Friday Fiesta : LOS CHAVOS + PACHAMAMA + DJ DEDE + FRANK (free drink with entry!)

Transition into your weekend with FRIDAY FIESTA - a monthly session of LATIN, REGGAE, ROOTS, WORLD, FOLK, SKA! Starting off with a HEAVY night of two local bands: LOS CHAVOS + PACHAMAMA + DJs DEDE DA CRUZ + FRANK MADRID

Entry includes basic drink on arrival too!

6:30pm - DJ Frank Madrid
8:30pm - PACHAMAMA (1 set)
9:30pm - LOS CHAVOS (2 sets)
11:15pm - DJ DEDE

- LOS CHAVOS -
An 8-piece explosion of Latin reggae energy Los Chavos channel the festival sounds and urban rhythms of Latin America to sway hips from Canberra to Colombia. Fronted by Andy Jauregui from Bolivia and backed by seasoned musicians from Australia and South America they have been moving crowds for over 10 years in Canberra and the festival circuit.Los Chavos are proud to be on the vanguard of original urban latin music in Australia - releasing their debut EP in 2008 - a tight testament to their live sound and their unique vision - before releasing their debut album "SuperMeng" in 2012.A significant development of their live performances, the album showcased the bands signature energy coupled with complex arrangements and a variety of Afro-Latin rhythms such as cumbia, dub/reggae, merengue, timba and chakarera but never straying too far from their ska/reggae roots. ​ Romantic ballads were given a ska/cumbia twist and hard-hitting merengue horns are mixed with calypso-hiphop.

- PACHAMAMA -
Blending romance and revolution as only Latinos know how, PachaMama is an innovative five piece ensemble that fuses the rich traditions of Latin American music with multi-instrumental combinations. Well known for utilising exotic instruments like charango (Andean string instrument) and bouzouki (greek string instrument) and enchanting melodies achieved masterfully with flute and melodica along with complex rhythms made possible by a combination of guitar and cuatro. Pachamama will make you smile and dance. They will tell you a story before every song, something that, added to their music, will dissolve the language barrier to the point that you will want to move to the up-tempo beats or sit down and close your eyes to just listen to the heartfelt ballads.

- DJ DEDE DA CRUZ -
DJing is 'right of passage' for Dede - a chance to share with audiences the myriad of the Transatlantic and Afro Latin Sounds, music, dance and culture. With a long history in broadcasting and events - Dede brings a wealth of passion and knowledge to any dancefloor. Those who know - KNOW!
Originally from Guinea-Bissau, he has lived in Mozambique, Lisbon, Portugal and the UK amongst other cosmopolitan and “African capital cities” of Europe. Active in the community and cultural space for decades, Dede has worked as a Theatre Director, Actor and Performer, Translator, Journalist (SBS) and broadcaster in addition to producing community radio and producing shows for the Sydney Fringe Festival. He speaks Portuguese, Spanish English and French as well as his native Creolo. With a deep love and knowledge of Latin and Afro-Latin music, each unique set by DJ DeDe is a musical and cultural transatlantic journey!

- DJ FRANK MADRID -
Frank Madrid joined the DJ circuit by hitting the airwaves before the decks. His broadcasting of global sounds on Sydney radio (Alchemy, 2SER, Triple J) generated a solid following that pushed him into lounges and clubs around the city and landed him major gigs such as Darling Harbour’s Fiesta, Luna Park’s NYE Party and the legendary Urban Latin parties at the Sydney Opera House. 

He has appeared a major festivals and arts markets including Tasmania’s Ten Days on the Island, Barcelona’s Live Music Market, Miami’s Decadence Extravaganza and taken his ethnic chic sounds to venues in New York, Wellington, Brasilia, Canberra, Caracas, Bogota and beyond.
He currently hosts sessions of World Vibe - ArtSound FM on Canberra's ArtSound FM 92.7 and is active in the cultural events space in the city.

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WHAT IS FRIDAY FIESTA ?

Friday Fiesta RETURNS after living incandescently since 2016 - delivering a monthly dose of live global sounds and packing out the sweaty dens in the CBD (Phoenix/Sideway). The flame has been smouldering and is now IGNITED ONCE MORE - across the street at Transit Bar! REJOICE as ONCE a month you'll be graced with musical shamanism from local wizards taking you on eclectic journeys along the worlds of REGGAE, SKA, LATIN, FOLK, ROOTS + MORE! Banish your ills and worries and kick start your weekends with live music at FRIDAY FIESTA