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A Night of Peruvian Cumbia, Food, Films & Celebration

A night dedicated to Latin American music through the rhythms of Amazonian cumbia. The Latin Connections closing event will celebrate one of the region’s most vibrant and influential genres, exploring its roots, evolution, and continued relevance through film, music, and dialogue. At the heart of the evening is a screening of the documentary “La Danza de los Mirlos”, which tells the story of the legendary Peruvian band Los Mirlos, pioneers of psychedelic cumbia and cultural icons whose sound still resonates across generations and borders.

📅 14th June – 6.30pm – 11pm
📍 St Peter’s Church Hall, Lutton Place, Edinburgh EH8 9PE

6.30pm DJ Paulo Pereyra (el_pib0y) & Peruvian Food.

7.30pm Screening  La Danza de los Mirlos  (Perú, 2022) & When Cumbia is On (Scotland, 2024) + Conversation with Nicolás Carrasco, Paz Gonzáles and Lilette Burga.

10:00pm Cumbia Band Concert – LAS CHANCHAS

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el_pib0y DJ

Originally from Peru and now calling Scotland his second home, Paulo Pereyra – better known as el_pib0y – is a vinyl-loving DJ and selector with a deep passion for tropical sounds like cumbia, chicha, salsa, and Afro-Caribbean grooves. He is the founder of Batán Tropical – Fiesta Popular, a proper celebration of Latin American music based in Cajamarca that brings folk vibes and party energy to the dancefloor. Paulo is also a visual artist and motion grapher who has worked with legends like Los Mirlos, Hit La Rosa, and DJ Shushupe, crafting eye-catching visuals that pair perfectly with the music. His sets and visuals are all about blending the old with the new – a sensory journey that crosses cultures and keeps folk moving.

La Danza de los Mirlos / Álvaro Luque / Perú / 2022 / 82’

Produced by Nicolás Carrasco, this documentary dives into the story and impact of Los Mirlos, one of Peru’s most important musical acts. A post-screening conversation with the film’s producer to share more about the creative process and broader cultural context.

Moyobamba, the capital of the San Martín region in northern Peru. In the sweltering heat of the jungle, a group of young people gather at the Rodríguez Grández home for an event that would change the course of Latin American music: the birth of Los Mirlos and Amazonian cumbia. Drawing on an extensive collection of archival audiovisual material, ranging from their early performances at local parties in the 1960s to their recent successful tours across Europe, The Dance of Los Mirlos traces the journey of one of the genre’s pioneering bands.

But more than that, it maps out a genealogy of tropical and popular music across an entire continent. Without shying away from the usual internal disputes, eccentric adventures, and the passionate devotion of an entire community, Álvaro Luque’s documentary becomes as inexhaustible as the melody of the international cumbia anthem that gives the film its name.

When Cumbia is On / Paz Gonzáles / Scotland / 2024 / 15′

When Cumbia is On” follows the journey of Peruvian Cumbia as it transcends its Latin American origins to find a new home in Scotland. Through the stories of South American musicians like Sandino, Chile, and Franco, the film explores how this vibrant genre becomes a bridge for reconnecting with their cultural roots, offering a sense of belonging in a foreign land.

+ A post-screening conversation between director Paz González and Nicolás Carrasco the producer of The Mirlos Dance, exploring the film’s creative process and its broader cultural context.

Las Chanchas – Live closing set

A live performance by Las Chanchas, A Peruvian – Argentinian trio bringing the energy of cumbia to the stage to close the night on a high note. Las Chanchas are here to shake up the scene. Born in February 2025, this brand new project is on the mission to deliver energetic performances and push the boundaries of what is possible in music. Challenging the traditional lineup and instrumentation of the genre, Las Chanchas bring a fresh take on chicha, the hypnotic tropical cumbia of the Amazon Rainforest. Their small scale format preserves the full flavor and rich texture of the sound, proving that innovation can happen with fewer hands. The influence of their diverse cultural and musical backgrounds push them to experiment without limits, fearlessly exploring new sonic landscapes. And this is only the beginning.

Las Chanchas are ready to give it their all, whatever it takes, to bring you the best show possible.

Accessibility
This event is wheelchair accessible, and the film will be accompanied by English subtitles.

Supported by Film Hub Scotland, part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network, awarding funding on behalf of Screen Scotland and the BFI National Lottery. This event is also supported by the Embassy of Peru in the United Kingdom.

An Event by CinemaAttic
Part of the Latin Connections Film Festival

Cinemaattic Director: Rafael Cueto

Latin Connections Film Festival Coordinator: David Sierra Márquez

Event Organizers: Paz Gonzáles & Lilette Burga

Project Manager: Tom Wood

Communications: Isy Santini

Designer: Thomas Shepherd

Volunteers: Ann Palomares, Sophie Kindreich, Jorge Pérez, Natasha Jorge-Moore, Shay Lafontaine, Rory Gibb, Anna Wieczorkowska, Grace Corrigan, Lucy Babidge, Carlos Rosales.