A Megaphone for Peru's Musical Wealth
One of Peru's most groundbreaking bands, with a trajectory of almost 40 years, PeruJazz has germinated the fusion between traditional and contemporary, folkloric and urban, the cajón and the saxophone. Drawing inspiration…
PUAN 2023 by Benjamin Naishstat and María Alché
“Llueve sobre tu desolación” (It rains on your despair) In the philosophical comedy by Benjamin Naishstat and María Alché, premiered at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, the upended life and personal struggles of…
Cochinita Pibil
This Yucatan dish is eaten throughout Mexico and makes for an ideal taco filling. Traditionally, the Mayans wrapped the meat in banana leaves and cooked it in a pit in the ground. However, if you don’t have access to banana…
Looking for Che: Bolivia's Revolutionary Road
Sixteen years after translating Che's 'Motorcycle Diaries', made famous in the Hollywood movie with Gaél García Bernál, Ana Wright goes on the hunt for Che in Bolivia as she seeks inspiration whilst translating a…
UK Colombian Creatives to be Proud of
Creativity is in any Colombians' DNA, it’s part of our necessity and hence our everyday lives. We’re celebrating Colombian Independence by shining a light on the amazing Colombian talent here in the UK. From dancers,…
JESSE & JOY (East West Records)
This is the album that won Jesse & Joy, the Mexican brother and sister duo, their first US Grammy for best Latin pop album in February this year. It’s also their first to feature songs in English, some of which have already…
Maya Da-Rin, award-winning Brazilian film director of ‘The Fever’ (2019)
“They don’t know how to look into dreams, they have big eyes but they only see what is in front of them.” Brazilian filmmaker Maya Werneck Da-Rin is a bubbly, energetic, resourceful and creative person with a huge talent. Moved…
World Cup Profile: Will it be a glorious goodbye for the legendary Andrés Iniesta?
In the seventh of our profiles on the Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese teams who have qualified for this year’s World Cup finals, Lewis Blakeman focuses on 2010 champions Spain, who will hope to give Andrés Iniesta the…
DANCING QUEEN
Charismatic, dynamic and sensual, Mariana di Girolamo has caused a stir as the protagonist of Pablo Larraín’s new film EMA alongside Gael Garcia Bernal. Corina Poore talks to the rising Chilean movie star about her role as an out…
'Prazer, Camaradas!' Dir. José Filipe Costa
‘Prazer, Camaradas!’ is a charming, fiction-documentary by Portuguese director José Filipe Costa that was recently shown at the 63rd BFI London Film Festival. With acute observations and a gentle humour, it examines the impact on…
Elliot Grove: The beating heart of RAINDANCE
London is a creative hub, and the number of film festivals over the year are truly astonishing. They represent a myriad of countries from China, Latin America, Brazil, India and Africa to local British productions. The Raindance…
The Motherf**ker with the Hat
A poetic, profane, whip-smart look at love and addiction finds light even in the darkest corners of New York City. Motherf**ker With The Hat premiers at the National Theatre, after having been nominated for six Tony awards on…
Colombia: Starbucks Meets its Match
Starbucks's most recent expansion plan has taken them to Bogota, Colombia. How has the arrival of the coffee giant affected the market?
Little Louie Vega's Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert island, which tracks would you absolutely need, to get you through those times of despair? Man cannot live on sun and fish alone right? Our castaway, Little Louie Vega, the world renowned house…
ON YOUR FEET
The story of how a child fled from Cuba to Miami to become a global superstar needs spicing up, but the rhythm is gonna get you, says Elizabeth Mistry
Oscar de la Renta, fashion designer (1932 - 2014)
Fashion icons such as Marc Jacobs along with the industry bid farewell to the reverent and much-loved Dominican American designer, Oscar de la Renta this week. After fighting cancer for eight years, the icon passed away aged 82…
FIRE IN THE BASEMENT (2019) A short film by Eva Vázquez de Reoyo at the Raindance Film Festival.
