Hey, listen. If you’re into latin music, the night of the 16th of September is The Night. And as we want you to feel downright integrated into the atmosphere we’re going to give you some language tips for the occasion. You just have to learn a few words, it’s easy:

“Candela”, pronounced as khan-the-la, which means “fire”.
“Aguacate”: pronounced as ah-wha-kah-teh which means “avocado”.
“Amores”: pronounced ah-mo-res = “lovers”.
“Palmas”:  as it sounds = hand-clapping.
“Morena”: as it sounds = dark-haired girl.

Once you’ve learnt them –notes are allowed–, shout them out to the rest of the audience –they’ll be impressed– or just react at the voice of the magnificent singer and dancer Totó La Momposina.

Drawing on the music and dance of the Colombian Caribbean, her work is informed and inspired by a rich cultural mix that combines elements from African, Native Indian and Spanish traditions. On stage Totó’s dynamic repertoire is accompanied by a range of traditional drums, gaitas, brass, tiple, bass, guitar, percussion and chorus. She presents rhythms such as the cumbia, bullerenge, chalupa, garabato and mapale from Colombia’s Caribbean coast alongside the Cuban son, guaracha, rumba and bolero son that arrived in Colombia via the village of San Basilio de Palenque. “The music I play”, explains Totó, “has its roots in a mixed race; being African and Indian, the heart of the music is completely percussive.”

So be prepared to move your buttocks like never before and lose your voice for the next day.

Candela!

LIVE: TOTO LA MOMPOSINA

ticket price tbc