties have agreed on a special tribunal for peace. If offenders collaborate with the justice
23 system they will benefit from reduced sentences, having to serve their term repairing victims and society, instead of sitting in a prison. The agreement has been hailed as groundbreaking. President Santos suggested it is “something that has never been achieved in any peace negotiation”. 2. Negotiations address land and drug issues. Unlike most countries in Latin America, Colombia has never experienced a comprehensive agrarian reform and its inequality index is among the highest in the world. There is a growing consensus that violence in rural Colombia has thrived upon land inequality and a failed model of rural development. The peace negotiations have also tackled the related issue of production of illegal crops. Colombia is the number one exporter of coca in the world. This highly profitable business has become increasingly intertwined in the armed conflict, benefitting all armed actors. After decades of criminalising peasants for growing coca, Colombia is taking the lead in pushing for a far more comprehensive approach in global policy on the war on drugs. This may have repercussions on international responses to other conflicts with links to drugs production, most notably Afghanistan. 3. Women are acknowledged as agents of change. Following significant pressure from women’s organisations, the Government and FARC agreed to create a Gender Sub Commission, with the task to review all documents and ensure a gender sensitive language. Colombia is probably the first ever country addressing LGBTI rights in a peace negotiation. 4. A regional commitment to peace. Four countries were asked to play a formal role in the negotiations: Cuba and Norway were appointed “guarantor countries”, and Venezuela and Chile were named “accompanying countries”. The selection of the countries indicate an emphasis in involving regional players, and balancing political inclinations (Venezuela and Cuba on one hand, and Chile on the other).
Change is already happening The peace process has already delivered significant results even before its completion. Whileparties have not yet agreed on a ceasefire, they have also not engaged in armed confrontation for several months. The levels of confrontation have never been so low.
At the same time, Government and FARC have started to work together. Over the past year the military and the insurgents have joined efforts in clearing a rural area in Antioquia from land mines, to allow the community go back to normal life. This will now be replicated throughout the country. Both sides have also agreed to create a task force to speed up the search for disappeared people.
Looking forward: three tests It is expected that government and FARC will sign a final peace agreement this year. This agreement will be an impressive achievement and will put and end to war. However peace is not only about former enemies signing a piece of paper. Despite all the positive developments in the peace process public opinion remains largely sceptical. People simply don’t trust the government and FARC to deliver to their promises. The first major test for the peace process will therefore be to ensure broad public endorsement of the peace agreement in the plebiscite that will follow the signing. The second test will be for government and FARC to turn words into deeds. No peace agreement in the world has ever been fully implemented and the post-agreement stage is nothing but the continuation of the negotiations, but with more public participation. The most difficult test might be the cultural transformation of society. After decades of violence there is a need to address the wounds created by violence, as well as a cultural shift to challenge everyday violent and individualistic attitudes. The re-humanization of the other does not only involve combatants but society at large. As the women’s movement has suggested, building peace requires the acknowledgement that no one has the absolute truth and, therefore, the willingness and capacity to step out of one’s comfort zone. This cultural change will take time. Kristian Herbolzheimer (kherbolzheimer@c-r.org) is Director of Colombia Programme at Conciliation Resources: www.c-r. org. This is an abridged version of a full article which you can find at www.latinolife. co.uk. Kristian will give a talk about the Colombian Peace Process on Saturday 18th June at The Crouch End Picture House, as part of London Goes Latin @ The Crouch End. Find timings and other details @ http://www.latinolife.co.uk/events/ london-goes-latin-crouch-end-festival
Top Ten ‘Must Do’s’ in
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Colombia
Colombia is a country bursting at the seams with extraordinary natural beauty, vibrant music, fantastic food, white (and black!) sand beaches, world-class diving, and endlessly friendly courteous people. Now, it even has a Peace Deal, which means it is back on the radar for those who have been put off by the scare stories of yesteryear. The only problem is choosing where to go, what with its huge biodiversity and each region – mountain, jungle, Caribbean and Pacific coastlines - with its own distinct charm, culture, people, music and food. Here we suggest ten places to start. 1. Cartagena de Indias
2. The world’s third largest barrier reef
This is Colombia’s jewel on the Caribbean; a colonial city with a walled old town and an easy-going, romantic and mesmeric mix of heat, colour, music and architecture. Ever since Rodrigo de Bastidas became the first European to set foot on Colombian soil in 1525, there has been a long history of foreigner fascination with this place. Its architectural splendours are testament to the town’s past role as the main conduit for the Spanish Crown’s imperial plundering. The 1600km coastline displays a wide variety of landscapes, from the inaccessibly dense jungles of the Darién Gap on the border with Panama to the arid salt plains of the Guajira peninsular bordering Venezuela. If it’s a tropical paradise you’re after, try the white, jungle-fringed beaches of Tayrona National Park near Santa Marta or the translucent waters around the fishing village of Taganga, among the most inexpensive places in the world to learn to scuba dive.
