14 November 7-13, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | music | cafe | culture | Night+Day | News | letters | coNteNts | miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | Party People Tumbao celebrates three years moving to a Latin beat. BY OSVALDO ESPINO T umbao, the homegrown Latin music party, is celebrating its third anniversary at Skatebird Miami on Saturday, November 9. Since its debut, Tumbao has nabbed Adidas as its sponsor and become one of the biggest events to spawn out of Miami, throwing parties in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. “The night was born because I felt like there was a need for it in Miami,” says Tum- bao founder Alberto Piedrahita over the phone. “I felt like there wasn’t a space where you could go listen to Latin music in a setting where it wasn’t at the typical venues where most Latin nights happen. It was partly that and also partly the fact that there was so much bubbling in the underground as far as music goes, like edits and different subgenres that other DJs and producers from around the world were making with Latin and obvi- ously seeing Soulection and Pangea Sound happen on the West Coast. I felt like I could definitely do my own take on that kind of concept of world sounds but with a focus on Latin music.” With this concept in mind, Piedrahita helped create a space that focused on the en- tirety of Latin culture — something that cele- brates genres other than reggaeton and pop. “We pay homage to all those genres from around the world that celebrate the African diaspora. Obviously, reggaeton is our focus, but we have also dived into dancehall, Afro- beats, amapiano, baile funk, house music, Jersey club, and different nuances of club music from around the world.” To meet this audience demand, Piedrahita relies on local talent to help him deliver on his vision. Recently, he commissioned Tesoe and 004 Connec, who were allegedly behind the tagging of the bridge under construction in downtown Miami, to design a mural in Wynwood to mark Tumbao’s third anniver- sary. The party is also partnering up with lo- cal favorite Palacios de los Jugos. “I think it’s super important to still put 305 on the back of your jersey,” Piedrahita adds. “I’m representing for Latinos in Miami, and it’s super important to also showcase our lo- cal scene, our local flavor, and take that to the world stage. Palacios is an iconic brand from Miami, and they’ve done so much for the community. I feel like it’s a safe space for Lati- nos to go for affordable food.” Tumbao is Miami through and through, thanks to its underground and authentic approach. Piedrahita also ensures that every party is free to attend, lowering the barrier to entry for anyone who just wants to have a good time. “There’s so many talented DJs and produc- ers from around the world making such cool, dope stuff that I couldn’t stay in one lane and just be reggaeton or just be dembow or just be salsa. It had to expand and be a little bit more nuanced, and I think that there’s space for ev- eryone to eat,” he says. “I do think that the music is definitely curated to a very high level, but I also think it’s not so far gone down the beaten path that not that a casual person can’t walk in that likes Latin music and be like, ‘Oh, what’s this?’ It’s very danceable. It’s very ap- proachable. It’s not super dark. It’s reflected in the artwork that we use — it’s very col- orful; it’s very lively.” The Skatebird event is set to be Tumbao’s parties event so far, with many DJs from around the world set to take over the decks, including FS Green from Am- sterdam, who will make his U.S. debut at the event, Chicago’s Gio Sandz, Mango & Ginger from Los Angeles, Miami’s Bozito, and Pie- drahita spinning under the name Littlerok. “We’re going to have food vendors, and the sound will be incredible. It’s going to rival the kind of sound you heard at III Points this past weekend,” Piedrahita shares. “Last year, the sound was so loud during soundcheck that the roof of the skatepark was literally vibrat- ing; you could hear the tin roof slap against the columns from blocks away. It’s pretty gnarly. We’re going to have visuals, lighting — it’s going to be a full production.” Tumbao. 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, November 9, at Skatebird Miami, 533 NE 83rd St., Miami; 305-603-8015; skatebirdmiami.com. Admis- sion is free with RSVP via eventbrite.com. [email protected] ▼ Music Tumbao will celebrate its third anniversary at Skatebird Miami on Saturday, November 9. Photo by @seba.jpeg TUMBAO IS MIAMI THROUGH AND THROUGH, THANKS TO ITS UNDERGROUND AND AUTHENTIC APPROACH. 1/3H
