LADAMA Workshop – World Fest Arts Midwest

LADAMA is in Albion for the week, and on Thursday they’ll be at Stirling Books & Brew for a workshop, which is open to the public.

LADAMA is a group of four women, virtuosic musicians, and educators—Lara Klaus, Daniela Serna, Maria “Mafer Bandola” and Sara Lucas—from different countries and cultures of the Americas, who are sisters in song, rhythm and spirit. Harnessing music from their respective countries of origin, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and the United States, the group utilizes traditional and non-traditional instruments from across the Americas but with a modern twist to produce Latin Alternative music.

Lara, Daniela, Mafer and Sara uncovered a common dream of building communities through sound and empowering women and youth through music. Reimagining South American and Caribbean styles like cumbia, maracatu, onda nueva and joropo and blending them with soul, R&B and pop, LADAMA creates a new sound all their own. Together, the four shred on the Bandola Llanera from Venezuela, the Tambor Alegre from Colombia, and the Pandeiro from Northeastern Brazil.

With powerful vocals, often accompanied by Pat Swoboda on the bass, LADAMA delivers an utterly unique musical experience. LADAMA flows from the electric to the acoustic, from Spanish to English and Portuguese, and from the high plains of Venezuela to the Colombian coast. Their art proves that borders are meaningless, transporting us to a future where the world communicates across continents and cultures through sound and story.

A program of Arts Midwest, the 2024–2025 World Fest artist tours are generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.