The little-known Caribbean island of Providencia is a hidden gem; all pearl white sand and turquoise waters and home to the world’s third largest barrier reef. Days on this tiny island are whiled away befriending the fish beneath the waves, or snoozing off the lethal rum cocktails in a hammock slung between palms. With only two tiny flights to the island each day, this is yet to be discovered by the hordes. If there is a heaven, we think this might be it.
3. Get your buzz in Coffee Country Perhaps you expected this one – maybe you even rely on a mug of Colombia’s black gold to wake you in the morning – but there is a reason that Colombia’s coffee is so famous. A visit to the verdant coffee country is not to be missed: staying at quirky haciendas, hiking the lush green hills and getting the caffeine jitters when you can’t resist that fifth cup. For a home from home experience and exceptional personal service, head to Hacienda Buenavista, where you will be treated like a long lost member of the family.
25 6. La Guajira
4. Play Indiana Jones in the Lost City
Bear with us. We’ve given you beaches and diving, coffee, history and culture; but what about getting completely off the radar? Enter La Guajira – a wild and wonderful stretch of endless deserts and salt flats. Here you’ll drive for hours without seeing another car, trade biscuits and sweets for passage at the ‘road blocks’ set up by local indigenous children and sleep under the clearest sky you’ll ever see. This is pioneer country. Check out Cabo de la Vela.
La Ciudad Perdida – Colombia’s mystical lost city – was only ‘found’ in 1972, yet it is 650 years older than the famed Machu Picchu (and receives as many visitors in a year as the latter gets in a day). Accessible through a challenging four-day trek through the heart of the jungle, this relic of the Tayrona civilization is one for intrepid travelers only.
5. Live the Robinson Crusoe life on the Pacific Coast The Caribbean is littered with beach resorts offering endless piña coladas and free wi-fi. Not so on Colombia’s wild Pacific coast; those instagrams will have to wait. This volcanic black sand coastline is utterly rugged and remote, largely inaccessible by road and serviced by just a handful of rustic eco-lodges. You’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into Jurassic Park, surrounded by nothing but lush jungle, tropical birdlife and the spray of passing whales. Hidden on its own slice of deserted black sand beach is the exquisite El Cantil Eco Lodge. A short walk will take you to the romantically named Lovers’ Waterfall!
7. The Chicamocha valley The Chicamocha valley in the Santander region perfectly encapsulates everything that is so wonderful about Colombia - beautiful mountain scenery, hundreds of varieties of flowers, an abundance of birdlife and a wealth of healthy outdoor activities. The valley town of San Gil is Colombia’s adventure hub. There is world-class paragliding, mountain biking, white-water rafting and trekking, all surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. The valley is also the backdrop for the town of Barichara, arguably Colombia’s prettiest village. White-washed houses with red roofs, leafy squares and parks, and centuries old churches provide the perfect setting to while away a few days meandering through the town’s charming cobblestone streets.
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It’s easy to imagine you are in a dream as you wonder through its sleepy streets and soak up the charmingly crumbled colonial architecture. Time moves at a snail’s pace and there’s no need to rush anywhere here. Only just on the mainstream tourist radar, now is the perfect time to visit before the crowds arrive.
8. Don’t Forget the Colombian Amazon The town of Leticia sits on the border of three countries and is the gateway to an Amazon paradise for wildlife lovers. You can breakfast in Colombia, lunch in Peru and watch the sun go down in Brazil. In high water season the Amazon is not just a river but a vast area of wetlands, navigable by boat over what would be dry land at other times of the year. Canoeing in silence through dense jungle, unsure whether that floating log is in fact a crocodile, all you will hear is the melodious mating of toucans. Perfectly still lakes provide an unforgettable canvas for jaw-dropping sunsets, the sky reflected in the mirror-like water, while pink dolphins play around you.
10. Bogotá Rules Most visitors don’t expect much from Bogotá but are ultimately hugely impressed by this cosmopolitan, cultural and refined city. Bogotá’s gastronomy scene is currently booming. Brilliantly inventive bars and restaurants are opening up almost daily. Top Colombian chefs such as Harry Sasson and the Rausch brothers are gaining international acclaim. The city is also famed for its wild street art. This is graffiti but not as we know it! Exquisite murals adorn bridges, underpasses, walls of buildings and add a vibrancy and intensity to this dense city-scape. Let yourself be seduced by this unexpectedly cool city, a contrast to its colonial quarter of La Candelaria.
9. The Real Macondo Escape the crowds completely as you step back in time. Gabriel García Márquez said “Mompos doesn’t exist. Sometimes we dream about her, but she doesn’t exist.” This magical little town on the banks of the Magdalena River is arguably more evocative than anywhere else in Colombia of Márquez’s magical realism.
Amakuna (www.amakuna.com/020 7193 7582) is one of Colombia’s leading tour operators, offering tailor-made travel itineraries throughout the country.
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Chasing Butterflies Victoria Kellaway visits the birthplace of Gabriel García Márquez, Nobel Prize winner, pioneer of Magical Realism and Colombia’s most famous writer.
