200 Years of a Special Relationship COL-USA

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts June 2nd, 2022

“The partnership that our countries have built over the last 200 years has transcended domestic politics and enjoyed bipartisan support. … Over time this relationship has continued to grow deeper and stronger. [T]he decision to designate Colombia as a Major non-NATO Ally is further evidence that the values and principles we adhere to and are committed to defending, are fully aligned.”

Remarks by Colombian President Iván Duque, during a meeting at the White House with US President Joe Biden March 10th, 2022

“Colombia is the linchpin, in my view, to the whole hemisphere — north and south. … And … it’s an essential partnership. … Colombia is the keystone to our shared efforts to build a hemisphere that is prosperous, secure, and democratic … [W]e’re looking forward to a future that our nations will build together."

Remarks by US President Joe Biden during a meeting at the White House with Colombian President Iván Duque March 10th, 2022

This event is an external rental presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and is not produced by the Kennedy Center.

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Manuel Torres was the first charge d’Affaires of Colombia and first Latin American diplomatic representative in the United States.

He was received by U.S President James Monroe (18171825) on June 19, 1822 (Plaque at St. Mary’s Church, Philadelphia)

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A message from Ambassador Pinzón For 200 years, Colombia and the United States have shared a special relationship that has only made us stronger. It is a relationship rooted in shared values that transcends parties and politics and is reinforced by the bonds of friendship between Colombians and Americans.

Together, we have tackled the biggest challenges of our time. Through free trade, open markets and meaningful investments, we have built prosperity for our nations and our citizens. We have fought to protect democracy and freedom in our region and around the world, unwavering in our commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In this spirit of unity, we look to the future, working jointly to address migration and climate change, pioneer new technologies, and make our region and our world a safer and better place for all.

Juan Carlos Pinzón Ambassador of Colombia to the US

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A dialogue of 200 years for the future...

Catalina Ceballos Carriazo, Anthropologist

Nobody can deny the power of music – of the melodies, the songs, the lyrics; of the irresistible empire of orchestras, bands, and choirs; of the various sounds; of the rhythms that transport us to other cultures, to worlds that enchant and surround us, making us vulnerable to the verge of tears, laughter, or dancing.

That's why music’s role in the world of diplomacy is increasing. Using this language, histories have been written; alliances have been formed; tensions have been relieved; and passions have been awakened. Music has smoothed differences, and increased dialogue and channels of understanding between countries, communities and people. Music has permitted the exchange of ideas, information, values, traditions, and values.

So today, we will communicate through this legendary tool that will allow us not only to see, but also to feel the unbreakable bond that has united the United States and Colombia for more than 200 years.

The history of music in each of these countries is as diverse as it is fundamental. Music represents regions, environments, flavors, and religious practices. In Colombia and the United States, European and African influences have shaped the creation of unique rhythms that mark the identity of each nation In Colombia there are at least 1025 rhythms, such as cumbia, bullerengue, porro, vallenato and bambuco, among others, which are the result of the combination of cadences brought from Europe and Africa.

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These rhythms and others have not only inspired great musicians such as Maluma, Karol G, Shakira, Juanes, Carlos Vives, and Fonseca, but are also part of the Colombian lifestyle and the country's identity. In the United States, the impact of countries such as Spain, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, and the rhythms brought by African slaves created unique sounds that would later give rise to blues, jazz, rock, hip hop, house and of course country music. Nowadays, those rhythms are part of the North American DNA. The links between these rhythms have brought us closer and prove the strength of these ties.

Pacific sounds, for example, can be compared to American gospel music. In both cases, hope and joy are characteristic, and they represent a population closely connected to the African heritage that values orality, wisdom, hope and ancestry. Not in vain, the music of the Colombian Pacific, whose sounds are led by the marimba, has been declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The sounds of Los Llanos Orientales can be equated with country music in the United States. This rhythm is a popular genre that dates to 1910, and was originated with echoes of blues, sacred music, violin, and banjo sounds inherited from European migrants. With country music, it is possible to relate to family and love.

In both cases, livestock raising, plowing, and cultivating soil are described through the work of the Colombian llaneros and men from the West who are building their nation.

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We will hear these stories tonight, in the songs performed by Maestro Cholo Valderrama, songs that express the idea of the great Colombian plains inhabited by the capybara, the scarlet ibis and the giant anteater that make themselves felt when the maestro sings his sabanero song, an ode to the diverse fauna of this region, inhabited by cowboys and whose songs have been declared a World Heritage.

