OLA of Eastern Long Island (Organización Latino Americana) is changing up its annual Pachanga this year by featuring Lulada Club, a high-energy, all-women salsa band based in New York City and founded and directed by Andrea Chavarro, originally from Cali, Colombia. The Pachanga will take place April 19, 6:30 p.m., at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor.
“This project is a combination of my passion and mission to create more representation for women on stage and my deep love for the music I grew up with,” said Chavarro, who also is the band’s lead vocalist. “It was about seven years ago, while living in Istanbul, when I first felt the calling to make an all-women band, but the stars didn’t align until I moved to New York. It became clear to me that there weren’t nearly enough women represented on stage, especially in a genre like salsa. I have always been a salsera, and often when living in faraway countries with cultures very different from my own, salsa is what kept me connected to my roots.”
According to a press release, Chavarro’s motivation, sentiments, and music align well with this year’s Pachanga theme: ¡Fuerza y Pasión! (Strength and Passion). Also embodying this year’s theme is percussionist and musician Mila Tina, once again bringing her dynamic rhythms and multisensory percussion performance to the Pachanga stage. Blending the expressive force of drumming, dance, martial arts, and visual arts, Mila Tina creates an immersive experience that delves into the intricate fabric of feminine energy and existence. She will be joined by special guest Inana Lu Rose, whose appears on film, television, and video game soundtracks, including Disney’s Mulan (2020).
“It’s exciting to have all of these uniquely talented and extraordinary women performing at our Pachanga this year,” said Minerva Perez, OLA’s executive director. “Our Pachanga celebrates the strength and resilience our community demonstrates in so many ways, each and every day. It also provides a space to celebrate Latin artistic and cultural heritage and to bring together the community members who make up this wonderful cultural mosaic that is the East End.”
In addition to live music and dancing, there will be a free reception and cash bar for ticket holders.
Advance tickets are $20 (plus fees) and may be purchased at olaofeasternlongisland.org. Tickets are $30 at the door.
Staff Writer on Apr 1, 2024