There is no such thing as magic, which means it’s technically impossible that the man standing before me - a man with 39 children and 126 grandchildren - got up this morning and fell straight from the pages of a Gabriel García Márquez novel. But Antonio Jaramillo, 82-yearsold, twice married, keen guitar player, is exactly the sort of person you should meet in the tiny village of Aracataca, birth place of García Márquez, especially if you’re a skeptical soul like me, who is slightly alarmed at being dumped from a bus in the middle of nowhere, somewhere south of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. You can’t help but wonder what they think of it all here. García Márquez was the front runner of the famously creative Barranquilla Group; beloved in Cartagena with his ocean-front home and penchant for waxing lyrical about the city; celebrated in Bogotá for his work at El Espectador newspaper, before becoming Colombia’s most famous writer. But he left the village of Aracataca before he collided with fame. How can he still be relevant here? I’d heard stories of residents painting sarcastic slogans under the Welcome to Aracataca signs, along the lines of “That’s right, it’s not Macon
do” – a side sweep at anyone hoping to find the characters from A Hundred Years of Solitude, the Nobel laureate’s most famous work. Instead they seem a jolly lot, vallenatos blaring on every corner, motorbikes humming up and down, hideous memories of the banana plantations fading with every dance and drop of rum. Despite the sarcasm, Aracateños are most def-
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initely pro-García Márquez. You can have a few beers outside a bustling little shop called La Hojarasca, named after one of his early works (‘Leaf Storm’ in English). Similarly, you can visit what was genuinely the old Casa del Telegrafista and relive your memories of Love in the Time of Cholera and other favourites. I even had my photograph taken with a bronze statue of Hundred Years’ character Amaranta Úrsula in her rocking chair, which let me tell you is a very big deal for a García Márquez fan (I probably should have admitted that at first. Yes, I’m a García Márquez fan. I even made it through The General in his Labyrinth, for which you really have to love Gabo, Simón Bolívar, or both)
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I’d heard stories of residents painting sarcastic slogans under the ‘Welcome to Aracataca’ signs, along the lines of ‘That’s right, it’s not Macondo’
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Aracataca’s car repair shop is cheekily called Macondo and there are numerous other references dotted around the place. You can stroll past the author’s old school and it’s completely acceptable to wait for the train just so you can have your photograph taken beside that too. In fact, no-one turns a hair at anything here, not even when you’re six foot tall, blonde and blue-eyed and you’ve resorted to chasing yellow butterflies down the street.
I’m not usually the sort to go tramping barefoot through the woods, in deep mud amongst iguana-hunting children, and jump fully clothed into a deceptively strong river and float back to Aracataca. But this is García Márquez country. Hang it, it’s the Colombian coast. You’re supposed to do that stuff here, and floating on your back in those pale brown waters, admiring blue skies, butterflies and tropical birds overhead, is probably the greatest tribute you can pay. Of course no journey to Aracataca would be complete without a trip to García Márquez’s old house and here the powers-that-be have done a fantastic reconstruction job. The place oozes with the author’s wizardry, the very real magic of his autobiography Living To Tell The Tale, which you must read before you go – if only because it’ll make hugging that famous tree in the garden a little bit more special (you will hug the tree, trust me). Now, many people might deter you from a visit, saying there is nothing of interest here. I was definitely supposed to be above a visit to Aracataca and a cuddle with old Ursula. Mr Jaramillo, him with the guitar, died shortly after my trip to the village too, which wasn’t part of the tale and, yet, I’m still a believer. As for you, go to Aracataca, jump in the river, chase some butterflies, meet some of Mr Jaramillo’s 39 children, 126 grandchildren, and then tell me Gabo’s reality doesn’t
Victoria Kellaway is a British journalist who has lived in Bogota for six years. She is the coauthor of the satirical best-seller ‘Colombia a comedy of errors’ and co-edited the essay collection ‘Was Gabo an Irishman’.
In Praise of the Bandeja Paisa Latinolife’s Latina Cook basks in the glory of a full Colombian Breakfast What came first the English Breakfast or the Bandeja Paisa? Strange as it is that two such similar concepts of breakfast dining should originate from totally different cultures, one can only assume it is the breakfast of two very hardworking nations, for it takes a day to burn this dish off. Whatever the origins, the Bandeja Paisa is to Colombia what the English Breakfast is to the British – both in substance and symbolism - a greasy feast that is the pride of the nation. The Colombian version is served on large platter, which is usually oval, and topped with steak, pork crackling (chicharrón) and chorizo sausages. Add a fried egg, slices of avocado, and plantain on a bed of rice and beans. Garnish with lime and you have there a full Paisa breakfast; the full English, with a Spanish, AfroCaribbean, indigenous Latin American twist. Instead of toast, it’s accompanied by the indomitable arepa. The Bandeja Paisa is thought to originate from Colombia’s Andean region, namely Antoquia, where Paisas hail from and Medellín being the capital of. However, other regions heavily dispute this, each claiming that its own unique version with differing ingredients is the correct one. In 2005, the Colombian government announced it planned to make the Bandeja Paisa the country’s national dish, with the name changed to Bandeja Montañera to make it applicable to everyone in Colombia. This, of course, caused outrage among Paisas, who argued that, beng unique to the Antioquia region it could never represent all of Colombia. This mutiny of the Paisas (known amongst Colombians for their enlarged view of themselves) paid off as, rather than provoke another civil war, the government backed down. Now, whenever you find a brochure boasting the merits of this Colombian national dish it is invariably referred to as the Bandeja Paisa.
