In this third episode of the OneBeat Podcast we travel to Bogotá, Colombia and speak to the powerhouse musician and feminist activist Daniela Serna. Daniela is a percussionist, cultural producer and founding member of the celebrated pan-Latin band LADAMA. Dani takes us on her musical journey from being a shy girl with a bell, to traveling to the pacific coast of Colombia and immersing herself in the music of that region, and now being an activist and spokesperson for underrepresented musical communities in her country, particularly Afro-Colombian women. In this journey, she finds her own voice as a musician, and as a woman, and then creates spaces for others to do the same. We talk about the festival and podcast she founded - Totona Power - and the magic and feminist power infused in the word totona - which is Venezuelan slang for vagina. We also talk to celebrated music journalist and writer Betto Arcos, who gives some background on the incredible cultural wealth of Colombian music. 

Produced and Edited by Kyla-Rose Smith + Charlotte Gartenberg

Production Assistant: Nyokabi Kariũki

Mixed by Zubin Hensler

Executive Producers: Jeremy Thal, Elena Moon Park, and Kyla-Rose Smith

Featuring: 

Daniela Serna 

Betto Arcos

A full playlist of music featured on this episode can be found here

OneBeat is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, & produced by Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation.

OneBeat is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, & produced by Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation.