Representatives of Colombian pop star Shakira are in negotiations with event organizers to appear on the next Vallenato Festival in Valledupar, local newspaper Pais Vallenato reported Monday.
Shakira's production team spent nine hours on Monday touring the city of Valledupar. The Vallenato Festival Foundation confirmed that they were there to get to know the essence of Vallenata music and its key players.
The Foundation has long been campaigning to have Shakira appear at the festival, but up until now her tour dates have always clashed with the official schedule.
The Foundation's president, Rodolfo Molina Araujo, gave the team a tour of the city's highlights, including visits to the Park de la Leyenda Vallenata Consuelo Araujonoguera, and to Rafael Escalona Talent School. They also stopped by the Academy of maestro Andrés ‘El Turco’ Gil. Bands The Vallenato Kings, Los Kankwis, and folk singer Lorenzo Morales all performed.
Argentinean Rodrigo Iervolino, and one of Shakira's representatives, said that "Vallenato music has great charm, especially the way [it reaches young and old alike]. This folk rhythm powerfully calls our attention and, despite not [being familiar with it], it makes us happy."
Shakira's presence at the festival would be a huge boon for organizers, and indeed the region, should the stars (and performance schedules) finally align.
At the completion of the tour the Foundation's president sent the singer an Arhuaco backpack as a token of his appreciation.
