The University of Iowa’s Hancher will present Las Cafeteras at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the Mill in Iowa City. The shows are part of the Club Hancher series of events.
Hailing from East L.A., Las Cafeteras was named the "Best Latin Alternative Band" by Los Angeles Weekly. The seven-piece ensemble mixes traditional Son Jarocho sounds, Afro-Mexican rhythms and instruments, zapateado dance, and inspiring lyrics to create a sound that NPR describes as “creative [and] socially conscious.”
Tickets are $20 for nonstudents and $10 for youth and college students from the Hancher Box Office. Located on the first floor of the south end of the Old Capitol mall near the parking ramp, the Hancher Box Office is open for phone (319-335-1160 or 800-HANCHER) or walk-up business from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Tickets may be ordered online at hancher.uiowa.edu. Any remaining tickets will be available for sale one hour before show time at the Mill.
Las Cafeteras’ live performances have crossed genres and musical borders. The band has played the Mexican band Caifanes, Colombian musical icon Juanes, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and indie favorites Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, among others.
Singer and instrumentalist Denise Carlos describes the band’s music as “a way to provoke dialogue on present social and political issues.” Las Cafeteras’ lyrics reflect the band members’ experiences as children of Mexican immigrants and their interests in Chicano culture. The band’s music activism addresses equality and justice for Latinos by using a mix of English, Spanish, and Spanglish to get the message across.
Las Cafeteras will have a weeklong residency in Iowa City, working with a variety of UI classes and student groups and in the community. At 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 21, the band will visit Frida Kahlo Mexican Restaurant (101 Windflower Lane #500 in Solon) for a casual hangout with the public. Members of the band will talk about their music and may play a few songs.
The performance and residency by Las Cafeteras are supported by the Hancher Partners and gifts to the Hancher Circle through the University of Iowa Foundation. The events are part of the run up to the University of Iowa’s 2016 theme semester, “Just Living,” which will focus on issues of social justice.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact the Hancher Box office in advance at 319-335-1158.