Welcome to LA FERIA 2023. Join us and enjoy our beautiful and richly diverse cultures. Here is our guide at a Glance.
6 Sept – 6 Oct 2023
An Exhibition of Latin American Women Artists and Activists
The Stables, St George’s Hall
8 – 15 Sept 2023
La Feria Community Tour
La Feria travels with amazing artists from Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica and Mexico to share a taste of Latin America to five different communities in the Liverpool region: Chinatown, Fazakerley, Prescot, Toxteth and Wallasey.
20 – 23 Sept 2023
Main Events in Liverpool City Centre
Working in partnership with District in the Baltic Triangle, The Philharmonic Hall and Unity Theatre, La Feria presents an array of world class Latin American artists and events.
MAIN EVENTS
7.30 pm, Wednesday 20th September at UNITY THEATRE
Ticket Link: https://www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/whats-on/la-feria-wednesday/
We launch this year’s LA FERIA festival with a powerful event focusing on Identity. With strong and influential voices from South America, we present two artists that speak about and celebrate their heritage and ask deep and difficult questions.
ARTISTS:
MILLARAY (Chile)
MC Millaray, 16, a rising rap star in Chile, uses her fierce lyrics to convey centuries of struggles by the country’s largest Indigenous group against European colonisers. Her songs decry environmental injustices and call for the return of ancestral lands”. New York Times Jan 2023
VICTOR RIOS (Bolivia) with How British Are You?
A tv-show-like test to see how British we are. Explored through the life journey of a migrant who came from the high altitude of the Andes as a young person, embracing the cultural contrast of the UK, and is now conflicted by how to identify himself.
Is he Bolivian? Is he Latino? Is he British? What is he? What are we?
In this piece, Victor explores his journey of migration through cultural adaptation and looking for answers to his identity, linking his memories of childhood.
Q & A with considering the concept of Identity with artists Victor Rios, MC Millaray and the founder and director of Alborada – Latin America Uncovered, Pablo Navarrete. Chaired by Luma Creations’ Creative Director Francisco Carrasco.
7.30 pm, Thursday 21st September at UNITY THEATRE
Ticket Link: https://www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/whats-on/la-feria-thursday/
DANCE SHOWCASE
From Mexico to Bolivia and back to Liverpool this evening we present dances from Bolivia, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Spain and the UK. The event culminates with a fusion of music connecting musicians from Peru, Bolivia and Chile in the UK that is LOKANDES.
LOKANDES (Bolivia, Peru, Chile,)
Lokandes is an Andean Latin Afro groove fusion band based in London since 2009. The name is the combination of two words: ‘Crazy’ and ‘Andes’ which means making unconventional and alternative music with the Andean instruments and bringing it up to date making a fusion of traditional roots and Afro-rhythms with other contemporary genres such as Reggae, Cumbia, Ska, Jazz, Son, Rumba Folk and funky Latin rhythms. All of these make the band special and unique.
Magaly Flores (Mexico)
Magaly’s identity is engraved into her skin, her heart and thoughts and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Because going back to her roots reminds her how proud she feel of where she come from. Magaly reserves her identity through the Mexican dance. Resisting losing what her predecessors left to her. Her dance is her bond of identity from the Pre-hispanic times until now and her freedom wherever I go, she is Mexican.
Daniela Rodriguez with Raices
is an accomplished professional dancer from Colombia. She began dancing at the age of five and was crowned Folklore Dance Queen five times in Ibague, the Musical capital of Colombia. In 2018 she became Colombian Salsa Champion and toured with J-LO for her 50th Birthday Party Tour. Daniela has represented Colombia in many Salsa competitions in various countries including France & Turkey. Daniela brings a commissioned piece about her journey called, “Raices” (Roots) which represents a variety of dance styles from Colombia.
Marina, Sabrina & Valeria with Identidad.
Commissioned artists Valeria Cazas Lozada (Bolivia), Marina Pozo Such (Spain) and Sabrina Steel (Liverpool) collaborate by considering their own identities and the steps to come together, creating a fusion dance piece that represents their roots as well as journeys of migrants from all over the world have come and made Liverpool their home. Through dance styles from Bolivia, Spain and the UK; we see a transformation that highlights the power of culture and fusion.
CAPOEIRA FOR ALL (Brasil/UK)
Our society doesn’t allow us to realise our potential. There are many forces in today’s world that lead to division, misunderstanding, exclusion, prejudice and hate. The impact of these forces leads to limited relationships with our bodies, ourselves and those around us. The Afro-Brazilian art-form of Capoeira is a resistance to this. Through movements, music and culture, it offers an alternative way of thinking, interacting and being together, with integrity and inclusivity at its heart. It is a way through which we can recapture our common humanity, confirm what unites us and create stronger people-focused communities. Capoeira For All will showcase the beautiful art form Capoeira, in a short performance which will include music, song, movement and play.
