Friday, August 27
The Center for the Arts presents
From Argentina
Los Pinguos
8:00PM, $22 in advance, $25 at the door,  Limited VIP Seating 
$35 includes:Reserved seats, VIP lounge and 1 drink ticket

"Los Pinguos are on the local music scene's fast track..."
- Los Angeles Times.

"Los Pinguos has become a regular hit with music fans
that like to dance, scream, and yell while they listen to
their music." - Calabash Music

"Los Pinguos players had as much fun on the stage as the audience did on the dance floor. ...these musicians seem to be playing for the love of the music, not for the prospect of fame or money." - Jana Summers

"While Los Pinguos draw much inspiration from the traditional music of Argentina, they bring many other influences into their music that makes it stand on its own." - Music Connection Magazine

"These guys are the South American version of the Beatles." - Saul Vasecky - fan

They came to the US from cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a mixture of Latin rhythms, performed with Spanish guitars, a Cuban Tres, Peruvian cajón (box-drum) and harmonizing vocals. Vivacious and infectious, the sound of Los Pinguos has claimed fans worldwide, from their hometown to the streets of Los Angeles.

The story began in 1999 when Adrián Buono, José Agote, Juan Manzur and Juan Manuel Leguizamón formed the band to play in clubs, bars, and private parties throughout Buenos Aires. Their exciting, passionate live shows garnered a devoted fan base, inspiring the talented ensemble to pursue global attention. So they packed their bags and headed north to the Californian shores. Newly arrived to the City of Angels in early 2001, Los Pinguos began playing at local bars such as The Latin Lounge, The Knitting Factory, Key Club, Temple Bar & Little Temple. As their popularity grew, they were invited to perform at the end-of-season party for the hit FOX show “Dharma & Greg”.

It was when they started to perform for the crowds at Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade (a Los Angeles shopping/restaurant hot spot) that the band realized their potential to reach a wide and diverse audience. While performing, they were spotted by a talent scout who urged them to audition for a new television show, “The Next Big Star”, hosted and produced by Ed McMahon of “Star Search” fame. In spite of fierce competition from more seasoned groups, and being the only Latin band to perform, Los Pinguos won the audience vote and rightly claimed the Grand Prize. Soon after this, new bassist Santiago (Fefe) Lee joined the group, giving Los Pinguos a strong backbone and groove to the music, new and old.

Since then, they have recorded five new albums –"Camino Bueno" (2002), "Serenata" (2003), “Live In Los Angeles” (2005) a live double CD on Kufala Records “Peripecias” (2006) and "California" (2008). They've played with such acts as Ozomatli, Yerba Buena, Charlie Zaa, Pablo Montero, Paul Anka, Plácido Domingo, Charly Garcia and famed Argentinean rockers Bersuit Vergarabat. They also appeared at the 2005 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL with female songstress Suzanne Vega. Los Pinguos’ music has appeared in TV shows such as "The Shield", "The L Word", and is featured in the Antonio Banderas and Emma Thompson film "Imagining Argentina" as well as the new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie. The band also participated in the award winning documentary on street musicians entitled, "Playing for Change". Most recently, they have appeared on three of the world famous Putumayo World Music compilations, “Baila!”, “Radio Latino” and "World Party".

Currently the band can be found touring throughout the U.S. and beyond, including Mexico, Canada and most recently were invited to play at the renowned Blue Balls Music Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.

www.lospinguos.com