Today, this journey between the Llanos Orientales and country music is an intercultural dialogue where the simple and quiet life is the central axis of the melodies and ballads.

In addition to these wonderful rhythms, we have cumbia, merecumbé, bullerengue, champeta, and mapalé performances thanks to the Barranquilla Carnival, which promotes the cultural richness of the Colombian Caribbean. We will hear the flauta de millo, the bagpipes, the vallenata party with its boxes, guacharacas, accordions, and the guacherna performed by Banda de Baranoa, a group comprised by young people and adults dedicated to elevating tropical rhythms. To accompany them, Sugartone Brass from New York, will demonstrate the rhythms and wakes of the most important festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, playing rhythms which bring together accents from the Caribbean, Africa, France, and Spain, while incorporating the singing of the Native Americans. A musical conversation that links affection, territories, and the sounds of wind instruments.

And to transport us to the future, we will hear music born in Medellín. A legacy city of reggaeton and heritage of Puerto Rico's dembow, a territory with political rights granted by the U.S. Constitution. Performers of this music such as J. Balvin and Piso 21 are artists who speak today to young people, the promise for the future.

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Today, Colombia and the United States make history through this conversation between notes, rhythms, and sounds, using the power that music has over our personal and collective hopes.

It is a conversation that is just the beginning of a future full of cooperation, sustainability, and innovation for these nations that today celebrate 200 years of diplomatic history.

Catalina Ceballos Carriazo Anthropologist

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MEET THE ARTISTS Sugartone Brass Band Sugartone Brass Band has been Funkin’ up the brass band scene in New York City for over a decade. Founded by lead vocalist and percussionist, Moses Patrou, the band got its start in a basement studio in Brooklyn, NY the summer of 2002. In 2003, the band started its first residency on the Upper West Side of Manhattan at the Gin Mill on Amsterdam Ave. Since our time at the Gin Mill, Sugartone has enjoyed residencies in NYC at Jacques-Imos (also on the upper west side) Bourbon Street on Restaurant Row and Harlem Tavern.

Sugartone’s discography includes two studio albums and two live albums.

In 2007, Sugartone released its first album, “Live in Brooklyn”. The band’s first studio album, “Fourth Man Down,” was released in February of 2012.

Sugartone’s second studio album, “Things Are Not The Same,” was released on November 18, 2014. While on tour in Indiana in 2018, STBB played a show at a club in South Bend, IN called Vegetable Buddies. From this show, Sugartone recorded the band’s second live album, “Live at Vegetable Buddies” which was released in January of 2019.

The Sugartone Brass Band has appeared on MTV’s “Making the Band,” the James Beard Awards Show, BET’s “106 and Park”, the New York Burlesque Festival, CBS This Morning, ESPN Upfront, the NAMM Show and several tours across the United States.

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Banda de Baranoa Banda de Baranoa is a musical organizatio that for 26 years has trained children and young people in the Colombian Caribbean. The organization has the support of the Government of the Atlantic and is lead by maestro Hilton Escobar.

This wonderful group has become an important representative of the region, taking the sounds of the Caribbean to destinations such as the United States, Mexico, South Korea and Europe, becoming true ambassadors of the Atlantic. At the same time, it has touched the lives of over 7,000 individuals, helping them by strengthening their hearts through discipline, establishing strong values, and teaching them to understand their greatness and the greatness of their dreams.

The performers are the protagonists, but their families are also an important part of this collaborative cultural initiative: their parents tailor the garments and shoes, and provide food and transportation for performances.

In short, Banda de Baranoa is a model where art, social construction, and the desires of those who compose it, fuse harmoniously.

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MEET THE ARTISTS Carnaval Barranquilla Carnaval Barranquilla is a festive expression that generates social cohesion around traditions and folklore of the Colombian Caribbean, within an area of peaceful coexistence, enjoyment and collective catharsis.

Carnaval de Barranquilla S. A. S., is responsible for managing and leading the strengthening of the Carnival, as a Project of collective interest of the People from Barranquilla, knowing its public nature and cultural heritage. The Carnaval of Barranquilla is so rich that it was awarded the titles of “National Heritage” by the Colombian Congress, on November 26, 2001; and “Masterpiece of the Oral and dddd Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO (París), on November 7, 2003.