FOOD
HEALTHY PAISA BREAKFAST RECIPE: Serves 2 Ingredients: • 2 eggs • 1 banana • 250g lardons or chopped bacon • 2 chorizo sausages • 1 avocado • 1 lime • 1 sweet potato • 350g black beans in water • Fresh chilli • Pinch maldon salt • 1 tps olive oil • 1 tsp butter Method: 1. Preheat oven to 200C, slice the sweet potato into 1/2 cm rounds and place in a roasting tin with a sprinkle of maldon salt and olive oil. (Should be fully cooked in 20 minutes, which gives you time to make everything else.) 2. Cook the lardons in a large pan for around 7 minutes on a medium heat and set aside, fry egg in the pan you used to fry the lardons. Place all in oven to keep warm. 3. Cook beans on stove for 5 minutes until piping hot and keep warm in oven. 4. Slice banana in half and fry in a new pan in the butter for around 4 minutes each side on a medium heat, leave to warm in oven. 5. Score chorizo and slice avocado in half, set on plate, squeeze lime over avocado to stop it from going brown while you finish the breakfast. 6. Remove everything from oven and arrange on plate, for the finishing touch garnish your plate with the chilli and a lime wedge! Where to try Bandeja Paisa in London: Head over to La Bodeguita in Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre, Walworth Rd, London SE1 If in Brixton try El Rancho de Lalo, 94-95 Brixton Village Market. Donde Carlos 143 Goldhawk Rd, London W12 8EN, Leñas y Carbon 113 Elephant Rd, London SE17 1LB North or the river head for Pueblito Paisa in Seven Sisters Indoor Market http://www.thelatinacook.com/ @thelatinacook
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32 When it comes to Colombian Music, Discos Fuentes is the daddy. Since 1934 this seminal label has been home to some of Colombia’s biggest commercial artists, yet it was never afraid of the experimental and the weird. When it came to doing a top ten, we turned straight to international record dealer, collector and DJ Toni Arellano aka Tostoni whose passion for tropical sound is only matched by his massive LP collection. In keeping up with this Colombian special, we invited him to select his top 10 Discos Fuentes vinyls and he came back with a phenomenal mix of rarities and classic LPs. Enjoy!! My all time favorite album cover from Fuentes, from the LP Calor by Afrosound. A collective of musicians inspired by the Chicha sound coming from Peru and Ecuador - an answer to the funk and rock coming out of the US. An excellent production, aimed at the dance floor from beginning to end. In the cover one of the many fail models that posed for the label, from behind with a afro taking a lead role! The Corraleros were the spine that brought together the Discos Fuentes sound. Their national and international success made them the most succesful group in the history of the label. Here they are in a beautiful picture next to the Fuentes delivery van with the logo just outside the vinyl factory in Medellin. Classic!!!
The Conjunto Miramar revolutionized Cumbia when it fused it with the Salsa of Cuba, Puerto Rico and New York. Here they mixed Charanga and Guaguanco with Cumbia costeĂąa to an explosive result. One of my Discos Fuentes favourites with a great art cover to boot!
MUSIC
Alongside Mexico, Peru and the US, Venezuela was a very important market for the expansion of Discos Fuentes and a lot of LPs were made exclusively for these markets. This first volume of “Conciertos de Cumbias Típicas” is a compilation exclusive for the Venezuelan market and it’s fair to say that this album had no filler, pure tropical bombs! Nueva York, the jewel of all the cities conquered by the Corraleros abroad and reason for the background of this classic album cover “En New York”. Here they are, elegantly dressed on an autumn afternoon, sitting casually in the park. I love the detail of the yellow “stairs” under the feet of the musicians! Another on the successful ‘pop-bands’ from Discos Fuentes, Los Teen-Agers. From Bogotá and Medellin, the band members hailed from universities and the difference between them and other bands from the label was obvious. The more veteran musicians from Fuentes were not too approving of the lighter sound of this band. The image used for the cover of Fiesta Sabanera by Lisandro Meza would be probably deemed politically incorrect, even in Colombia, nowadays! Trying not to take away the focus from the pretty dancer with the red skirt, the art director decided (not very wisely) to cover the face of the drummer with a palm tree, leaving just the rest of the body. Polemic cover but what an album!.
One of the oldest LPs of the label, this classic of the
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Mastro corralero Pedro Laza y Sus Pelayeros, delivering cumbias, porros and rancheras with total elegance and ease. The image of the cover evokes the celebratory vibe of the parties and “corrales”
The only LP by The Picapiedras is an example of the rather more experimental side of Disco Fuentes, mixing Cumbia with Pop and Twist, to mixed results. The highlight cut is the gaita “La Hossa”
Despite not being the best album of Los Corraleros, we have chosen this one because of cover at the Caracas cable car. The band paying tribute to one of the strongest cities of their touring circuit of Latin America.
