Accion Latina presents 32nd Annual Encuentro del Canto Popular

An annual San Francisco music festival dedicated to the nueva canción movement in solidarity with Latin-American struggles for social justice

December 7, 2013
Preshow festivities 7pm
Concert 8pm

The 32nd Annual Encuentro del Canto Popular returns to Brava! The theme for this year’s Encuentro is “Pasado y Futuro,” – a celebration of musicians who performed at the inaugural Encuentro in 1981 and have since passed away, and a presentation of the winners of this summer’s “Encuentritos” concert series and contest.The event will also include vendors, food, performance art and a great community atmosphere experience, complete with a dance-party finale.

The program includes a tribute to singer/ activist Jon Fromer, who performed at the first Encuentro and was involved in organizing Encuentro for years before his death earlier this year, and a tribute to Rafael Manriquez, who also played at the first Encuentro with his folk band Grupo Raiz, and who also passed away earlier this year.

Encuentro will look towards the future, with the winners of the “Encuentritos” concert series and contest, a battle of local, emerging artists held at three different venues in San Francisco’s Mission District over the summer. The winners are: Puerto Rican Celtic harpist and singer/songwriter Maria Jose Montijo, who swept audiences away with her haunting, ethereal vocals and eclectic indie-acoustic backup band; Latin indie-surf rockers Dot Punto, led by singer/keyboardist Katya Lopez; and Soul-soneros Mestiza, led by Oakland salsa/soul singer Lina Luna Torio.