The fourth annual Francisco el Hombre (Francisco the Man) vallenato music festival will take place from March 14 to 19 in the coastal city of Riohacha.
Organized by the Guajira Cultural Foundation, the festival will celebrate traditional and contemporary Colombian vallenato music up and honor the famous accordionist Alfredo Gutierrez, known as the “King of Kings” for winning Colombia’s Vallenato Legend Festival four years in a row.
The festival is named after the legendary Francisco El Hombre who is known for defeating the devil in a duel of songs and wandered the Caribbean coast for 200 years telling tales of the land accompanied by the trusty accordion given to him by famous explorer Sir Walter Raleigh. There was indeed a man named Francisco Antonio Moscote (1848-1953), whose story-telling and womanizing made him a local legend. Over 30 of his descendents are said be attending this year’s event.
Over the course of the festival there will be five competitions for special guests who will compete for the chance play last during each of the five musical evenings.
For more information visit the Francisco El Hombre Festival website.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:
March 15
3:00PM – Tribute to Alfredo Gutierrez
March 16
7:00PM – First elimination round
10:15PM – Performances by Fawell Solano & Kiko Ramos, Martin Elias, and Peter Manjarres.
March 17
7:00PM – Inaugural Ceremony
10:30PM – Performances by Jorge Onate, Silvestre Dangond, and Hector Arturo Zuleta.
March 18
7:00PM – Competitions: Best singer, Best Accordionist, Best Unedited Song, Best Group
10:30PM – Final performances by Farid Ortiz, Beto Zabaleta, and Ivan Villazon.