La Clave Fest 2018 at The Scoop

London’s FREE multi-arts festival celebrating the best Latin music and dance is back, bigger and better than ever, on Saturday 9th June. This year we take over not just one, but TWO stunning venues - The Scoop and the Hay's Galleria, Queen's Walk, SE1 2DB (on the south bank of the river, between Tower Bridge and London Bridge, next to City Hall) SITE 1 - THE MAIN STAGE @ The Scoop (outside City Hall, Queen's Walk, London SE1 2DB) ------------------------------------------------------- From 1pm till 9pm, international bands from Mexico and Colombia join the plethora of UK-Latin talent, to take you on a journey through Latin Jazz, Fusion, Folk, Boleros, Samba and Latin Hip-Hop, culminating in a full-on Salsa band and the latest Reggaeton hits via the UK’s best Latin DJs. And, with our Salsa Choke line dance leaders at hand, there’ll be no two feet standing still when the music ends. Camilo Menjura – Folk/Sing-a-long - Colombia Twice LUKAS winning vocalist and musician, this Colombian singer and guitarist is not only one of the most versatile singers around, but one of London’s best-loved choir masters. A guitarist with three bands of diverse styles - Andean Jazz, and Afro-Colombian - Camilo’s passion for choral and A Cappella music has taken him to festivals leading school choirs, including the SOAS University World Music choir and the Lolchoir. Camilo will perform and also do an audience participation choir for which he is famous. Las Hermanas Garcia – Folk - Mexico All the way from Mexico, and representing the new generation from the vibrant Bolero scene of Guerrero, these two teenage girls are an inspiration to young Mexicans. Currently #1 in Spotify’s Bolero Pop Playlist and with 1.3 million strikes on the title track of their first CD, Las Hermanas embody the Bolero revival led by Grammy-winning artists such as Natalia Lafourcade (beneath them on Spotify). The difference is that Las Hermanas García were born into this music, carrying a long family tradition, and are an authentic expression of it. Telajeta – Jazz/Fusion/Electronica - Venezuela This LUKAS winning Alternative Act of the Year brings a fresh approach to the rich tapestry of Venezuelan music. Band leader and percussion Maestro Ernesto Marichales (also Musician of the Year 2017) rearranges and reshapes the traditional folk compositions of his native land with London electronica, to produce mesmerising results. Haze Samba – Samba - Brazil We bring back the thirty-five member children's Samba drumming Bloco that caused a storm last year. With drummers aged 8-14, the group perform traditional Samba Reggae, as well as Samba Funk, Samba drum and bass, Samba Bhangra, and a few other musical surprises! La Raza – Latin Hip Hop – UK/Latin London’s finest Latin Hip Hop outfits join forces in a joint PA performance to show the city the sound of a new bi-cultural generation of London born-Latinos. Led by LUKAS winning Urban act and community leader Mike Kalle, the leading light of the young creative Latino community. Mike is not only the UK’s best rapper, but personifies the positive the Pa’lante (onwards and upwards) attitude, making him a great example for Latino youth in the UK. Nazari Sound – Latin Hip Hop/Jazz/Salsa - Colombia (TBC) Direct from Colombia, this Rap Band from Bogotá of three brothers - Ces, Juán & Nené - fuses Jazz, Blues, Funk, Colombian Folklore, Salsa & R&B. A real up and coming force in Latin Hip Hop, Nazari are prolific performers, having headlined the biggest Hip Hop festival of South America ‘Hip Hop Al Parque’. The group launches its debut album titled ‘Nazari Zum Zumm’ at La Clave 2018. Elpidio & Su Alegria Latina – Salsa – UK/Colombia�This is big sound Salsa - a 10 piece orchestra bringing together London’s finest musicians from Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador – to end La Clave on its customary joyous climax. Hailing from Cali ‘the world capital of Salsa,’ Elpidio is a renowned performer and musician in his own right (LUKAS runner up 2017) and the Latin bass player of choice for many of the UK's top Latin bands. Now proving to be a charismatic bandleader, Elpidio blends the swing from his native city Cali - 'the capital of Salsa' - with the rythmns of Cuba and the style of New York to deliver pure, infectious happiness. �DJ Jose Luis and friends Joining the dots throughout the day, this Collective of the UK’s best- loved Latin DJs, will be turning up the temperature in their final set as the sun goes down. You’ll be guaranteed the best Latin music, including, of course, the huge Latin hits that have been dominating the global charts throughout the last year. DANCE Richard Marcel’s Latin Dance X-Perience Richard Marcel is the choreographer of choice and Latin dance specialist for UK television and artists alike, having worked with the likes of Madonna, George Michael, Take That, Diana Ross, Kylie. He has worked extensively on shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and So You Think You Can Dance. Richard also runs the famous Sunday X-Perience at London’s top Latin venue Bar Salsa in Soho where he gets to share his passion for Latin dance every week. He brings this X-Perience to La Clave, choreographing his best dancers to wow the crowd with the hottest Latin dance crazes. Latin Fit Machine (various times during the day and closing finale) This dynamic duo from Venezuela and Colombia has earned a reputation across London for being a ‘must-have’ for Latin parties, with their infectious high energy fun. Jose and Diego combine fitness, dancing and community spirit centred around ‘Salsa Choke’ - a popular call-based Salsa dance created in the streets of Colombia. These animators supreme are guaranteed to make even the stiffest bones and immobile bodies want to join the fun. They will perform at various times during the day, culminating in a mass dance frenzy with DJs and live percussionists to bring the party to a finale. As is customary at La Clave, you can be sure that 9pm will be met with a groan, when the music has to stop. But that’s when the Claves and cowbells come out… making sure the party continues. Dance Flash Mob At a designated time during the day there will be a dance flash mob, organized by the team at Latin Fit Machine. Exact venue tbc: either in the space above the Scoop, Hays Galleria or The Pier SITE 2 - LATIN JAM LONDON @ HAYS GALLERIA (1 Battle Bridge Ln, London SE1 2HD) -------------------------------------------------------------------- hosted by the Latin Collective FREE CLASSES - FREE SHOWS - FREE DANCING 12NOON-9PM Site 2: Hays Galleria Your choice of 14 classes in Salsa, Bachata, Salsa Cubana, Reggaeton & Rueda featuring The UKs Top Team - The Latin Collective Olga Ribaka, Sam Hounsell, Raluca Lehadus, Pal Chohan and Joe "The Boss" Davids plus special guests James & Evelyn (2017 UK Bachata Stars Champs) Alex & Ashwini Pebbles & Amie Andrea Stewart Magda Sobolewska Andreas Demetriou Dani K (more to be announced) with Djs John "Dj Ooo" Dani K & DJD More info TBA www.laclavefest.co.uk for more info