In Conversation with Esteban Pérez Ortega

What is your job within Luma Creations, what do you do, and what are your responsibilities?

I’ve been the Production Manager of the organisation for the last year, however, I started in 2021 as a volunteer. In terms of what I do, I have a variety of roles, like everyone else within the team, and many people working in the arts and culture industry. I manage the production for many events and activities delivered, mainly La Feria, Luma Creations’ annual festival, and other artistic events. I also oversee the tech aspects of those events and within the organisation. Finally, I support all the international activities of Luma Creations, especially helping with networking and developing projects with other related organisations abroad.

What has been your biggest highlight so far working at Luma Creations?

I think it’s the capacity that we created to bring a lot of incredible artists that usually don’t come here. Of course, the Illapu show at the Philharmonic was absolutely amazing and special (and a dream come true for many of us). It was a lot of hard work in terms of planning, production, etc… but when you see the show and how happy and impressed all the people were, you know that is a highlight.

Tell me what you enjoy most about working for Luma Creations.

The challenge of promoting ‘Latin American arts’ outside of London, and at the same time ‘promoting’ Liverpool and the North to artists and professionals, to perform and to develop their work. I think it’s very unique and it requires a lot of perseverance and hard work. Also, it’s incredibly motivating to see how Luma Creations has been growing, leading so many interesting projects and becoming a key cultural organisation in the city.

Name some music you are currently listening to?

In terms of albums, ‘Las Furias y el Mar’ by my good friend Antonio Monasterio and his ensemble, a fusion-jazz band from Chile. It is musically complex but deeply beautiful and moving.

Also, Newen Afrobeat’s Grietas, just released, a great album with great collaborations, and A-MUST-SEE live!

Besides this, I’m listening to some Animals as Leaders, a prog-metal trio from the USA; Luedji Luna, a neo-soul Brazilian, incredible singer; a lot of Paco de Lucía and Camarón de la Isla (Flamenco); Nico Carreño, a songwriter from Chile, interestingly complex and pop at the same time; going through Tigran Hamasyan’s catalogue; some Avishai Cohen, Paco de Lucía and Allan Holdsworth stuff; Mawiza, an incredible Mapuche metal band, to name a few.

Tell me about the playlist you put together. Why did you choose those particular songs?

I really love most of them and wanted to show some eclectic music from Latin America that is not commonly used to ‘depict’ Latin American music. There is a lot of fusion music, and people and bands that are doing an incredible job right now (with some important classics too). I tried to add music that is being created now (and in the past few years) in Latin America, and that maybe isn’t commonly promoted or shown here in the UK and the rest of Europe.

Listen to Esteban’s playlist here!

Performances

Spotlight

Playlist

Luma Creations’ International Landscape

Luma Creations’ International Landscape

The vision and work of Luma Creations as a whole, along with the experiences and knowledge of the members of the organisation, naturally positions us on an international platform. I often ask myself – What does that mean? 

Resonant Territories: Sounds of Shared Latin America

Resonant Territories: Sounds of Shared Latin America

Friday February 21st, 2025 6:00pm to 8:00pm   Instituto Cervantes, Manchester, 326-330 Deansgate Manchester M3 4FN   The Instituto Cervantes Manchester invites you to a unique evening where you can experience young Latin American indigenous artists who...

Launch of Cuerpos del Tiempo (Bodies of Time)

Launch of Cuerpos del Tiempo (Bodies of Time)

Saturday 15 February 2025
1pm | Liverpool World Museum

Luma Creations is thrilled to announce Cuerpos del Tiempo (Bodies of Time), an innovative collaborative project with the Liverpool World Museum that launches on Saturday, 15 February 2025, at 1pm at Liverpool World Museum. Funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, this initiative invites Latin American communities across the North West to help reimagine the museum’s Latin American collections, with a redisplay planned for 2025-2026.

Looking Back on an Extraordinary Year at Luma Creations

Looking Back on an Extraordinary Year at Luma Creations

As we begin 2025, the team at Luma Creations—Francisco, Max, Esteban, Saranne, Oscar and Maya—reflects on 2024, a triumphant year brimming with creativity, connection, and cultural celebration. From dynamic projects and transformative programmes to unforgettable...

Christmas Traditions Across Latin America: A Festive Journey

Christmas Traditions Across Latin America: A Festive Journey

Christmas in Latin America is a symphony of lights, music, joy, and deeply rooted traditions that ignite the holiday spirit in extraordinary ways. Each country brings its own unique flair to the season, weaving together vibrant celebrations, heartfelt rituals, and magical moments that inspire awe and wonder. Let’s embark on a journey through some of the most dazzling and inspiring Christmas traditions across Latin America.

Latin American Drum Workshops

Latin American Drum Workshops

Whether you’re an experienced drummer or a complete beginner with a passion for rhythm, this workshop is for you – just bring a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and an openness to working as part of a team.

WOMEX 2024

WOMEX 2024

The 30th edition of WOMEX, held this year in Manchester, was a blast—an intense, incredible learning experience, a place to meet and greet, to engage in profound discussions about music, the world, and the struggles of communities around the globe, and to truly understand how music can be the answer.