Afro-Latin Workshop Festival Day 1 (B) | Cuban Comparsa

DAY ONE Friday 5th June 

Workshop from 5pm (up to 2 hours) in DLT, SOAS Main Building

Cuban Comparsa | Sarabanda 

Join Sara, Jimmy and Bill from Sarabanda in this introductory workshop on the uplifting party music of The Conga, the rich carnival tradition of Cuban Comparsa.

The Conga is the carnival music of Cuba featuring horns, percussion, singing and dancing. If you have a horn or melodic instrument, please bring it, play percussion and/or sing and dance. “We are going to pack music into this 2 hour workshop and we are going to have fun!”  

Sarabanda play extensively on the London live circuit and have built up a strong following. They regularly pack the house out Upstairs at Ronnie Scotts and host regular Descargas at Hootananny, Brixton. Sara, Jimmy and Bill from Sarabanda are all specialised workshop leaders, with vast experience of teaching a range of styles both in the UK and Cuba. 

As a musician and academic primarily in the worlds of Cuban and Congolese music, Sara McGuiness leads two bands alongside Sarabanda - Grupo Lokito and community big band Orquesta Estelar – as well as teaching a range of educational projects. She was recognised as the UK Lukas Awards Latin Musician of the Year 2018. 

Sara namely runs annual Cuban Music Holidays, taking cohorts to stay and learn in Matanzas in partnership with Jesus Bello and various Cuban musicians, while supplying medical and other essentials in the face of the ongoing imposed economic situation. 

EVENTS WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED

*10% OFF DAY TICKETS AVAILABLE*