Celebrating Día de la Canción Criolla in Lima This October
October 31st in Peru is not just Halloween, but also Día de la Canción Criolla, Creole Music Day, which honors the unique blend of African, Spanish, and Andean music that has characterized the Peruvian coast since the colonial period. The genre includes the graceful national dance of Peru, the marinera, as well as the upbeat festejo, the bluesy landó, the vals criolla waltz, and the zamacueca, among others. Its superstars include the internationally renowned Susana Baca, Eva Ayllon, and Chabuca Granda.
To complement the melodies of instrumentssuch as the Spanish guitar and accordion, musicians employ rhythmic instruments such the Peruvian cajón box, castanets, and the quijada, which is made of a donkey’s jaw. During dances like the marinera, dancers may tap their feet on the floor and wave handkerchiefs, while during the more African-influenced dances they frenetically bounce their hips and shoulders back and forth.
If you’re on a backpacker’s budget but want 
to get into the spirit, make your way towards the picturesque Barranco District, right by Miraflores, Lima. Chabuca Granda is one of the artists who made Barranco famous. Crossing the wooden Bridge of Sighs, you’ll find her statue in the Parra del Riego Plaza, by the chapel stairs and the gardens. For just some small change, street musicians in Chabuca drag will play you some of her hits.
San Isidro district will be presenting a free open-air show the night before, on Oct 30th, from 5pm, in the Andrés Avelino Cáceres Park. The artists presenting include Cecilia Barraza, Lucy Avilés, Pepe Villalobos, Los Aguirre, and Carmen Flores. Aside from the music, you can expect dancing and traditional dishes from tamales to the purple 
corn dessert mazamorra morada.
If you have a little money to spend, the peñas offer traditional food, drink, live music and dancing. Many of the larger ones, such as De Rompe y Raja and Peña El Carajo, often present special lineups on this day. Depending on the day, some Lima city tours conclude with a peña visit.