Urban Voices

The young Colombian artist who became a singing sensation in China

March 18, 2018

Masks keep identities secret at “fight night” in Mexico

In Mexico City, a 19-year-old student turns into “Tezca” once he puts on his mask and enters the ring. His dream is to become Mexico’s next masked superhero.

March 11, 2018

The San Sebastian Street Festival celebrates the soul of Puerto Rico

The San Sebastian Street Festival in San Juan is often compared to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

February 25, 2018

A new generation of Mexicans learns how to fly

In Veracruz State, professional flyers created a school, the first of its kind, to train young locals to preserve its legacy.

February 11, 2018

Urban Voices: A Cuban musician loving life … in Paris

He plays the “viol” – a stringed-instrument that first appeared in Europe during the Renaissance. Check out our “Urban Voices” interview to learn more about this “Latin American in Paris.”

February 4, 2018

New architecture in Bolivia’s highlands gives residents a taste of the high life

At 4,000 meters above sea level El Alto, Bolivia – overlooking La Paz – is the world’s highest city. It’s also the site of an architectural transformation that is giving working-class residents a taste of the high life.

January 28, 2018

A Mexican family whose life is a three-ring circus

In Latin America, one family has been entertaining the masses under the Big Top for five generations. They’ve faced challenges in recent years because of a new law that forbids the use of animals in their shows.

January 14, 2018

A photographer from Argentina captures “gaucho” life

Aldo Sessa’s latest exhibition centers on the Argentine cowboy called the “gaucho,” which includes photographs taken in both black and white and color.

January 8, 2018

Musicians from the Middle East keep their culture alive in Sao Paulo

A new bar and restaurant called Al Janiah has become a big draw in Brazil for anyone interested in exotic flavors and sounds.

December 20, 2017

Survivor Roberto Canessa relives 1972 plane crash in the Andes

On December 21, 1972, two members of a rugby team from Uruguay – who had been walking through the snow-capped Andes mountains in search of civilization – encountered a shepherd. Forty-five years later, survivor Roberto Canessa remembers their agonizing ordeal for “Americas Now.”

December 10, 2017

A conversation with playwriting success story Karen Zacarias

Karen Zacarias tells us about her upbringing as the granddaughter of a famous Mexican movie director, she explains why creating Latino characters is important to her work.

December 3, 2017

A contemporary art promoter puts Mexico on the map

Our Urban Voice is a woman some consider a pioneer in the promotion of contemporary art. Meet Kerstin Erdmann director of the OMR gallery in Mexico City.

November 19, 2017

Colombia’s Pacific celebrates the “Petronio Festival”

Every year Colombia welcomes those who want to celebrate African heritage at the “Petronio Festival,” the world’s largest Afro-Latino festival.

October 22, 2017

A retired teacher reaches fame in her 70’s singing the lyrics of love

Dona has been dubbed Brazil’s version of the Buena Vista Social Club, the Cuban group which became famous when most other people would be well into their retirement.

October 8, 2017

Ecuadorian actress Rossana Iturralde dazzles DC with an enduring drama

During the 1990’s, Ecuadorian actress Rossana Iturralderose to international fame after her role in the film “La Tigra”. After decades of performing, she is reinventing herself as she helps pave the way for new talent.

October 1, 2017

At Embassy Chef Challenge the world’s chefs battle for best dish

Embassies throughout the U.S. capital are asked to select a chef to serve as a “Food Ambassador” for their country.

September 17, 2017

Colombian “chivas” carry people, potatoes and everything in between

The bus that mesmerizes tourists is very much a part of life in rural Colombia, where it is used daily to transport just about anything through the country’s hillsides.

September 10, 2017

Urban Voice Pedro Hernandez serves up insects to break with taboo

A restauranteur in Mexico City is trying to combine the exotic delicacy of insects, with modern cuisine and traditional spices and in doing so, is hoping to attract those willing to break taboos.

September 1, 2017

Urban Voice Pati Jinich spreads the best of Mexico’s cuisine worldwide

Pati Jinich is a Jewish Mexican academic who “wanted to help with ideas” and later became a chef, but what she didn’t expect was that her recipes would be taking Mexican food to family tables around the world.

August 27, 2017

Artist Leandro Barrios memorializes one of Montevideo’s best-known spots

An artist in Uruguay has been painting one of the most popular settings in Montevideo for decades. Watch the interview with Leandro Barrios for “Urban Voices.”

August 20, 2017

Urban Voices: Javier Etchevarren explores past with poetry

Uruguayan poet Javier Etchevarren tells the story of his life through poetry.

August 13, 2017

Urban Voices: Gustavo Santaolalla redefines Latin sounds

He is one of the most successful Latin American composers of modern times, and has become a household name outside his home country. He’s also one of the most sought-after composers in Hollywood. Meet Urban Voice Gustavo Santaolalla.

