La Feria: Latin America comes to Liverpool

Peter Anderson • Sep 19, 2023

Bringing a vibrant and eclectic programme of music, dance, storytelling, street arts and culture from the rich diversity of the Latin American continent. LA FERIA will take over city centre venues in Liverpool , between 20th & 23rd September. Celebrating the festival's return this autumn, the incomparable 'Voice of Tango' Martin   Alvarado from Buenos Aires, Argentina will join the line-up, alongside the hypnotic rhythms and melodies of the Mexican & Colombian Electronic Cumbia outfit Mambe & Danochilango. 


Telling his story of life as a Bolivian living in the UK, Victor Rios will kick-off the series of events, bringing his powerful and comic one man show, “How British Are You?” to Liverpool's Unity Theatre. Dance groups from Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia will also light up the city, whilst brand new commissions created especially for the festival will continue to explore the theme of identity.

Francisco Carrasco, Artistic Director of LUMA CREATIONS said "LA FERIA 2023 promises to be exciting and thought provoking, and may be the best one yet!" I caught up with Francisco and found this festival is really his dream and passion project rolled into one flamboyant carnival. "This has always been a vison and a dream for me. I have produced and directed many festivals and carnivals over the years, however, La Feria has always been one of my continuous dreams and we have only just begun!"


"I set up One Latin Culture in 2011 and began trading as Luma Creations in 2017. I created the festival in 2013 and it has had a number of incarnations until 2018 when it became La Feria Latina and in 2019 LA FERIA. I think that there are many elements that I love about the festival. The pure rush of creating something that is ever changing with new elements and challenges. Learning about new artists who give the festival new life as well as returning to work with old friends (they quickly become friends after taking part in the festival) who are always up for trying new things. "


"And finally the joy in people’s faces when they experience it for the first time. The knowledge that audiences are getting something amazing and something they have never experienced before and we are celebrating the rich diversity of Latin America. " Speaking of that joy in people's faces, what can they look forward to this year? "EVERYTHING! It’s a wonderfully mix bag of beautiful treasures."


"There are thought-provoking events such as Wed 20 at Unity Theatre under the banner of “Identidad” (Identity) with MC Millaray (Mapuche/Chile) and Victor Rios (Bolivia) and they will be joined for a Q & A by Alborada (Latin America Uncovered) founder, Pablo Navarrete. We have the amazing world-touring troubadour, Martin Alvarado, known in Argentina as the Voice of Tango (Headlining at the Philharmonic Hall) on Fri 22 Sept."


"The amazing colours and dances from Mexico, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil. Throughout the festival as well as the explosive energy of the five piece women’s street band from Chile, Bandita La Inquieta. And the rootsie sounds of both Mambe & Danochilango (Colombia/Mexico) and Lokandes (Bolivia/Peru/Chile). And the wonderful local talent of Roxy & Toby (Venezuela/UK) and Capoeira for All (UK)"


"There’s also the amazing flavours of Latin American cuisine on Sat 23 at District and the inspiring exhibition of Latin American women artists & activists from 6 Sept-6 Oct at St George’s Hall (The Stables).  There’s just so much and I am looking forward to every little bit!" LA FERIA will take place from 20th to 23rd September across city centre venues in Liverpool. For more information, please visit lumacreations.org.