During Carnaval times, the city becomes the stage for a rich exhibit of folklore and tradition that comes alive in an ingenious and spontaneous festivity. The celebrations, which begin in January and end on Carnaval Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, include many events in which people from all races, creeds and social conditions participate. With remote origins in the European Carnaval, the Carnaval de Barranquilla is a festivity with its own identity and over a century-long tradition.

Its structure stems from multiple cultural influences that have made it a celebration that is no longer European, but rather the creative product resulting from the coexistence of diverse cultures – including Indian, European, and African – which have all contributed with their music, dances, costumes, masks, and more.

The Queen, the Momo King, the children’s Queen and the Popular Queen are the main characters that command the festivities. There is no protocol since each person is a participant of a folkloric group and joins as a spontaneous actor. Each plays an important role in a celebration where there is no boredom and everyone enjoys.

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Diana Burco A rising star of the explosive and multidimensional Colombian music scene, Diana Burco is a singer- songwriter and accordion player. Burco has played and studied Colombia’s traditional music since she was a child. She has traveled throughout Colombia searching out the country’s varied forms and expressions, and has studied and collaborated with the masters that interpret them.

This deep cultural fluency and her own wide-ranging contemporary explorations mark Burco as a 21st century troubadour charting an original path rooted in her country’s rich heritage.

Her debut album “Diana Burco” was nominated at the 2018 Latin Grammys for Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album, making her the first female artist to receive this distinction.

"Río abajo," her second album, was nominated for Best Contemporary Tropical Album at the 2021 Latin Grammy Awards.

Diana Burco has participated in programs and platforms around the world including One Beat Colombia, Ethno World and MAPAS (Artes Performativas del Atlántico Sur). Her debut US tour in March 2022 featured shows in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM, Burlington, VT, Great Barrington, MA, Washington, DC, West Palm Beach, FL, New York City, and Savannah, GA.

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MEET THE ARTISTS Mauro Castillo An actor, singer, trombonist, music producer and composer from Cali, Mauro Costillo has a successful career in acting and music in Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and other Latin American countries.

He has participated on television in projects such as: “El Joe the legend”- playing Wilson Manyoma, “Rafael Orozco”- as El Pana, “Pambele”- playing Tabaquito. As a presenter, he has participated in: “De Borondo with Mauro Castillo”.

In cinema, he has participated in: “Encanto” by Disney for both the English and Spanish language versions with the character Felix.

He has performed more than 2400 concerts in his professional career with a wide repertoire that includes unforgettable songs from his three albums “Bailá Salsa,” “La Receta” and “Idilios,” songs by Fruko y sus Tesos (thanks to his participation in the novel “El Joe: La Leyenda”), and songs from Grupo Niche, the iconic salsa group for which Mauro was the lead singer.

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Chabuco Jose Dario Martinez Acosta, known as “Chabuco” was born in Valledupar and has the musical heritage of his father, guitarist Hugues Martinez.

His beginning in the music world was as a vocalist in the group "LOS PELAOS", making international tours with them in Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

Throughout his career he has performed at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico, Sala Berlanga in Madrid, and the House of Blues in Stockholm. He has also played in music festivals around the world, including He for She (Mexico), Latin Billboard Showcase (Colombia), W Radio Concert (Miami), UN Concert (Mexico) and the Our Earth Awards (Colombia), where which he was nominated for Best Album of the Year in 2012.

Chabuco has collaborated with international artists such as Alejandro Sanz, Juanes, Rosana, Sole Giménez, Diego El Cigala, Rosario Flores, Fonseca, and Santiago Cruz, among many others.

He is also featured in the documentary La guitarra volar (2016), a tribute to Paco de Lucía.

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MEET THE ARTISTS La Mojarra Eléctrica La Mojarra Eléctrica, the extraordinary 9piece band, creates an eclectic mix of afro beats and traditional Colombian music.

They are one of Colombia's most influential bands.

Born in 2001, with the intention of expanding Colombia's African roots. They have been showcased in Bomm, SXSW and Womex among others.

Their style is firmly rooted in traditions specific to Colombian coastal towns and regions, from the ‘Bullerengue’, the ‘Chalupa’, and the ‘Aguabajo’ from Guapi, Timbiqui and Turnaco on the pacific side, through the region of Cauca to towns with a rich musical history on the Atlantic coast, such as San Basilio de Palenque.

