John Roldan-Founder
Vanessa Finnigan-Interim Director
Vanessa Finnigan-Interim Director
Born in Palmira, Valle he is a Planner Manager, DJ, Percussionist, and Founder of La Cumbiamba Colombiana. As a Planner Manager, John works during the day for one of the largest electronic companies in the Silicon Valley. As a DJ, he has offered his services for over 15 years at festivals, local clubs, and private events.
Vanessa Finnigan-Interim Director
Vanessa Finnigan-Interim Director
Vanessa Finnigan-Interim Director
Born in Cartagena, Colombia has participated as a dancer with La Cumbiamba Colombiana since 2015 and is currently serving as the Comparsa Interim Director. Vanessa enjoys getting together with la familia cumbiambera every year sharing a little bit of Colombian cumbia, culture, and folklore.
Aura Barva
Luis Gonzalez
Aura Barva
Born in Cartagena, Colombia has participated as a dancer with La Cumbiamba Colombiana several times since 2014 and was La Cumbiamba Queen in 2019. Aura is also involved with Carnaval San Francisco and has served as MC for the 2022 Carnaval King & Queen Competition.
Dora Lopez
Luis Gonzalez
Aura Barva
Born in Michoacan, Mexico has participated as a dancer with La Cumbiamba Colombiana since 2015. Dora learned to love cumbia listening to Aniceto Molina since she was a little girl. She shares that being part of La Cumbiamba Colombiana has made her love for cumbia, its people, and the traditional Colombian folklore grow.
Luis Gonzalez
Luis Gonzalez
Luis Gonzalez
Born in Sogamoso, Colombia, raised in Bogota. Luis works as a Global Planner in one of the largest global medical technology companies in the Bay Area. He joined La Cumbiamba in 2023 and since then has participated as a dancer in multiple events across the Bay. He loves music dancing, running and hiking. He is proud of his roots and Colom
Born in Sogamoso, Colombia, raised in Bogota. Luis works as a Global Planner in one of the largest global medical technology companies in the Bay Area. He joined La Cumbiamba in 2023 and since then has participated as a dancer in multiple events across the Bay. He loves music dancing, running and hiking. He is proud of his roots and Colombian heritage and believes in dancing as a contributor for good mental health.
Valentina Rivera
Valentina Rivera
Valentina Rivera
Born and raised in Cali, Colombia, recently joined la Cumbiamba Colombiana to share her love and passion for dance. Currently on her last year at UC Berkeley. Valentina hopes to keep her Colombian roots through dancing.
Marly Arrendodo
Valentina Rivera
Valentina Rivera
From Cali, Colombia, Marly joined La Cumbiamba Colombiana in 2023; she's happy to showcase Colombian folklore and be part of the Cumbiamba family. Wife and mother of five children, they all participate together to represent and keep their Colombian roots.
Yuliet Casallas
Valentina Rivera
Yuliet Casallas
Born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. Yuliet Joined La Cumbiamba Colombiana in 2023. She is very passionate about dancing and music and loves to share her Latin roots through the Colombian folkloric rhythms.
Sebastian Machado ~ Graphic Designer
Graphic Designer and original creator of La Cumbiamba Colombiana art for 2020 & 2024.
Born in El Banco, Magdalena, Colombia (La ciudad Imperio de la Cumbia), Sebastian is a freelance illustrator enthusiastic about the folkloric songs and dances, which adorn the culture of the majestic Magdalena River. Much of his work has been dedicated to elaborating graphic pieces that show the color and charm of all these cultural expressions. Sebastian currently lives in Medellin.
You can see Sebastian art and work in his social media:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sebasmd4
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seb.md4/ &
Art By Sebastian
Su Majestad: La Cumbia
La Cumbiamba Colombiana - Art 2020
Su Majestad: La Cumbia
"Del encuentro entre tres continentes, África, América y Europa, nació la cumbia: un sonido sin fronteras, fácil de entender y de interpretar; un ritmo del que todos somos dueños, que nos define. Una ilustración que dedico con mucho amor a La Cumbia y a todos los que nos sentimos identificados con ella."
Noches Cumbiamberas
La Cumbiamba Colombiana - Art 2020
Su Majestad: La Cumbia
Wonderful full moon nights in San Francisco showcasing the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.
La Cumbiamba Colombiana - Art 2020
La Cumbiamba Colombiana - Art 2020
La Cumbiamba Colombiana - Art 2020
Official Flyer for Carnaval San Francisco 2020.
Adelina Palacio ~ Costume Designer
Designer of La Cumbiamba Colombiana Costume in 2024.
