Latino Life Summer Guide 2013

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Buika Flamenco’s hottest property THE HISTORY OF LATIN LONDON EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO ARGENTINA’S TENNIS TITAN EVENTS, MUSIC, DANCE AND MUCH MORE...

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Welcome to LatinoLife

What better way to celebrate the re-launch of Britain’s favourite online Latino magazine than publish a print version? After three years building our wonderful online community, where Latinos and non-Latinos share their passion for culture, we thought it was about time to take to the streets. It’s a great feeling to produce something tangible, which will hopefully inspire you to visit our online magazine, with loads more articles, interviews and updated events (you can also upload your own). I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped build Latinolife into what it is today – a one stop shop for all things Latino in the UK. We hope you enjoy this edition. Look out for more to come.

Amaranta Wright, Editor amaranta@latinolife.co.uk

CONTENTS 4 The Latest Latin News, Views, and Lists 6 Revolutionaries and Rumberos – A Brief History of Latin London 12 Top Ten Latin Albums recorded in the UK 18 Meet This Year’s Latin-uk awards Winners

Interview: Concha Buika

“Never dream of freedom, you must only think of a way to get the key to the cage.”

Interview: Juan Martin Del Potro

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24 What’s OnYour Latin listings guide

EVERYBODY’S GOING...

KIZOMBA KRAZY

Some call it a cross between Tango and Lambada, one thing is certain: this incredibly sexy partner dance from Angola, which fuses Caribbean Zouk, African Semba, Latin and R&B, is taking the world by storm. The Tango influence came via Portuguese colonists, the Latin flavour by the Cubans in Angola during the war, all moulded together with a modern, urban edge. “People feel the need for contact as this is lacking in society in general,” says Iris de Brito, one of Kizomba’s pioneers in the UK.” The fact that Kizomba is a close dance but doesn’t have the melancholic quality of Tango is what makes it really popular.” www.KizombaUK.com

www.latinolife.co.uk • twitter.com/latinolifeuk • facebook.com/LatinoLifeWeb

THE LATIN HOT LIST

‘CHE WANTS TO SEE YOU’: THE UNTOLD STORY OF CHE IN BOLIVIA: For all you revolutionary romantics out there, this is surely a must-have. Hot off the press - a riveting memoir told by Ciro Bustos, Che’s Argentine Lieutenant and right-hand man. Of the fifty-one guerrillas who joined Che Guevara in Bolivia, only one Argentine survived, a young artist-turnedrevolutionary. Once accused of betraying Che and playing a part in his death, this is Ciro’s version of what happened.

Published by Verso

WARA’s debut album ‘Leave to Remain’:

One of the UK’s finest home grown Latin fusion outfits launches its longawaited debut album.

This nine-piece band brings together musicians from Cuba, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Ghana, Congo, Spain and the UK to produce a unique Spanglish combo of Timba, Rumba, Soul, Afro Dub, Hiphop and jazz. Catch them at the Jazz café on August 7th. www.movimientos.org.uk

CASA Latin American Theatre Festival: Growing every year, this wonderful Theatre Festival celebrates its sixth edition this autumn with ten days of critically acclaimed Latin American theatre at the Barbican, Rich Mix and the Institute of the Americas.

Featuring outstanding work from Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay alongside UK-based Latin American theatre, as well as live music, exhibitions, workshops and debates, it’s one not to miss.

From 27th September – 6th October www.casafestival.org.uk

NO – OUT ON DVD

Pablo Larrain’s amazing film about a daring advertising executive’s campaign to persuade the Chilean public to vote‘NO’in Augusto Pinochet’s 1988 referendum.

Available on DVD, iTunes and Curzon’s online shop ‘On Demand’ BOGOTÁ BRINGS THE BLING TO LONDON Gold was used to fashion some of the most dramatic and sophisticated works of art found anywhere in the Americas before European contact.

This exhibition will feature up to 250 spectacular masterworks borrowed from the

Museo de Oro in Bogotá.

It attempts to unravel the myths behind El Dorado and the legendary ‘Lost City of Gold’ that fascinated European explorers, by showing how Gold represented the diverse cultures of more than thirty chiefdoms before the arrival of the Europeans.

Runs from October 2013 to March 2014 britishmuseum.org

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LATIN LONDON MOMENTS OF THE YEAR SO FAR… VIVIENNE WESTWOOD’S BONKERS SPEECH AT THE LUKAS Taking advantage of a captive audience at The Latin-UK Awards, the wacky queen of British fashion set off on a monologue that started with a bizarrely poetic Ode to the Ballet Dancer (which had Carlos Acosta in fits of laughter) and ended with an anti—American rant and professed love for the Ecuadorian people. With the audience’s standing ovation she almost forgot there was an award to be given.

The One-Woman Latina Show that captured theatre goers hearts Vicky Araico Casas mesmerised audiences with her one-woman show.

Winning a Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival, ‘Juana In A Million’ went on to make London laugh and cry with it’s rollercoaster of Juana’s first two months

as an illegal Mexican.

Casas jumped effortlessly from one character to another with her sublime blend of storytelling, energy and physicality, bringing the Latin American immigrant perspective to the London stage for the first time.

J-LO AND FREDDY FLINTOFF ON THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW. She was a global pop superstar and he…well who is he? That was very likely the thought running through J-Lo’s head when plumped on the Friday night television sofa next to…Freddy...ur, who? Far from showing any offence at J-Lo confusing cricket with croquet, the brash Yorkshire man carried on as if HE was the global superstar, reeling off anecdotes about his famous antics and the Ashes (the what?).

By the manner in which the Latin Diva fondled Flintoff’s knee, however, we suspect she became curiously attracted to the mysterious lad who stole her limelight.

JULIAN ASSANGE AND CALLE 13

In another unlikely pairing, this time holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy, Calle 13 frontman René Pérez paid a visit to wellknown songwriter Julian Assange. The Wikileaks founder and the Urban Latin superstar gathered suggestions from Twitter users for a new song. If some of the tweets are anything to go by, we can expect a veritable poetic feast on Calle 13’s new album…not! ‘Security is for penguins in a suit and tie, in the barrio we all take care of each other, even from the security of the penguins #julianassangecalle13.’ Rubén Blades come back!

