Tag Archives: cumbia

3 Powerful Videos premiere on International Women’s Day: Ruby Ibarra, La Misa Negra, Nakury

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by Tom Nguyen

If you know what’s good for you, you’ll watch these videos that premiered on International Women’s Day 2018 and smash the patriarchy!

“US” – Ruby Ibarra, featuring Rocky Rivera, Klassy, Faith Santilla

Rapper Ruby Ibarra is joined by fellow Bay Area MC Rocky Rivera, Klassy from Echo Park and Los Angeles spoken word artist Faith Santilla for an explosive anthem on Pinay pride. Rocky Rivera says of of the video, “So proud to add my perspective on what it means to be PINAY. We are many shades of militant and we are not your FETISH. I hope lil bby Pinays look at this video and feel proud.” Ruby Ibarra recently played an amazing show at the Bootleg Theater to celebrate her debut album Circa91, and Faith Santilla and Klassy performed last week at AF3IRM LA‘s annual International Women’s Day rally & march (peep my live video).

“Dueña de Mi” – La Misa Negra

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What does being an Afro-Latino band mean? My favorite LA bands in their own words

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by Tom Nguyen

Seems like folks really enjoyed my last blog on 6 upcoming Los Angeles Latin Alternative bands to watch, so I wanted to follow up with my favorite Afro Latino bands, heating up dance floors all over SoCal with their tropical rhythms (in alphabetical order): Buyepongo, Changui Majadero, El Santo Golpe, La Chamba, QUITAPENAS, Tropi Corillo and YANGA.

Now, I’m not an ethnomusicologist…I’m not qualified to give you an academic lecture on what makes each of these bands different, from which cultures and regions of Latin America they derive their music, and so on. What I do know is I’m a sucker for percussion and tropical beats, and music like this gets me into a non-stop frenzy on the dance floor!

But beyond that, I’d rather you hear from the musicians themselves, to let them tell you in their own words what their band and their music is all about. And let’s talk about labels again…”Afro Latino”…it seems like everyone wants to throw that term around these days. African descendants and roots in Latin America have been so historically unacknowledged, and in Los Angeles, there’s a tight knit community of bands reclaiming and honoring African contributions that bleed deeply through their music.

Because Afro-Latino heritage has been so suppressed and unacknowledged in home countries and communities here in LA, I wanted to know what drove each band’s interest in this music and why they think there are so few musicians of Afro-Latino descent in LA. I wanted to especially hear from some of the bands who’ve used their music and platform to highlight anti-blackness in Latino communities and to work towards more solidarity between Black and Brown communities. Folks in these bands are passionate about their music and its history, but also willing to talk frankly on heavy issues that go beyond the music. I want to thank each of them for their time and make sure you catch them at one of many upcoming shows: All of them are playing free shows, with 3 of them at Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles starting this weekend and 2 of them at South LA Power Fest on September 2nd! Continue Reading →

Our Cultural Picks for Los Angeles: June 7-13

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by Tom Nguyen

With all that’s going on this week, I still consider it a “quiet” week before all the free summer concerts everywhere start to kick into full gear! Support the homies this week: one of my newest favorite bands Earth Arrow, Sister Mantos, Nancy Sanchez CD release party, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Quetzal, Sin Color and La Junta, and the Brazilian music community is joining forces to put on Choro and Afro-Roots and Funk + Forró Dance Party. Another Brazilian band Boogarins are here, plus we’re giving away tickets to Los Cafres and Locos por Juana with Tropico Modular, a Palenke Soultribe side project. Hola Mexico, one of my favorite film festivals, and Mixed Remixed, the largest celebration of interracial, mixed race experience in the nation, are happening in downtown, as well as many more great cultural and outdoor events all over SoCal, like Dia de San Juan Puerto Rican festival in Long Beach, CicLAvia from Glendale to Atwater Village, Playboy Jazz Festival, LA Pride, the many art walks & more!

