‘Venezuela 70: Cosmic Visions of a Latin American Earth’ Various Artists (Soul Jazz Records)
Despite being as rich in music treasures as its neighbours Brazil, Colombia and Cuba, few Venezuelan artists are known outside its borders. The country has a fascinating musical history, and in the 70’s, with loads of petro-…
This Latino Week
GDP to fall, Cuba sends more help, Brazil's indigenous fears, Christ the Redeemer tribute, Ronaldinho released and Bolivar now available on Netflix.
Spain's Sweet Revenge
Four hundred years after Henry VIII divorced and disgraced Spain's beloved Katherine of Aragon, Spain has the chance to seek sweet revenge on the old rascal by bringing its interpretation of Shakespeare's Henry VIII to…
It Takes Two Worlds to Tango
Representatives of 25 countries converge on the River Plate for the Third World Tango Summit.
Diomedes de Jesús Díaz Maestre (26 May 1957 – 22 December 2013) ‘El Cacique de la Junta’
Colombia mourns the loss of a Vallenato Legend, Diomedes Díaz died aged 56 at home in Valledupar.
Juan Formell (1942-2014)
Simplemente...without Juan Formell Cuban music wouldn’t be the same. Those of you who ever couldn’t stop humming Abre que voy, Me Pone la Cabeza Mala, or Me Mantego after an amazing party know very well what we mean…
Chevron, Ecuador and the extractor’s curse – part 1
To avoid paying compensation, the oil company targets the victims' lawyers
Travelling Heart
The new film Viramundo follows legendary Brazilian singer-songwriter Gilberto Gil on a musical journey from Bahia, Brazil to Australia, South Africa, and back to the Brazilian Amazon. It had its UK premier at Barbican in late…
Lonesome George - The death of a subspecies
The very last of his subspecies, the Pinta Island resident passed away at the estimated age of a hundred.
We say Dance. They Say C-C-C-C-C-Cumbia!
Cumbia meets the Happy Mondays? Candela catches up with the Mexican Institute of Sound's eccentric frontman, Camilo Lara, at his home in Mexico City before he leaps over the Atlantic to play in London's La Linea…
Bad Education
Eduardo Chapero-Jackson has been dubbed by critics as the latest ‘one to watch’ in new Spanish cinema. Here at London'sThe Spanish Film Festival, supported by the Cervantes Institute, the writer and director talks to…
Marina Silva: The Wild Card of Brazil’s Presidential Race
Since the tragic death of Brazil’s opposition candidate Eduardo Campos in a plane crash on the 13th August, his ex- running partner and replacement Marina Silva has shocked the world by taking Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) from…
Interview with Patricio Guzmán
Award-winning filmmaker Patricio Guzmán, one of Latin America’s most important directors of the 20th and 21st centuries, talks to Latino Life about his new film, Nostalgia for the Light, and about his approach to and opinions of…
The Restless Spirit
Sevillian bailadora Rafaela Carrasco is one of the most outstanding representatives of avant-garde flamenco dancing. After being a member of the Andalusian based Mario Maya Company and completing her training in Madrid as a…
Butterfly Catching
In Madame Butterfly, the One Man Opera, the butterfly takes flight one more time as the abandoned son goes looking for his father in the US. Mexican born Ignacio Jarquin, who himself metamorphosised from Opera conductor to singer…
What Happens When London Gospel goes Latin
The London Community Gospel Choir is a musical force to be reckoned with. With a career spanning over 30 years, and led by the dynamic and charismatic Bazil Meade, LCGC is known for its funky gospel flair, swing-beat, R’n'B…
Maracujá, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and the March of Folly
When tempers run high in Brazil - as they are over the clamour for Dilma's Impeachment - ask for passion fruit juice to calm the nerves. And so it was done in Congress' special session on the matter, where the Attorney…
Michel Camilo & Tomatito ‘Spain Forever’ (Decca)
Dominican pianist Michel Camilo and Spanish guitarist Tomatito, have become one of the great musical pairings of the century. Back in 2000, after being friends for years, the two maestros recorded the seminal album ‘Spain’, which…
“Beyond the Legend…Lies a More Fascinating Truth”
It was a gloomy Sunday. The grey sky and all-consuming rain made my bed feel like a toasty heaven, which I was reluctant to leave. However, the anticipation and desire to see first-hand the beautiful gold art work of my…
Favourite Quotes from our Favourite Latinos...
