Free concerts, workshops and musical mergers gather national and international artists.
News Colombia.
From September 22 to October 4, six cities from the country – Cali, Palmira, Buenaventura, Bogotá, Pereira and Armenia – will become the scene of the blues & folk festival + Creative Camp 2025, which this year celebrates its version number 19. The agenda includes free concerts, pedagogical meetings and creative spaces that gather musicians from Colombia, the United States and Argentina Innovation and sound future.
Recognized as the only Latin American festival awarded the Keeping The Blues Alive Award by the Blues Foundation of Memphis, the event continues to consolidate as an international reference. This year, in addition, it marks a milestone with its first program at the National Center for the Arts Delia Zapata Olivella de Bogotá.
Beyond the scenarios, the festival also promotes training. With the fourth edition of Creative Camp, emerging artists from the Colombian Pacific will share experiences in workshops and conversations with international musicians. “This year, the public will live both the innovation of contemporary artists, as well as the depth of our traditions,” said Michael Cadena, director of the Festival.
International and national artists on the agenda
Among the guests are the American Talibah Safiya, recognized by her album Black Magic (2024), and Regi Yarbrough “Yacblues”, leader of Yarbrough & Company, awarded at the Magic City Blues Battle. From Argentina comes Diego Cortez, a multi -stertumer who has worked with figures such as Mercedes Sosa and Lila Downs.
Colombia also will have a leading role. They will be guitarist Wayuu Henry Pimienta Pushaina, pioneer in contemporary indigenous music, Carlos Reyes & Germán Pinilla’s duo with his folk and blues proposal, and artists such as Carlos Elliot, Juan Romero Cuarteto, Juan Libiesis & the nothing and groups such as Catfish, the blue turtles, Calicelta and Grupo Huari Runa, among others.
The memory of the genre will be represented by Francisco Demarchi, with a tribute to the classic blues of the twentieth century.
Symphonic concerts in Cali and institutional support
As a special closure, Cali will host symphonic concerts with the departmental band of Valle del Cauca, the Emavi Symphony Band and the University Band of Fine Arts, under the direction of the teacher Remo Ceccato. A bet that mixes academic tradition with Andean rhythms and blues.
The Festival has the support of the Ministry of Cultures, the United States Embassy in Colombia, Music Export Memphis, the University of Valle, the Pontifical Javeriana University, Fine Arts and several cultural institutions in the country.
All concerts are with free entry and limited quotas. Complete programming can be consulted on the official website of the American Colombo: Colomboamericano.edu.co/eventos.
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