Vancouver’s premier Latin American Festival will return to Jonathan Rogers Park for a celebration of cultures from Tierra del Fuego to the Rio Grande. The 18th annual Carnaval del Sol features a long list of musical performers from Friday (July 10) until Sunday (July 12). The lineup includes the legendary Mexican band El Gran Silencio, who will be on the Main Stage at 8:30 p.m. on opening night.
El Gran Silencio burst out of Monterrey barrios in 1993, mixing rock and folk rhythms with other genres to create a unique sound. The band has been known to weave in hip-hop, reggae, polka, norteño (regional Mexican music that often includes the accordion and bajo sexto), cumbia, and vallenato.
“The group behind Chúntaro Style, Dormir Soñando and Círculo de Amor has spent decades turning every show into a massive celebration of barrio culture, music and identity,” the Carnaval del Sol website states.
El Gran Silencio will be preceded by Vancouver-based Spanish-language rockers Tren al Sur.
On Saturday, Salseo Queer Dance will lead a salsa class on the Main Stage, starting at 11 a.m., followed by Samba Fusion at 12:30 p.m. Musical performers that day include Vancouver-based Los Grandes, Meni Axe Band, Rumba Calzada, Rumba 7, and Frankie Hidalgo. The headliner, the Chilean cumbia band Villa Cariño, will go on the Main State at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.fulan
There’s another full day of music and dance on Sunday, culminating in Fulanito. Founded in 1996 by lead singer and producer DOSE, a.k.a. Rafael Vargas, and Winston Rosa, the group has gone on to sell more than five million albums and receive four Grammy nominations. Fulanito has produced many danceable hits along the way, including “Take It Off”, “Callate”, “Gullando”, and “Mira”.
But Carnaval del Sol is more than just an extended concert with Latin American musicians. The festival also has 12 plazas focusing on everything from sports to kids to seniors to artisans. Plus, there will be the Train Wreck Brewing Company Beer Plaza, Amazonia Plaza, Native Plaza, and She Latina Plaza, along with food offerings from many countries.
Another highlight is the Latino Parade, which will take place in Jonathan Robers Park at noon on Sunday.
Latincouver presents Carnaval del Sol in Jonathan Rogers Park from Friday (July 10) to Sunday (July 12). For more information and to purchase tickets for Carnaval del Sol, visit the website.
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