Making their Chicago debut as part of the Levitt VIBE Belmont Cragin Music Series, Los Tangueros del Oeste were formed in 2019 by Argentine singer/lyricist Manuel Berterreix and California bassist/composer Sascha Jacobsen after they met by chance at the “Café Buenos Aires” in Berkeley, California. Hailing from an illustrious musical family dating back at least five generations to a bassist for the Moscow Opera in the early 19th century, Jacobsen explored his passion for tango in ensembles like The Musical Art Quintet and Trio Garufa. Los Tangueros del Oeste are steeped in the Nuevo Tango styles of Astor Piazzolla, Gotan Project and Bajofondo. Focusing on original compositions, the group blends beats and textures from hip-hop and electronica with Flamenco influences filtered through an improvisational lens. In 2022 their first album, Alma Vieja, was nominated for the Latin Grammys in the Best Tango Album category.
ABOUT THE ILCC
The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago is a pan-Latino, nonprofit, multidisciplinary arts organization dedicated to developing, promoting, and increasing awareness of Latino cultures among Latinos and other communities by presenting a wide variety of art forms and education including film, music, dance, visual arts, comedy, theater and culinary arts. The Center prides itself for its outstanding multidisciplinary local and international cultural programming which spans Latin America, Spain, Portugal, and the United States.
Born out of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago also produces other programs, including the Chicago Latino Music Series, which is celebrating its 18th edition this year; Film in the Parks, also in its 18th season; the monthly Reel Film Club, already in its 16th year; and many others.
All in all, the audience has grown from 500 people in 1985 for the first Chicago Latino Film Festival to more than 70,000 (Latinos and non-Latinos) who enjoy the year-round multidisciplinary cross-cultural exchanges offered by the Center.
ABOUT THE LEVITT FOUNDATION
The Levitt Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building community through music. They partner with communities to activate underused outdoor spaces, creating welcoming, inclusive destinations where the power of free, live music brings people together and invigorates community life.
By providing free outdoor concerts and revitalizing public spaces, the Foundation seeks to create inclusive, vibrant communities where people of all backgrounds can come together to enjoy live music and cultural experiences. For more information, visit www.levitt.org.
ABOUT THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
The Chicago Park District has served Chicago residents for more than 85 years. It is a Gold Medal Award-winning organization, which recognizes excellence in park and recreation management across the nation. For more information about the Chicago Park District’s more than 8,800 acres of parkland, more than 600 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 12 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, over 75 nature areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertainment.