Guided Search: Arts and Culture, South America, Hosts

María Volonté & Kevin Footer. “The best kept secret of Argentinian tango!” – Songlines Magazine

TINTA ROJA Bandoneon player Shinjoo Cho and guitarist Alejo de los Reyes showcase the intimate, lively, lyrical sound of tango. “Other unmissable moments? The arrival of the young Argentinian prodigy Alejo de los Reyes.” – Tribune de Genève Shinjoo Cho's "Oscuro Quintet is a modern “supergroup” of sorts, ushering in the evolution of tango while respecting its traditional roots." – WHYY with special guests CAST SHADOWS Music for accordion and cello, inspired by Eastern European folk, fog machines and Erik Satie

“One of the most important showcases for contemporary finger-stylists.” – San Fransisco Chronicle

International Guitar Night, North America’s premier mobile guitar festival, has featured the best performing guitar composers from around the world since 1995. Each tour, IGN founder Brian Gore invites a new cast of guitar luminaries to join him for special evenings of solos, duets and quartets that highlight the virtuosity and diversity within the world of acoustic guitar. Since the beginning, audiences have cherished the friendly informal ambiance of the performances. Participants have relished the chance IGN affords to express reverence for one another, and to collaborate rather than compete with one another.

“Argentine guitarist Cecilia Zabala and Brazilian-French pianist Philippe Baden Powell express the intensity and richness of the relationship of loans, appropriations and potential exchanges between the music of the two Latin American countries.” – Télam

Arrastão do Dendê: "If this performance from the Afro-Brazilian percussion and dance troupe doesn't get you tapping your feet, your feet have been glued to the floor and you should look into that." – Phila. Magazine Kyo Daiko: "An explosion of sound, matched by uniform choreographed movements, creating an avalanche of sight and sound." – Phila. Weekly Dulsori: "Traditionalism and spectacle merged. Huge drums placed overhead, along with flutes. Deep, pounding rhythms" - NY Times

"The joyous, ebullient music of Matuto merges the forró folkloric music of Brazil with the sounds of all-American bluegrass. Violin, accordion and a range of Brazilian percussion give this band a seductively cross-cultural appeal." Chicago Tribune Matuto's core members share a combined obsession with connecting the dots between Brazil, rural America, and creative reinterpretation of long-standing party-hardy forms.

Free Family Fun! Brazilian Day Philadelphia 2015 is the much awaited annual celebration of Brazil’s rich culture. Though only in its second year in Philadelphia, our festival boasts an empowering mission to bring the best of Brazil to Philadelphia, build community, and celebrate diversity.

Join virtuoso percussionist ROLANDO MORALES-MATOS and Al-Bustan Takht Ensemble for an evening of music that explores the rhythms of the Latin American & Arab worlds. Their own master percussionist and teaching artist HAFEZ KOTAIN will lead this percussive conversation that crosses cultures and continents.

As part of his residency, Mr. Morales-Matos will lead a workshop at Moffet Elementary in Kensington. The Moffet Elementary drummers will open the culminating performance Trinity Center for Urban Life in Center City Philadelphia.