EL PARNASO HYSPANO: EARLY MUSIC ENSEMBLE

Singers Rafael Montero (leader), Kate Smith, Verónica Chacón, Victoria Couper, John Sloboda, and instrumentalists Jamie Akers, Reiko Ichise, Kanti Quena.

This live/online concert will bring 17th Century Bolivian Christmas songs called “negrillas” which showed the cultural assimilation of black Africans and black music with the Spanish and Native American society. These songs had an African origin, but were enjoyed and sung by all sections of society. They involve voices, instruments, and percussion. Although they come from another age and another continent, Negrillas are accessible to anyone, and tell a story of ethnic integration and crossover, which can inspire us today. The performers are a multi-ethnic and multinational group, led by a native American who has grown up with these songs since childhood.

There will be audience participation within Covid-19 restrictions. We will teach you one of the Negrillas. Bring hand-held home-made percussion or just use your hands to join in, whether at home or in the hall. Ticket holders resident in the Borough of Islington can also sign up for a zoom workshop led by Rafael Montero, where they can find out more about the songs, and practice joining in. Users of the Octopus Community Centres will be given priority to attend the concert in person, numbers limited by Covid-19 restrictions in force at the time. Further information will follow by email after your booking.

Brickworks Community Centre is a brand new community centre within the heart of multi-ethnic Islington, and is part of the Octopus Community Network who makes up 14 of the largest multi -purpose community centres in Islington, are sponsoring this concert as a contribution to its arts and culture offering and encouraging residents to stay connected and engaged.