Artown Cultural Connections
July 8th - NAHKO
Nahko Bear is an American singer-songwriter and the voice behind Nahko and Medicine for the People, creating music rooted in the belief that music is medicine. Carrying Native heritage alongside Filipino and Puerto Rican roots, Nahko channels lived experience, trauma, and healing into songs that speak to resilience, accountability, and collective restoration. After stepping away from the corporate music industry, he reclaimed his path as an independent artist, revisiting his catalog as his early albums reached their 10-year mark and re-recording select songs acoustically. Recent releases include the powerful live album Live at Red Rocks and a stripped-back piano version of “Bend Like the Willow.” Grounded in survival and renewal, Nahko's work continues to reflect an unbreakable spirit and a commitment to growth, truth, and healing.
July 15th - Yagody
Experience the powerful sound of a dynamic Ukrainian ensemble bringing folk traditions to life with bold energy and modern flair. Formed in Lviv in 2016, the group was born from a deep commitment to preserving and reimagining Ukrainian folk music through rich vocal harmonies, theatrical expression, and innovative arrangements. Led by vocalist and creative force Zoriana Dybovska, the ensemble grew out of a journey shaped by resilience and cultural dedication. After being displaced from eastern Ukraine, Zoriana continued her mission to revive traditional songs—transforming them into vibrant, contemporary performances. What began as an artistic exploration with her students evolved into a full-scale band known for its captivating stage presence and emotional depth. Blending voices, accordion, bass, drums, and traditional percussion, the group creates a sound that is both rooted in heritage and alive with modern intensity. Their performances move seamlessly between hauntingly beautiful melodies and high-energy rhythms, offering audiences a truly immersive experience. Since releasing their debut album in 2020, they have continued to expand their repertoire with original music and striking visual work, while actively touring across Europe and sharing their culture through live performances and charity concerts. Don't miss this unforgettable celebration of music, identity, and artistic expression—where tradition meets innovation in a performance full of passion, power, and spirit.
July 22nd - Las Cafeteras
Las Cafeteras have taken the music scene by storm with their infectious live performances and have crossed many genres and borders along the way. Their electric sound & energy has taken them around the world playing shows from Bonnaroo to the Hollywood Bowl, WOMAD New Zealand to Montreal Jazz, & beyond! Born and raised East of the Los Angeles River, Las Cafeteras are remixing roots music as modern day troubadours. They are a sonic explosion of Afro-Mexican rhythms, electronic beats and powerful rhymes that document stories of a community seeking to ‘build a world where many world fit.' From Afro-Mexican to Americana, from Soul to Son Jarocho, from Roots to Rock and Hip Hop, Las Cafeteras take folk music to the future. Las Cafeteras honor the past by using electrifying traditional instrumentation like the 8 string Jarana, 4 string Requinto, Quijada (donkey jawbone) and Tarima (a wooden platform). Las Cafeteras sing in 5 distinct languages, English, Spanish, Spanglish, Love and Justice ... and they believe everyone understands at least one of those languages. They've performed in the good company of Mexican icons Café Tacuba, Natalia LaFourcade, Lila Downs, Gypsy Kings, Colombian superstar Juanes, Hip Hop artist Common, Los Angeles legends Ozomatli and Los Lobos, performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and many more.
July 29th - Monsieur Periné
Monsieur Periné is a musical laboratory that shares its vision of the world, love, and freedom through a vibrant, multidimensional sound. Led by Colombian artists Catalina García and Santiago Prieto, the band has earned international acclaim for blending jazz, swing, and pop with Latin American rhythms such as salsa, cumbia, and bolero. Joined by a dynamic ensemble of musicians, the group has performed on some of the world's most celebrated stages, including Rock in Rio, Lollapalooza Chicago, Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, Fusion Festival, Festival Estéreo Picnic, Vive Latino, and Cosquín Rock, captivating audiences across the Americas and Europe. Over twelve years, Monsieur Periné has released four studio albums: Hecho a Mano (2012), Caja de Música (2015), Encanto Tropical (2018), and Bolero Apocalíptico (2023). They won the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist in 2015 and have received multiple nominations, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year. In 2023, they celebrated a Latin Grammy win for Best Alternative Music Album with Bolero Apocalíptico. Their global hit “Nuestra Canción” reached #1 on the U.S. TikTok and Spotify Global Viral charts, generating over 2 billion views and 2 million
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3637692-0
