The 14th Annual Latin Alternative Music Conference has arrived and we’ve brought out our finest attire and full flasks to frolic the streets of NYC in search of that fierce new favorite artist. For the next five days, you can bet your bottom dollar we’ll be attending indie and acoustic showcases, outdoor films, art and poetry events and stuffing our tipsy faces some incredible local grub. But with so many shows (some of them overlapping), tough decisions have to be made. If you can only make it to a few things this week, these are our recommendations for what shows to see, what parties to crash, and where to munch in between. Which we’ve handily mapped out for you below!
Purple Dot – Tuesday, July 9 Blue Dot- Wednesday, July 10Red Dot- Thursday, July 11
Green Dot- Friday, July 12
Yellow Dot- Saturday,July 13
View LAMC 2013 Showcase/Party Picks in a larger map
Tuesday, Jul 9th
11PM: LAMC Unofficial: Uproot Andy, Chief Boima, Riobamba, El Poser, Brizgnar
Showcases haven’t officially started, but consider this a warm-up. We’re big fans of tropical fantasy dance oasis Bossa Nova Civic Club, and this DJ line-up couldn’t be more fitting for the space. Hometown fam Uproot and Boima are no-brainers, but we’re really excited to see the Boston crew in town (especially since the chances of us ever going to Boston to party are <10%, let’s be real…)
Wednesday, Jul 10th
6PM: Fat Joe, Cuatro Poder, Los Rakas and DJ Bitman @ Rumsey Playfield
Catch this show to see hip hop heavyweight Fat Joe (no pun intended!), one of the few really repping for latinos in mainstream rap. We’ve always been fans, but hearing him ride for the LGBT community in that notorious 2011 interview [“I’m a fan of ‘Yo I’m gay, what the fuck.’ If you gay you gay. Like that’s your preference, you know? Fuck it if the people don’t like it.”] won our hearts forever. He’s headed to federal prison soon for tax evasion, so you wanna be sure to catch the Bronx native while you still can. Joining the legend is one of the biggest names in Latin American hip hop Cuatro Poder and Bay Area via Panama duo Los Rakas who will make dem hips sway.
8:30PM: Indie Showcase @ Mercury Lounge
Torreblanca‘s lyrically evocative rock-pop stands the test of time – it’s nearly two years later and we’re still playing their EP Bella Época (produced by Quique Rangel of Café Tacuba). They rarely make it out to the east coast, so we consider them a must-see this week. Los Master Plus is also on the line-up, and we can never pass up to see these men in their silk-shirted, cumbiatronic glory.
Where to Eat Tonight:
Empanada Mama is a personal favorite and if you’re looking for a quick bite and easy to hold in your trembling drunk hands, we highly recommend getting these. For dinner, get yourselves the Chorizo Empanada and end on a sweet note with the Guava and Cheese wheat empanada–powdered sugar included!
Thursday, July 11th
8PM: LAMC Showcase @ Gramercy Theater
Based on what we saw at Vive, Mexican indie songstress Natalia Lafourcade‘s latest live act is about creating a nostalgic, black & white, just-shy-of-twee vibe. It’s a good way to start a balmy summer night. This is your chance to see her in an intimate setting with breakout dreamy-pop band Astro joining her!
8:30: Hueso Records & PopGun Show @ Glasslands
Come by this off-the-beaten-path showcase to see RVSB, two of the best and most influential DJs to ever come out of the Chilean hip-hop scene. The new direction they’ve taken – abstract electronic beats – is a change of pace from most of the LAMC line up, and we suspect it’ll get the Glasslands crowd head-bobbing. We’re also intrigued to check out supporting act Cholita Sound. The electro-cumbia weirdo incorporates Andean music influences, a deadpan delivery and an aesthetic that we can only describe as “sexy Andes chola.”
Where to Eat Tonight:
If you love a good hands-on experience, then Caracas Arepas is where you should head to. They serve the finest stuffed arepas (that’s corn cakes, for you novices!) stuffed with the most delectable ingredients. Black beans, sweet plantains, ooey-gooey mozzarella cheese and some avocado if you’re feeling frisky!
Friday, July 12th
6PM: Celebrate Brooklyn @ Prospect Park
Brooklyn, get ready for the Mexican electronic party of your lives. This will be a night of high-energy mashups with traditional and modern sounds of Tijuana’s Nortec Collective and the folk-electronic beats of Mexican Institute of Sound. The all female Mariachi Flor de Tolache will be supporting as well.
8PM: “Solo Dame Indie Pop” @ Salon Hecho/Cameo Gallery
If all we want is Indie pop, then by the Gods of LAMC, that’s what we’re gonna get! For two days at Salon Hecho and Cameo, you can catch strictly alt-pop music from Argentina,Venezuela, Mexico and more! On Friday, Fofe y Los Fetiches will be playing with the funky Xenia Rubinos, and Dominicans Franny & Zooey. Live performances on Saturday, the 14th, include Chilenos Astro, Dominicanos Grand Resort and Colombianos La MiniTek. This one is gonna be super groovy.
Where to Eat Tonight:
We pay a visit to La Superior at least once a month (okay, week) and their small bites are ideal for a night of debauchery. Get their Rajas tacos– roasted poblano peppers cooked with Mexican cream and diced onions, or an order of chicken & cheese flautas. Cheesy, fried, and perfect to soak up all those cervezas. On to the next one!
After Party: D’Marquesina at Libation
If you’re still standing, finish the night with our favorite Boricua booty shakers, who will have special guest DJ Nature joining them from Dallas.
Saturday, July 13th
3PM: Julieta Venegas, Carla Morrison and Alexander Anwandter @ Rumsey Playfield
The two award-winning alternative ladies, Julieta and Carla have been Remezcla favorites for years, but Alexander Anwandter is what we’re really looking forward to experiencing. The breakout artist will be in attendance with his dance pop sounds and signature moves!
7PM: “From Mambo to Hip Hop”, Film Night @ Crotona Park
Take a break from the abundance of music and attend this free screening of ‘From Mambo to Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale,’ a documentary showing the influence Latin culture had on Hip Hop through it’s rhythms, soul and flavor.
Where to Eat Tonight:
Why not mourn the end of LAMC in a pool of perfectly juicy Peruvian rotisserie chicken? Pio Pio boasts of seven NYC locations including Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx. Make sure you ask for extra ají (that addictive green sauce)!
After Party: Que Bajo?! All Stars Edition
From LA to Houston to PR to Colombia to our very own hometown heros, the DJ lineup for this edition of Que Bajo?! is a Who’s Who of cumbia-heavy-bass-shake-what-your-mama-gave-ya music. Come through and sweat out the three days of booze you drank.