Afro-Latin Percussion Workshops @ Smiths Alternative [FLAMENCO + CUMBIA)

Flamenco Cajon | Afro-Colombian Percussion

Join us for a special afternoon of rhythm and culture at Smith’s Alternative. This event brings together two interactive percussion workshops exploring the roots of flamenco and Afro-Colombian traditions. Designed for beginner to intermediate players, these workshops are hands-on, fun, and accessible.

📅 Saturday, September 20th 🕛 12pm – 3pm
📍 Smith’s Alternative (Upstairs),
🎟️ Cost: $25 for both workshops | $10 for LASA members (60% discount)
Supported by ANU Latin American Student Association, Clandestino Canberra, The Groove Warehouse and Raio De Sol.

🔸 Flamenco Cajon Workshop

12:00pm – 1:15pm
with Cait Greenup (Canberra Flamenco Community)

Discover the driving rhythms of flamenco through the cajon. Cait Greenup, drummer and percussionist immersed in Canberra’s flamenco scene, will introduce participants to the basics of the 12-beat flamenco compás. Learn essential hand techniques, accents, and patterns that underpin flamenco styles such as soleá, bulerías, and alegrias.

👉 Participants must bring their own cajon for this workshop.

🔸 Afro-Colombian Percussion Workshop

1:45pm – 3:00pm
with Juan Garcés (Colombian Percussionist)

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.

👉 Please bring a djembe (or other hand-based percussion) or maracas if you have them. A very limited number of instruments will be available to share.

🎯 What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on skills in flamenco cajon and Afro-Colombian percussion

• A deeper understanding of two rich rhythmic traditions

• Ensemble practice and collaborative group playing

• Connections to Canberra’s percussion community!

✨ We had such a good time at the first edition of this event in August! Please join us for this second edition! NOTE: The two workshops are offered as a package - not as individual sessions and there is a 30 min break in between workshops. Don’t miss this chance to learn, play, and connect through rhythm!