Afro-Colombian Percussion Workshop (LA FIESTA 2025)

As part of LA FIESTA - Canberra's Latin American Festival (info here)

Join us for a 45 min session during LA FIESTA where participants get a taste and context of Cumbia and other Colombian percussion styles!

Step into the world of Afro-Colombian percussion with Canberra-based musician Juan Garcés. Drawing from his experience performing with Latin bands in Canberra and Sydney, as well as his musical learnings from Colombia, Juan will guide participants through traditional instruments such as tambor and maracas. Explore the infectious grooves of cumbia and other Afro-Colombian rhythms in this 45 min talk + workshop! Juan will be joined by Sydney based Colombian percussionists for this workshop too (and they will perform at the LA FIESTA AFTERPARTY too!)

You don't need to bring anything, just your own body and an open mind! You'll get a chance to play a traditional Colombian drum, clap and use your voice as an instrument.

LA FIESTA TALKS + WORKSHOPS:

1:00pm : TALK | Colombian Pico Soundsystem (45 mins)
The origins and context of El Gran Mono Sound System. Explore how and why it became the first “Pico” style sound system outside of Colombia. 

3:00pm : WORKSHOP - Afro-Colombian Percussion (45 mins)
A hands-on session where participants get a taste and context of Cumbia and other Colombian percussion styles.

4:45pm : WORKSHOP | Maracatu Afro-Brazilian Percussion (45 mins)
A cultural overview and practical introduction to Maracatu percussion, giving participants the chance to play and engage with the rhythms directly.

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Juan Garces is a percussionist rooted in the Afro-Colombian drumming tradition. He first learned tambor technique from Wilmer Guzmán (Tamborero of Totó la Momposina, Sidestepper, and Mojarra Eléctrica), and later deepened his knowledge of the San Jacintero style with Walber Rodríguez (Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto, Bajeros de la Montaña). He has also studied with Toño García, master of gaitas and Latin Grammy winner, and with bullerengue master Etilson Salgado from Palenque.

Juan’s bullerengue journey took him to the Puerto Escondido National Festival, where he performed alongside Maestra Isavasia, playing drums for the group Beso e’ Negra. He participated for two years and reached the drummer semifinals in his second appearance.

Now based in Australia, Juan David plays with the groups Koi, Abalanga, and Chicharrita Club, bringing Colombian rhythms into new contexts. Alongside his musical practice, he is also a researcher at the Australian National University (ANU) Biology Department, bridging creativity, tradition, and science in his professional life.