ARTISTS
These artists have kindly donated their time and talent to help us raise funds and make our festival an unforgettable event!
ALMA
Event 13 Feb Eastside Arts
the soul of Latin America, is the result of two exceptional Colombian artists who captivate audiences with the exciting flavours of Latin American rhythms. Ranging from moving boleros to exciting Latin pop, ALMA presents a fusion of Latin vibes, movements and sounds that impresses the soul with a feast for the spirit. A banquet your heart wouldn’t like to miss!
Contact Anyela Martinez M 0422565002 E anyelic10@hotmail.com
DESCARGA
Event 6 Mar Chauvel Opening Night
Descarga is a 5-piece Latin band. Featuring some of Sydney’s most exciting and eclectic musicians who spawn out of the new movement of Sydney Latin music culture. Descarga means ‘jam’ and this describes their loose style of playing which is rich in improvisation and “on the spot” ideas which makes them a very exciting band to watch. Definitely for those that like to party.
Contact Vincent Sebastian M 0405 473 949
KANAIMA
Event 14 Mar Marconi Opening Night
Contact Carlos Villanueva M 0419 470 090 E carlos@tigramuna.com.au
MONASTERIO BROTHERS
Event 28 Nov ’07 Eatside Arts & 23 Feb Club Uruguayo
Bolivian/New Zealand adventurers and artists Victor, Grigota and Erik Monasterio have performed throughout South America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. They have created “Orko”, an awe inspiring audiovisual exhibition of photography, music and narrative. Orko (Mountain Summit) explores the relationship between Andean music, photography, the landscape of high mountain regions in the Andes and Himalayas and the extreme adventures of first ascent climbing and Jungle exploration. Original and traditional music interpreted with panpipes, flutes, strings and percussion accompany a backdrop of dramatic photography and personal tales in isolated regions of the world. This performance is suited for the whole family and for those with an interest in adventure, world music and photography.
Contact www.monasteriosbrothers.blogspot.com
Victor Monasterio M 0421 096 641 E rdvmonasterio@yahoo.com.au
MUCHO MAMBO
Event 27 Feb Oxford Arts Factory Hector Lavoe Tribute
The explosive ‘Mucho Mambo’ orchestra with up to 16 musicians and the ‘Mucho Mambo Movers’ dancers transports audiences back to the big, bold and brassy Latin sounds of the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and beyond. This unique experience showcases the golden era of the Latin and Jazz genres, featuring the music of giants such as Machito, Benny More and Tito Puente, as well as more light-hearted mambos and popular songs from the likes of Dean Martin and Perry Como. The ‘Mucho Mambo’ orchestra boasts Sydney’s best known and most sought after musicians. This cream of Sydney’s talent excels in many musical fields. The musicians, with many years experience have come together to perform in what is a first for Australia, a truly authentic and unique Mambo big band.
Contact Mucho Mambo website
Michael Correa P 9716 6934 E mvtaylor@iprimus.com.au
REYES DE LA ONDA
Event 27 Feb Oxford Arts Factory Hector Lavoe Tribute
An all-star band consisting of some of Sydney’s most exciting Latin musicians and funksoul feat. Merenia Gillies,Oscar Jiminez,Adam Ventoura, Vincente Sebastian,Giorgio Rojas. ‘Reyes De La Onda’ play funked-up Latin with an electrifying energy. Expect to hear huge vocals, raw percussion, Hispanic rapping, plus funk classics reworked in chicano style. Expect to hear huge vocals, raw percussion, Hispanic rapping, plus funk classics reworked in chicano style.
Contact Vicente Sebastian M 0405 473 949 E vicentesba@hotmail.com
SON DE TAGUA
Event 28 Nov ’07 Eatside Arts; 23 Feb Club Uruguayo
Coming out of a successful season, including performances at the Darling Harbour Festival, Son de Tagua play an irresistible mix of salsa, merengue, cumbia and cha cha cha: this up and coming six-piece band will surely wow audiences.
Contact www.sondetagua.com.au
Fernando Flores M 0410 188 749
UKAMAU
Event 28 Nov ’07 Eatside Arts
These 5 musicians are considered pioneers in Latin American sound in Australia: Their experience, professionalism and ease in adapting to all Latino rhythms, plus their great ability to reinvent themselves year after year results in a continuously loyal following.
WATUSSI
Event 27 Feb Oxford Arts Factory Hector Lavoe Tribute; 13 Mar Mid Festival Fiesta
Watussi (pronounced: WAH-too-SEE, slang meaning ‘the most handsome man at the party’). Their debut long player ‘Tequila, Sangre y Fuego’ is a deliciously rich snapshot of Australian multiculturalism, featuring tracks in English, Spanish and French as well as fusing styles as diverse as Cumbia, Rock, Funk, and Reggae throughout the fourteen track album. The eight-piece is lead by Colombian born vocalist/guitarist/producer Oscar Jimenez whose wild stage energy and huge afro channels everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Jack Splash of Plantlife. Under his direction, Watussi have emerged as one of Sydney’s most popular live bands typified by their charismatic performances.
Contact www.watussi.com.au
Michael Correa M 0416 359 622 E michaelcorrea@musicland.net.au
DJ DON JUAN
Event 14 Mar Marconi Opening Night
The undisputed Latino DJ heavy weight champion of Australia. DJ Don Juan was born in Australia by Colombian Parents. He’s regarded as a pioneer and a leader within the Latin community, and spreads the latino gospel where ever he goes ! Winner of 2002 Australian Latino DJ Competition.