An inventive short film that examines the revolution of ideas and shocking violence that took place in Mexico in 1968, from the point of view of 3 student friends in Mexico City. The Director Eva Vázquez de Reoyo talks about the…
Colombian Street Kitchen @ The Green Rooms
From delicious 'Growing boys' arepas to the thinnest patacones ever - there is something for everyone at The Colombian Street Kitchen in Wood Green's Green Rooms
Latin Londoner #39: Spin, Professional Bboy
Born in Cali and raised in London, Juan David Gaviria Muñoz (aka Spin) is a professional Bboy (breaker): five times National Solo Champion, two times European Solo Champion and five times World Champion in crew category,…
‘ASFIXIA’ Dir. Kenya Márquez
Mexican writer/director Kenya Márquez excels with her second feature ‘Asfixia’ (Suffocation 2018), to be screened (free) online at the Raindance Film Festival 2020, in the Female Gaze strand. It is a tale of redemption and love,…
Chiles En Nogada – Stuffed Peppers in Walnut Sauce
I was always a bit scared off the amount of ingredients in Chiles en Nogada (Chiles in Walnut Sauce) but I’m so glad I tackled it as it’s a really great recipe! I’ve modified it a bit to make it a bit simpler to try at home. This…
'The Penguin Lessons' Dir. Peter Cattaneo
“He was short, only 2 ft tall, he smelt bad and he shat everywhere, but real friendship is about seeing beyond that superficial stuff” A cynical English teacher, who goes to work in a posh British school in Buenos Aires,…
We Love...Gal Costa
Endowed with a charismatic and exquisite voice filled with stylistic delights, Maria da Graҫa Costa Penna Burgos (better known as Gal Costa) was a native of Salvador, Bahia. Along with Maria Bethania, she was one of the primary…
BETTY BOO by CLAUDIA PIÑEIRO / Bitter Lemon Press 2016.
The latest novel from Latin America's literary sensation being dubbed the Argentine Patricia Highsmith
Pao de Queijo
Pão De Queijo can be tricky for those of you who may not have worked with Tapioca flour before but trust me it gets a lot easier every time you make it. This is my favourite recipe from home, I love the smell of them and how…
Venezuela’s Rich Musical Tapestry
Professor T.M. Scruggs, an ethnomusicologist at the University of Iowa, has spent six years specializing in Venezuelan music and culture. In this interview he paints a fascinating portrait of a musical heritage that is one of…
Gol-dalajara!
Jalisco’s tourism minister Michelle Fridman Hirsch insists the world must come to Mexico’s ‘most Mexican city.’ Come for the football matches, stay for the margaritas, mariachis, and Pueblos Mágicos, she says, as Guadalajara…
Sports Personalities of 2018
In a world of ever increasing Sports feats and competition, the variety in this list demonstrates the far-reaching expanses of Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese athletes at a global level. It is clear sport is at the heart…
Chocolate, Politics and Peace-Building
An Ethnography of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, Colombia by Gwen Burnyeat
World Cup Profile: Mexico Look to End 24-Year Curse
In the third of our profiles on the Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese teams who have qualified for this year’s World Cup finals, Lewis Blakeman looks at World Cup regulars Mexico and their chances of putting an end to the 24…
Our Tribute to Sandro
The man known as The Argentine Elvis was a national treasure. The funeral was held on January 5th at the Argentine national congress, usually reserved only for presidents or former presidents. The streets where lined with…
Baroque Cubana: The Extraordinary Story of Gabriela Mulen
Gabriel Mulen is a charismatic young musician from one of Old Havana’s most iconic Afrocuban neighbourhoods who combines a career as one of only two professional organists in Havana - playing organ and harpsichord in two Early…
Surrogate Latino #7: Miguel Muziq, Latin Jazz Guitarist
Guitarist, songwriter, and producer, Miguel Muziq is a new force to be reckoned with on the Latin Jazz scene. His production/remixing credits include Usher and Kelly Rowland, now Miguel’s debut album “An Angel’s Healing” finally…
Latin Londoner #49 - Gabriela Vallim, journalist, cultural producer
Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Gabriela Vallim is a journalist, cultural producer and founder of Baile Funk Culture, expanding the Brazilian street culture in the UK through events and workshops. She’s curated events at the…