Saturday 17th/ Riverside Studios Café
V-RO – 15:00
(Veronica Arcila) www.v-ro.co.uk
Colombian singer Veronica Arcila has been performing in the capital as a solo artist and with her band V-RO for the past two years. Recently she performed at the prestigious In the City Urban Festival. Her songs are in Spanglish, a mixture of Spanish and English. Some are stories, others an alternative view of life. Her first album Mañana is a passionate slice of uplifting beach pop. She is now busy recording her second album in West London’s Arclite productions studio.
DJ Russ Jones – 19:00
Around the World in 80 Ways was one of Russ Jones ‘The Hackney Globe Trotter’ aptly named clubnights and for Russ – a firm lover of good sounds, funky eyewear and vintage Volkswagens- it is more like a way of life. Russ is behind some of London’s most successful clubs including London Calling and No Room for Squares in the mid 90’s. Guest deejays included, Gilles Peterson, James Lavelle, Fabio, Bukem & Norman Jay . Later on Russ moved London Calling to the infamous Blue Note and subsequently became the Artistic Director of the infamous venue. Around the same time Russ also helped to set up the celebrated brazilian record label ‘Far Out Recordings’ with DJ/producer Joe Davis and worked with acts like Marcos Valle, Joyce, Four Hero and Roni Size. Fast-forward to the middle of the first decade of the 21st Century and Russ has becoming one of the leading djs on ‘global beat’ scene. From his seminal club night Future World Funk he has gone on to compile over 13 compilation CDs including two volumes of Gypsy Beats and Balkan Bangers which received props from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Huw Stevens, Mary Anne Hobbs and Osun Lade and now a follow up with a twist – Arriba La Cumbia – The new sounds of cumbia from around the world.
Sunday 18th/ Riverside Studios Café
Camilo Menjura – 15:00
Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Camilo Menjura has been singing and playing the guitar since he was 11. Building on a classical training and a wide range of experiences with various choirs and acapella ensembles -such as the International Acappella School UK 2009- over a period of twelve years, he has written some vocal and instrumental arrangements of traditional Colombian music. Beside his music studies in London, he is currently working with a variety of groups like “Koguiwa”, “Viento Sur” & “Manos Negras” playing traditional South American music and doing some Latin-singing workshops with the Fun Fed in North London. Camilo has been playing with “Colores de mi Tierra” -Colombian Music from the Coast- with Toto la Momposina’s daughter and grandsons for over two years performing throughout England.
Khantara – 19:00
Colombian multi-instrumentalist and composer Anthar Kharana, master of many different vocal techniques, brings the stunning richness and power of his Colombian roots mixed with Arabic and Gypsy influences. His new five-piece band uses Traditional Colombian sounds of Gaitas and ‘Tambores’, or drums, with Bouzouki, Cajon and Traverse flute. The rhythms and powerful soundscapes will transport you to a land of joy and moves whilst keeping a sacred connection to the ancient Colombian wisdom. For more information please visit the website: www.khantara.com