Stories that inspire. During the pandemic you had to do whatever it takes to survive and support the family. Iván Castilla (40) was no exception. He, along with Christian Saldaña, formed ‘Son Pandemia’the first clown orchestra in Peru in February 2021. Now they do artistic shows with their colorful costumes and inevitable red nose in different parts of Lima and sing from salsa to reggaeton. Recently, Ángel Belahonia, a talented young man with the timbales, joined the group. They are always in the company of their faithful little red motorbike, which helps them transport their musical instruments. On this occasion we find them doing their thing in Independencia. We speak with Ivan.
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Iván, was it a long road to form ‘Son Pandemia’?
If I told you Before ‘Son Pandemia’ I dedicated myself to doing many things. I was a producer of events, but with the health emergency everything was closed and I was left without a job. I had to take something home, so I started selling masks and alcohol, then vegetables and fruits, and finally Chinese products on a motorcycle. I needed to earn every day.
Chinese products…
Yes, but to differentiate myself from the others, I dressed like a Chinese, with my suit and hat. And he also spoke like a Chinese, ha ha ha. Then, since I couldn’t sell on the street anymore, I rented a stall in a market. Months after it opened, I met some clown friends and they told me that they put on shows in the streets and they were doing well. I did not hesitate and went with them.
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When did this clown orchestra emerge?
It was in February 2021, after all the jobs I told you about (laughs). I got together with Christian and we formed the first clown orchestra in Peru. We put on our colorful costumes and the inevitable red nose, from there we began to play the instruments and sing from salsa, merengue, ballads, to reggaeton. Now people ask for that rhythm and we must be updated (laughs). Ángel joined recently, he is a very talented young man with the timpani, he has come to complement the group very well.
An anecdote with ‘Son Pandemic’ that you remember…
One day a boy called us at 10 in the morning to play at a wake. I explained to him that we were clowns with red noses, that perhaps he was mistaken for an orchestra. And he told me no, that his mother had seen us in a market a few weeks ago and she had a lot of fun with us. That’s why he wanted us to play at her wake. At that moment we tried to improvise a song and I remember it was one of Los Pasteles Verdes.
What is it for you to be a clown?
I am happy and I have fun as you can not imagine. Also, I love bringing joy to the streets with our swing and charisma.
How do we locate them?
You can visit our Facebook (They are Pandemic)we are also on Instagram and TikTok.
Clown orchestra. Photos: Alan Ramirez.
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