National Arts Centre hosts La Pambelé, a Colombian salsa orchestra redefining the genre
La Pambelé, a Bogotá-based salsa brava orchestra, brings nine musicians and contemporary lyrical narratives to the Babs Asper Theatre on July 23.
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La Pambelé, a salsa brava orchestra emerging from Bogotá, is redefining Colombia's tropical and alternative music landscape by revisiting the sonic traditions of 1970s salsa brava while infusing them with contemporary lyrical narratives.
The ensemble performs Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 PM EDT in the Babs Asper Theatre at 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa. The show runs approximately 60 minutes with no intermission.
Their sound bridges nostalgia and modernity—what one of Colombia's leading media outlets described as "a new approach to old-school salsa." The ensemble's nine musicians bring together a rich instrumentation: piano, congas, flute, trumpet, timbales, trombone, bongó, cowbell, baby bass, and vocals, crafting a dynamic and high-energy performance designed to move both body and soul.
La Pambelé takes its name from a Bantu term meaning "defender of one's own," while also paying homage to the legendary Colombian boxer Antonio Cervantes Reyes, aka "Pambelé". Composed of musicians from across the country, the group challenges long-held assumptions about Bogotá's musical identity, asserting the capital's place within Colombia's rhythmic and cultural heritage.
Tickets start at $19, with discounted rates available: $15 for patrons under 30, and $15 for Indigenous community members.
Before you go
When and where is La Pambelé performing?
La Pambelé performs on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 7:30 PM EDT in the Babs Asper Theatre at 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa.
How long is the show?
The performance at the Babs Asper Theatre runs approximately 60 minutes with no intermission.
What are the ticket prices?
Tickets for La Pambelé start at $19, with discounted rates of $15 for patrons under 30 and $15 for Indigenous community members.