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umberos& R evolutionaries R

A BRIEF HISTORY OF LATIN AMERICANS IN LONDON

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LATINOS IN LONDON - 18TH CENTURY STYLE

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Fran cisc o

From Francisco de Miranda and the 18th century revolutionaries to Strictly via Afro-Brazilian beats and Argentine football wizardry, Latin Americans have infused British culture with their ideas and flavour for centuries, writes Amaranta Wright a rand Mi e d

oreign Secretary William Hague recently boasted that London was once the venue of choice for Latin Americans plotting revolution: ‘Britain came to be more closely associated with the Latin American independence movements than any other world power. London was a centre of activity for its leaders and supporters.’

Indeed, Britain’s first Latin American visitors were a generation of exiled intellectuals who came to London in the hope of raising money for the Wars of Independence against the Spanish. Venezuelan revolutionary Francisco de Miranda lived with his English wife Sarah Andrews in London during the 1780s, where he founded the Lautaro Lodge, a highly secretive Masonic club dedicated to the struggle for Latin American independence.

Miranda’s Lodge drew the liberators of Argentina and Chile, José de San Martín and Bernardo O’Higgins and the eventual liberator of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela, Simón Bolívar. They were keen to repeat America’s success in throwing out the British Crown in 1776 and the French Revolution against its own despotic royalty in 1789.

It has to be said, Britain itself was no disinterested party in stoking the flames of revolution. Successive British governments of the 19th century saw the decline of the Spanish Empire as their chance to expand British markets. Once the Spanish were out, they flooded Latin America with British products, exported valuable raw materials - copper, coffee and sugar – at knockdown prices, arguably making Latin American economies dependent on British investment for years to come.

THE 20TH CENTURY AND THE INVASION OF ‘SABOR’

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hile 1920s Paris was intoxicated with Carlos Gardel and its love affair with tango, London had to wait until the 1940s to get its Latin fix.

It appeared in the form of Don Marino Barreto, the Cuban bandleader who made his name playing to pilots on the Salisbury Plain during the Battle of Britain, and in his successor, Venezuelan-born Edmundo Ros. The pair became two of the most successful musicians across the board, lifting a war-weary Britain from the doldrums with their heady mix of tropical beats and exotic stage presence.

Ros had several hits, including The Wedding Samba, which sold three million copies, a huge volume of sales for that time. The charismatic Venezuelan attracted the cream of London society to his appearances at Regent Street’s lavish Coconut Grove and made national headlines when a defendant in a high-profile divorce case implicated him as a catalyst for his marriage’s demise.

His Latin-lover fame only served to drive his popularity further, and Ros was commissioned to give

“His Latin-lover fame only served to drive his popularity further, and Ros was commissioned to give dance lessons to Princess Elizabeth.”

Edmundo Ros

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“Spurs fans still talk about that goal which took Spurs from 2-2 to 3-2 up in the FA Cup Final replay against Manchester City and made Ricky Villa London’s most unlikely local hero.” dance lessons to the then-Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret.

In addition to his three West End nightclubs, Ros’ BBC Radio 2 programmes also made him a household name. He became the ‘housewives’ choice’ on the radio, as he tailored his Latin big band sound to the English ear by emphasising melody over rhythm, and was awarded the Order of the British Empire in the 2000 New Year’s Honours List.

THE SEVENTIES AND EIGHTIES AND THE ERA OF LATIN SOLIDARITY

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n the early 1970s, a less cheerful wave of Latin Americans started to appear in London. The Immigration Act of 1971 made it possible for Latin Americans to be granted work permits in the UK. It was just as well: in 1973 the Chile of socialist President

Allende fell to Augusto Pinochet’s military coup, provoking a ruthless witch-hunt of professionals, intellectuals, musicians, creative types and students perceived to have left-leaning tendencies. As a result, some 2,500 Chileans arrived in the UK around that time.

This was only the first in a plague of US-backed dictatorships that swept through the continent, bringing many fleeing for their lives. These highly-educated, politicised immigrants introduced to the UK Nueva Trova and Canción de Protesta (protest music) by the likes of Argentina’s Mercedes Sosa and Cuba’s Silvio Rodriguez. The years in exile spent by Brazilian legends Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso in West London added further allure to this cool London subculture.

It is difficult today to imagine political Latin music having widespread appeal. But Andy Wood, who started his career as promoter organising concerts for the

9 Phil Manzanera and Brian Ferry with Salvador Dali

Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign, describes a buzzing scene that tapped into the broader political activity happening in Britain at the time. “The Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign had thirty full- time staff and brought loads of artists. We had support from the Greater London Council (run by ‘Red Ken’ Livingstone) who helped bring the likes of Rubén Blades, Inti-illimani and Silvio Rodriguez. This was before the dance class boom.

People enjoyed dancing to live salsa, without worrying whether they were dancing on the one or the two.”

Away from the politics and the music, nobody can forget the first Latin football players to play in the English Premier League. In the wake of the 1978 World Cup in Argentina (still under dictatorship), Ozzy Ardiles and Ricky Villa arrived on British shores unaware that they were to immortalise themselves in the history of one of London’s great clubs. Spurs fans still talk about that goal which took Spurs from 2-2 to 3-2 up in the FA Cup Final replay against Manchester City and made Ricky Villa London’s most unlikely local hero. Not even the Falklands War could undo the magic.

Colombia, where they were fleeing the political and economic terrors of a 40-year long civil war. No new phase of Latin immigration comes without bringing musical talent, and this one was no different, with the likes of Venezuela’s Jorge Spiteri and Phil Manzanera creating sounds that were to have their impact on British Rock. Phil Manzanera, who was born to a Colombian mother in Dulwich, became the lead guitarist of seminal band Roxy Music (Brian Ferry and Brian Eno) and went on to become one of the UK’s most respected record producers.

