Petronio Alvarez Festival

The festival started in 1997 and is named for Petronio Alvarez, a composer from Buenaventura. It brings the music of Colombia's Pacific coast - a region that is overwhelmingly Afro-Colombian, geographically isolated and historically neglected - into Cali, which has a large population with roots there. The central instrument is the marimba de chonta, built from the wood of a palm with bamboo resonators, played with cununo and bombo drums and guasá shakers; UNESCO listed the marimba music and traditional chants of the Pacific in 2010. Four competition categories cover marimba ensembles, chirimia, violines caucanos and free format. Alongside the music, the festival features Pacific food, viche - a cane spirit long made informally and now regulated - and dress.

What you actually see

• Marimba de chonta ensembles - the central Pacific instrument.
• Four competition categories - marimba, chirimia, violines and free format.
• Pacific food and viche - the cane spirit of the region.
• A UNESCO-listed music tradition - the marimba and chants, listed 2010.

When to go

August, over roughly a week. Several days.

Honest expectations

It is a large festival and tickets for the main nights sell out. Accommodation in Cali fills that week. It is loud and crowded. The music is competitive rather than a concert programme.

Nearby

Cali's San Antonio is central; Buenaventura is west on the coast.