Manitoba musician among finalists at huge international festival

Folklorama

Folklorama is pleased to announce Folklorama Talent musician and producer Marco Castillo is a finalist for the 2015 Viña del Mar music festival in Chile.

Held annually since 1960, this international song contest is one of the most important music festivals in Latin America, broadcast to over 100,000,000 viewers. Castillo’s original song Forró no Canada from his recently released CD Zabelê, was one of six finalists in the Folkloric category of the competition (out of over 1,100 songs submitted in that category).

[Vina del Mar, Chile]

Vina del Mar, Chile

“I am thrilled to be representing my home country of Brazil, as well as Folklorama, at this prestigious competition,” says Castillo, who has lived in Winnipeg since 2006 and has been a member of Folklorama since 2010. “As a songwriter who has worked hard for many years to preserve and celebrate my culture, being a finalist is an immense honour.”

“We are so pleased to celebrate Marco Castillo’s incredible achievement,” says Debra Zoerb, executive director of Folklorama. “The calibre of his work has always been world-class, and he and his Brazilian Beats Band shine during the Folklorama Festival, and at events in the community year-round.”

Zoerb adds that it is rare for Canadians, let alone Manitobans, to place so well in a Latin American music festival. Folklorama Talent members have earned tops spots in Viña del Mar in recent years, with Sierra Noble winning best song in the International/Pop category for her song Try Anything in 2011. and Ça Claque was a Folkloric category finalist in 2012 with their song Automne.

“Folklorama Talent’s Agency Producer Christian Hidalgo-Mazzei works closely with our performers year-round, seeking out opportunities to expand their work into larger markets,” adds Zoerb.

Zabelê is the third CD released by Marco Castillo, a renowned singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who came to Winnipeg from Rio de Janeiro. Recorded in 2014 and featuring original songs, Castillo’s latest release brings a mix of Brazilian rhythms, instrumental sambas, and the funky-pop song Samba Funk & Football.

The Viña del Mar festival takes place from Feb. 15 to 28, 2015 in Viña del Mar, Chile. The festival has launched the careers of many international artists, including Julio Iglesias and Shakira.

To read more about Marco Castillo, please visit the Folklorama website and http://www.marcocastillo.ca/.

Folklorama, running Aug. 2-15, 2015, began in 1970 as a one-time celebration of Manitoba’s centennial but has since grown to be the largest and longest-running multicultural festival of its kind in the world. Developing out of the success of the festival, the organization also offers year-round programs: Talent, Teachings and Travel. All of the programs bring to life the organization’s mission of celebrating diversity and promoting cultural understanding. To find out more visit www.folklorama.ca. Follow Folklorama on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.