Las Guaracheras is coming to Yakima. This all-woman salsa sextet from Cali, Colombia celebrates Afro-Latin rhythms with exhilarating performances.
Since its formation in 2017, Las Guaracheras has pursued its cultural and artistic mission to elevate the female voice in Afro-Latin music and to build a more inclusive, diverse, and respectful space for all. In their own words, “We are strength, unity, love, sisterhood, music. We are Guaracheras.” The electrifying rhythms and explosive performances by these six world-class musical artists captivate audiences around the world. Last season’s tour took them to North America, South America, and Europe, finishing before an audience of 12,000 people in the central plaza of Mexico City.
Their music is about joy, memory, and transformation backed by vibraphone, percussion, bass, piano, and vocals. Improvisation on each instrument is a driving force, with a particular focus on incorporating the vibraphone in an updated version of salsa. The ensemble borrows greatly from the legacy of similar groups from the past with an updated vision for the salsa sound. Their rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic exploration enhances the lyrics and the stories they want to tell.
Their name and their repertoire are inspired by the guaracha music which has its roots as far back as late 18th and early 19th century in Cuba. Performed in musical theatres and working-class dance salons, guarachas were known for their rapid tempos and colorful storytelling lyrics. The use of the term guaracha was extended in time to mean, in general, to have a good time – a guarantee for this ensemble’s upcoming performance.
To prepare patrons for their full participation in the evening’s festivities, Yakima Salsa Dance Company will offer a salsa class between 6:00pm-7:00pm in the 4th Street Theatre before the show. Everyone attending the evening’s concert is welcome to come early to grab a drink and warm up your salsa skills (from beginner to advanced) at no additional cost. Dancing is not required but highly encouraged and possibly irresistible and unavoidable.
The evening is part of the Capitol’s Global Voices series, dedicated to lifting up a wider array of cultural and artistic voices from all parts of the globe. The ensemble also presents a program as part of the Capitol Kids series at 10am that same day. The performances by Las Guaracheras are made possible in part through the Performing Arts Global Exchange program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as significant support from local businesses and community organizations that value the importance of presenting diverse voices representing the wealth of cultures represented in the Yakima Valley.
Las Guaracheras will perform in the 4th Street Theatre on Friday, April 25th.
The entrance is located to the left of the loading dock on the 4th Street side of the Capitol facilities.
The Capitol Kids performance is 60 minutes long and starts at 10:00am.
The Global Voices event begins with a dance class from 6:00-7:00pm, with the performance beginning at 7:30pm. Tickets are available by contacting the Capitol Theatre box office at 509-853-ARTS (2787) or through the website: www.capitoltheatre.org.
Posted April 09, 2025