A second Colombian wave came in the late 1980s with the further economic slump caused by the busting of the drug cartels, and today Britain has the world’s third

THE IMPACT OF LATINO IMMIGRANT CULTURE

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ccompanying the influx of political refugees was an even bigger wave of economic migrants in the late 1970s. They arrived mostly from

Glen Hoddle hugs Ricky Villa after his winning goal in the FA cup

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into the mainstream Latin-themed bars offering salsa classes that were springing up all over London at the time.

The allure of Latin rhythms allowed many British musicians such as pianist Alex Wilson to make a living from their passion for Latin music. But the influence hasn’t all been one-sided. English pop influences abound in the music of Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, from London, London, the former’s melodic tribute to the city, to Gil’s stunning Brazilian version of Hello, Goodbye by the Beatles.

largest Colombian diaspora after the US and Spain.

THE ‘LATIN BOOM’ OF THE 1990S First there was the overwhelming success of the Buena Vista Social Club, the popularity of which was not the product of some big marketing master plan, as some people think, insists Nick Gold, executive producer of the Buena Vista series. “It was the live performances, great reviews and word of mouth of an already receptive audience.

The Wim Wenders film then made it into an international phenomenon.”

“Latin culture has been huge in the UK for decades without people even realising it. Look at Strictly, pretty much all those dances originate from Latin America.”

Out of the spotlight, the salsacrazy Colombian community built their own thriving music scene in London. The Guardian writer Richard Williams remembers the Monday night in 1975 when a grungy punk rock pub played host to the debut of the first salsa band on this side of the pond. A 29-yearold Héctor Lavoe, already a legend in the US and South America, took to the stage and played to a typically scruffy London pub crowd. According to Williams however, “for a couple of hours he made it seem like the only place to be.”

The Colombians in London played a huge part in kicking off the Salsa club phenomenon. As well packing out their own venues, their party spirit spilled over

Then, of course, came the invasion of the commercial superstars via the US, Ricky Martin, J-Lo and Shakira, who provided the Saturday night soundtrack to London’s now prolific Latin-flavoured venues and added to what the Evening Standard described as “The Latin Boom.”

This common appreciation of the Latino sound culminated in the Latin mega-festivals that began with Salsa 2000 in Battersea Park where salsa stars Celia Cruz, Oscar D’León and Rubén Blades shared the stage. Clapham Common’s Latin Splash was hot in its tail in 2005 and The Carnaval del Pueblo soon followed, becoming Europe’s biggest free Latin festival.

Latinos Rule UK The impact of the estimated 700,000 strong Latin American community can be seen in the multitude of billboards in Spanish overlooking Elephant and Castle roundabout, the varied Latin food offerings on the high street or the fact that, these days, every pub on every corner now offers some kind of Latin dance class.

Meanwhile, a new home-grown Latin movement is

Carnaval del Pueblo

....Continues on page 34

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TOP TEN

Latin Albums produced in the UK Artists from all over the world come to record in London, and Latin Americans are no exception, from Soda Stereo to Buena Vista.

But we are not interested in these ‘parachute recordings’, only the Latin artists who lived here, even for a brief period, to bring ‘their’ London experience with them into the recording studio. There have been a lot of disasters as a result, but when it goes right this combination has produced some original and outstanding results.

The following list pays tribute to this London Latin uniqueness as expressed through music.

CAETANO VELOSO Caetano Veloso (Polygram, 1971)

A French saint once said that it is as dangerous for a writer to try a new language as it is for a believer to try a new religion: he can lose his soul. When he made this album, Brazil was under military dictatorship, Caetano was in exile in London and was probably not the happiest he’s ever been. Nor did he think he was writing the best music of his life. Yet with hindsight, we can see this Brazilian legend was reaching his prime as an artist, and several songs on this album are some of the best he’s ever written. One of them, ‘London, London’, is one Caetano often says he thought of as a silly little song at the time but that “listening to it over time I am surprised at how good it is.”

Caetano’s use of English is very special and he throws a great perspective on our city, so much so that Nick Griffin would do well to listen to it before he next opens his mouth.

GILBERTO GIL Gilberto Gil (Water, 1971)

Tropicalia pioneer Gilberto Gil was in exile at the same time as Veloso. Like the work of his contemporary, this album has become a classic in a way he probably never imagined. Similarly low key, it balances hippie-era optimism with a nostalgic longing for home (exemplified in the song “Can’t Find My Way Home”). Its acoustic nature gives it a vulnerable feel, except for the full-band rave-up of “Crazy Pop Rock”.

The album mixes modified bossa nova rhythms with folk-rock influences and a pronounced psychedelic side (“Three Mushrooms” and the bonus live versions of Hendrix and Beatles tunes). A great way to get into this Brazilian legend if you haven’t already.

SPITERI Spiteri (Vampisoul, originally issued in 1973)

Why don’t they make experimental music like this any more? A true gem that warranted a welcome reissue recently, it’s a visionary album produced by some top class and slightly mad Venezuelan musicians living in London in the 70s. It went unnoticed for decades but, through its reissuing by visionary label Vampisoul, it’s finding its way into the collections of a few discerning record hunters. A heady mix of psychedelic rock, salsa and Afro-Venezuelan sounds.

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TUMBAITO Otros Tiempos (Deep South, 1999)

Led by Venezuelan master percussionist William Cumberbache, this is Tumbaito’s only released album to date: a mixture of latin, jazz, urban and folk.

Heavily influenced by Weather Report, this album sounded ten years ahead of its time.

SALSA CELTICA El Camino (Discos León, 2006)

As countless other music hacks have said already about this group, it shouldn’t work...but it does. Salsa Celtica is a beautiful representation of two great creative and musical cultures: salsa and celtic (yes, bagpipes and all that) and how a fusion between the two can really work. It rocks! The only British salsa band to boast of having performed gigs around the globe, 2006’s “El Camino” only served to consolidate their sound and excellent reputation.

GRUPO X Exposure (Loft, 2001)

A truly English salsa group. Led by Jonathan Enright, Grupo X’s first album is a classic salsa album. A two trombone affair, it really put UK salsa music on the map when it was nominated for a Latin Grammy the year it was released.