The unique aquatic element of La Mojarra’s sound is produced by the ‘marimba de chonta’, a traditional instrument passed down over generations.

Along with a new sound, in 2022 they will release a brand-new album with UK based music label somos + from publishing West One Music Group.

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Rhenzy Feliz Rhenzy Feliz can currently be seen in the Amazon feature film, THE TENDER BAR, opposite Ben Affleck and Tye Sheridan with George Clooney directing. Immediately after wrapping on that, Rhenzy worked as one of the leads of Ryan Murphy’s anthology series, AMERICAN HORROR STORIES, for FX. Rhenzy starred in the Netflix feature film, ALL TOGETHER NOW. Temple Hill produced with Brett Haley directing. He also starred as the lead of Hulu’s MARVEL’S ddddddd RUNAWAYS for three seasons. Rhenzy’s first professional job was Jason Reitman’s award winning dramedy for Hulu, CASUAL, which he booked during his senior year of high school. He ended up doing 9 out of 13 episodes of the Emmy nominated series and hasn’t stopped working since.

Rhenzy also voices the character of ‘Camilo Madrigal’ in Disney’s much anticipated feature film Encanto, with songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

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MEET THE ARTISTS Carolina Gaitán Carolina Gaitán (La Gaita) is a Colombian actress, singer and songwriter. Through her art, she represents the energy and charm of Latin women.

Performing in a great variety of shows, songs, series and films, Carolina has shown that through her passion she can bring dancing, singing and acting together to impress any audience.

Her Colombian identity remains so characteristic for her projects, that she is the voice of Pepa (in English and Spanish), from Encanto, the first Disney film focused on the country's culture. Not only as a voice actress, but a singer of the movie’s musical hit “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”.

Taking a part in series like “Sin Senos Si Hay Paraíso” and “Celia”, as well as in international productions such as “The Greatest Showman”, and her main character performance in american movies such as “QuickSand” and “Second Chances” (soon to be released), she has proved that her talent has no borders.

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Betty Garcés The extraordinary Soprano Betty Garcés is based in Europe, North and South America. As the first Afro-Colombian who performs a growing career as a lyric singer specialized in Lied, Concert, Chamber Music and Opera at the international level, she has traveled the five continents sharing her deep musical curiosity performing in Opera productions, Concerts and Recitals in venues around the globe.

She was honored in 2021 with the high Artistic recognition to cultural merit from the Colombian President and the Ministry of Culture. She is one of the Forbes Creative 2020 and currently she owned the RWLE Möller Stiftung special Emerging Artist Residence Scholarship in Germany.

Betty is considered by many an ambassador of hope. Her story is full of events, anecdotes, and valuable experiences that she wants to share especially with people in disadvantaged socioeconomic conditions, hoping it can help generations, their public, and young artists be filled with inspiration, hope, strength, worth, and the certainty that it is possible to move forward and achieve dreams in spite of the adverse conditions.

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MEET THE ARTISTS Billy Gilman Billy Gilman is a an American Music Award winner, 2-time Grammy Nominee and has sold 10 million albums worldwide. Starting as a young country artist, he is known for his debut single "One Voice", a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. He has released five albums, ncluding three for Epic Nashville.

In 2016, Gilman auditioned for season 11 of the US edition of The Voice and competed as part of Team Adam Levine, finishing as runner-up for the season.

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Morgan James Morgan James is a Juilliard trained singer, Broadway actress, songwriter and recording artist in New York City.

As a soloist, Morgan has appeared with orchestras around the world, and has toured her own music with her soul band throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

Morgan has released four studio albums of original music, and several other albums of covers; most recently she produced and starred in an all-female concept album of “Jesus Christ Superstar”. Her music is available on all streaming platforms.

On Broadway, Morgan was in five back-to-back original companies. With viral sensation Postmodern Jukebox and her own channel, Morgan’s music videos have accumulated more than 250 million views. For information, please visit www.morganjamesonline.com

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MEET THE ARTISTS Patti LaBelle Beautiful, simply does not describe the incomparable force known to the world as Patti LaBelle. Through the years, the songbird’s name has become synonymous with grace, style, and class. Her effortless ability to belt out classic rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards and spiritual sonnets has created the unique platform of versatility that the artist is known and revered for.

