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Rebel with an Accordion
Self-taught Mexican singer and accordionist, Celso Piña, acquired the name ‘the rebel of the accordian’ in his native Mexico and is now considered a pioneer in his unique fusion of musica norteña, sonidero, cumbia ska, hip-hop…
Great Latin American films from 2021
2021 was a difficult year for film, especially cinema releases. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2021 Academy Awards event took place in April 2021, at the usual event venue, the spectacular Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los…
The Magnificent Seven
They are Spain’s newest offering to the Flamenco scene: seven Barcelona-bred brothers by a father of 39 offspring, who blend the classical and the contemporary. Framed by a band of eight female musicians, Los Vivanco's…
The Uribe Legacy: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
In his eight years as president Álvaro Uribe changed Colombia. But was it all for the best?
Woman on the Verge: Eva Ruiz
Born in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, Eva Ruiz has the ability to paint pictures with words and sounds, through her distinctly graceful, smooth yet powerful voice. She also portrays Jenna in Culpa Mia, a hit Amazon Prime…
To Flip or not to Flip? The Capoeira Debate
Tradition versus progress. Authenticity versus evolution. In tackling the great Capoeira debate – whether acrobatics orientated Capoeira means abandoning its roots - Helen Lima de Sousa goes to the core of what Capoeira, and…
What is behind the current civil unrest in Colombia?
The South American country is the news protagonist of late. Videos of protests and riots circulate the web, and celebrities have even changed their profile picture to show their support to the Colombian people. Even though the…
UK Latino Music Producers
With the UK Latin urban music scene boiling over into the mainstream, a generation of talented Latino producers are rising to the surface. Drawing on their diverse Latin American roots, London influences, and the talent and…
On The Trail of Che
A wave of nostalgia is sweeping Latin America as the 50th anniversary of the death of Che Guevara approaches. Julio Etchart follows the ‘Che route’ to the remote spot where the revolutionary icon was executed.
LEONA
In a moving film set in the Syrian Jewish community in Mexico, director Isaac Cherem examines how cultural pressures affect a young girl who breaks with tradition and falls in love with a non-Jewish lad.
Quinoa Porridge
So this recipe is a bowl of deliciousness, and again another “accidentally vegan” recipe hailing from Peru. Quinoa is full of protein and is the perfect start to the day…. unlike regular porridge which can be a bit stogy and has…
Alejo Durán (1919-1989) - Colombia’s first king of Vallenato
Alejo Durán was the first accordion player to win the Leyendas de Vallenato Festival, an event that creates superstars in Colombia. Labourer by day and one of the country's most prolific Vallenato composers and performers by…
Salsa Hits of the 1960s
As we gear up for LatinoLife in the Park 2025 where we'll be celebrating one of Latin music's greatest contributions to the world, we bring you the story of Salsa through the years in our special ‘Salsa is Back’ series…
Mexican artist Perla Krauze at the Cadogan Gallery
‘The crevices talk of what has gone before, which is life’ (Las grietas hablan de lo que ha pasado… que es vida’) Mexican sculptor and painter, Perla Krauze, is exhibiting a fascinating selection of her sculptures and…
Albita - The Latina Alter-Ego
Grammy and Emmy-winning singer Albita, once a protégé of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, is now performing in ‘Carmen La Cubana’ - the tragic tale originally adapted into the famous opera ‘Carmen’ by Georges Bizet from the 19th…
Remembering Rodolfo Aicardi
Blessed with an unusual voice, which exuded passion and raw emotion, an era of great songs that connected with audiences every day lives, and a magnetic charisma, Rodolfo Aicardi was one of Colombia’s biggest Cumbia stars of the…
Ismael Rivera Tunes That Rock the Dance Floor
Ismael Rivera, el Sonero Mayor, the most popular salsa singer and the most accomplished sonero of his time! He was the embodiment of Puerto Rican music, Salsa's father figure and an inspiration to singers from NY to Colombia…
Manuel Pertegaz, iconic Spanish designer (1918-2014)
Manuel Pertegaz, the world- famous Spanish designer and admired fashion genius died on Saturday at the grand age of 96. We celebrate his life here at LatinoLife whilst his dedication fashion lovers mourn their great loss who had…
Gilberto Santa Rosa Tunes That Rock the Dance Floor
Only a handful of Latino singers can boast the career of “The Gentleman of Salsa” Gilberto Santa Rosa. He has the voice, the improvisational skills, the longevity and the popularity. He has been creating hit after hit since the…
Ten Argentine Films we love…
With their unique brand of humour, intellectual insight, romance and political drama, there have been so many great Argentine films that it’s practically impossible to pick out a few. But here are 10 of LatinoLife’s favourites in…
Films to Watch Before You Die #7 – “The Motorcycle Diaries" by Walter Salles
Guevara Before Che – An expedition for Socialism across 1950s Latin America and the making of a revolutionary
Top Ten Flamenco Legends
It's no surprise that a culture as old and fascinating as is Flamenco has its plethora of legends. As a mere starting point, here we introduce you to a few of those, so they can serve as just a starting point for…
Things That Matter to...Mon Laferte
Mon Laferte is one of Latin America's most dynamic artists, unstoppable since releasing her album Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015. Last year's Latin Grammy winner for Best Alternative Song for 'Amárrame', the young…
Radical Aristocracy - A Tribute to María Luisa Bemberg
Celebrated at the Argentine Embassy last week, María Luisa Bemberg is one of Argentina’s most famous film directors; her best known film Camila being nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Described as both a "radical…
A Guide to Santiago de Chile: Avocados, the Andes and Coffee with legs
I have finally found the perfect spot, on the second story patio of Café Literario, overlooking Parque Bustamente, one of Santiago de Chile's many hidden green gems, where one can momentarily escape the relentless city…
Hip-hop on Lisbon’s South Bank – 40 years in the making
Hip-hop Tuga, otherwise known as Portuguese hip-hop, began in the late 1980s on the south bank of the river opposite Lisbon, the area known as the Margem Sul (South Bank), including Almada and Miratejo, where Cape-Verdean culture…
Brazil’s big beautiful – and still illegal – balloon-making culture
From centuries old traditions Balloon-making developed into a competition between dedicated groups to create the biggest and most beautiful balloons which were released into the sky carrying lights and often fireworks, and then…
'Window to the Sea' Directed by Miguel Ángel Jiménez
“Those that take risks get the life they want”, not as easy as it sounds, but pretty close to the decisions made by María (Emma Suárez) in this very moving film about love and loss, when María discovers she only has a few months…
Mon Laferte Live in London
Mon Laferte warmed the EartH in Hackney at her London debut where the Chilean diva played, whilst launching her sixth Album launch 'Norma'
ELLA ES CRISTINA Dir. Gonzalo Maza
Life is in colour but sometimes we need to see it in black and white. In ‘Ella es Cristina’ (This is Cristina, 2020), award-winning Chilean writer/ director Gonzalo Maza explores the power of female friendship set against the…
Ciro Bustos, Che Guevara’s friend and ally
Artist and revolutionary, Ciro Bustos was a key confident of Che Guevara in his fated attempt to trigger revolution across Latin America, through Argentina and Bolivia. He was wrongly accused of betraying Che, when it is now…
Reinas, Princesas and First Ladies: Salsa’s Women
Salsa music may be known as a tool to seduce women, but the flow swings the other way too. Here are some of Salsa’s greatest soneras who bewitched audiences and proved their talent in a world dominated by male leads.
Fernando Montaño - Royal Ballet Dancer
Air Europa LUKAS Finalist for Personality of the Year
'Madalena': Another Lonesome Transgender Death in Brazil
Shown last month as part of the official selection at the IFFR film festival in Rotterdam, 'Madalena' shows the reality of life and murder for the trans community in Brazil. The film is not a crime thriller, the police…
One Hundred Years of Nostalgia: The Great Astor Piazzolla
One hundred years ago today Astor Piazzolla one of the world’s most admired composers and musicians in the world, was born. A man whose transcended borders and revolutionised tango music forever. To this day his towering…
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Paraguay – piercing the silence with a documentary film
In Europe, Paraguay is a little-known country: it isn’t on the tourist route, unless you are…
Music
A BODY IN THE WORLD
One of the brightest gems of contemporary Brazilian music, Luedji Luna fuses Afro-Brazilian rhythms…
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In few cultures around the world is dance such an important expression of identity. Through Forró,…
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Top 10 Argentine Footballers
As one of the biggest football teams in South America and the world, the Argentine Football…
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Globally, Mexico is known as a boxing powerhouse, boasting some of the greatest champions in the…
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LatinoLife's Favourite Mexican Male Singers of all Time
Since the days when Mexico was a serious rival to Hollywood in terms of film production and quality…