Pa’lante: Afro-Venezuelan Culture in Support of Earthquake Relief

Pa’lante returns with a night of Afro-Venezuelan music, culture and solidarity, bringing Venezuelan musicians together in London while raising funds for communities affected by the earthquake that received far less attention.

On 28 September at Jamboree, we’ll start with a singing and percussion workshop led by the Venezuelan Jam Collective, followed by live music and an open jam.

The night brings together Luzmira Zerpa, Carlos Talez, Ernesto Marichales, Pablo Barrios, Adolfredo Pulido and Néstor Pedrales, with DJ Jamie Renton. Musicians from different generations, each carrying their own connection to Venezuelan music and its traditions.

This is also what we want Pa’lante to be: a bridge. A place where Venezuelans in London can reconnect with our culture, but also where people from anywhere can come in, learn the rhythms, sing, play, dance or simply listen.

And this time, that bridge leads back to Venezuela.

Much of the coverage of the earthquake focused on La Guaira. But other communities along Venezuela’s coast were also hit hard and, in many cases, barely made the headlines. Homes were damaged, families were displaced and people lost the things they depended on to work and rebuild.

Among those affected are members of Fundabarlovento, a community project that works with children and young people to keep Afro-Venezuelan musical traditions alive. Some of its founders are now living in temporary shelter while trying to rebuild their lives and continue their work. The earthquake also destroyed tools and materials used to make instruments.

But the drums are still alive.

That is where this night begins.

The drums travelled here, to London. Their sound stayed with us. Now the music travels back to Venezuela.

In Afro-Venezuelan culture, the drum is more than an instrument. It brings people together. It carries memory and identity and has long been a form of resistance. It is also democratic: you do not need a stage, status or formal training to be part of it. You listen, find the rhythm and join in.

On 28 September, we want to share some of that knowledge here in London while helping the communities keeping it alive in Venezuela.

Come for the workshop, the music or the jam. Come if you know these rhythms already, or if you have never heard them before.

There will be Venezuelan food available for sale, provided by Arepa & Co

The drums of Pa’lante beat again for Venezuela.

All profits will go to Venezuela Earthquake Relief.

Follow @palante_uk on Instagram for more about this event, future Pa’lante nights and the stories behind the music.