OCTOBER
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FREE
@cyt_the angel www.canasytapas.co.uk
S W E I V E R C I S U M Jose Luis by DJ
VARIOUS ARTISTS “ALGO SALVAJE Vol 2” Munster Records ‘Something Wild’ is the translation of this title, the second volume of Munster Records project compiling Spanish rock, indi, pop and other underground music from the 60s. Living under the Franco’s regime, Spanish music of the time - or at least whatever got airplay - was heavily censored. Still music from Great Britain and the USA influenced generations of musicians under the dictatorship and an underground scene grew hidden from the Franco’s watchful eyes. Algo Salvaje brings together a lot of those sounds, some of them re-issued for the first time. Much more than just a music compilation, these albums represent a social document of those times where young Spaniards forged their identity between a fascist regime and a changing psychedelic world outside their borders. http://munster-records.com/
Varios Artists: Calentura: Global Bassment Fania 50 years ago New York saw the birth of the most iconic Latino music label ever, Fania Records. Today Fania has found a way to the future, after many years in the wilderness of takeovers and
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bad management. The new team has taken the bull by the horns and seem to be steering the label in a new direction. Calentura is the name of this new album which contains new mixes of some of the most populars songs in the Fania catalogue: Aguanile, Pa Bravo Yo, Timbalero…remixed (or shall we say reworked) by some of the leading lights of the Global Bass movement: Tropkillaz, Uproot Andy, Bomba Stereo) and for the first time producers/re-mixers had access to the original master tapes from the original recordings. The results go from the fantastic to the plain weird, but on the whole Calentura is showing the path to a new chapter in Latino music. The future is bright with Fania back in business! Available at www.fania.com
SNOWBOY AND THE LATIN SECTION: NEW YORK AFTERNOON Snowbody Records
One of the UK’s leading Congueros, Snowboy is back, this time on his own label and delivering his latest Mambo/Salsa album. Snowboy and the Latin Section: New York Afternoon, his very own tribute to the NY is a beautifully crafted production closer to the big band sounds of the 40’s and 50’s than the harder sounds of NY’s 70’s. This abum features guest musicians including David Pattman and Davide Giovanini and also some very special guests such us the legendary House music vocalist, Marc Evans, Jazz saxophonist Pete Wareham and jazz singer-songwriter Jen Kearney. For years Mark Cotgrove, AKA Snowboy has been the most prolific latin band leader in the UK, delivering 16 LPs in a career that has just reached 30 years. This is probably one of the most ambitions projects by the Englishman but despite the difficulties that recording a project like this in the UK must bring, the result is very impressive. Loving the English sung tunes which give a different dimension and real global identity to the project.
ABRIL
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April 14 – June 10, 2016
Dayme Aroncena
Don Quijotes Around the World London Exhibition Held on the fourth centenary of the death of Cervantes, this exhibition pays tribute to the numerous translators across the world who have made it their duty to disseminate Cervantes most famous text, Don Quijote. Location: Instituto Cervantes – Exposition Hall, 102 Eaton Square, SW1W 9AN London Website: http://londres. cervantes.es/FichasCultura/ Ficha106422_22_2.htm April 19, 2016
La Linea Festival presents: Ana Moura Festvals In its Fifteenth year, the La Linea aims to showcase and celebrate rising artists, and disseminate the passion and culture reflected in Latin music. The festival kicks off with a performance by Ana Moura, Portugal’s favourite Fado singer.
EVERY Friday
Latino Deluxe Clubbing
Location: Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London, SW1X 9DQ
Full on Latin party with 2 rooms. Room 1 with Jose Luis with the best crossover music, classics and the latest anthems. Room 2 with Tropicana salsa and Ramiro Zapata playing Salsa, Merengue and Bachata. Free before 9 - £5 after
Website: http://www.comono. co.uk/la-linea/
Location: The Cuban, Camden Lock, Chalk Farm Road, NW3
April 21, 2016
April 22, 2016
La Linea Festival presents: Daymé Arocena – Rich Mix Music Singer, composer, arranger, choir director and band leader, Daymé Arocena is a rising star in the world of Cuban music. See her live at Rich Mix this spring. Location: Rich Mix, 35- 47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA, London Website: http://www.comono. co.uk/la-linea/
La Linea Festival presents: La Yegros – Rich Mix Music With her vibrant sound, unique voice, and larger-than-life presence, La Yegros brings South America to the streets of London. Location: Rich Mix, 35- 47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA, London. Website: http://www.comono. co.uk/live/la-yegros/
April 24, 2016
La Linea Festival Presents: Criolo at KOKO Music Having released two albums in the UK, hip hop artist Criolo, who hails from Sao Paolo, is becoming one of Brazil’s most well-known musical artists. See him live this spring at KOKO Camden. Location: KOKO Camden, 1a Camden High Street, London NW1 7JE. Website: http://www.comono. co.uk/live/criolo-2/ April 25, 2016
Calexico and Gaby Moreno Music Making a long awaited return to La Linea following their debut show at the festival in 2004, Calexico have crossed musical barriers with their band, embracing a multitude of diverse styles, variety in instrumentation, and well-cultivated signature sounds.
