Son Monarcas takes you on a musical migration from the USA to Latin America by fusing indie soul with traditional son & cumbia. Son Monarcas is comprised of musicians who are well-versed in the Afro-Mestizo genres of folk music from Latin America and who blend the traditional with the contemporary by creating original arrangements of "son" while retaining the foundation of the traditional style. Their original compositions include influences of Cumbia, Samba, Jazz, and Experimental music in English and Spanish. Son Monarcas are co-sponsored by Unit One/Allen Hall, SLAYS - the Latinx Student Group of Allen Hall, and the CU Folk and Roots Festival. All events are free and open to the public and take place in the Main Lounge of Allen Hall, 1005 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana.

Wednesday, October 17 at 9 p.m. – Yogiposa: Yoga class with Lyndsey Scott featuring live music by Son Monarcas.  In the project "Yogiposa", a play on the words yoga and mariposa (butterfly), Son Monarcas' multi-instrumentalists Irekani Ferreyra and Mercedes Inez create a magical soundscape of ambient beats, healing frequencies and rich harmonies. Combining compositions for voice, guitar, violin, requinto jarocho, kalimba, looping, and drums, Son Monarcas' music ranges from ambient tribal meditation to downtempo world-infused grooves.

Thursday, October 18 at 9 p.m. – Son Monarcas Performance. Son Monarcas is a Latin Folk Fusion ensemble that takes you on a Pan-American musical migration by fusing indie soul with traditional Latin son & cumbia. Join us to dance, listen, and eat tasty food.

Sunday, October 21 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. -- Workshops and Fandango: 
1:00 pm - Concurrent workshops on music from Mexico.  Violin/Lead Guitar: learn melodies on string instruments from different regions of Mexico.  Guitar strumming / Voice: learn strumming techniques from different regions of Mexico and/or to sing verses in Spanish
1:30 p.m. – Zapateado and Percussion - foot-tapping Ballet folklorico dance workshop and percussion. Learn to dance zapateado or play rhythms from different regions of Mexico
2:00 p.m. – Fandango – Let’s put it all together for a fandango! Join in this traditional Mexican jam session playing instruments, singing, and bringing the community together through music and dance

Thanks to Laura Haber of Unit One/Allen Hall for this information item.