Jam n Bread Hispanic and Latino Fiesta
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Saturday, June 14
Port Kembla Community Centre
For Brazilian musician and capoeira teacher Drauzio "Branco" Annunciato, music is a way of communicating without speaking.
"Music is a language we can use to communicate with all the people," he said.
"We can acknowledge and share our culture through the music.
"It's important to show the Brazilian music to the community and make some inter-cultural relationships ... it's important for our music as well and to get noise from everyone."
Mr Annunciato and his wife, Natalia Adan, arrived in Wollongong about a year ago.
On Saturday, they will join a host of other South American musicians and perform at the Jam n Bread Hispanic and Latino Fiesta at Port Kembla.
'Music is who you are and so from my perspective it has a lot of depth and it's really fun . . . it's just infectious.'
Playing traditional instruments like the cavaquinho (small acoustic guitar), pandeiro (tamborim), cajon (percussion box) and berimbau, they'll share traditional Brazilian songs from the 1930s to 1980s.
Event organiser Ann Lehmann-Kuit said the monthly jam sessions allowed people to have access to styles of world music they otherwise would be unlikely to hear.
"The aim is to find musicians in the community from different cultural backgrounds . . . and invite them into a space that isn't a performance space, it's about sharing," she said.
"So each month we have different guests and the brief is bring your music, bring your culture, but give some element where people can join in as well."
Chilean guitarist and singer Hernan Flores will share songs from his homeland.
Mr Flores has been involved in the Latin American music scene in Australia since the early 1970s.
With the group Telares, he performed in the opening ceremony of the 2000 Paralympic Games.
There will be flamenco rhythms showcased on cajon and palmas (clapping) with renowned Spanish flamenco dancer Ana Otero, who danced in the recent production of Carmen at the Opera House.
Ms Lehmann-Kuit said the monthly jam sessions allowed people to experience the vibrancy of world music.
"I think in Australia in mainstream music, music is like an add-on," she said.
"It's a thing you do while you entertain, whereas in other cultures it's more than that - music is identity, music is expression.
"It's who you are and so from my perspective it has a lot of depth and it's really fun . . . it's just infectious."
Portuguese baked bread will also be on offer at the fiesta. Anyone who attends is invited to bring along their own instruments and join in the jam. The free event is on Saturday at Port Kembla Community Centre, corner Church and Wentworth streets, 11am to 2pm.