From the tropical lowlands of Northern South America to the urban landscapes of Buenos Aires and East London, UK-based charity Discovering Latin America brings three of the most exciting up-and-coming acts from the UK Latin scene to Cargo on December 9th.
To start the night, we will be showing three Argentinian short films direct from the Discovering Latin America Film Festival: Fragil, Tuneles en el Rio & Toro Verde.
Kicking off the music, Argentinian folktronica collective alasVALS brings its atmospheric, experimental pop vision to an intimate live space, toting a sound that mingles tango, trip hop, jazz and poetry. Combining English and Spanish lyrics, their songs have been described as nostalgic and wintry, and will appeal to fans of Portishead, Bjork or Regina Spektor.
Second up is the stunning Afro-Venezuelan rhythms outfit Afro-America Project, featuring master percussionist Wilmer Sifontes and some of his ultra-talented students. Sifontes has played some of the most prestigious international festivals around the world, including Womad, Glastonbury, the North Sea Jazz Festival, Bath International Festival (UK), and the Kijanii Festival in Nairobi. Established as one of the UK's leading Latin percussionists, Sifontes was invited by renowned Scottish band Salsa Celtica to join them on their 2007 and 2008 UK and international tours, and continues to attract international acclaim.
Heading up the bill is the mesmerising Colombian Roots act Khantara featuring multi-instrumentalist and composer Anthar Kharana. Fusing Arabic & Gypsy influences with the richness and power of his Colombian roots, Anthar has mastered different vocal techniques from mellow female voice to harmonic Mongolian throat singing.
His new five piece band harnesses the traditional Colombian sounds of the gaita and traverse flutes, tambores and cajon drums and the bouzouki mandolin, creating a powerful rhythmic soundscape.
Book-ending the night will be a selection of short Argentinian films from the Discovering Latin America Film Festival, along with sets from top DJs D. Vyzor, Angelo and Cal Jader playing the finest Latin beats and rhythms.
The second event from DLA and Rhythms for 2009, Fiesta Fusion will set the tone for plenty more to come in 2010. Profits from the night will go towards supporting the work of the charity Progressio in their work helping women affected by HIV and AIDS in the Dominican Republic.
The event will take place from 7pm onwards. Tickets £5 with ticket stub from the DLA film festival, £7 in advance from www.ticketweb.co.uk or £8 on the door.
LIVE: KHANTARA + AFRO-AMERICA PROJECT + ALASVALS
DJS: D. VYZOR + ANGELO + CAL JADER