abril/may Location: Barbican Hall, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS Website: http://www.comono. co.uk/live/calexico/ April 27, 2016
Chico Trujillo – Electric Ballroom Music Chico Trujillo provide the soundtrack to every party from Santiago to Valparaiso. Support comes from Rokola, the project of Yuri Betancourt (Chile) and Veronica Arcila (Colombia). Location: KOKO Camden, 1a Camden High Street, London NW1 7JE. Location: http://www.comono. co.uk/live/criolo-2/ Website: http://www.comono. co.uk/live/chico-trujillo/ April 28, 2016
La Linea Festival presents: Adan (Adanowsky) Xavi y Los Imanes
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unique panel on Sephardi food. Location: Jewish Community Centre, 341-351 Finchley Road, London, NW3 6ET Website: https://www.jw3. org.uk/sephardifestival?utm_ content=buffere69d6&utm_ medium=social&utm_ source=twitter. com&utm_campaign=buffer May 4, 2016
Gilberto Gil & Caetano Veloso Music
continuing not only a life time of musical collaborations, but also a friendship that has lasted through revolution, exile and more. After a career spanning over 50 years, Gil and Veloso take us back to the 60’s with their mix of Brazilian and African rhythms. Tickets priced at £30 - £65. Location: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS Website: http://www.barbican. org.uk/music/event-detail. asp?id=19367&pg=9445
Two giants of Brazilian music, Gil and Caetano Veloso reunite at the Barbican for an intimate acoustic duo performance,
Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company
Music La Linea welcomes the long-awaited UK debut from Adanowsky (Adan Jodorowsky) and his longtime musical co-conspirator Xavi Polycarpe (Gush).
Patrias
Location: Rich Mix, 35- 47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA, London Website: http://www.comono. co.uk/live/adanowsky-adanxavi-y-los-imanes/
12 - 16 July
May 1- May 2, 2016
Sephardi Festival Festivals JW3 hosts a two day festival, inviting the public to share and celebrate Spanish and North African Jewish culture. The festival will shine a light onto Sephardic music, film and history, and will be providing a
Sadler’s Wells Theatre sadlerswells.com 020 7863 8000 Angel
MAY/JUNE
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May 5 – May 6, 2016
Cecilia Lisa Eliceche: Unison Dance For the first time since her career debut in 2011, Argentine choreographer Cecilia Lisa Eliceche comes to London to bring her newest masterpiece, Unison, to Sadler’s Wells theatre. Tickets are £17. Location: Lilian Baylis Studio, Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R Website: http://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2016/ cecilia-lisa-eliceche-unison/ May 6, 2016
Guillermo Rozenthuler Music London’s Southbank Centre welcomes Argentinian musician Guillermo Rozenthuler to perform a mix of Latin American music, ranging from Cuban boleros to Brazilian bossa nova.
Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R Website: http://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2016/ aracaladanza-in-associationwith-moko-dance-vuelos/ June 1, 2016
Lila Downs Music Following the success of her most recent album, Balas y Chocolate, American-Mexican singer Lila Downs brings her mix of hip-hop, jazz and blues to Southbank Royal Festival Hall. Location: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX Website: http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/liladowns-95695
Website: http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/ June 10, 2016
Javier Camarena Music Grange Park opera welcomes Mexican tenor Javier Camarena, who has travelled through the world’s most iconic opera houses, leaving audiences stunned with his brilliant voice.
Website: http://www.grangeparkopera.co.uk/whats-on/performance-details-page/?event_ id=2219
Website: http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/ guillermo-rozenthuler1001536?dt=2016-05-06
June 23, 2016
Bixiga 70
May 21 – May 22, 2016
Music
Aclaradanza: In association with Moko Dance Vuelo
Bixiga 70 return to London after their sold out UK debut at Rich Mix, this time performing at Scala Club, bringing with them the fusion of African and South American sounds with which they have made a name of themselves.
Music
Location: Lilian Baylis Studio,
Location: Royal Court Theatre, 50-51 Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8AS thbankcentre.co.uk/ whatson/lila-downs-95695
Location: Grange Park Opera, Sutton Manor Farm, Bishop’s Sutton, Alresford, SO24 0AA
Location: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
International, award-winning company Aclaradanza brings its latest project Vuelos to Sadler’s Wells. Spearheaded by Argentinean choreographer Enrique Cabrera, this vivid spectacle makes the most of the company’s playful spirit, and aims to provide delight to adults and children alike - perfect for a family night out. Tickets stand at £12 for children, £17 for adults..
ing a glimpse into the Falklands Islands conflict. Taking first hand experiences of both British and Argentinian soldiers, this moving piece plays with the boundary between reality and memories of the past. The performance will be performed in Spanish, with English surtitles. Ticket prices range from £10 to £25.
