This performance celebrates the berimbau, a single-stringed bowed instrument embodying resilience through its socio-cultural resonance. Originating in Angola and flourishing in Brazil, the berimbau became central to candomblé rituals and capoeira, blending rhythm, storytelling, and survival. We honor artists like Naná Vasconcelos, Baden Powell, Gal Costa, Sérgio Mendes, Azymuth, Astrud Gilberto, Quarteto em Cy, and Tom Zé, who carried the berimbau’s voice across generations—linking Africa and the Americas through sound, memory, and cultural endurance. Journey with us as we feature an orchestrated timeline of the instrument featuring local and international musicians, dancers, vocalists, DJs and capoeira mestres.
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ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Rocio "Wyldeflower" Contreras
Rocio "Wyldeflower" Contreras is an on-air radio host and DJ at 89.9 KCRW and dublab, as well as a creative producer and music supervisor. Ro is from Pasadena, California, and has decades of experience in art, festival, and concert production and programming. As an avid vinyl record collector & music connoisseur, she is inspired by discovery and travel. Constantly exploring new and classic music from around the globe, with a special dedication to tropicalia, MPB, soul, funk, jazz, as well as artists that transcend genre. Catch her on-air and in-person, where she draws from her deep collection of sounds to craft a unique sonic experience each time she steps behind the turntables or on stage in production mode.
Todd Simon
Todd Simon is a Los Angeles-based musical maestro who’s worked with the likes of Kelis, Lauryn Hill, Ziggy Marley, Solange, Empire of the Sun, Weezer, TV On The Radio, Madlib, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Santigold, Dirty Projectors, Quantic, Breakestra, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, The Lions, Quadron, Antibalas, and many more. He’s also the founder of the African-Jazz ensemble, Ethio Cali, the live DJ/instrumentalist collective #HodgePodgeLA, and the 21-member Angel City All-Star Brass Band. In addition to being the Director of Jazz Studies and Music Technology at Granda Hills Charter High School, Todd produces live music events like the massive Adventures in Paradise tribute to Minnie Riperton at Grand Performances and a Sketches of Spain concert at the Wisdome.
Dr. Dexter Story
Dr. Dexter Story is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, music director, ethnomusicologist and multi-hyphenate producer from South Los Angeles, CA. He has worked in multiple facets of the music industry, has an M.A. in African Studies, a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology and numerous album releases, production credits and appearances. Story’s research focuses on music of the African diaspora, particularly habesha/Red Sea-adjacent music and culture. His dissertation is on Tigrinya guayla music of the small northeast African nation of Eritrea. He is also an artist-in-residence and production consultant with South Los Angeles’ Community Coalition, a social justice non-profit founded by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. He is based in Los Angeles with his wife and has three older children.