Peterborough Presents - Celebrating 10 years of creativity

By Peter Anderson • 16 May, 2024
In 2024 Peterborough Presents is celebrating 10 years of working with communities across the city to create great ‘art’. Mention the arts and people naturally think of galleries and theatres. For the last 10 years, arts organisation Peterborough Presents has been working with people from across the city to show that it is this and so much more. It can mean circuses, folk tales, street murals, poetry on the walls at the Lido, Zombie Walks at Diwali, being serenaded by violins whilst in a hot tub at Thorpe Meadows, going on magical history tours and creating lantern parades. It can mean carnivals at Millfield Festival, weekly craft groups or even doing up your local street with colourful planters. For their birthday, the Peterborough Presents team want to celebrate all the ways in which you can be creative and encourage you to get creative too. Their 10th birthday is as ambitious as ever! It kicks-off at Peterborough Celebrates Festival on 18th & 19th May at Ferry Meadows. Peterborough Presents will be taking over the ‘creative dome’. In there you can watch amazing carnival performances by Mandinga Arts or get involved in drawing and making sessions. Of course, there will be some party games too! Artist Rose Croft is currently working with groups from across the city to create colourful garlands and artworks from recycled materials that will decorate the Creative Dome. With funding from Arts Council England, Peterborough Presents has been working with people of all ages and backgrounds. Programme Director Sarah Haythornthwaite says “ There’s a lot of creativity in Peterborough and also energy to try something different. 10 years is a proper milestone too. Over those years we have had the pleasure, and honour, of working with specific neighbourhoods in the city to create projects alongside local residents. We don’t tell people what ‘arts’ they need." "We start by getting to know people, find out what inspires them, what's missing and then we create something together. It makes every project and every neighbourhood unique. We have seen people make new friends, learn new skills, even seen communities come together for the first time. They have looked at their neighbourhood in a different way and found creative ways to shout about something important to them. We’ve worked with some amazing established artists but have also helped to support some fabulous new ones too. Above all, we’ve had fun!” The birthday celebrations will continue throughout the year with community-led creative programmes in Millfield, Westwood, Eye, and beyond. Highlights include the Millfield Makers event in August, Eye Lantern Parade in November and film projects with young people in Westwood. You can expect some short films, podcasts and digital artwork released online too. Sarah continues “ The Peterborough Presents programme has provided thousands of people the opportunity to be part of creative activities over the last 10 years. We enjoy working closely with communities to co-produce our programme so that residents can experience art on their doorstep – projects that are relevant and fun!! A party isn’t a party unless others join us on the dance floor. So, we’re inviting you all to come and join us at Peterborough Celebrates and have a go at being a bit creative. ” Peterborough Presents is hosted by Nene Park Trust and supported by Metal, Peterborough City Council, Peterborough Council for Voluntary Services, Eastern Angles and Creative Lives. The programme is funded by Arts Council England.You can find out more about by visiting www.peterboroughpresents.org . To find out more about Peterborough Celebrates visit www.peterboroughcelebratesfestival.co.uk

Fältsånger perform at The Pyramid

By Peter Anderson • 16 May, 2024
Placing as much importance on the visual aspect as the music, Fältsånger strives to make each concert an experience, with unique opening films that draw the audience into their world before emerging from the shadows to blend into the psychedelic projections that flood the stage as the music blossoms. Fältsånger are perhaps best described as psychedelic electronica. Or maybe ambient space rock. Or even experimental muzak. Whatever the label, their music is uniquely their own. Coming from Warrington, the band appeared in 2023 with a few releases across streaming platforms and a small number of highly visual concerts at select venues. Believing in a "live is best" approach, the band rarely writes traditional songs, usually relying on fate to deliver songs through extended jams. Often these jams require an element of editing to bring them down to digestible lengths, although sometimes, as was the case with The Moon Shimmers With Secrets, a full album can appear entirely through live, and unedited, improvisation. Described recently as "the most innovative band around", their fans find them reminiscent of Tangerine Dream, The Orb, Herbie Hancock, Gong, Spaceheads, Ryksöpp, and even Manuel Göttsching, the band cites few of these as influences. No doubt if you are fans of these groups, Fältsånger could be well worth considering as an addition to your Spotify playlists. Alternatively, you could join the audience at Warrington's Pyramid Arts Centre, this Saturday. Sit back close your eyes and be whisked from the angst of the modern world. Fältsånger are looking to start making appearances further afield, but for now, to experience them you will have to travel to Warrington. Here is your link for tickets and further info' https://linktr.ee/faltsanger
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