Last night was the last night of the Festival de Viña del Mar. On Saturday night Calle 13 tore it up, even performing in the dark after all the tech people had left the ampitheatre in the Chilean seaside city. In classic Calle 13 style, they made their performance relevant by bringing in local performers to participate with them up on stage and by shouting out their support of the Mapuche struggle. They also defied the mainstream reggaeton movement by dancing onstage, not with the skinny booty shaking girls, but with real sized women.

Their performance earned them every award at the festival, Antorcha de Plata, Antorcha de Oro, Gaviota de Plata, and the Medalla de Reconocimiento.

What’s next for the Ricans? A performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and new album planned for release In Fall 2008.

I can’t wait!