August 6, 2017

In Sao Luis, the “Brazilian Jamaica,” reggae is everything

Explore Sao Luis, an ethnically diverse island in the north of Brazil so tied to reggae, it’s been nicknamed the “Brazilian Jamaica.”

July 30, 2017

Urban Voice Jorge Ramirez braves unique and dangerous family tradition

Meet Urban Voice Jorge Ramirez, who comes from a three-generation family of cliff divers and at 26 years old, is the latest member to carry on the tradition.

July 14, 2017

Urban Voice Maria Pages’ flamenco stomps on traditionalism

Seville-born dancer and choreographer Maria Pages is considered a pioneer in the evolution of contemporary Flamenco, and her moves are said to be challenging traditionalism.

July 2, 2017

Gregorio Uribe mixes Colombia’s unique sounds into a new kind of cumbia

A Bogota born-artist is making his way in the Latin music scene by trying to combine all of Colombia’s sounds. He incorporates traditional tunes, and borrows from cosmopolitan beats, to create his own “Cumbia Universal.”

June 4, 2017

Urban Voice Christian Fuchs honors ancestors by “becoming” them in art

In a process that is more complicated than it appears, Urban Voice Christian Fuchs dresses up like his his male and female deceased relatives, to recreate their portraits.

May 26, 2017

Urban Voice Melissa Torres masters the art and sport of horse ballet

Melissa Torres leads “Escaramuza,” a horse ballet performed by Mexican women who carry on their ancestor’s cattle tradition.

May 21, 2017

Urban Voices: orchestra director Caio Forster brings music to the remote masses

Brazilian orchestra director Caio Forster guides a traveling ensemble of classical musicians to faraway spots, so they can bring music to brand new audiences.

May 7, 2017

Acclaimed guitarist Morgan Szymanski returns to Mexico to give back

Morgan Szymanski returns to Mexico to give back to those he says nourished him so much as an artist, and to expose new sectors of society to art.

April 16, 2017

Urban Voices: Mexico’s “Garbage Orchestra” makes music from trash

A Mexican band makes beautiful music, with instruments fashioned entirely from garbage.

April 9, 2017

Urban Voices: Paul and Carlos replaces tradition with electronic sounds

Mexican band Paul and Carlos uses the internet to learn how to play instruments, record music and deliver their unique sound.

April 2, 2017

Rio’s secrets unveiled in a new book

Urban Voice Manoel de Almeida e Silva pulls the curtain to reveal the hidden treasures of Rio de Janeiro, the Marvelous City.

March 26, 2017

A ballet company preserving Mexico’s essence through dance

“Mexico On The Move” offers the public a new artistic and modern approach to Mexico’s folk dances.

March 5, 2017

Urban Voices: Bestabee Romero up-cycles everyday objects into art

A female plastic artist from Mexico is inspiring legions of fans through the up-cycling of everyday objects, and is changing the way they see art and life.

February 26, 2017

Urban Voices: Mexico’s Mariachis undergo an educational rebirth

Mariachi music is one of Mexico’s most recognizable symbols. For the past century, roving orchestras have played it in plazas, on streets and at restaurants. But there has never been a place to formally learn the art, until now.

February 19, 2017

Urban Voices: Spanish musician Jorge Pardo, a master of instruments

Jorge Pardo is a musician from Spain who is famous for playing the saxophone. But the sax is just one of the instruments he has mastered and one of the many more he includes in his compositions.

February 12, 2017

Urban Voices: “Circo Dragon” breathes new passion into ancient tradition

It’s called the Dragon Circus, but don’t expect to find any clowns or elephants at this extravaganza.

Instead, Circo Dragón infuses Mexican heritage and art into dazzling performances that combine ancient traditions with contemporary moves.

February 5, 2017

Urban Voice: Bob Nadkarni and “The Maze,” a unique hotel in the slums

In Rio de Janeiro, over 20 percent of the population lives in a slum – or favela. Because they are built into Rio’s hillsides, they boast beautiful views. An Englishman found the setting so appealing, he decided to try to transform it.

January 29, 2017

Urban Voices: “Crying Out” invites Mexicans to unleash emotions

An open-air art exhibit in Mexico is using sculpture to free the soul. The goal is for spectators to look upon the artist’s work, then look inside themselves and express hidden feelings they normally hold back.

January 22, 2017

Urban Voices: Latin fashion designers Picado and Galindo make a mark

Whether they perfected their trade by dressing some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, or by watching their mothers make clothes, both are staying in vogue, Latin style.

January 15, 2017

An award-winning food truck in DC serves up a “taste” of Peru

They started the “Peruvian Brothers” food truck taking on hundreds of others in Washington, a city known for hosting international cuisine. They put so much love and effort into their restaurant on wheels, that it quickly satisfied many cosmopolitan palates, and in 2015 they took home the award for “Best Food Truck”.