Latin Waves Cascade Over Week One of Twilight on the Pier, Sept. 5th
Big set rolling in.
On Wednesday, Sept 5th, free concerts return to Santa Monica as the TWILIGHT ON THE PIER concert series debuts with Latin Waves. Produced by the Santa Monica Pier Corporation (SMPC) and RH&S Concerts, the beloved six-week SoCal event features one of the largest rosters of curated talent in the series' 34-year existence. From 6:30pm – 9:30pm, Twilight guests will experience the rhythms of four distinct and diverse artists, summoning Latin Waves that'll sweep over the entire Santa Monica Pier. . The outdoor music festival is free to attend and offers a Pier-wide immersion of art, food offerings, games, and features beer and spirits garden.
Latin Waves features...
MAIN STAGE ORQUESTA AKOKÁN Latin
Akokán is a Yoruba word used in Cuba meaning “from the heart,” and indeed, every song on the self-titled debut album (March 30/Daptone Records) by Orquesta Akokán feels like a heartfelt gift from the band to the listener. Assembled and led by Cuban vocalist José “Pepito” Gómez, Orquesta Akokán is a big band collective of the finest musicians on the island, both young and old. It features all-original music and was cut live to tape over a three-day session at Havana’s hallowed state-run Estudios Areito. orquestaakokan.com
MAIN STAGE JARINA DE MARCO Latin
Jarina De Marco and her sound embody the multi-ethnic future. She is a creative visionary who sings in four languages and spearheads all aspects of her project: songwriting, production, visual design and video direction. She’s supported by a creative and politically left leaning community of like-minded globalistas, Jarina is out to make a difference through her art and music. As an outspoken advocate of women's rights and human equality, Jarina's music is a unique blend of global consciousness and global rhythms. She simultaneously supports the message of resistance, while creating a colorful sound entirely her own. facebook.com/JarinaDeMarco
WEST END STAGE QUITAPENAS Afro-Latin
Quitapenas... one word – all caps, four syllables – all claps, gives you a taste of their rhythmic contagion. This tropical Afro-Latin combo was born under the warm California sun. They borrow aesthetics from the radical 60s, 70s and 80s. Each song echoes a remix of history and invites one to engage in the liberating evenings of Angola, Peru, Colombia, Brazil and beyond. The name means “to remove worries.” Everybody has a "pena" and the mission of QUITAPENAS is simple: to make you dance and leave you without a worry. quitapenasmusic.com
PACIFIC PARK STAGE SISTER MANTOS Latin Pop
When Sister Mantos' psychedelic blend of Latin beats, punk attitude, and funk rythyms invigorate the crowd to dance, sing and rejoice. Sister Mantos sings songs in Spanish and English about love, queer & POC empowerment, and utopias that are free of war and oppression. Audiences are sent on a spaced-out psychedelic road trip and treated to a mystical experience of spastic dancing, bumping beats, and positive energy. Originally started as an alias for a solo music/art performance project by Oscar Miguel Santos in 2008, Sister Mantos has transformed into a live band multi-instrumental band traversing sonic genres. sistermantos.com
TWILIGHT ON THE PIER Wednesdays; Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26 & Oct. 3: 6:30 - 9:30pm Sunday, October 7; 4:00 - 7:00pm Santa Monica Pier 200 Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica, CA 90401 www.twilightsantamonica.org New name, new season, new vision: introducing Twilight on the Pier! The outdoor music festival that’s almost as iconic as the Pier itself is back for the 34th year. The 2018 series will spotlight the best and brightest SoCal has to offer and unique artists from around the world - a truly Local Meets Global experience. With stages on the Pier Deck, in Pacific Park, and the West End, each night of the series will be a Pier-wide festival, complete with immersive art, food offerings and a beer and spirits garden. The public beach adjacent to the Pier will not be activated as viewing or picnicking grounds like past seasons; instead, festival-goers will enjoy a Pier-wide takeover outfitted with activations and games along the Pier promenade. Sponsors include Aperol, White Claw, Beanfields, KeVita Kombucha, Lyft, Boxed Water, Zico, Clif, The Albright, Boulevard Brewing Co., Seaside on the Pier, Loews Hotel. "This series is a true celebration of the values that the Pier holds so dearly: diversity, collaboration, and fun," said SMPC Executive Director Negin Singh. "With two new stages, a new 'art walk' vibe, and a focus on creating a sustainable, safe event that will last another 3 decades, Twilight on the Pier will feel different in a lot of ways from past years, but the spirit stays the same: getting people from all walks of life together to connect in a glorious setting with music and art."