Sofia Vergara, Mitt Romney, Dilma Rouseff, Carlos Tevez and George Lopez among the gaffers this week.
Adolescence and Obsession in ‘A Trip to the Moon’
The Argentine director Joaquín Cambre talks to Latino Life about his own life and his award-winning opèra prima, A TRIP TO THE MOON, about an adolescent who, feeling out of sync with his family and his world, focuses his…
The President and the Miners
Chilean president enjoys his moment in the spotlight after rescuing ‘the 33’. But beneath the media coverage he is in danger of burying some more complex issues.
Making their Mark - the rise and rise of The Latino-Brits
First generation Latino-Brits are bubbling under the surface and seeping through into mainstream British cultural life.
Tapas Revolution, Westfield Shopping Centre
Another LUKAS finalist is Tapas Revolution, the brainchild of exciting chef Omar Allibhoy, whose mission is to take Tapas to the English masses. That is perhaps the answer to those who might wonder why it is located in the…
In the Beginning, the Sea…in the End, a Global Literary Journey
Colombian author Tomás González began writing the story of his brother. Thirty years later it is a tale that has travelled the world captivating readers, and now landed in the English speaking world. Latinolife interviews…
Power Alley (Levante- 2023) by Brazilian director Lillah Halla
Lillah Halla is emerging as the new kid on the block in Brazil with her opera prima, Levante (Power Alley) that questions Brazilian politics and feminist freedoms and has already garnered no fewer than 8 wins and 8 nominations at…
Wahaca at St Paul’s
The colours and design of the new Wahaca restaurant are as diverse and distinctive as the flavours you can taste in the food they serve.
‘The Paranoids’ Dir. Gabriel Medina (DVD release)
With humour, pain and irony, Gabriel Medina's ‘The Paranoids’ takes us into the internal world of oddball Luciano as he comes to terms with his life
The Young Face of the Old PRI?
Now the PRI have been given a second chance by the Mexican public, after its 71-year authoritarian rule, are they proving to be the same old dinosaurs?
Flamenco Fusion's Force of Nature
Ojos de Brujo's frontwoman and songwriter Marinah goes solo with her first album, Baile de las Horas, which she performs at Rich Mix in April."The change is what I needed: to get out of Ojos and do something different.…
Various Artists Cuba y Puerto Rico Son…
It’s not the first time that an all-star team from these twin Caribbean islands have collaborated to record songs from each other’s countries, but when you get Havana D' Primera, Cultura Profética, Charlie Aponte, Isaac…
“The dead man doesn’t help” – 7 Reasons To Run Away (2019) at the Raindance Film Festival Dir: Esteve Soler, Gerardo Quinto & David Torras
Brutal, hilarious, black humour at its best, the film ‘7 Reasons to Run away’ (2019) is made up from a group of independent stories listed under respectable, socially conscious titles: Solidarity, Order, Property, Work,…
La Chiva se enganche!
La Chiva Gantiva are a heady mix of Colombian and Belgian musicians. With inspiration from Toto La Momposina and Afro Coloombian music, the six piece have turned into a fiery cultural sound clash full of life and colour. With a…
Split Identity
Viggo Mortenson’s Argentine background (hence his perfect porteño accent) is unknown to most film fans. In this film, the actor famous for his role as Aragorn in Lord of The Rings, The Road and Eastern Promises embraces his ‘…
Why we should save Pueblito Paisa
Maria Castro makes a case against the demolition of Seven Sister's indoor market, where Colombians who have fled displacement to build a livelihood, face displacement again.