The Latin American Arts Festival (LatinFest) is a multidisciplinary celebration of music, art, film, dance, theater, literature and culture. Its mission is to promote artistic diversity, raise intercultural and intersectional awareness, expose social issues, and challenge stereotypes about Latinxs and Latin America in the school and community.
The LatinFest was born out of the need of representation and exposure of Latin American Art at CalArts and the community at large. This student-lead project was initiated by Diana Teixeira and Eloy Neira (Peru); Emilia Moscoso (Ecuador), Lucas Longaresi (Brazil); Vivian Naranjo (Chile), Leila Jay, Rafael Luna and Rosa Boshier (USA); and Pablo Leñero (Mexico).
The festival not only promotes traditional art forms, but also challenges them and exposes new ones. Organizers strive for the decolonization of the arts, the mind, and the body— questioning what it means to be Latinx while confronting embedded cultural issues such as machismo, xenophobia and aporophobia.
TUESDAY, MARCH 5TH
AFRO-PERUVIAN DANCE WORKSHOP
1:30pm – 3:00pm. Lund Theater.
Guest artist Nadia Calmet presents afro-peruvian dances and rhythms. All experience levels are welcome.
Originally from Lima, Peru, Naida Calmet began her studies in folkloric dances in her hometown, specializing in Afro-Peruvian dances. She continued her studies in Yoruba Dances with the Conjunto Nacional Folklorico de Cuba in Havana, Cuba, and later studied Bomba y Plena dance with the iconic Ayala family in Loiza Aldea, Puerto Rico. Her training has allowed her to choreograph Afro-Diasporic pieces that traveled the world, especially when she toured with renowned singer Eva Ayllon. She is also a working actress and has premiered on several films and TV series in Latin America. She is the founder of Centro de Accion Cultural Afroperuano CEACA Peru, where she promotes Afro-Peruvian Culture.
ARGENTINIAN FILM NIGHT
7:00pm – 10:00pm. Bijou Theater.
‘El silencio es un cuerpo que cae’ (Silence is a Falling Body), dir. Agustina Comedi. 2018, 72 min.
‘El silencio es un cuerpo que cae’ is a reconstruction of the part of her father’s life that she did not get to share with him, a life guided by the conflict between political activism and desire.
‘Habeas Corpus,’ dir. Jorge Acha. 1986, 67 min.
‘Habeas Corpus’ is a poetic movement about a man in captivity during the coming of the Pope John Paul II to Argentina in 1982, and his memories of the man he loves.
RECEPTION CONCERT: CARSON SCHAFER LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE
10:00pm – 11:00pm. Roy O. Disney Concert Hall Lobby.
Dance the night away with this talented group of CalArts jazz and world music performers. With global influences and a deep love for Latin jazz, this twelve-piece band will keep you on your feet and in the rhythm.
With: Singers Mandy Hong, Susana Pineda, and Su Ozcan. Horn players Evan O’Brien (alto saxophone), Johnny Miguel (trombone), Eloy Neira (trumpet), and Rafael Luna (flute). Bassist Josh Turner. Pianist Will Kjeer. Percussionists Carson Schafer, Diana Teixeira, and Chance Utter.
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