Zubikilla Spencer to Perform at Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation's Summer Garden Festival
Cabo Verdean artist Zubikilla Spencer is set to perform at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation's Summer Garden Festival on the 28th of this month. This performance marks a significant milestone in the artistic journey of the young creator, who has been consistently gaining recognition on both national and international stages. For this special show, Spencer will be accompanied by a band featuring Khaly on piano and musical direction, Jery Bidan on guitar, Heber Pires on bass, Ariel Rosa on drums, and Jörg Demel on saxophone. Special guest Sílvia Medina, a singer from Cabo Verde, will also join Spencer on stage. The artist's participation in the Summer Garden Festival is particularly meaningful for both Spencer and Cabo Verde, representing an acknowledgment of a new generation of Cabo Verdean artists who are actively promoting national culture globally. This contributes to the international projection of the country and strengthens cultural ties within the Lusophone community. The selection of Zubikilla Spencer for this lineup is seen as a significant recognition of her talent and artistic potential. The 2026 edition of the festival specifically highlights cultural expressions from Portuguese-speaking African countries, Brazil, and Portugal. The musical programming was curated by Dino D'Santiago, a prominent Luso-Cabo Verdean musician and producer known for promoting cultural diversity and dialogue among Portuguese-speaking peoples. Spencer recently performed at the XXI Seia Jazz & Blues Festival in Portugal and has participated in numerous other significant cultural events, including the Atlantic Music Expo, Kriol Jazz Festival, Festival Músicas del Mundo in Palma de Mallorca, Mindel Summer Jazz, and the Sete Sóis Sete Luas Festival.
Zubikilla Spencer's inclusion in the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation's Summer Garden Festival, which this year spotlights Lusophone African nations, Brazil, and Portugal, underscores a broader trend of cultural exchange and the growing international visibility of artists from these regions. The festival's curatorial focus, led by Dino D'Santiago, highlights a strategic effort to foster dialogue and celebrate shared linguistic and cultural heritage. Spencer's performance, alongside other emerging talents, serves as a testament to the increasing global appreciation for diverse musical expressions and the potential for cultural diplomacy to strengthen international relations. This event can be viewed as an opportunity for artists to leverage platforms that promote not only their individual careers but also the cultural branding and soft power of their home countries, particularly within the interconnected digital landscape of the 21st century.
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