Attention all Latin music lovers! VLACC is thrilled to curate three days of music for Let’s Hear It For Yaletown, featuring lots of FREE music and dance powered by local talents. Join us at the events, brought together by the Yaletown Business Improvement Association and supported by the Yaletown Brewing Company, and discover many fabulous artists in our community!

You can also learn to dance to Latin rhythms during intermissions for FREE.

Stay cool in Yaletown this summer with some hot music that will get your feet moving and your body grooving!

Date: Wed-Fri, July 31 to August 2, 2024
Time: 5 pm – 7pm (after-work hours)
Location: Helmcken Plaza – 338 Helmcken St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6G9
Website: yaletowninfo.com/latin

No registration is required. Everyone is welcome!

LINEUP

🪗 FORRÓ DAY – Wednesday, July 31, 2024

FORRÓ DO CANA

Time: 5 pm – 5:45 pm and 6:15 pm – 7pm (2 sets)

Forró do Cana, Vancouver’s premier Brazilian Forró band, was founded in 2018 to share the rich musical heritage of Northeastern Brazil. The band’s unique sound is crafted by the blend of Serena Eades on violin (and sometimes the Brazilian fiddle, rabeca), Steve Charles on accordion, Mario Silva on 7-string acoustic guitar, and Sara Magal on percussion and all Portuguese vocals. They are joined by a rotating cast of top local percussionists, including Liam MacDonald, Celso Machado, and Phil Belanger. Forró do Cana’s music covers a range of rhythms under the umbrella term Forró, including Baião, Xaxado, Xote, and Arrasta pé.

The band’s repertoire extends beyond traditional Forró to include Northeastern Carnaval music known as Frevo, which features fast, joyful rhythms and frenetic dancing with colourful umbrellas and costumes. Additionally, Forró do Cana delights audiences with Brazilian melodic Chorinho, showcasing their versatility. Their name is a clever play on words: “Cana” refers to sugarcane in Portuguese, used in making sugarcane juice and liquor, and is also an abbreviation of Canada. Known for their contagious vibes, infectious rhythms, and catchy songs, Forró do Cana guarantees an unforgettable experience that will make audiences dance, sing, and groove.

 

FORRÓ CLASS with Ricardo Espeschit

Time: 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm (followed by a Forró performance)

With over 25 years of experience, Ricardo Espeschit is a seasoned ballroom dance instructor. Holding a degree and postgraduate qualification in Physical Education, Ricardo has an impressive track record, including being a world champion in Zouk and performing on Brazil’s “Dança dos Famosos” (the Brazilian version of “Dancing with the Stars”). His passion for dance has taken him to more than ten countries, where he has shared his expertise in Brazilian ballroom dances. Now based in Port Moody, Ricardo specializes in teaching dance in New Westminster and Port Moody, bringing his rich experience and dynamic teaching style to every class.

 

🪇 LATIN FUSION DAY – Thursday, August 1, 2024

LOS DUENDES

Time: 5 pm – 5:45 pm and 6:15 pm – 7pm (2 sets)

Los Duendes is a Psychedelic Latin Fusion band based in Vancouver. It engages timeless rhythms like chicha and cumbia and fuses Jazz, Fusion, Salsa, and soulful house to create a unique, on-trend sound that mirrors the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary Canadian culture.

Tener Duende loosely means having a soul, a heightened state of emotion, expression and authenticity. The artistic and especially musical term was derived from the duende, an elf or goblin-like magical creature in Spanish mythology. El duende is the spirit of evocation. It comes from inside as a physical and emotional response to art. ‘The duende is not in the throat; the duende climbs up inside you, from the soles of the feet.’ It is what gives you chills, makes you smile or cry as a bodily reaction to an artistic performance that is particularly expressive.

SALSA CLASS with Stéphane Jarel (Los ¡Aseres!)

Time: 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm (followed by Rueda de Casino performance)

 

Los ¡Aseres! (The buddies) is a vibrant group of social dancers united by a shared passion for Casino, a rhythmic and engaging  Cuban dance. With a deep appreciation for the rich heritage of Cuban culture, they come together to celebrate the joy and spontaneity of Casino. The group aims to share their excitement for Rueda de Casino, a dynamic form of Casino danced in a group in a circle formation, with dancers of all levels through performances, workshops and classes.

Los ¡Aseres! is an inclusive and supportive group encouraging people to connect through dance. They are proudly supported by the Julio Montero Dance Umbrella and Elegancia Cubana which are dedicated to promoting and preserving Cuban dance and music culture in the Coast Salish territories.

 

🪇 SAMBA DAY – Friday, August 2, 2024

BREJERA BAND

Time: 5 pm – 5:45 pm and 6:15 pm – 7pm (2 sets)

In the spring of 2004, Brejera began when Mario Silva (São Paulo, Brazil) and Trevor Murray (Nova Scotia, Canada) started experimenting with samba and choro music together. From this collaboration, the band emerged, offering a variety of traditional Brazilian styles including samba, baião, frevo, and choro. The band features Mario Silva on 7-string guitar and vocals, Trevor Murray on cavaquinho and vocals, Bruno Matos on pandeiro and vocals, Steve Bagnell on saxophone, and Aiko Sato on trombone. Brejera captivates audiences with their authentic and spontaneous Brazilian tunes, delivering a vibrant and immersive musical experience.

 

SAMBA DE GAFIEIRA CLASS with Rodrigo de Sousa (Gafieira Vancouver)

Time: 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm (followed by a Gafieira performance)

Rodrigo de Sousa brings the vibrant rhythms of Samba de Gafieira to life as a dedicated teacher. Since 2022, he has been sharing his passion for this mesmerizing dance form with students of all levels.

Rodrigo’s journey with Samba de Gafieira began long before he stepped into the role of an instructor. It’s a dance that resonates with his soul, and teaching it is not just a profession—it’s a calling. He strives to create a learning environment that is both fun and enriching, where every step and beat brings students closer to the heart of Brazilian culture.

When not immersed in the world of dance, Rodrigo explores other passions that keep him inspired and grounded. However, nothing compares to the joy of seeing his students fall in love with Samba de Gafieira, just as he did.

 

In Partnership with Yaletown Business Improvement Association

With the support from Yaletown Brewing Company