SKA CUBANO Ska Cubano (Casino Sounds, 2004)

DORANCÉ LORZA Salsa Pa’ Ti (Candela Records, 2005)

One of the best salsa releases of 2005, this album garnered fantastic reviews

by Straight No Chaser and Latin Beat, and was one of Descarga.com’s top 10 albums of that year. Lorza, a gifted vibraphonist, took some great salsa classics (El Títere, El Negro Bembón) and made them his own, adding a dash of Colombian flavour and sophistication along the way.

A match made in heaven: the percussion and soulfulness of Cuban son mixed with the bass-driven sound of Jamaican ska. They were not the first to mix afro Latin rhythms and Jamaican music (Los Pericos from Argentina and Venezuela’s Desorden Público beat them to it) but it was the inspiring idea of using old-time Cuban singer Benny Billy that made them sound unique and opened the door for them to become the most successful UK-based Cuban band since Edmundo Ros in the 1940s.

OMAR PUENTE AND ROBERT MITCHELL Bridges (F-Ire, 2007)

Omar Puente is an outstanding classically trained Cuban violinist with a passion for jazz who settled in England in 1997. He has played with all the greats and recorded some quality experimental music in his own right.

This album, with British pianist Robert Mitchell, is a great example of pushing the jazz-fusion and cultural boundaries.

ALEX WILSON Inglaterra (Self-released, 2007)

The most accomplished non-Latino latin piano player to come out of the UK, Alex Wilson may not be for salsa purists, but his tracks are warmly received by the salsa dance community and have great cross-over appeal.

Wilson is a tremendous jazz pianist and his forte of mixing soul and salsa in a highly credible way is an achievement not to be sniffed at. His renditions of “Ain’t Nobody” and “Show Me” are testament to that.

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BUIKA

THERAPY

Born of immigrants from Equatorial Guinea and growing up among Romani gypsies in Mallorca, Concha Buika has emerged to become Spain’s most unlikely Flamenco star. Yet her haunting, velvety voice, her sentimiento and chiseled beauty have made her an unstoppable force. Rather than finding the tortured soul that one might expect, Jose Luis Seijas discovers a joyful spirit who is embracing life and her success.

When you hear the voice of Concha Buika, it is easy to get filled with emotion; you can feel her pain, the depth of her emotion. It has that Billy Holiday effect of gentle stomach wrenching - a confusing wonder. And when you hear the story of Concha Buika you immediately feel inspired and curious. A story of breaking through both the financial hardship and the stigmas of belonging to two marginalized communities, Gypsy and African, in a country not known for embracing either.

So, as I sit waiting in the restaurant of a Regent Street hotel, I am half expecting a tough cookie with something to prove, as indeed she has, with her huge critical acclaim and Grammy nomination. I am not expecting

the queen of warmth and happiness that breezes in, lighting up the room with her big smile. All the heads in the restaurant are turning, as she introduces herself to me.

Latinolife: How you doing, how is England treating you, I know you sold out your last concert here?

Buika: It was divine, really marvelous. England is treating me rather well.

It seems like England is adopting you, recently you were a major feature on a very important newspaper.

Ha, ha. I think England adopts whoever comes with

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“I think for a few years after Franco’s death everyone felt a bit alien. The ghost of Franco took many years to vanish. It was not harder for me because I was an immigrant.”

good intentions, a great country you know, a very welcoming country, very curious about artists that come here. It is a teacher that is always learning Your parents are from Equatorial Guinea, how was it to grow up as the kid of immigrant parents in Spain?

It was hard and beautiful at the same time…but it was a time when everyone felt very strange, both Spaniards and immigrants. I think for a few years after Franco’s death everyone felt a bit alien. The ghost of Franco took many years to vanish. When a dictator of that magnitude goes, it’s a benchmark, the hard work began when he died…the hangover of Franco’s regime took a long time to go. They were hard and difficult times for everyone in Spain… it was not harder for me than for the rest because I was an immigrant. I was a kid and kids don’t understand those things. I was a happy child.

You grew up in a neighbourhood that was predominantly gypsy, with music that was not yours that ended up shaping you as an artist and as a person, tell us more about that experience…

All music genres were foreign to me, even African music, as I was not in Africa. For me all music was a new world that I embraced. My mum used to listen to all kinds, because for her all music was new. For a tribal person from Africa, like my mum, there was no difference between a Chinese person, an Arab person, a Gypsy, a Jew…for my mum everyone was equal, all music sounded good and was danceable! It did not matter to her if you played funeral music, she would dance to it. She used to buy LPs in the market by the bulk, 10 LPs for 10 Pesetas, it did not matter to her what she got sold, so I grew up with total freedom of enjoyment when it came to music.

17 “I would say I was Spanish and people would say no, you are African, then I would say I was African and the Africans would say no you are not because you never been to our continent” Well I suppose we all kind of go through different genres as we grow up, but the music industry tend to pigeon hole artists, and then it’s easy for people to say ‘I don’t like THAT type’ For me the concept of pigeon holing or defining yourself against something else has to do with wanting to be protected but I don’t feel the need to be protected.

I don’t need to be protected against bad music, or against cool music or chic music…for me everything has the same origins do re mi fa so la si. After that it is the unique tools and the mystery you put into what you do that makes it special. But I don’t feel there is a genre of music that sounds better than other. Music is music.

I think that shows in the kind of music you produce, which is very open…

I never grew up with someone telling me that Rock was better than Hip hop or Classical, I listened to everything in the same measure. Having said that, there were of course some artists that were more influential than others. For example John Coltrane we listened to every morning to wake up, the Beatles, Madonna, Witney Houston, Heavy Metal…Judas Priest, Lucho Gatica! (laughs)

In England, they love to put people within music genres and you happen to be put under the Flamenco tag, any thoughts on that?

I don’t really mind! They can call me whatever they feel like, as long as it is Buika. I have heard that I am a flamenco singer, a Jazz singer, this or that… I don’t have an identity, I never had, not a musical identity nor a social identity. When you are younger this can be upsetting. You feel a need to belong …yeah that sucked (laughs)!! I would say I was Spanish and people would say no, you are African, then I would say I was African

....Continues on page 33

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THE LUKAS BEST OF LATIN BRITAIN 2012-2013

The Latin-UK Awards (LUKAS) are the annual awards to recognize the contribution of Britain’s one million Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese residents. In its second year, The LUKAS became the most media covered Latin event in UK history.

