This year's Arts Alive festival has refreshingly embraced the Latino trend. We will be treated to a feast of some of the world's finest performers. The Peruvian diva Susana Baca is possibly the most important living exponent of Afro-Peruvian sounds and culture. Besides being a vocalist of extraordinary capacity, she is dedicated to researching the folklore, roots and instrumentation of her country. Together with her husband, Ricardo Pereira, Baca founded the Instituto NegroContinuo, which teaches and preserves the dance and music of her ancestors, and also encourages younger Peruvians to explore their own voices and visions.
Brazil is represented by three hot acts, two of which also boast long-time Latin favourites.
Her double-bill with local gem Busi Mhlongo guarantees a memorable experience. Joyce is the other living treasure. Her repertoire has a distinctly jazzy feel with a sweeter pitch. As a celebrated songwriter, her own compositions are performed alongside impassioned interpretations of well-known Brazilian covers. Dois de Ouro are a quintet led by Hamilton de Holanda and their traditional chorino music is a real exploration of intense but delicate strings.