Las Cafeteras comes to Waimea

Los Angeles-based Latin alternative band Las Cafeteras takes the stage Thursday at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea.

Las Cafeteras creates a vibrant musical fusion with a unique East Los Angeles sound and a community-focused message. Their Afro-Mexican rhythms, zapateado and inspiring lyrics tell stories of a dynamic community, looking for love and fighting for justice in the concrete jungle of Los Angeles.

The band includes Daniel French on vocals, jarana, zapateado, and MC; David Flores on requinto; Denise Carlos on vocals, jarana, zapateado and glockenspiel; Hector Flores on vocals, jarana, zapateado; Jose Cano on cajon, flute, requinto and harmonica; and Leah Rose Gallegos on vocals, quijada and zapateado.

With a foundation in traditional Son Jarocho sounds, Las Cafeteras adds Afro-Caribbean marimbol and cajón, poetry in English and Spanglish, and instruments like jarana, requinto, a donkey jawbone and a wooden platform called the tarima.

Las Cafeteras sprouted in 2005 as students who enjoyed free Son Jarocho classes at the Eastside Cafe in El Sereno, Los Angeles, and were inspired to utilize teachings of Son Jarocho as a tool to empower and build autonomy, community and solidarity while sharing the magic of this folk music from Southern Veracruz with the public. They’ve since become a favorite at Los Angeles community centers, churches, schools, parties, protests, youth conferences and weddings.

Tickets are $20-$68 and can be purchased at www.kahilutheatre.org, by calling 885-6868, or theater box office at 67-1186 Lindsey Road from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Las Cafeteras will also be performing at UH-Hilo PAC on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling the UH Hilo Box Office at 932-7490 or by visiting https://artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu.