
BUILDING - BUILDING

Parranda

Parranda means fun, dance, party!
​
La Parranda is a musical ensemble devoted to keeping alive the vibrant rhythms and traditions of Venezuelan folk and popular music. From fulias and sangueos to tambores de la costa, parrandas, tamunangues, and beyond, the ensemble brings an authentic taste of Venezuela to informal and folkloric events across Calgary and Alberta.
During the holiday season, La Parranda takes on a special festive character, delighting audiences with a repertoire of traditional aguinaldos and parrandas navideñas — the joyful and beloved sounds of a Venezuelan Christmas.
La Parranda's core instruments are the cuatro, tambores, and maracas — the heartbeat of Venezuelan folk music — complemented on occasion by piano, bass, flute, and other instruments. Rehearsal schedule is seasonal.

Venezuelan Cuatro

Tambores

Maracas

Arturo Marcano, Artistic Director and Conductor

Arturo Rondón, born in Venezuela, is the Artistic Director of La Parranda Venezolana. With over 16 years of experience as a music director, composer, singer-songwriter, and cuatro player, his work is dedicated to the preservation and evolution of Venezuelan traditional music within contemporary and multicultural contexts. Arturo holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Lethbridge. Under his direction, La Parranda Venezolana has presented performances at festivals and cultural events across Alberta, creating spaces that celebrate Venezuelan identity, community, and Latin American cultural exchange. Last March 2025, he also led the creation, production, recording, and public presentation of ECOS, La Parranda Venezolana’s first album of original music. His artistic approach bridges traditional folk roots with modern production and collaborative performance, contributing to the growth and visibility of Venezuelan music in Canada.
Luis "El Pana" Tovar, Music Director

Luis Tovar is a Venezuelan musician and Juno Award-nominated percussionist with 29 years of professional experience in world music percussion. Since arriving in Alberta 18 years ago, he has made an indelible mark on the western Canadian music scene, drawing on his Venezuelan and Afro-Caribbean roots to bring unique energy and positive dynamics to every stage and recording studio. Luis has collaborated with internationally renowned artists such as Oscar D'León, Willie Colón, Johnny Reid, and Gil Goldstein, and has been an active force in local ensembles including the Esteban Herrera Quintet, Montuno West, and DJD Decidedly Jazz Danceworks. In 2023, he produced the album "Luz" by Venezuelan singer Arturo Marc, collaborating with Grammy-winning cuatro players Héctor Molina and Jorge Glem — a milestone that further established his reputation as an international music producer. Currently, Luis is recording two upcoming albums — one in Latin jazz and one in Venezuelan Caribbean jazz — with the Latin jazz project set for release under the Chronograph Records label. Beyond his own career, Luis is deeply committed to sharing his knowledge with the next generation of musicians and using his art to promote unity and cultural connection across Canada.
Carmen Galarraga, Coordinator

A passionate lover of Venezuelan folk music, Carmen plays an integral role in keeping La Parranda running smoothly behind the scenes. From coordinating the group's appearances and attending requests to organizing rehearsal spaces, she ensures that every detail is taken care of. Her dedication also extends to the ensemble's stage presence — most often designing and sewing the female costumes herself, bringing her love of fashion and her pride in Venezuelan cultural traditions together in every stitch. And when the music starts, Carmen is right there on stage, lending her voice to the soprano section and adding a little dancing to the mix — because with La Parranda, it is impossible to stand still!
Maria V. Alvarez, Media Relations

2013-2018
Founded in the summer of 2013, La Parranda brings its music to life primarily in open-air settings — festivals, parks, and outdoor celebrations — in contrast to the Cantares Latin Choir, which typically performs in concert halls and theatres. The Parranderos have proudly represented Venezuelan culture at events such as Globalfest, ExpoLatino, Fiestaval, the Lilac Festival, and similar community celebrations, including multiple editions of the Calgary Globalfest at the Venezuelan Pavilion, where they have taken the One Café, Village, and Main stages on many memorable occasions.

La Parranda, first ensemble, at Globalfest Venezuelan Pavillion August 2013 (above).
Musicians Fernando Cepeda (cuatro), Mario Ochoa (bass), Alejandro Decker, Luis "EL Pana" Tovar (drums) getting ready for La Parranda at One World Cafe Stage for Globalfest 2014 (below).

Marice Urbina from Dynamic Latin Soul and Andres Peluso show the moves of "tambores" dance at Globalfest 2014

2019-2023
La Parranda has performed at Fiestaval (July) and Expolatino (August). In the video, on August 17, 2019 dancers from Dance Fusion group showed drums dance while Rafael Reyes is the soloist for Candela Fuego, one of many Venezuelan drums' songs.
Parranderos 2019 - 2020

2024-2026
La Parranda Venezolana resume regular activities performing at Fiestaval (July 2025); CVCF Xmas Charity Concert (December 2025); C4 trio
Parranderos 2019 - 2020


Would like to have fun? Join La Parranda and become a "parrandero", one who sings parranda.
Rehearsal are Thursdays at 6:30 PM
Please contact us: contact@cantaresvcf.ca

