La Lista - Issue 3
Tropical scenes, Andean electro-folk, film festivals galore and a Latino foodie tour in this week’s edition of La Lista 🌴
Good morning and welcome to your Tuesday roundup of Latin American offerings for this week: as temperatures soar across the UK, we’re bringing a tropical theme to this newsletter.
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1. Piña coladas and pretty palm trees: “Dialogues” at LAMB Gallery
We continue our tour of London art galleries showcasing Latin American artists at LAMB gallery in Mayfair. This is the last week to catch “Dialogues,” a gorgeous, colourful exhibition of tropical-inspired scenes that will have you pining for a piña colada. For “Dialogues,” LAMB has paired two painters who Artsy described: “Despite being born some 40 years apart, there’s a striking affinity in their Surrealist approaches that reimagine the artistic tradition of landscape painting.” Valentino Cortázar’s (father of fashion designer Esteban Cortázar) vibrant paintings of Colombia’s verdant terrain sit alongside Dodd-Noble’s pastel-hued environments, offering a welcome respite from the city heat. LAMB launched as a pop-up in 2013, and has been in its current location behind Sotheby’s since 2021. Although founder Lucinda Bellm is British, she has travelled extensively throughout Latin America and her commitment to Latin American art is reflected in the gallery’s programme which has focused mainly on the region’s artists and designers. ‘Dialogues’ at LAMB Gallery until 28 June, free.
2. Rumbo Tumba: Bringing Latin American folk into the future
Argentine musician Facundo Santiago has been described as many things: an electro-acoustic wizard, a master multi-instrumentalist. But the label he is most comfortable with however, is ‘craftsmen of organic loops’ (loops defined as a section of sound or single instrument, played repeatedly, often to create a rhythmic or harmonic foundation for a song). The Buenos Aires-born one-man orchestra behind Rumbo Tumba plays, records and mixes traditional wooden instruments in real time, combining live loops with Latin American roots; Andean folk and urban beats such as Dub, Hip Hop and House: “I just compose with what I can play live, so live looping is central to all my work…It’s like cooking with what you have in your fridge, you have to use your imagination, taste and feeling to make something good.” Having collaborated with the likes of El Búho (UK) and fellow Argentine, Barrio Lindo, catch him with Vibración Tropical tonight at London’s Jazz Café, in a unique fusion of sounds that might seen antagonistic, but will transport you to Latin American locales. Vibración Tropical With Rumbo Tumbo, The Jazz Cafe London, 19.00 - 22.30.
Festivals in focus: Sheffield DocFest and Raindance
Festival season is upon us, and while huddling in a dark cinema may not seem like fun right now, this is time of year when some of the UK’s best film festivals are in full bloom.
Sheffield DocFest, the UK’s premier documentary festival kicks off its 32nd edition in Sheffield tomorrow for six jam-packed days of docs, talks and other special events. Helmed by Venezuelan-born Creative Director Raul Niño Zambrana – who has a profound expertise in Latin American cinema and LGBTQIA+ documentary films. – this year’s programme includes over a dozen incredible Latin American docs amongst the line-up, providing a unique insight into the topics and preoccupations dominating the continent. Highlights include Ninxs, presenting a portrait of a trans adolescence in Mexico, Runa Simi, the story of one man’s attempt to dub the Lion King into Quechua, and Para Vivir: The Implacable Times of Pablo Milanés, a deeply personal portrait of the Cuban music icon. While a trip to Sheffield may not be on everyone’s agenda,, watch out for Brazil’s Apocalypse in the Tropics which explores the rise of religious populism in Brazilian politics and will be in cinemas across the UK from 11th July. Sheffield DocFest, 18-23 June, various venues across Sheffield.
Raindance Film Festival. Also kicking off tomorrow for its 33rd edition, Raindance Film Festival boasts the title of the UK’s biggest independent film festival. An intriguing selection of Latin American films will be on show at London’s Vue in Piccadilly, including Abducted Files (Brazil), Pet Peeves (Spain/Mexico) and God Teeth (Costa Rica). We’re excited about Urzula Barba’s ‘delightfully offbeat’ debut film Corina which won the Global Audience Award at SXSW earlier this year, and which will receive its UK premiere at Raindance. The quirky and uplifting fable, reminiscent of Amélie, centres on Corina, a young woman who following a tragedy in childhood, has rarely left her home except to work in a publishing house. But a potentially catastrophic mistake affecting the company’s most famous book saga sees her step beyond her comfort zone and embrace the unknown in a tale that is life-affirming, charming and funny. Raindance Film Festival, 18-27 June, Vue Piccadilly and other venues, London
5. Blue Market: Bermondsey Latino Market
The summer equinox is this Saturday, and so is Blue Market’s monthly Bermondsey Latino Market. Located in London’s foremost foodie neighbourhood. Bermondsey Latino is held in Market Place SE16, a pedestrianised square just off Southwark Park Road and close to Borough and Malty Street food markets. Each month focuses on the culture and cuisines of a different Latin American country. Previous editions featured Peruvian empanadas, Mexican tacos and Colombian coffee so expect more authentic treats this time around. There are also stalls showcasing Latin American handcrafts as well as family-friendly performances and workshops.
Bermondsey Latino at Blue Market Bermondsey, Sat 21st June, 10 am to 5 pm, Free
That’s all for now,
Stay cool, ¡amigos!
The Argentine Film Festival Team