Betsayda Machado & Parranda el Clavo to Perform in Hopewell

Betsayda Machado & Parranda el Clavo bring their joyful show of intricate African polyrhythms and percussion, call-and-response singing and close harmonies to the Hopewell Theater on Thursday, April 5th at 8:00 p.m.

La Parranda El Clavo is fronted by the charismatic Machado, who credits as influences other great Afro-descendant divas of Latinx and African music including Cuba's Celia Cruz, Colombia's Totó La Momposina and Cape Verde's Cesaria Evora. Machado honed her formidable vocal skills as a member of the highly renowned Vasallos del Sol ensemble. Known as the voice of Venezuela, Machado’s recent rural recordings with Parranda El Clavo brought new attention to Venezuelan Afro-Soul genre: 'Tambor', a spirit-shaking percussion and voice fiesta, said to make dancers float.

Machado hails from a small village of 1,500 people called El Clavo, located near Venezuela's Caribbean coastline. El Clavo’s inhabitants are mostly Afro-Venezuelans, descendants of slaves who had worked on the area's cacao plantations. Music is the native language of El Clavo and every story and every celebration has songs that evolved over time in parties, parades and processions. Betsayda Machado & Parranda el Clavo’s captivating Afro-Venezuelan music is rooted in the freedom songs of the village of El Clavo.

For nearly three decades, the group has been playing at town festivals, holidays and funerals. Their North American tour brings their singular, passionate and purposeful layered harmonies and richly textured percussion to the wider world.

The Betsayda Machado & Parranda el Clavo performance on April 5th begins at 8:00 p.m. Tickets start at $30 and can be reserved at the Hopewell Theater online.

About Hopewell Theater

Hopewell Theater offers a range of unique cultural experiences, from independent film and live music to guest speakers, artists and performances. Patrons can dine-in on small plates from local restaurants or just come for the show. Film buffs will particularly enjoy a state-of-the-art movie theater in Hopewell, NJ with a dine-in menu. A landing spot, a launch pad, and an incubator, Hopewell Theater is also a place where artists can play, practice, perform or show their passion project on the big screen. The theater is available to rent, at both hourly and day-rates.