Bristol Latin America Forum is an annual event held in Bristol on Latin American politics, society and culture. The Forum comprises of workshops, film, a panel discussion, dance, music, food and in 2008 for the first time closed with a World Cafe process.

It is organised by local grassroots Latin American solidarity groups, some of whom form part of larger national and international organisations and networks. It is not for profit, horizontally organised and we welcome your participation.

This blog began as a means of publicising and web-streaming the Forum in 2008 and is now a space for Bristol - Latin America related information all year round. See previous posts for details of last the 2008 Forum and video clips of the event. If you want to publicise an event please email the blog moderator.

17.3.09

4th Bristol Latin America Forum: 25th April 2009


Following the unquestioned success of the Bristol Latin American Forum in previous years we are pleased to announce that the 4th Bristol Latin American Forum 2009 will take place on Saturday 25th April, 10am – 5pm at the University of Bristol Faculty of Arts, 3-5 Woodland Road.


With keynote speakers, talks, workshops, and discussions on issues across Latin America, this event will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution. Further details to follow in due course.

The Legendary Afterparty!

For this year's afterparty and fundraiser we are teaming up with London based collective Movimientos and featuring bands and djs from far and wide to to finish off the day.



WHEN? - Saturday 25th April, 2009, 9pm - 2am

WHERE? - Easton Community Centre, Kilburn Street, Easton, Bristol, BS5 6AW

COST: Advance purchase tickets will be available at the Latin America Forum for £5. Otherwise it will be £7 on the door.


THE LINE-UP:
MC Magico (Colombia), MC Floiran (Cuba) and DJ Snatch (Argentina) fuse live percussion with concious latin hip-hop drawing inspiration from old-skool salsa to Latin Jazz, Salsa, Bachata, Reggaeton, Bashment to create a new Latin sound that will smash up the dancefloor.

  • KOGUIWA - “CUMBIA SHAKE, AFRO-COLOMBIAN GROOVE”
Cumbia rhythms, soaring Afro-Colombian melodies, drums and dances. Koguiwa is a group of inspiring young musicians who bring a fresh twist to the rhythms, dances and melodies from the Caribbean coast of Colombia. With the sounds of Tambores, voices, flutes and guitars that have been passed down through the generations, in keeping with the roots of the music, a mixture of African, Indigenous Indian and European influences. Their vibrant on stage performance includes a special dances is guaranteed to get people dancing and singing along.

  • COMPADRES - "EXPLOSION OF BRAZILIAN RHYTHMS SALSA, HIP-HOP AND FUNK"
Compadres are a Bristol based 7 piece Latin-Funk band that bring together an eclectic mix of rhythms and styles through salsa, rumba, Brazilian beats, reggae, funk, jazz, flamenco and hip hop to created an explosive live experience. The artists come from Bristol, London, Spain, Uruguay, Colombia and have atravelled widely and played in diverse bands in of their own inimitable style.

Movimientos have revitalised the UK Latin scene, they host regular jam-packed nights at London’s Notting Hill Arts Club & The Salmon and Compass in London, have made their mark at several UK festivals and recently hosted a Manu Chao & Radio Bemba show for a secret benefit gig in Brixton that turned into one of the most talked about underground shows of 2008.

Movimientos DJs Cal Jader & Clem George represent with the sounds of the global Latin alternative. From folkloric to electronic they mix up Revolutionary Salsa, Clandestine Cumbia, Cuban Hip Hop, Dub-Reggae, Reggaeton & Merengue with Samba, Funk Carioca, Latin House, Spanish Mestizo flavours & Tropical Rave. This is Música Latina Clandestina!!!

Cinema Klandestino bring Movimiento Cinemachete to the Cube. Thursday 19th March. 7pm.

Cinema Klandestino and Cinemachete @ the Cube
Thursday March 19th. 7pm

Cinema Klandestino presents a night of screenings and performance in collaboration with Movimiento Cinemachete.

Cinemachete is a radical, international filmmaking movement, born in 2007 in the underground cafes, bars and art cinemas of Bogota, Colombia. Influenced by the revolutionary 'Third Cinema' movement that exploded all over Latin America in the 1960s, they are working to revive and reinvent political filmmaking for the 21st century.



Order of Events:

1. Cinemachete. Presentation of movement and the night's events. (5mins)

2. Trailer: Bathed by the Tiger (Banados por el Tigre) (10mins)

A chance to see a preview of this film that follows the lives of a family in Colombia who were displaced by paramilitaries 10 years ago. It shows the incredible strength, dignity and intelligence of one illiterate peasant and his family as they fight escape the city slums and build a new community in a land still haunted by violence.

3. Oury Jalloh (20mins)

Winner of the UNESCO/Amnesty International "German Human Rights Film Prize" this film is a powerful reflection on the life of an immigrant from Sierra Leone who was burnt alive in a German police cell in 2003. The film was written and acted by his friends.

4. Enoch's Voyage (15mins)

A performance in displacement (Dance, Sound and Visuals)

5. Cuatro Movimientos Por el Cuerpo Humano (Four Movements for the Human Body) (50mins)

Banned in Colombia, this fast paced film fuses documentary with music video aesthetics as it tells the experiences of four dancers from the world renowned 'Colegio del Cuerpo' dance company who use the art of movement to escape the violence of everyday life.

6. Retreat to Bar!

Performance and Films starts at 8pm, doors at 7pm.
Followed by music and discussion.

Door: 6/5 (bring da badge)


4.3.09

International Women's Day

Bristol Link with Nicaragua and Bristol Action for Southern Africa present a celebration of

International Women´s Day '09
Sunday 8th March

Colston Hall Bar, Colston Hall, Colston St., Bristol BS1

12pm - 1pm lunch - Hot food served and included in ticket price
12.45pm - 4pm - speakers direct from Zimbabwe and Nicaragua plus films and live music

Advance tickets 6 pounds (5 concessions and BLINC and BACTSA members)
Women and men welcome