MUSIC

Earth Arrow, Sister Mantos, Oscura Luna +dj Selvatica
The Offbeat (Highland Park)
Wed. June 7, 9pm, Free, 21+
One of my newest favorite bands, Earth Arrow…socially conscious and defiant, unabashed and fiery, watching them perform is what one friend described as “what it must have felt like being in radical Oakland in the 70s!” They describe themselves as “a Los Angeles Afro-cuban hip hop based band focusing on reviving ancient african and indigenous rhythms and dance .Earth Arrow is a reflection of the fire that burns in the hearts of all who live in colonized lands across the world. A pioneer of indigenous blues sounds, they set out to defy expectations and explore new realms of emotional intensity while incorporating modern hip hop and jazz sabor. Ancient and modern, the guitar licks, piano solos, and percussions hail from the ancestors and channels their visions for the future. Humbly playing to spread truth, justice, and light over the lands. The 6th sun is here.”

Boogarins w/ Jjuujjuu
Bootleg Theater
Thu. June 8, 8pm, $12-$14, 21+
Boogarins’ Fernando “Dino” Almeida and Benke Ferraz began playing music together as teenagers in the central Brazilian city of Goiânia– recording psychedelic pop in their parents’ gardens, filtering their country’s rich musical history through a very modern lens.

Nancy Sanchez: American Novio CD Release
Resident (Downtown)
Fri. June 9, 8pm, Free, 21+
Its finally here! I am so excited for this release of my new album American Novio. I am so grateful to all the musicians, Eugene Toale and Mares Entertainment for making this happen. Come celebrate this release along with our friends El Haru Kuroi and DJ Glenn Red.

Brazilla presents: Choro and Afro-Roots
Zebulon LA (Frogtown)
Fri. June 9, 9pm, $15, 21+
Braziilla is a blessing to protect the musical legacy of the Brazilian diaspora into Los Angeles. Brazilla is a collective of musicians and artists involved with music. Most of us are Brazilian although not all. Our mission is to protect and expand the influential legacy of our mother culture in all its diversity and radically. Continue Reading →

Our Picks for NYE 2017 in Los Angeles!

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by Tom Nguyen

When I’m considering where to spend New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles, I look for 3 things:

  • Great live bands and dance music we typically cover on this site.
  • It won’t break the bank (Some free, most under $30).
  • Whether big or small events, I’m looking for good vibes, not pretentiousness.

If you’re looking for the same, here are my recommendations (in order of cost): Continue Reading →

Top Picks for NYE 2016 in Los Angeles!

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15 Film Picks (5)
by Tom Nguyen

When I’m considering where to spend New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles, I look for 3 things:

  • Great live bands or dance music we typically cover on this site.
  • It won’t break the bank (Some free, most under $40).
  • Whether big or small events, I’m looking for good vibes, not pretentiousness.

If you’re looking for the same, here are my recommendations (in order of cost) all across LA: Downtown, Silver Lake, Hollywood, Mid City, Santa Monica and Long Beach: Continue Reading →

Interview: El Dusty brings Cumbia Electronica with Tejano Roots to LA with MLKMN, Kinky and Enjambre

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By Oscar Bautista/Photos Courtesy of Press Junkie PR

Hailing from Corpus Christi, Texas, Dusty Oliveira or as he’s better known DJ Dus aka “El Dusty” is a specialist of sound who has been mixing for years to create great combinations of sound.

Taking inspiration from old school rhythms and beats, he produces a unique sound of dance music all with a magnetic cumbia flavor.

El Dusty, along with friend and collaborator MLKMN, Kinky and Enjambre will be performing for us here in L.A. with a show coming up Thursday, December 17 at the Fonda Theater.

EnClave LA had the opportunity to speak with Dusty in hopes of giving LA audiences an insight on his introduction to mixing, his inspirations, and the amazing community of musicians emerging from the Corpus Christi music scene: Continue Reading →

Chicano Batman: Pizza Party for Fans & New Single to celebrate their Aug. 28 Homecoming show!

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Don’t worry if you missed out–I asked about their new single for you.

Chicano Batman. From right to left: Gabriel Villa, Eduardo Arenas, Carlos Arevalo, and Bardo Martínez.

Chicano Batman. From right to left: Gabriel Villa, Eduardo Arenas, Carlos Arevalo, and Bardo Martínez.

by Amanda Wang

(LOS ANGELES) — It’s August 18th, a bright Tuesday on the Westside. For SoCal band Chicano Batman, the year has had in store for them the spoils of Coachella and opening for Jack White. Next up is a grand homecoming on August 28th as headliners at the El Rey. Though they’ve just wrapped up their tour with Alabama Shakes, Chicano Batman celebrates by throwing a humble kickback with pizza for their loyal Angeleno fans.