Location: Scala, 275 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9NL June 2 – June 11, 2016
Minefield Theatre
Argentinean writer, director and actress Lola Arias brings a fusion of film and theatre provid-
Website: http://www.comono. co.uk/live/bixiga-70-2/
june/JULY June 28, 2016
Martinho da Vila Music Responsible for some of Brazil’s best loved samba over the last 50 years, Martinho da Vila returns with his band to provide the audience at the Barbican with music embodying the spirit of the country, moving from off-beat chilled out rhythms to rousing carnival soundtracks, embracing sounds from a melting pot of cultures. Tickets cost £25 to £45. Location: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS Website: http://www.barbican. org.uk/music/event-detail. asp?id=19481&pg=9614
July 5 – July 6, 2016
Rodrigo and Gabriela at the London Palladium Music The London Palladium welcomes popular do Rodrigo and Gabriela for two nights of instrumental music, ranging from flamenco to heavy metal. Tickets range from £22.50 £27.50 Location: Argyll St, London W1F 7TF Website: http://www.songkick. com/artists/195992-rodrigo-ygabriela July 12 – July 16, 2016
Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company: Patrias Dance World-famous guitarist Paco Peña returns to Sadler’s Wells
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with a historical exploration into one of Spain’s darkest moments: The Spanish Civil War. A proud, emotional project, embracing the meaning of ‘patria’ (the Spanish word for ‘motherland’), Patria was inspired by the life and works of playwright and musician Federico Garcia Lorca, and touches on the physical, social and cultural impact that the Civil War had, and continues to have, on the country today. Tickets range from £12 to £38. Location: ASadler’s Wells, Roseberry Avenue, London, EC1R Website: http://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2016/ paco-pena-flamenco-dancecompany-patrias/
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Saturday 18th June, a day packed with FREE Latin music, dance, film, art, theatre, sport, food and drink, as part of the UK’s biggest community arts festival. Join us in N8, North London’s most vibrant community, from 10am till late! MAIN SQUARE EVENT Morning Zumba with Belkys DANCE 10am-11am Crouch End Plaza Outside Hornsey Town Hall, The Broadway N8 Crouch End’s very own Venezuelan amazon gets the day rolling with a morning Zumba class for all the family. http://belkysledezma. zumba.com
Dorance Lorza and his Sexteto Café LIVE MUSIC – Retro Salsa 12pm-12.45pm Main Stage Outside Hornsey Town Hall, Broadway N8 One of the UK’s leading latin bands, vibraphonist Dorance Lorza’s sextet is renowned for reviving the salsa con vibes combo sound of the Sixties and Seventies. www.Dorancelorza.com
Saul Maya DJ SET – Crossover 12.45pm – 1.45pm Main Stage Main stage, Outside Hornsey Town Hall, Broadway N8 Hailing from Ecuador this LUKAS Award winning DJ is one of the Latin Communities most popular Latin DJs.
Noda Sambroso and his Cuban Assemble LIVE MUSIC – Afro-Cuban 1.45pm – 2.30pm Main Stage Outside Hornsey Town Hall, Broadway N8 World renowned percussionist Orestes Noda is pioneer of one of London’s best kept secrets - a regular Afro-cuban Jam of some of the UK’s best percussionists, which he transports to Crouch End. https://www.facebook.com/ sambrososambroso
FESTIVAL GUIDE
Castells – A Catalan Human Tower PERFORMANCE Main Square
Outside Hornsey Town Hall, Broadway N8 Yes, Crouch End’s very own Human Tower, aka “Castells” in Catalan, performed by Castellers of London, a group of Catalans, English and other dare-devils bringing this centuries-old tradition to London. https://www.facebook.com/ CastellersOfLondon
Fadi’s Salsa Kids KIDS DANCE SHOW – Salsa 3.35pm – 3.50pm Main Stage Salsa performance by children from Coleridge Primary, as taught by Fadi, artistic director for La Rueda del Mundo School. Fadi will also give a dance workshop after his show in The Town Hall.
Mike Kalle and La Raza Collective LIVE MUSIC – Latin Hip Hop 3.50pm – 4.30pm Main Stage Winner of the LUKAS Award 2015 for Urban Act and a leading light of the young creative Latino community. With his collective of Latino rappers (La Raza) Mike Kalle brings the best of UK Latin Hip Hop to Crouch End https://www.youtube. com/user/Globalfaction
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the cutting edge sounds of London’s electronic music scene. Rico, because it is full of Latin American tropical flavor, reconstructing traditional rythmns into a new modern urban sound.
DanceMyWay DANCE SHOW – Brazilian 6.pm-6.30pm 3 times LUKAS winners DanceMyWay, is considered one of the UK’s leading Samba dance schools. www.dancemyway.co.uk/
DBrazilian DJ Set DJ SET 6.30pm-7.15pm
Tribo LIVE MUSIC – Samba 7.15pm – 8.30pm Main Stage
La Explosión LIVE MUSIC – Flamenco
Fernando KBSon
12.45pm-3.30pm Main Stage
DJ SET - Salsa
A new Flamenco collective, fusing Latin music with Rumba and Flamenco. https://www. facebook.com/LaExplosion
4.30pm - 5pm Main Stage
An international cross-cultural drumming, dance and music project, founded by Marcos Santana, with its origins in Morro de São Paulo, Bahia, Brazil.