333,000 votes were cast for nominees in fifty awards, celebrating performers and musicians - from Tango, Salsa, Brazilian and Flamenco, to Pop, Kizomba and Zumba - as well as Latin entertainers, footballers and community leaders.

This year’s fabulous gala ceremony took place at Café de Paris in central London. Boris Izaguirre, Spain’s most popular TV presenter, flew over to take on hosting duties alongside the gorgeous Yanet Fuentes. Ballet stars Carlos Acosta, Tamara Rojo and Fernando Montaño provided grace, Pink Floyd legend David Gilmour some rock royalty

glamour and designer Vivienne Westwood a brilliantly bonkers speech.

In addition to great national press coverage, the awards made national headline news all over Latin America, reaching some eight million people. Watch this space!

Meanwhile we introduce some of this year’s winners:

PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR - Fernando Montano “The whole LUKAS experience was very rewarding; I feel very proud. It gave me lots of publicity, allowing more people to know about me outside the ballet world. I really appreciated the speech that Vivienne (Westwood) gave at the ceremony and the fact that so many friends were there as well as other artists. I was also very proud to be able to give a performance that night.”

KIZOMBA TEACHER OF THE YEAR - Iris de Brito “Winning the LUKAS gave recognition to the dance style and culture of Kizomba. It also gives the incentive to improve teaching standards in the UK. The best thing about the Gala night was to hear that Vivienne Westwood liked our performance!”

TROPICAL ACT OF THE YEAR - Salseology “Winning a LUKAS meant a lot to us. We’ve worked very to reestablish a strong relationship between live salsa music and the vibrant community of salsa dancers. We noticed a huge spike in our web traffic whilst the LUKAS voting was taking place. We received new visitors from all over the world. LUKAS gave us a global platform for our music. That’s priceless. We’re one group of musicians among a massively talented UK Latin music community. We hope that our success will mean more exposure and more opportunity for everyone.”

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LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Phil Manzanera “It was a great honour for me to be recognised by the Latino community in the UK as it is about time that we all helped and supported each other. The Gala night had an incredible ‘ambiente’, the atmosphere felt different to most awards ceremonies and captured the latino groove and of course having my great friend David Gilmour there to present the award to me made it extra special” DANCE FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR – MAMBO CITY “We felt very humbled and honoured that so many took the time to vote for us. We held our first class in 1999 and this year we celebrated 14 yrs.

Being able to share the stage and the evening with like minded people, to laugh and party together, was a wonderful experience. The LUKAS sits proudly on our cupboard in the office as a reminder of our journey.”

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Carlos Acosta “I was proud to be part of the LUKAS, it’s a long overdue Awards for our achievements in the UK. The gala ceremony will no doubt become the hottest ticket in the annual London diary.”

To see the full list of winners visit: www.latinolife.co.uk

BRAZILIAN DANCE PERFORMERS AND ACT OF THE YEAR – Tropicalia “It was great to see so many talented Latino artists come together for one night, sharing the stage with stars such as Carlos Acosta, Fernando Montano, Phil Manzanera and many others. The LUKAS has been a great help in spreading the word about us and increasing our bookings!”

VOCALIST OF THE YEAR - George Peguero “The gala night was amazing! It was very exciting to meet other prestigious artists and see their work first hand.

I am actually collaborating with some on my next project. So inspiring! The LUKAS helped me to raise my profile and to stay at the top of Latin music in the UK.”

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE OF THE YEAR - Mexicolore “After 33 years of trying to bring Mexican history and culture to life for children and youngsters in Britain, working very much ‘behind the scenes’ (education just isn’t sexy…), winning a LUKAS award gives us the satisfaction of knowing that our efforts have been recognised among the vibrant Latin American community in Britain, and inspires us to greater things. Through the award, we received warm messages of congratulations and encouragement via our website from all over the world.

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Summer Gui de 2013

Theatr e, Ar t, Musi

c, Debate, Commu

nity

27 September - 6 October

Rich Mix, Barbican, Institute for the Americas www.casafestival.org.uk Twitter: @CasaFestival fb.com/casalatinamericantheatrefestival

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ig B hill C

The

Not only did Juan Martin del Potro’s spectacular Wimbledon semi-final against Novak Djokovic earn him a place in Britain’s heart, of all the top players he is the one that British Tennis can learn the most from. Amaranta Wright meets the Argentine giant and finds a refreshing focus on playing rather than being a champion. It might just be what makes him the US Open Champion and Olympic Bronze Medallist that he is.

I

t’s impossible not to notice the shy giant with the rackets sauntering through the high-society crowd on the English country estate; hooray Henriettas tottering in stilettos, champagne bottles in hand. His height comes with a rare serenity, rather than the usual gangly awkwardness.

Even the champagne corks regularly popping in the crowd as he plays at this pre-Wimbledon exhibition match, seem to make little impression on the Argentine.

“All this, the formality, the rules and obligatory white is something different for us Latin Americans,” says Juan Martin Del Potro diplomatically, with a smile.

Indeed, none of this could be further from the sleepy Pampa town of Tandil where he grew up. And yet, far from the Wimbledon hype, Del Potro’s home town of 100,000 has astonishingly produced more top hundred tennis players in the last 10 years than the entire British Isles.

“For me, its just about getting your head down, moving forward, step by step, point by point, without thinking about the future too much or the next match or next title, and just enjoy the fact that you’re competing with the best players in the world.” says Del Potro, affectionately known as Delpo. “It’s about

“I liked tennis but it wasn’t like I was hooked.

I played football everyday and tennis once a week.”

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Summer Gui de 2013

staying focused on what needs to be done to get the prize, rather than the prize itself.”

Delpo’s body language oozes a relaxed, giraffe-like quality quite different to the other top players. And his attitude seems to reflect this centred approach.

“I was never pressured as a kid. I preferred football and hanging out with friends. One day someone lent me a racket I started hitting on the wall.

