COLOMBIA INDEPENDENCE FESTIVAL 2024 13 to 21 JULY LONDON

COLOMBIA INDEPENDENCE FESTIVAL UK50 - 2nd Edition 13 JULY - 21 JULY 2024 LONDON www.colombiaindependencefestival.co.uk The Festival returns in 2024 to honour and highlight the contribution of the Colombian community in the UK over the last 50 plus years. This is a community-led event celebrating Colombian Arts, Music and Cultural Heritage in London. The festival this year will be over 7 days showcasing, both UK based and visiting artists and academics from Colombia. Events are inclusive and open to all, with some being Free of Charge. Background: In the early 1970’s, young Colombian immigrants arrived in the UK laying the foundations for what is now a very large hard-working and thriving community. These pioneering immigrants have become important agents and contributors to the formation of a Latin American identity and to the dissemination of Latin American culture in London and across the UK. PROGRAMME OF EVENTS - For Tickets for the Events, Please Visit the Festival Website ☆ Saturday 13 July: 'Cali Swing Dance School Summer Dance Showcase' ☆ 'Cali Swing Dance School’ presents their summer dance showcase, directed and choregraphed by London based Colombian dancer and teacher Saulo Gonzalez. With special international guests from Colombia and Spain, adding extra sparkle to the up-tempo and colourful Cali Salsa fireworks on display. * Venue: Haggerston School, Weymouth Terrace, London E2 8LS / Time: 3 pm to 9 pm / Tickets: £20 & £10 Children - Tickets directly from the Dance School (Call Saulo on 07535 891253) ☆ Monday 15 July: Miguel Ferrerossa ‘#Yo Me Entacono’: A Salsa Journey in High Heels – A conversation ☆ FREE EVENT with Cali Salsa dancer Miguel Ferrerossa of ‘Yo Me Entacono’ and Colombian anthropologist Camilo Soler KCL. Miguel will be discussing Salsa gender politics in Cali, Colombia, his life, work and experience promoting gender equality and LGBTQ+ inclusion, while facing conservative and patriarchal aspects in society. Miguel also touches on his current European travels. (In English) * Venue: King’s College London, Strand, WC2R 2LS / Free Event / Time: 7pm to 10pm ** CLICK FOR FREE TICKET: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/olalatina/1291873 ☆ Wednesday 17 July: 'Salsa Barrio Cultura - Convergencia Digital' - Lecture and Discussion ☆ FREE EVENT Alejandro Ulloa, Universidad del Valle, Cali, presents his co-authored book and multimedia platform ‘Salsa – Barrio – Cultura ’, a collaboration of 3 academics from Universidad del Valle. This work deals with the creation of a cultural collective memory that recreates digitally the Salsa culture, ‘La Salseridad’, in the city of Cali as a popular urban expression that links Cali to other Salsa urban centres across the continent. (In Spanish + English interpreter) * Venue: Consulado de Colombia, Londres, Westcott House, 35 Portland Place, London W1B 1AE / Free Event / Time: 7 pm to 10 pm ** CLICK FOR FREE TICKET: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/olalatina/1291942 ☆ Thursday 18 July: 'Yo Soy Una Mujer (con tantas mujeres dentro)' - Concert ☆ London based Colombian singer and songwriter Luz Elena Caicedo sings to Colombian, Latin American and all women around the world, that struggle to assert themselves or be heard. With special guest, Painter Leo Rodriguez exhibiting 1 significant painting, that inspired Luz Elena's titled song 'Yo soy una Mujer', an ode to women, during the pandemic. Also performances from the Latin American Choir and intergenerational up and coming Colombian female artists. * Venue: Church of St Mary's, Primrose Hill, NW3 3DJ / Time: 7 pm - 11 pm / Prices: £8 adv. £10 door / Colombian Food & Bar available ** BUY TICKETS HERE: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/olalatina/1292867 ☆ Friday 19 July: 'Busca por Dentro' - Documentary Film with Q&A followed by a party with Djs ☆ Celebrating 'Cali Pachanguero' 40 Years of an iconic tune, the popular anthem of the city of Cali, Colombia, this docu-film celebrates the life and artistic career of Jairo Varela - Grupo Niche’s famous founder, band leader and composer. Q&A led by Alejandro Ulloa from Universidad del Valle. (In Spanish with English interpreter) * Venue: Whirled Cinema, 259-260 Hardess Street, Loughborough Junction, London SE24 0HN / Time: 7.30 pm to 1 am / Price £8 Film at 8 pm (90 minutes) followed by Discussion + Party with DJs till 1 am / Colombian food and bar available ** BUY TICKETS HERE: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/olalatina/1292644 ☆ Saturday 20 July: Colombia Independence Day Party Celebration With live music, dance acts, comedy, DJs, Colombian food stalls and bar. Music and dance workshops during the day. Artists confirmed so far: ‘Los Siameses’ Colombian duo from TV comedy programme ‘Sabados Felices’, Nilson & Eliana Cali Salsa world champions, Miguel Ferrerossa, Saulo Gonzalez and his ‘Cali Swing Dance School’, Grupo Folclorico Yurupari, Chris Ross, DJs Edwin ‘Salsa’ and Fulvio, more artists and DJs TBC. * Venue: All Souls Church, Langham Place W1B 3 DA / Time: 5 pm to 11 pm ☆ Sunday 21 July: ‘Entre Amigos’ All Day Out Colombian Family Party in Peckham ☆ 12 hours non-stop Colombian family party with music, dance, traditional food & drink in ‘the hood’ / Time: 1 pm to 1 am * Venue: ‘Cali Aji’, 126 Rye Ln, SE15 4RZ ☆☆ Full programme can be found in the Festival website: www.colombiaindependencefestival.co.uk Enquires: [email protected] Main Organisers: Ola Latina, Salsa City, Umana Events, Cali Swing