Ep#43 Juan Carvajal, Director La Salsa Vive Documentary (Keeping Salsa Alive)

Ep#43 Juan Carvajal, Director La Salsa Vive Documentary (Keeping Salsa Alive)

In this episode of the Amiga Mía Talk Show, Colombian filmmaker Juan Carvajal shares the story behind La Salsa Vive, the documentary he spent almost eight years bringing to the screen. Born in Cali, Colombia, Juan travelled through Cuba, Puerto Rico, New York and Colombia to document the people, sounds and communities that shaped salsa into a global cultural force. The conversation explores how salsa has created belonging, opportunity and hope for young people living through poverty, violence and limited opportunities. In many communities, dance and music have offered another path forward and, in some cases, helped save lives. Juan also speaks about interviewing salsa icons including Rubén Blades and Willie Rosario, taking the film on a year long international tour and watching audiences across the world connect with its message. This conversation covers: • The roots of salsa across the Caribbean, New York and Colombia • Salsa as a source of identity, resilience and community • The eight year journey behind La Salsa Vive • Juan’s encounters with some of salsa’s most influential figures • How salsa continues to connect communities across generations and borders Juan Carvajal is a filmmaker from Cali, Colombia, and the director of La Salsa Vive. His work celebrates the artists, histories and communities that continue to carry salsa around the world. Subscribe to Amiga Mía for Latin and Hispanic culture, entertainment and stories from Australia to the world.

Ep#42 | Dayaní: From Ecuador to Australia, Building Latin Music and Finding Her Voice Through Alma

Meet la chica de la mitad del mundo. Ecuadorian-Australian singer-songwriter Dayaní joins Michelle on The Amiga Mía Talk Show for a heartfelt conversation about migration, music, identity and finding your way back to yourself. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador and raised in Australia, Dayaní opens up about growing up between cultures, family sacrifice, belonging, releasing Spanish-language music in Australia, and the inspiration behind her new single Alma. She also reflects on building community within Australia’s Latin music scene, working with collaborators in Ecuador, and why representation matters for the next generation of Latin artists. Released during the FIFA World Cup 2026 season, Alma is a powerful reminder that hope, courage and determination can take us further than we imagine. In this episode: • Dayaní’s journey from Ecuador to Australia • Growing up between cultures • Family, migration and belonging • Building a Latin music career in Australia • The making of Alma • Ecuadorian culture and community • Representation and visibility • The future of Latin music in Australia Alma is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Music and all major platforms.You can also watch the official music video on Dayaní's YouTube channel. [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCONXgEonC_vbJXYIEQgBSnA/videos] Follow Dayaní on social media: @dayanibaby [https://www.instagram.com/itsdayanibaby/] Read the full feature article at www.amigamia.com.au [http://www.amigamia.com.au] Pull up a chair and follow The Amiga Mía Talk Show for more conversations celebrating Latin American culture, community, creativity and stories from across Australia and beyond.

Ep#41 | Paraguay, migration, Latin America and Impacts of AI with Luján De Felice

In this episode, I chat with Luján De Felice, Paraguayan-born marketer, entrepreneur and Latin community advocate based in Melbourne, Australia. We discuss the evolution of AI and the impacts on the global Latin community, connections between Paraguay and Australia, including the upcoming World Cup game and her love story with her Partner Owen, an Aussie , who travelled to Paraguay and they later both moved to Australia. Luján: https://lujandefelice.com/ [https://lujandefelice.com/] Content warning: This episode contains a discussion of assault including a minor.

Ep#40 | Latin & Brazilian Australian Actors from Hollywood Film Balls up

Meet Brazilian Australian actor Will Santana and Venezuelan Australian actor William Blanco Medina, who have been casted as Hench men, Brazilian thugs in the new comedy-action Hollywood film called Balls Up by Mark Wahlberg. This movie was partly filmed in Queensland, Australia and the casting included many Latin & Brazilian Australian extras. Welcome to Australia’s first media outlet that celebrates Latin & Hispanic entertainment and cultura. Proudly female-founded in 2017. ⁠www.amigamia.com.au [http://www.amigamia.com.au]⁠ #ballsup #actioncomedy #latinaustralian #venezuelanaustralian #brazilianaustralian #ballsupmovie #latinoactors #brazilianactors

Ep#39 | Benito en Australia Concerts,A Cultural Reflection with Nuyorican, Monica

In this ep we chat all things cultural heritage of Puerto Rico, the significance of Latin music, and the powerful impact of Benito's DtMF concerts in Australia through the perspective of Monica, a Nuyorican (New Yorker with Puerto Rican/Cuban heritage) traveller. Plus insights on identity, gentrification, and cultural appreciation. Guest name: Monica, You Wanna Do What [https://www.instagram.com/youwannadowhat/?hl=en] Instagram: @soy_amigamia [https://www.instagram.com/soy_amigamia/?hl=en] Welcome to Australia’s first media outlet that celebrates Latin & Hispanic entertainment and cultura. Proudly female-founded in 2017. www.amigamia.com.au [https://www.amigamia.com.au/] Resources * DtMF Official Website [https://www.debitirarmasfotos.com/] * Puerto Rican Cultural Heritage [https://www.puertorico.com/] * Gentrification and Cultural Preservation Studies [https://www.urbanstudiesjournal.com/tag/displacement-gentrification/] * First Nations Land Acknowledgment in Australia [https://www.indigenous.gov.au/acknowledgement-country]