Contact www.djdonjuan.net
Juan M 0411 453 823 E info@djdonjuan.net
DJ JC
Event 23 Feb Club Uruguayo
DJ JC has been a latin DJ for the last 15 years specialising in Tropical Latin music (Columbian, Puerto Rican, New York, Cuban, Reggaeton) R & B, 80’s funk, and the latest Top 40. JC also played alongside Local and International Latin Bands such as Sonora Galaxia, Son Veneno, Candela, La Clave, Latin Kings, Saraguey, Sonando, Sonora Carruseles, Fulanito, Elvis Crespo and has made appearances on radio SBS and hosted his own Radio program JC’s Top 20 alongside Christian Guerrero with RIO Fm for 2 years. His focus is not only djing but vjing. Giving you an inspiring show of music and viewing of the latest video clips both Latin and English. He has acquired the latest equipment, lighting and music, guaranteed to give you a great show…
Contact Juan Carlos myspace
Juan Carlos M 0414 889 699 P 9011 8084 E info@djjc.com.au
CARLOS ARANGO
Event 6 Mar Chauvel Opening Night
Contact Carlos Arango website
Juan Carlos M 0423 509 288 E musicman.carlos@gmail.com
DIEGO RUIZ
Event
23 Feb Club Uruguayo
6 Mar Chauvel Opening Night
Contact Diego Ruiz M 0415 165 736 E sin_frequencia@yahoo.com
JEANNE BASTOS
Event13 Feb Eastside Arts
Jeanne Bastos is a passionate brazilian singer, originally from Bahia. She passionately performs the wondrous songs and rhythms of her homeland, Brazil. She began her career in music contests and dancehalls in Bahia, whose capital Salvador is one of the liveliest centres of music in the world. Her repertoire includes familiar songs, from the gentle bossa nova to the fever of samba, all sung in Portuguese and performed with passion, there is also a growing list of original songs from many projects Jeanne is involved with.
Contact www.jeannebastos.com
Jeanne Bastos M 0422 716 051 E info@jeannebastos.com
PICANTE LATIN DANCE
Event Various
Discover the rhythm, energy & spice of South America with Picante Latin Dance. This Sydney based dance school offers Latin dance classes, workshops, private tuition, team building, entertainment and events. They are proud supporters of the 3rd annual Sydney Latin American Film Festival.
Established in 1999 by director Sky Blue, Picante Latin Dance specialises in teaching Cuban Style Salsa and popular Latino dance styles eg: Reggaeton and Bachata. The unique teaching technique focuses on the rhythm and feeling of the Latin motion.
The team at Picante are passionate about Latin dance, music and culture and have performed at major events and festivals in Sydney including the South American Festival, Sydney Salsa Congress, Sydney Latin Fiesta and Darling Harbour’s Fiesta to name a few. They have run workshops and performed in Melbourne, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast and the Central Coast. Recently the company has expanded to organise major events such as Touring Los Van Van (direct from Cuba) 2006, Latin Dance Corroboree 2005 and the Australian Salsa Championships in 2005 and 2006. The latest creation from Picante is the Byron Latin Fiesta in Byron Bay, now an annual event!
Contact www.picantedance.com.au
Sky Blue P 9399 7449 M 0413 146 889 E sky@picantedance.com.au
HOSSANA HEINRICH & ALVARO GONZALES
Event 28 Nov 07 Eastside Arts
CARLOS BARRIOS
Event 1 Mar Fairfield Forum
Born in El Salvador in 1966, Carlos Barrios is a 2005 AGNSW Sulman Prize finalist. Raised during the civil war Barrios writes; In this war time madness and normality co- existed. Many nights the electricity was cut and in the candle lit spaces of the house I saw creatures moving and watching us, so I would paint and draw them. As I worked I would watch my hand moving, creating figures and creatures, I was the onlooker, the witness to this seemingly automatic unfolding of pictures, visual descriptions. Inspired by the art and artefacts collected by his archaeologist father, Barrios has been painting since the age of six. Intrigued by human relationships, Barrios employs a distinctive painting style to represent ideas such as parallel lives and invisible bonds between people. His wildly expressive figurative paintings are characterized by his use of free painterly brushstrokes and bold colours energy and movement (Victoria Haynes, The Hub).
Contact Carlos Barrios Artsite
Carlos Barrios P 9968 2720 M 0432 744 778 E carlos@teknemodus.com.au
ROBERTO GUTIERREZ DURAN
Event Arts Exhibition Chauvel
Contact
Roberto Gutierrez Duran P 9767 2078 M 0431 312 344 E robertogduran@gmail.com
VANESSA MORILLA LUNA
Event Arts Exhibition Chauvel
MURGA ES LO QUE HAY
Event 23 Feb Club Uruguayo
Murga Es Lo Que Hay (ELQH) is a project that emerged in the Western Sydney suburb of Fairfield. Murga is a form of popular musical theatre. ELQH made their debut at the Uruguayan Club in June 2007 and have since continued to excite audiences with their performances!
Contact Murga Es Lo Que Hay site
Ivan M 0401 875 442 E murgaesloqhay@gmail.com