Three times LUKAS winner for Tropical DJ of the Year, Fernando is THE DJ of choice for London’s plethora of Salsa clubs.
OTHER N8 VENUES
Riconstruction
SPORT
LIVE MUSIC – Electropica/ World/Alternative
10am-12am Coleridge Primary School
5.15pm – 6pm Main Stage
Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced small sided football game that is widely played across Latin America and the reason, many say, they are so good at
A new crew of producers and musicians that bring together Afro-Latin folk music with
Copa America Futsal Tournament
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Football! If its good enough for Pele, Zico, Ronaldinho, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Xavi its good enough for the kids of Crouch End, who will be competing in a mini Copa America, organized by premier league academy coach Ben Corbyn. Winning team will get its trophies on stage in the afternoon. If your child would like to participate email: bencorbyn@ hotmail.com
Hall, outside and inside Hilanda, a spatial private detective looking for clues in the fleeting experiences of city life arrives in Crouch End. She’ll be inviting Crouch Enders to map the entire ground floor of The Hornsey Town Hall with their dreams, resulting in a small sculpture memory of Crouch End and the Town Hall.
Latin America in Focus LECTURES 2pm-6pm, Community Room
Crouch End Picture House, 165 Tottenham Lane, N8 •‘How we achieved peace in Colombia’ by Kristian Herbolzeimer, one of the negotiators in the Colombian Peace Process talks about how they made peace after 50 years of war.
Music Through Film MUSIC DOCUMENTARY
•‘Argentina after the Kirchners’ by Nick Caistor & Marcela López Levy.
Latin American Art @ Jealous
•‘The state, policing & repression in Latin America’ by Ali Rocha.
7pm, Moors Theatre, Park Road, N8 Revolutionary, proto-feminist, underground spy and the beating heart of South American liberation, Manuela Saenz died in poverty, all but forgotten by the history books – until now. Blending storytelling, physical theatre, comedy and live music, Tamsin Clarke brings Manuelaʼs story of love, loss and revolution to life in a heart-swelling experience.
LIVE MUSIC
•‘Brazil: crisis & tragedy’ by David Lehmann.
•‘Ortega’s sinking canal’ by Russell White.
Theatre
Katy Prado and Los Mamboleros
Time and venue tbc Mercedes Sosa: The Voice of Latin America about the legendary Argentine singer and Hecho en Mexico - an inspiring musical road trip through modern day “Mexicanity” www.alborada.net
•‘The Latin Community in London’s Regeneration Process’ by Patria Roman amd Mirca Moreira.
Manuelita
Time and venue tbc One of the most exciting fusion bands to come out of London in recent years. Known for her electric residencies at Picadilly’s celebrity hang out Coya, Katy’s sizzling rockabilly salsa mambo, boasts Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Mark Ronson amongst her fans. http://katy-prado.tumblr.com/
ART 10am-6pm, Jealous Gallery, Park Road, N8
Latin American Cinema
Luiz de Almeida Brazilian Jazz Quartet
•‘Brazilian Music and the Politics of Black Identity’ by David Treece.
FILM
LIVE MUSIC 9pm, The Maynard, Park Road N8
Camilo Menjura’s Spanish Sing-a-long
Crouch End Picturehouse, Tottenham Lane, N8
Love in the Time of Cuba
One of London’s longest established Brazilian guitarists, Luiz has formed many Brazilian Jazz bands. Here is brings his latest formation - a Brazilizan Jazz Quartet.
KIDS
LITERATURE
Award-winning Colombian singer, guitarist and choir master, delivers a fun Spanish singa-long for children between 3 and 8.
Time and Venue to be confirmed Leila Segal’s debut book of short stories Breathe explores the complex nature of love and relationships between Cubans and foreign visitors. Accompanied by the wonderful Cuban guitarist Ahmed Dickenson.
Spinning Crouch End Memories
Latin American Art
1pm-2pm Moors Theatre Park Road N8 Award-winning
ART INTERVENTION
ART
10am-6pm, Hornsey Town
10am-6pm, Rileys, Crouch End Broadway. N8
All times and venues to tbc and subject to change. Latest updates at http://www. latinolife.co.uk/events/londongoes-latin-crouch-end-festival If you would like to participate or perform in the Crouch End Festival contact us at http:// www.latinolife.co.uk/content/ contact-us
THE HOT NEW LATINO MUSICAL 43
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New route to BOGOTA. Discover COLOMBIA with Air Europa, the Latin American specialist. Launching June 28th 2016. Daily service from London Gatwick on board our new DREAMLINER.
All flights are via Madrid. Baggage allowance 2X23Kg. For more information call: 08714230717 or visit us at: www.aireuropa.com