Adelina Palacio was born in Santa Marta, Colombia. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a professional and creator, who manages and leads multiple visual projects with the application of digital tools. She is currently studying Interior Design.
Adelina has always been inclined to showcase her culture and this year is the designer of the Costume for La Cumbiamba Colombiana.
You can see Adelina's art and work in her social media:
- Instagram: @adelina_art9
You can contact Adelina via email:
Maria Lourdes Gonzales ~ Dressmaker
Maria Lourdes is the seamstress for our 2023 and 2024 Costumes.
Originally from Mexico, Maria Lourdes lives in Castroville, California. She has experience in alterations and designs. She has collaborated as the dressmaker for La Cumbiamba Colombiana in 2023 and 2024.
Maria Lourdes can be reached through her social media:
- Instagram: @lourdesgonzales132
Special Guest Artist & Singer
Carlos Kandia
Kandia is a singer, percussionist, actor and musical theater producer, founder and director of the entertainment solutions company Kandia Entertainment, Northern California leader in Latino Live Entertainment with more than 5000 live productions since 2014.
Carlos Kandia has won multiple awards such as Artist of the Year by the City of Sacramento, the Sammies Award in 2020 winning ¨World Artist," and this year 2024 was awarded as one of the Top 20 Latino Change Makers in Sacramento.
Website: https://www.kandiamusica.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carlos.kandia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandiag/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KandiaG
We are extremely honored to be working for the second year in a row with Carlos Kandia and Kandia Entertainment.
Percussion
Andrea Jaramillo - PercuFlora.
Colombian Mestiza, Artist and Anthropologist.
Andrea has traveled the world, including different countries from Europe and Latin America. With her drums and while singing traditional music from the Afro-Caribbean diaspora natural from her country, she has participated in numerous musical and theatrical projects.
Facebook: Andrea Jaramillo
Instagram: @percuflora
Marisela Melchner
Marisela has been a member of La Cumbiamba Colombiana since 2018 and has played key roles as a dancer and percussionist.
She shares her passion for Colombian folklore through her love for dancing and the sounds of drums.
She learned playing tambora at a very young age while attending school in her city, Monteria.
Choreography
We are super excited to be working this year with El Cumbión de Oro, one of the most renown cumbiambas participants of Carnaval de Barranquilla. They have been participating in Carnaval de Barranquilla for 41 years and have won multiple Congos de Oro, the prize given to the best comparsas.
HISTORY:
The history of Cumbión de Oro dates back to June 13, 1983, in the city of Barranquilla, in the Siete Bocas sector of the Recreo neighborhood. This is where the group of happy dancers, lovers of Cumbia and all the native dances of our Caribbean Region, is formed. They initially called the group, the “Gran Candela”. As time went by, they dedicated themselves to working hard to consolidate their own style. When they achieved it, they decided to change their name to "El Cumbión de Oro." The new name comes from a musical theme by La Familia Andre, called De Oro, and the word Cumbión, which denotes joy.
LEAD CHOREOGRAPHER:
Gina Navarro
WANT TO CHECK THEM OUT?
Here's a video of one of their amazing choreographies.
Cumbiamberas Headpieces
This year we are partnering with Wenroxnel, a group of talented female artisans, who are dedicated to the creation and marketing of a wide range of products, including combs, earrings, keychains and other accessories with thematic designs inspired by the Barranquilla carnival.
We are extremely honored to showcase their beautiful art as part of our costume headpieces in 2024.
Instagram: @creaciones_wenroxnel
Arlex Francini - Photographer
Arlex Francini, from San Agustín, Huila, a graduate of the National University of Colombia, inherited his father's passion for photography. He created his personal brand, defrancini.
Now in the Bay Area, dedicated to photographing weddings, maternity shoots, family, birthdays and events, he not only captures emotions, but also ensures a fun experience for patrons.
Through his volunteer initiative, he invites everyone to share moments of happiness with his yellow frame “Hey SONRIE”.
Instagram: @defrancini and @heysonrie.defrancini
Telephone: (510) 980-1810
Es una iniciativa de voluntariado social donde @defrancini comparte expresiones de alegría mediante su marco amarillo #HeySonríe con imágenes.
Calixto Salcedo - Videographer
Calixto Salcedo is from Cartagena, Colombia.
Collaborating with La Cumbiamba Colombiana for the first time, Calixto brings years of experience behind the lens & camera.
Instagram: @calixtosalcedob
Calixto is the founder of CBS Advertising & Marketing, a Freelance Agency and is a partner in CALBAR Events & Entertaiment.