Chócala to Perform Twice at UM this Week

The Charlotte-based band, Chócala, includes Michael Anderson, Davey Blackburn, Liza Ortiz and Cludio Ortiz. Photo submitted.

Chócala, a Latin band from Charlotte, North Carolina, is performing in Oxford this week, and fans have two opportunities to catch their music at the University of Mississippi.

The band, which was slated Thursday evening on “Thacker Mountain Radio Hour,” will play a live concert event at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, in the Music Building’s Band Hall. The group also will appear as special guests on “LMR LIVE,” at 10 a.m. Saturday in Nutt Auditorium.

The events are free and open to the public and are presented by Sarahfest—a program of the Sarah Isom Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, and Living Music Resource, a program of the UM Department of Music. For more details, go to https://www.sarahfest.rocks/.

Chócala combines Latin rhythms with rock, jazz, and blues, and throws in the occasional touch of “tropical psychedelia” when the mood strikes. The group’s self-titled album was released earlier this year.

“Chócala’s unique style has helped them forge a nontraditional path in the music business,” said Nancy Maria Balach, host of “LMR LIVE” and chair of the music department. “They will be fascinating guests on the show and so much fun to dance to at the concert on Friday night.”

Everyone is welcome to join the “LMR LIVE” audience, either in person in Nutt Auditorium or via the web during the live streaming of the show, at Living Music Resource.

“We’ll get to know the band members, and what inspires their music,” Balach said.

By Lynn Adams Wilkins