12.30 pm, Friday 22nd September at the Museum of Liverpool Life, Pierhead
Bandita La Inquieta (Chile)
An all-female Chilean group that creates unique performances through dance, the arts and the environment. The band brings you original music and masterfully arranged traditional songs from their rich Chilean and Latin American music repertoire. Bandita La Inquieta’s mission is to create joy through music and dance, evoking the popular celebrations, street music and carnivals of South America.
7.30 pm, Friday 22nd September at The Music Room, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Ticket Link: https://www.liverpoolphil.com/whats-on/other/la-feria-festival-of-latin-american-arts-and-culture/8819
La Feria Latin American Festival brings you an incredible evening of mesmerising music from the Southern Cone of South America.
ARTISTS:
Martin Alvarado, Gerardo Villar & Los Aguirre Guitar Quartet (Argentina)
World-renowned troubadour Martin Alvarado’s headline set immerses you in the passion of Argentinian music and poetry. His unforgettable, nuanced and colourful interpretations have earned him an illustrious career and tonight, alongside the talented Gerardo Villar & Los Aguirre guitar quartet, Martin will share the authentic sound of old Buenos Aires, with added 21st-century flair. They’ll deliver a programme of tangos by the likes of Astor Piazzolla and Carlos Gardel, plus other folkloric styles from their homeland.
Bandita La Inquieta (Chile) – (See above)
12.00 pm – 5.00 pm, Saturday 23rd September at District
A TASTE OF LATIN AMERICA
FREE ENTRANCE
An exciting and mouth-watering event, full of colour, tastes, and experiences of Latin American performance, culture and food. With a delicious array of food stalls from a variety of Latin American countries including Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, as well as craft stalls, an arts & crafts area for children to make, and face painting.
The event will begin with an Entrada (Procession) from the Baltic Green, by Hobo Kiosk, to District, where the event will be held. There will be various processional groups from Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Peru and our very own Local Latin American community group, delivering performances throughout the day.
ARTISTS Include:
Bandita la Inquieta (Chile) (See Friday concert)
Colibri Mexican Folk Dance – Colibrí are an established dance Company of native Mexicans showcasing traditional Mexican dance throughout the north-west of England and beyond.
Mestisa (Peru & Chile)
A wonderful South American music quartet, Mestisa highlights indigenous instruments such as the Charango, Cuatro and Bombo and presents a range of songs from the Americas.
Warmis – A community dance group from Ecuador based in London who bring their passion and love for their culture to everyone they meet, warning: they are extremely infectious.
San Simon Sucre London (Bolivia)
is a wonderful troupe of dancers from Bolivia who represent the richly, cultural roots of this Bolivian Carnival dance. In 2011 the Caporales folklore dance was declared a Cultural and Intangible Heritage of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
With special input from members of the Latin American community in the region.
7.30 pm, Saturday 23rd September at District
Ticket Link:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/la-feria-2023-finale-tickets-694584038557?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1
La Feria 2023 culminates with an explosive manifestation of music from across Latin America. For the finale, we bring together local & international artists from Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile and the UK. Here you can let your hair down, dance the night away and experience the power of Latin American Rhythms and the exquisite joy of Latin American culture.
ARTISTS:
Mambe & Danochilango (Mexico & Colombia)
The Copenhagen award-winning based duo of Colombian Claudia Rodriguez aka
Mambe and Mexican Fernando Mora aka Danochilango unite the rhythms of all cultures to create world music of the future, true sonic travellers and ambassadors of global sound. Claudia Rodriguez is a sophisticated and articulate lyrical activist with a powerful melodic voice who sings in Swedish, Danish, Spanish and English tearing down cultural boundaries. Fernando Mora is a former dancer of The Royal Danish Ballet with longstanding experience as a DJ and producer, he holds a great sense of harmonic balance between acoustic instrumentation and futuristic electronic sounds. We call it Electronic Cumbia and so much more!
Roxy & Toby (Venezuela & UK)
Roxy & Toby are an accomplished Latin duo who first crossed paths in Liverpool, UK. Roxy hails from Venezuela and is a gifted salsa vocalist, while Toby is a talented musician from Liverpool with an established track record for playing excellent Latin rhythms. Together, they’ve crafted deeply rooted Latin music that embodies their passion for creating beautiful harmonies and meaningful lyrics. Their sound is essential for those who appreciate good music and love to dance.
Cidtronyck (Chile)
Cidtronyck is a renowned DJ and music producer who began his career in the hip-hop scene in 2003. His fresh, classic sound has been influenced by 90s East Coast Rap, being a member of the rap group Salvaje Decibel and working for ten years as a DJ, producer, and second voice of the well-known MC Portavoz. He has collaborated with artists such as Matiah Chinaski, Ana Tijoux and Macha from Chico Trujillo, Stailok (Original Movement), Rxnde Akozta (Cuba), Rapsusklei (Spain), Frank Nitt de Frank ´N ´Dank (U.S.A.), Suff Daddy (Germany) and Juli Giuliani (Spain).