On the 12th of September performance band Kinetika Bloco are holding their second ‘We Are Bloco’ concert in Copeland Gallery from 7-10pm. This lively event is fundraising to send some of their young members to New Orleans. The band is made up of musicians from Southwark and Lambeth and is open to anyone between the ages 8-25.

What is Kinetika Bloco?

We are a performance group with an exuberant mix of young brass and woodwind players, drummers, steel pan and dynamic dancers, all in costume creating a “unique new British Carnival sound with a decidedly London edge” (BBC Radio2). We draw our influences from the Caribbean, Brazil, West and Southern Africa, New Orleans jazz, Funk and Hip Hop. Our members create the work with a team of professional tutors who help to lead the organisation.

How many times have you organised concerts at Copeland Park?

This will be the second time we have held our own concert at Copeland Park but we have been invited to play as part of Peckham Festival on numerous occasions. We are trying to raise as much money as we can to take some of our young people to New Orleans, which is why we have organised a second one for this year but are hoping to make “We Are Bloco” an annual event.

What makes you return to Copeland Park for gigs?

We really enjoyed the venue, it allowed for a wonderful sound. All the staff we met were really helpful and friendly and ensured our night was a massive success.

One of the main reasons Copeland Gallery is our top choice in venue is that is allows young people and adults to attend the event; this accessibility creates a great sense of community in an area a lot of our participants already live in.

Are you all based in Southwark?

Kinetika Bloco is based in Southwark and Lambeth.

How do people become members of the Superband?

Our Superband is made up of Tutors and long-standing committed members of Kinetika Bloco. Anyone between the ages of 8-25 can join Kinetika Bloco at one of the different projects we run in South London; more details can be found here. Most of the Superband have progressed through this route.

What can people expect from your concert on the 12th?

Some of London’s leading Jazz musicians bringing the party, playing music that you won’t be able to resist dancing to. Music, dancing, drinks and the chance to support the youth of South London!

Find tickets and more information about the We are Bloco gig here.

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