For almost 60 years, Patti’s strong and soulful voice has left an indelible mark all over the world. This Philadelphia born entertainer captured her first hit in 1962, as lead singer of The BlueBelles and went on to receive worldwide acclaim with the trailblazing and genre bending trio, Labelle. A solo artist since the 1970s, Patti has created timeless songs that have helped cement her place as a music icon and garnered her numerous honors, including GRAMMY Awards, American Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, New York Times bestselling books and more.

From music, to film and TV, to books, to her successful food and lifestyle brand, Patti’s Good Life, living legend Patti LaBelle has shown her diversity and continued to break down barriers as an artist, entertainer, actress, author and entrepreneur.

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The American Pops Orchestra APO was founded in 2015 with a mission to build community through the preservation, promotion, and reimagination of dd American popular music. Through live and virtual performances, educational initiatives and collaborations, APO makes the highest quality art accessible to the broadest audiences. Seeing an opportunity to challenge the status-quo of the repertoire an orchestra performs, Founder and Music Director, Luke Frazier, created The American Pops with the intent of breaking the mold of the traditional pops orchestra. This new, distinctly “American” orchestra brings together versatile musicians and reimagined programming focused around American Popular music, and presents it with an approachable, fresh spin in order to engage diverse audiences and make attending a live orchestral show fun again. Through non-traditional orchestral settings, APO aims to deliver popular American classics to those who already know and love them, while also introducing these timeless pieces to younger generations in approachable settings. To learn more, visit www.TheAmericanPops.org.

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MEET THE ARTISTS Piso 21 Piso 21 is a music band formed by four guys from Medellín-Colombia: Dim, Pablito, Profe and Lordu.

They have been in the music scene for 15 years now.

Piso 21 is the embodiment of love in the times of twerking. It is the music that sings to love and heartbreak. It is the music that does not demean women. It is the music that makes you shout until your voice is gone.

These are guys that are constantly reminding their peers that achieving dreams is possible, through hard work, discipline, and passion.

Piso 21 is synonymous with humility, talent, and brotherhood.

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Victoria Saavedra Victoria Saavedra is a Colombian artist who spends her time between Sao Paulo and Bogotá. During the last 15 years she has maintained a very close relationship with diverse regional sounds, especially from the Colombian Pacific and Brazilian popular music.

She was also part of the Petronio Alvarez Festival in 2007 and 2009 with the band "Pambil". As well as several workshops in the United States with emblematic figures of the music scene such as Bobby McFerrin, Nancy King and Laurie Antonioli. As far as the Brazilian music scene goes, she has managed to establish herself, being part of projects such as Orquesta K, the show Mar Alto, a partnership with the dancer Marina Abib, Candombá, and the web series Latinas. She has shared stage and made appearances with Samuca e a Selva, Luedji Luna, Anna Tréa, Mateus Porto, Ékò Afrobeat, Quimbará, and Barroso, among others.

In 2022 she released her second album "Peripecias" where her musical composition stands out as a journey through Afro-Latin rhythms.

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MEET THE ARTISTS Hannah Shea Mezzo-soprano and Pennsylvania native Hannah Shea is thrilled to be a Cafritz Young Artists with the Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center for their 20212022 season. In her first months at the Kennedy Center Hannah has made her debut with the National Symphony Orchestra as the alto soloist in the Mozart dd Requiem under the baton of Maestro Gianandrea Noseda. She also sang Mercédès in the Torreador scene from Bizet's Carmen on the 44th Annual Kennedy Center Honors in tribute to bass-baritone Justino Diaz. She just made her mainstage debut with WNO as Mercédès in Carmen in the spring of 2022.

Hannah was recently a finalist in Houston Grand Opera’s (HGO) prestigious Eleanor McCollum Competition, Pittsburgh Festival Opera’s Mildred Miller International Voice Competition, and the 2020 Houston Saengerbund Awards. Additionally, she performed in HGO’s virtual outreach production of Katie: The Strongest of the Strong by Faye Chiao in the fall of 2020.

Hannah holds her master’s degree from Rice University and her bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University.

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Herencia de Timbiquí Herencia de Timbiquí formed in Colombia in early 2000. The group is comprised of Afro-descendant artists who created the band to revive the empirical musical knowledge of the Pacific region of Colombia and mix it with elements of dfdjff contemporary and urban music to produce a sound centered on the Black roots of the Colombian Pacific coast.

