By Christina Fernández-Morrow, Hola Iowa
Des Moines, IA-Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Sonia De Los Santos takes the stage at the Des Moines Civic Center on February 22. She has performed for audiences at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Lollapalooza, and is bringing her Grammy-nominated sounds to the Heartland. “I’m excited about FIESTA con Sonia De Los Santos. My band and I play songs in Spanish and English for families, children, all ages, and generations,” she shares enthusiastically.
What makes this performance unique is that it is the first time she will collaborate with an Iowa band, Los Llaneros to give the show a local feel. Los Llaneros are known for performing music from the Colombian and Venezuelan savannas (Llanos), considered “cowboy” music, but play music from other areas of the two nations as well. This unique fusion will promise an interactive show where audiences will be invited to sing, dance and interact with the performers. The show will be a global journey through music as they play songs inspired by Mexican folk music, various Latin American rhythms including huapango, cumbia, salsa and festejo, and US folk traditions.
Los Llaneros’ harpist Daniel Rojas (Colombian), affectionately known throughout Iowa as “Dany Harp,” cuatro player and singer Karin Stein (Colombian), and maraca player, singer, and percussionist Edgar East (Panamanian) will join her as a trio using Latin American instruments to create a one-of-a-kind performance exclusively for Iowa audiences.
De Los Santos, who will perform a special show just for students on February 21, became familiar with Iowa during her Des Moines Performing Arts residency in 2021. The state made a positive impression, and she has always wanted to return. “I loved visiting schools. I didn’t imagine there would be so many Spanish-speaking kids who reacted so strongly to the bilingual songs. I loved getting to know the middle of the country and all the families who connected to the music. That’s why I couldn’t wait to return and produce a whole show,” she recalls.
De Los Santos has been hailed by Billboard as “one of the Latin children’s music artists you should know” and “Best Latin Children’s Music.” She has three family music albums: “Mi Viaje: De Nuevo León to the New York Island,” “¡Alegría!” and “Esperanza.” In 2024 she toured with “Música,” a performance that honored the female musicians who inspired her and her all-female bandmates to make music.
Don’t miss her interactive performance at the Des Moines Civic Center on February 22, which is sure to be a lively show that’s perfect for kids and adults to enjoy together! Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased at https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org.
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