Despite being around since 1985 (and formally taking root in Walker’s Point in 1997), Latino Arts Inc. is only becoming more relevant with age. Recent seasons have brought Grammy-winning musicians and the work of respected contemporary artists to the space, which also makes sure to feature renderings from area creatives.

Latino Arts released its spring and summer schedule of performances this week. This segment of the cultural and artistic hub’s 33rd year looks to be equally impressive, including fiber art, drum and dance ensembles, a guitar festival, and “the voice of Venezuela.” Here’s Latino Arts’ full schedule of events.

The Fifth Annual Guitar Festival & Competition presented by the Latino Arts String Program, featuring Lynn McGrath and Samuel Hines
February 10
“The Latino Arts Strings Program invites classical guitarists ages 18 and under to participate in the festival, featuring a youth competition with world class judges. The winners of the competition will perform with our guest artists Lynn McGrath and Samuel Hines during the Guitar Festival Concert.”

Expansive Threads (Curated by Edra Soto)
March 1 to June 8
“This exhibition features a group of contemporary Latina American artists who incorporate the language of fiber arts into their practice. Through materials or concepts, the formal models denoted as fiber arts are being challenged by incorporating non-traditional materials, forms of display, or discourses. Similar to fiber arts, this group of artists creates work that emphasizes the aesthetic and conceptual value of the work over its utility.”

Bembé Drum And Dance
March 2
Bembé Drum And Dance’s youth performance ensemble, with professional dancers and musicians from Milwaukee’s Latino music scene, presents their Carnival show, inviting the community to join them on a historical, cultural and rhythmic voyage throughout Brazil, Cuba and Puerto Rico’s Carnival celebrations. Bembé Drum and Dance is an Afro-Latino percussion-based performing arts program for Milwaukee school age youth.”

Betsayda Machado y La Parranda El Clavo
March 23
“Betsayda Machado is the voice of Venezuela. Raised in the small village of El Clavo, her recent rural recordings with lifelong friends, Parranda El Clavo, brought new attention to Venezuelan Afro-Soul genre: ‘Tambor.’  A spirit-shaking percussion and voice fiesta, said to make dancers float! Now the parranderos are leaving El Clavo for the first time, embarking on an international tour!”

The Big Idea VI
June 21 to August 24
“This exhibition commemorates the ALMA Program, which showcases the artistic knowledge and skill of Bruce-Guadalupe Elementary and Middle School and UCC Acosta Middle School students, in 3rd through 8th grades. Artwork demonstrates ALMA student’s exploration of culturally relevant ‘Big Ideas,’ such as immigration and cultural identity, community, origin, perseverance, and the American dream.”

(All descriptions come courtesy of a Latino Arts press release)

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Co-Founder and Editor

Before co-founding Milwaukee Record, Tyler Maas wrote for virtually every Milwaukee publication (except Wassup! Magazine). He lives in Bay View and enjoys both stuff and things.