In the beginning, the band interpreted Pacific music more traditionally with instruments such as the Marimba, Bombo Beater, Screeching Bass Drum, Cununo, Three Voices and the Guasa for the interpretation of traditional Colombian genres (Currulao, Bunde, Play, Lullaby, Abozaos, Bereju, Bambazu and joint among others). To achieve its distinction, the band explored more original sounds and mixed them with the typical instruments of the region, adding instruments in conventional orchestral pieces such as bass, keyboards, trumpet, sax, electric guitar and drums.

The founding members of Herencia de Timbiquí collect musical elements typical of the knowledge of the Afro-descendant families Amu and Carabalí that have transcended generations.

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MEET THE ARTISTS Laura Tobón Laura Tobón is a renowned Colombian model, journalist and businesswoman. She is known for her appearances on the main runways and magazine covers of the country, and for her role as TV host of important national and international shows such as La Voz Kids, Teens, Alrededor del mundo en 80 risas, and Say Yes to the Dress. She also has her own brand of stationary, Laura Tobón Shop.

She is the author of the book La magia está dentro de ti, released in 2016, in which she talks about her personal story, and where she addresses topics such as inner strength, well-being, balancing of body and mind, happiness, and how to be always improving oneself. Laura Tobón has a YouTube channel with around 300,000 subscribers in which she shares her personal stories. She has received the TV y Novelas Award twice: in 2018 for best variety host, and in 2016 for best entertainment host.

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LLANERO FOLKLORE YOUTH COLLECTIVE OF THE META REGION The llanero folklore, and its music and dance, are ever present in the early years of all children in the Meta region. This group of young people of the llanero folklore are part of the “Cabrestero” Academy of Artistic and Cultural Education. The "Cabestrero" is a cultural institution, with a history of nearly two decades, directed by renowned dancer and choreographer Gustavo Erledy Vasquez Maldonado. Focusing mainly on the llanera or joropo styles of dance, the choreography places an emphasis on Colombian folklore. The Academy is recognized as the premier school for these dance styles, and was won more than a hundred awards and titles at various llanera dance competitions, meets and festivals across the country and abroad.

The Academy works to create highly artistic musical shows, being invited to different national and international events, including: International Joropo Tournament, Santa Barbara de Arauca Festival, Bicentennial of Colombia In Panama, International Meeting of Harps Coatepec Veracruz - Mexico, Flowers Fair, Anato Fair, Colombian Independence Celebrations in Boston Massachusetts, and in Lima - Peru, National Rodeo Cup Opening ceremony Rio Negro - Antioquia, Expomilano 2015 - Italy, and Richmond Folk Festival.

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MEET THE ARTISTS Cholo Valderrama Wilson Orlando ''Cholo' Valderrama Aguilar is a composer and singer of llanera music. A poet and singer by nature, he was born in Sogamoso Boyacá on August 22, 1951, and is based in San Luis de Palenque Casanare, where, just days after being born, he adopted the customs and personality of the plainsman.

He is one of the most outstanding singer-songwriters of the plains of Colombia and Venezuela, with a successful 40-year musical career and more than 25 record productions to his credit since 1978. He has established himself as the most recognized composer and performer of llanero folklore worldwide.

With his Creole musical style, Cholo Valderrama has toured the planet as an ambassador of llanera music. He has performed in countries such as China, Russia, the United States, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela, among others.

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Wilmer Valderrama Actor, producer and activist Wilmer Valderrama has been making audiences laugh, listen and think for nearly two decades.

Perhaps most recognized for his role as exchange student ‘Fez’ on the Emmynominated series That 70s Show, the role catapulted him to stardom and garnered numerous awards.

Valderrama currently stars in the #1 TV drama NCIS on CBS, and it was recently announced that he is developing a live action “Zorro” series at Disney Branded Television in which he will star and executive produce. The project both marks the return of Zorro to the Disney family as well as a lifelong dream for Valderrama to bring this iconic character to life. On the big screen, he was most recently lent his voice to the hit Academy Awardwinning Disney animated film Encanto, which topped the box office and has become a cultural phenomenon.

Along with Valderrama’s activity in several philanthropic agencies, serving as co-founder of HARNESS, board member of Voto Latino and spokesperson for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), he is also deeply involved with our military. Last year, he was named a USO Global Ambassador in support of the organization’s 80th anniversary.

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Colombian President Iván Duque and US President Joe Biden The White House | Washington, DC March 10th, 2022