Virginia Lopez and The Mambo Queens

Based in Portland Oregon, this group specializes in various forms of AfroCuban music, including batá, rumba, and comparsas. See their site at www.mamboqueens.com

History of Virginia Lopez and The Mambo Queens

Director Virginia Lopez, born in Cuba, has studied Afro-Cuban drumming with master drummer and recording artist Amelia Pedroso and other teachers both in Cuba and in the United States. She has taught at drum camps in California, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. Her mission is to provide a supportive atmosphere for women to learn to play percussion, and to provide an appreciation of the rich tradition of Afro-Cuban music.

Virginia Lopez created The Mambo Queens in 1994 in Portland, Oregon. The eleven-member female percussion and singing group includes an international cast from six countries and three continents. The repertory includes sacred music from the Yoruba tradition rendered on the bata drums, Afro-Cuban rumbas, lively comparsas that invite the audience to join in the dancing, and music from the Congolese tradition in Cuba.

The Mambo Queens ensemble has performed in the Women’s International Day Celebration (six years), at Pacific University and Miracle Theater productions (twice each), Gay Pride Celebration (six years), with the Aurora Chorus at Schnitzer Auditorium, Portland Community College, Atkinson Elementary School, the Old Church, the First Unitarian Church, the Portland Public Library, Onda and Woolley Art Galleries, Pastor For Peace with Cuba, La Rumba Restaurant (three times), La Luna, and The Tualatin Commons.