The next week my mum took me to a class. And I liked it but it wasn’t like I was hooked. I played football every day and tennis once a week. And it was like that for several years, until the tennis coach in the club said that I had the right elements and that I should try to play a bit more. So I started playing three times a week and then eventually every day and starting playing tournaments, but not till I was about 12.”

he knows how to manage children, their behaviour and he knows how to encourage them. He cares and is very dedicated.”

In Argentina children are very much at the centre of society, as is tennis. Far from an elite sport, tennis is part of the broader culture. Sports clubs are a popular phenomenon; they are not expensive and don’t require membership. Clubs will often let children join lessons for free, in order to encourage them, whether in small towns or big cities.

“It’s about staying focused on what needs to be done to get the prize, rather than the prize itself”

It is clear that in Tandil tennis is part of a grassroots culture, something that Mrs Murray, Andy’s mother, herself is openly campaigning for in the UK; to bring tennis from the elite to the community. I suggest that he and her have a chat about it: “How are you two getting along these days?”

I ask.

I point to the fact that here in the UK 12 is considered quite late to start competing. Ultra-ambitious parents are having their kids play tournaments at six or seven.

Del Potro laughs. He knows I am referring to an on-court dispute four years ago in which Del Potro angered Murray by criticising his mother.

“Yes, I know, but in Argentina it’s a bit different. And 10 years ago even more so. I had a normal childhood.

In fact, my parents were much more concerned with me doing my school work than playing sport. Tennis was like a hobby.”

“You know, we were very young. I have known Andy and his mother since we were kids. Growing up together you are always bound to have some ‘moments’ on the court.

But I respect both Andy and his mother a lot and I have a very good relationship with her now don’t worry.”

Delpo has done pretty well out of this ‘hobby’ and I suggest that Argentina must be doing something right: it had more players in the Wimbledon draw than England. England’s obsession with English players winning Wimbledon has certainly never helped them win it (lets not forget Murray is Scottish). And this obsession with winning rather than playing is often reflected on the junior scene.

“The only one who really pushed me was the coach, Marcelo Gomez,” Delpo says. This is the coach who also took other players from Tandil such as Juan Monaco, Mariana Zabaleta, Maximo Gonzalez, to the top 20, unheard of for a town that size.

“What does this coach have that is so special?” I ask “Marcelo is just very good teaching little kids how to hit the ball. He teaches the basics very well. He is also very coherent and responsible. More than anything,

How much Tandil or Delpo’s own humble beginnings have to do with his healthy approach is difficult to gage. Delpo admits to being “a very focused person,

23 in everything I do.” What is clear, however, is that that if Del Potro had been brought up in the UK, he probably wouldn’t have had access to tennis in the first place.

“I never had any problems on the court. Mentally and tennis wise I had the right conditions. But the money situation was very difficult, it was a real struggle to travel and pay for equipment, training the tournaments. They made big sacrafices.”

In a fiercely competitiveness sport, one imagines that only the most of aggressive survive. And yet it is Del Potro’s tranquillity, his uncomplicated approach to life that makes him stand out, “Tennis is my day job. It’s a job that I do well and I like, and I want to continue to do at a high level. I don’t think about being number one, just doing the best I can. More important to me is being a good person. I like my life as a tennis player, I like playing in front of a whole load of people, being recognised for what I do.

I get access to a lot of things, people, idols of mine because of what I do. But I know this life will end and I look forward to going back to Tandil, to my family and life there. I’m very attached to it and my friends and I miss them lot. That is where I want to go back to.”

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What’s on- AUGUST 3RD AUGUST RKM AND KEN-Y CONCERT London debut of Puerto Rico’s most popular Urban duet. Danny D of the Bachata Crew Extreme co-headlining.

The Lighthouse. 262-241 Camberwell Road.

SE5 0DP

30 JUL – 4 AUG 2013 CARLOS ACOSTA’S CLASSICAL SELECTION DANCE SHOW The greatest male dancer of his generation returns to the London Coliseum, presenting highlights of his career and joined by his favourite dance partners.

London Coliseum St. Martin’s Lane, Trafalgar Square, WC2N www.comono.co.uk

7TH AUGUST WARA Salsa, dub, reggae and much more all thrown into a great party band, the new sound of Latin London album release party.

The Jazz Cafe. 5 Parkway, UK NW1 7PG www.Movimientos.org.uk 9TH AUGUST DA LATA CONCERT Brazilian vocalist Jandira Silva is

joined by world musicians. Afro Brazilian flavour meets London sensibility. The Forge. 3-7 Delancey Street. NW1 7NL www.forgevenue.org

10TH & 11TH AUGUST LOUIE VEGA AND ELEMENTS OF LIFE CONCERT Performing for the first time in London since 2005, Louie Vega’s critically acclaimed live orchestral project presents the first new artist album from Fania Records in years.

The Jazz Café 5 Parkway, Camden Town, NW1 7PG www.mamacolive.com 11TH AUGUST LOCAL WORLD ARTS FESTIVAL FEAT. LOS NIÑOS VALLENATO CONCERT/FAMILY DAY A brand new global arts festival, this year featuring from Colombia’s

25 carnival de Pueblo, community organizers have pulled together a mini version of the event in the Elephant and Castle.

Distriandina. Farrell Court Elephant Road London SE17 1LB

3RD AUGUST PITBULL’S GLOBAL WARMING TOUR CONCERT From Cuba via Miami, Pitbull has been bombarding the UK charts with his Urban Latin Pop and finally comes to The Brixton Academy.

O2 Academy Brixton. 211 Stockwell Road, Brixton, London, SW9 9SL www.pitbullmusic.com/uk famous folk kids. London Based folk group Cumbé supporting. Free for kids.

The Coronet Theatre, 28 New Kent Rd, London, Greater London SE1 6TJwww.musicforlife.me.uk

DJ crew Jader and Arias spinning their trademark underground Latin beats.

Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston, E8 4AA www.movimientos.org.uk

12 & 13 AUGUST JOÃO BOSCO CONCERT One of the most important representatives of the MPB movement in London as part of his 40th year career tour.