Pictured with Jack White.

Pictured with Jack White. Photo: David James Swanson.

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Museum of Latin American Art: Summer Kick Off of Afro-Cuban Concert Series!

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by Linda Vanessa “Nuves” Tovar

(LONG BEACH) — Having a father who has played percussion instruments for a majority of his life and a lover of salsa dancing for a mother, I made sure I was at the Museum of Latin American Art for their Summer Music Series Kick Off Party! Founded in 1996 by philanthropist, Dr. Robert Gumbiner, the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) in Long Beach, California is the first and only museum in the United States that exclusively features modern and contemporary Latin American fine art. Only a 30 minute drive from Downtown Los Angeles, the MOLAA has featured exhibits including: Viva La Muxer by Las Fotos Project and “Frida Kahlo, Her Photos”. The MOLAA’s mission is to educate the American public about contemporary Latin American fine art through the establishment of a significant permanent collection and the presentation of dynamic exhibitions and related programs.

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Dedicated to preserving and sharing the Latino experience and culture, MOLAA curates special programs and events for all to enjoy. Currently on exhibit is, Miradas: Ancient Roots in Modern and Contemporary Mexican Art, Miradas is a temporary exhibition provided by Bank of America Art in our Communities program can be visited through September 27th.

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To kick off the Summer Series was, “Remembering the Palladium Days, Chapter 3: Mambo is Back and here to stay”, which featured six-time, Grammy Award-winning percussionist, Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez and Freddie Crespo’s Mambo Revue Orchestra. Many of these musicians have shared the stage with greats like Tito Puentes! The caliber and professional experience of these musicians is not to be missed or overlooked. I mean, watch this short clip if you don’t believe me! Continue Reading →

Buyepongo’s Summer Madness Parties in July ends Thursday July 30 with Hip Hop Showcase!

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by Linda Vanessa “Nuves” Tovar

Every Thursday night of July, La Cita has been set ablaze by the musical stylings of Buyepongo (Buye), new weekly featured guests, and by all the moving bodies on the dance floor. Each show different from the last, Buye has dug deep to provide hot rhythms, and a unique blend of sounds. Hailing from Los Angeles, the Buye Boyz have curated a special live musical experience for everyone to enjoy. The Buye Beat is undeniable. Fusing Afro beats, which include (but are not limited to) merengue, punta, and cumbia together, this band knows how to get a party going! Their charismatic love for music and a good time can be heard and seen at every show. Their last musical installment at La Cita is Thursday, July 30th. So if you like dancing, getting sweaty, and  sharing a smile on the dance floor then do yourself a favor because you don’t want to miss their final showcase featuring hip hop artists Olmeca, SETI X, 2MEX as well as  Artos, Canyon Cody of Subsuelo, Sol Collective and surprise guests!

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Twilight in the Garden: Little Tokyo Summer Concerts every Sunday in July at JACCC!

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by Tom Nguyen

If you’ve been to Little Tokyo lately, you’ve no doubt noticed the gleaming new buildings, construction and cranes on San Pedro St. and 2nd St. Easily overlooked just across the street, some steps away is the sprawling, open courtyard of the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) and its Aratani Theater. The JACCC has hosted so many great recent events to showcase our diverse communities, like Fandango Obon, the fusion of Japanese, Mexican and African traditional music and dance and the Aratani World Series which drew thousands to an eclectic series of world music and dance performances the past 6 months. Now, they are doing another first: Opening up their beautiful James Irvine Japanese Garden to Twilight in the Garden: Little Tokyo Concert Series! 4 intimate, outdoor Sunday concerts in July, featuring Quartetto Fantastico, Buyepongo, Ethio Cali and Shafiq Husayn & Dove Society along with DubLab DJs! In addition to an amazing lineup of LA’s finest live music, there will be food and special curated summer drinks by Far Bar. This first-time series featuring an eclectic lineup of some of the best musical talent in LA playing in an intimate garden will be a unique musical experience and perfect way to wrap up your summer weekends in July!

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