LAHM 2026 OPENING NIGHT GALA - CELSO MACHADO

Celso Machado, Brazilian virtuoso of choro, samba & forró, headlines LAHM's Opening Gala: 8th year celebrating Latin culture in Canada. The Latin American Heritage Month Festival Opening Ceremony marks its eighth consecutive year celebrating the culture and heritage of Latinos in Canada. This year we're honored to welcome Celso Machado, a Brazilian-born guitarist and percussionist based in Vancouver, internationally recognized for his mastery of choro, samba, and other Brazilian musical traditions, as well as his work with body percussion and instruments made from everyday objects. Machado has built a decades-long career in the world music scene, performing in both Europe and Canada. As part of the opening ceremony, we'll hold a cacao ceremony, an ancestral Latin American Indigenous tradition that connects us to our roots and honors the legacy of our ancestors, passing these customs down to new generations throughout the month of celebration. The event will also feature performances by Latin artists based in Canada, bringing traditional music to this celebration. Opening Gala – Latin American Heritage Month Festival (LAHM) 📅 October 14th, 2026 📍 Performance Works, Granville Island 🕔 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. 💵 $60 CAD