Ronnie Scott’s, 47 Frith Street, London, W1D 4HT www.ronniescotts.co.uk

18TH AUGUST LATIDOS, LATIN AMERICAN FESTIVAL Exciting day celebration bringing together for second year Latin American bands and performers mixed in with dance lessons, food and family activities.

The Coronet, 28 New Kent Road, Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6TJ www.latidos.co.uk

16TH AUGUST THE FONTANAS + CABLE STREET COLLECTIVE CONCERT Brazilian Funk meets Samba Soul, Ska and Bossa Nova. Movimientos

19TH AUGUST CARNAVALITO DEL PUEBLO FAMILY DAY In the absence of the traditional

23RD TO 26TH BATUKE FESTIVAL DANCE/MUSIC Showcasing some of the best dancers from the around the world. Europeans flock to this unique event where Africa meets Latin American dance in the heart of London.

International Student House (ISH) 229 Great Portland St, W1W 5PN www.batukefestival.com 25TH AND 26TH THE LATIN STREET RAVE AT THE NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL FAMILY EVENT For over 20 years, this stage has been the only Latin music Sound System in the world famous West London carnival. This year expect the hottest Latino DJs, dancers and hosts for two days of free Latino fun!

OUTSIDE 318 Portobello Road (Golborne Road), London W10. www.latinolife.co.uk/carnival

26

What’s on- September Londres

INSTITUTO CERVANTES LONDON THE OFFICIAL PLACE TO LEARN SPANISH IN THE UK

Londres

102 Eaton Square London SW1W 9AN Tel.: +44 (0)207 235 0353 Fax.: +44 (0)207 235 0329 E-mail: cenlon@cervantes.es www.londres.cervantes.es

September

27 Sadler’s Wells for its 50th anniversary year.

Sadlers Wells, Roseberry Avenue, London EC1R 4TN

26TH SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 6TH CASA LATIN AMERICAN FESTIVAL THEATRE Award winning Festival showcasing some of the best theatre plays from Latin America.

Barbican, Rich mix and University College London http://www.casafestival.org.uk 15TH SEPTEMBER MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CLUB NIGHT A Mexican traditions. MARIACHIS and MAYA KING SOUNDS bands, Folklore dance, DJ’S, Hecho en Mexico film and food.

Broadway House, 474 – 476 Fulham Road, SW6 13Y www.expressarte.org.uk SEPTEMBER 22ND CSS LIVE MUSIC The hipsters from Sao Paulo are back in London. Expect all their New Rave fans to turn up in masses for one of the most talked about Brazilian outfits of the last decade.

Heaven Under The Arches, Villiers Street, WC2N 6NG www.heavennightclub-london.com

SEPTEMBER 24TH VICENTE AMIGO LIVE MUSIC Hailed as “The Sultan of Duende”, international Flamenco guitar Sensation presents his latest album ‘Tierra’ Union Chapel. Compton Ave. N1 2XD www.unionchapel.org.uk 28TH SEPTEMBER SIDONIE LIVE MUSIC Barcelona rockers come to London for their first time. Full on Spanish vibe at this popular Spanish expat event.

Scala, 275 Pentonville Rd. N1 9NL www.rocksinsubtitulos.co.uk UNTIL 27TH SEPTEMBER WEST SIDE STORY DANCE SHOW One of the greatest musicals of all time, West Side Story returns to

UNTIL 8TH SEPTEMBER SEBASTIAO SALGADO: GENESIS EXHIBITION The world premiere unveils extraordinary images of landscapes, wildlife and remote communities by this world-renowned photographer.

Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD, UK. www.nhm.ac.uk UNTIL 24 NOVEMBER AMAZON ADVENTURE EXHIBITION This exhibition mixes hands-on experiences, with multimedia and live fish displays.

Horniman Museum 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk UNTIL 29TH SEP MEXICO: A REVOLUTION IN ART, 1910-1940 EXHIBITION Work by Mexican artists at the forefront of the artistic movement including Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and José Clemente Orozco.

Royal Academy of Arts.

Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/ exhibitions/mexico/ 25 SEPTEMBER TO 19 JANUARY 2014 MIRA SCHENDEL EXHIBITION One of Latin America’s most important and prolific post-war artists who reinvented the language of European Modernism in Brazil Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG www.tate.org.uk/

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What’s on -October

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October

29 11TH OCTOBER CHAMBAO CONCERT Chambao, one of the most successful Spanish bands, returns to the UK as part of their 10th anniversary world tour.

Koko.

1a Camden High St, NW1 7JE Www.koko.uk.com

17TH OCTOBER GLORIA ESTEFAN CONCERT The Cuban-American diva returns to London for what promises to be a memorable night of 80s Miami glam, where all can sing along to her greatest hits.

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP http://www.gloriaestefan.com/

14TH OCTOBER BUIKA Hailed as a star in contemporary flamenco, Buika is blessed with a remarkable voice; raw and smoky but with a tederness that hits right at the hear.

Barbican Hall, Silk Street EC2Y 8DS www.comono.co.uk

LatinoLife’s Top 10 London ClubNights BAR SALSA Right in the heart of London, Bar salsa is the most known latino venue in the UK. Lessons and parties every night of the week DOMINICAL Last Sunday of every month. arts orientated event showcasing the best of spanish culture in the www.dominical.co.uk LA CLAVE LONDON London most authentic Latino night. Saturday throughout the month. www.facebook.com/ laclave.london LA POLLERA COLORA Award winning venue, small but full of flavour, food also available on the top floor serving Peruvian cuisine. www.lapolleracolora.co.uk THE LATIN GROOVE Parties every Friday and Saturdays with top DJs playing Latin crossover until 6 am. thelatingroove.co.uk/

FLORIDITA Soho’s very own Cuban hangout with great mojitos and live music every night. www.floridita.co.uk GUANABARA West End’s Brazilian party every night of the week, with live music, capoeira and dance shows. www.guanabara.co.uk SEGUNDA LOUCA Every Monday at Walkabout (Temple) a massively popular club with Brazilian expats, expect loads of dancing and singing along.

THE CUBAN Free entry bar in popular Camden Town, playing a mix of latino hits with some crowd pleasing house anthems. www.thecuban.co.uk NEGRACHA MILONGA One of London’s most popular tango nights, Every Friday with top teachers and dancers and performances from the top people in the industry www.negrachatangoclub.com)

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What’s on -October

19TH OCTOBER LOVE OF LESBIAN CONCERT Catalan MTV awards nominee band and chart toppers come for a second London gig in as many years.

La Scala, 275 Pentonville Rd, N1 9NL www.rocksinsubtitulos.co.uk 21ST OCTOBER BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB CONCERT Probably the most known Latino band ever, the Buena vista Social Club band still showcases original members Eliades Ochoa and Omara Portuondo.

Royal Albert Hall. Kensington Gore.

SW7 2AP www.comono.co.uk

30 SEPTEMBER - 6TH NOVEMBER DON QUIJOTE BALLET Carlos Acosta, Royal Ballet Principal Guest Artist, presents a new production of this exuberant tale of friendship, love and loyalty Royal Opera House. Bow St, WC2E 9DD www.roh.org.uk 26 TH OCTOBER LOS VAN VAN CONCERT Cuban most loved band on their 2013 European tour, bringing a new album with tons of Latino flavours, so expect a sold out event.

The Forum Kentish Town, 9-17 Highgate Rd NW5 1JY www.comono.co.uk

17 OCTOBER 2013 – 23 MARCH 2014 BEYOND EL DORADO: POWER AND GOLD IN ANCIENT COLOMBIA EXHIBITION Feature up to 250 spectacular masterpieces on loan from the world-renowned Museo de Oro in Bogotá. It attempts to unravel the myths behind El Dorado and the legendary ‘Lost City of Gold’ that so fascinated European explorers. www.britishmuseum.

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Summer Gui de 2013

is distributed by

07725368361 / 07506725107 lacallelondon@gmail.com

33

....Continued from page 17 and the Africans would say no you are not because you never been to our continent, you are Spanish, so I was in a limbo!

It seems that you are pretty much in control of what you put out as an artist, tell us more about that process I wanted to face the challenge of everything I did not know how to do! You go from the world of music to the world of the industrialization! I don’t industrialize my feelings. I don’t think: right I want to record an album, so I’m going to get a producer to make me a good album.

For me that means you are scared of not succeeding. I think you can only sort your problems by facing them.

You look at the problem and maybe you see that you need some help with a song or some aspect of a song and you go and get an arranger. There is a difference between solving a problem and getting someone else to solve it for you, then you have no control over the outcome.

position as you keep creative control of what you do but also have success - what most recording artists would love! What advice would you give to someone who is starting his or her musical career and do you have any regrets?

I would keep it to two very important ones. First, whatever happens, never forget to breath! Secondly, never dream of freedom, you must only think of a way to get the key to the cage (laughs). As long as you dream of freedom, you will believe in saviours, someone to open the door. And it is the saviour who will end up imprisoning you again! In the music world, things go completely upside down, I think it’s the time so get things more balanced. I always thought that capitalism is the best system as long it belongs to the people, until there is more democracy things will be wrong.

“I am more scared of now you mention Capinot sounding as I think And talism, how do you see the Spanish crisis?

I should sound than I It’s difficult for me because cannot see Spain without am of not succeeding.” Itaking into consideration my

So your musical career has nothing to do with selling music?

For me, music is simply what I do. I don’t say to myself: I want to be a successful artist, that is not my issue, my success does not depend on me, it will depend on the public, it is up to them not up to me. I am more scared of not sounding as I think I should sound than I am of not succeeding.

You were never ‘discovered’, you worked your way up from the bottom and now you are in an ideal

personal history. We lived in financial crisis. Tell an African immigrant that Spain is in crisis and he probably die of laughter! He would think that you have no idea about what real crisis is. I am not the best person to give opinions on that.

So what is the future of Buika?

You know what, I am not a believer in the future, because it is always far away and if you concentrate too much on it, you miss out the present, I think more in the present revolutions, the ones that are possible now.

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Summer Gui de 2013

....Continued from page 11 being created by the first generation of Latino-Brits; now coming of age and making their mark on London, mostly noticeably on the club scene.

Street Souls

At La Bomba, London’s biggest Latin Urban party, Jamaicans, Asians and Arabs party alongside white and Latino Londoners as they everyone comes together in their love of Urban Latin music. “Whereas the salsa scene began to alienate people with its obsessive focus on dance technique,” says La Bomba promoter DJ Jose Luis, “this scene brings it back to the music and culture of the Spanish Caribbean. It’s recreating that inclusive atmosphere and making it even more part of the everbroadening spectrum of British musical culture.”

Along with providing an audience for the biggest Latin Urban names playing London venues-including Tego Calderón, Calle 13, La Mala Rodríguez, Pitbull and Immortal Technique-“it is the first generation to create high quality, home-grown Latin bands that have their own Latin identity, as opposed to a US-infused one, ” adds DJ Jose Luis. ”On the one hand you’ve got WARA who fuse Latin rhythms with dub, reggae and drum and bass, or there’s Street Souls, a really exciting hiphop outfit that voices the struggle of the Latin community but are totally East London and London-bred.”

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Most importantly, the forty-year trajectory of the Latino contribution is finally being given the political recognition it deserves. From official government forms that only recently have listed the option of Latin American as an ethnicity, to the Latin-UK Awards (aka the LUKAS, dubbed ‘the Latino MOBOs’), which this year became the Latin event with the most media coverage in the UK’s history. Broadcast on the main TV networks all over Latin America, the LUKAS catapulted previously unknown stars such as the Royal Ballet’s Fernando Montaño on to the cover of London’s papers. For the first time, community workers celebrated with sports stars and all enjoyed the festivities alongside celebrities such as Vivienne Westwood, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour and global ballet stars Carlos Acosta and Tamara Rojo.

“Latin culture has been huge in the UK for decades without people even realising it,” argues LUKAS founder Amaranta Wright. “Look at Strictly, pretty much all those dances on Saturday night entertainment originate from Latin America, and many of the choreographers working behind the scenes are Latinos. It’s about recognising this popular culture in its cultural context and saying, this is our culture, this is us, here we are!”

35 Beyond El Dorado power and gold in ancient Colombia

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