BETHLEHEM, Pa. — There was no doubt whose barrio it was when Pascuala Ilabaca took the stage at Zoellner Arts Center on Friday night.
Singing hits such as "Sabor de mi barrio" and "Te Traigo Flores," Ilabaca and her band, Fauna, livened the audience on a rainy night.
Because of the smaller crowd, Ilabaca's beautiful vibrato flowed freely as she held onto long notes.Pascuala Ilabaca took the stage at Zoellner Arts Center
They were moments of encouragement as she summoned the crowd from their orchestra seats and asked them to dance with her close to the stage.
While only about 250 people were in attendance, Ilabaca's presence matched what you would see and hear in a big arena.
In fact, because of the smaller crowd, Ilabaca's beautiful vibrato flowed freely as she held onto long notes, especially as she sang deeply written ballads in her native Spanish, such as 2024's "Me Patearon."
Cultural animations and photos on a jumbo screen matched each song — a nod to her indigenous heritage and Valparaíso, a seaport city to where she moved as a child.
Accordion, cumbia sound
It wasn't just her voice that set the tone.
Members of Fauna, the Chilean singer's band, included a trumpeter, saxophone player, bassist and guitarist.
For some jazzy and upbeat songs, she used an accordion and keyboard — essential elements of music that blend the sounds of South America with South Asia, as in 2018's "El Baile del Kkoyaruna."
Her "Cumbia Dos Los Vientos" from her newest album, "Poética Bailable Vol. 1," was another crowd pleaser.
"They don't teach as much about her critical side, her poetic deepness. They just teach us about the superficial part of her work."Pascuala Ilabaca, speaking about poet Gabriela Mistral
Ilalbaca paid tribute to a fellow Chilean, distinguished poet Gabriela Mistral, with a euphonious version of Mistral's poem "El Tierras Blanca de Sed."
Mistral passed in 1957 and in 1945 was the first Spanish-speaking woman to win the Nobel Prize for poetry.
"She was so inspiring for women that came after her, and she was a very critical woman," Ilabaca said.
"They don't teach as much about her critical side, her poetic deepness. They just teach us about the superficial part of her work."
Rising star
As a songwriter/poet, Ilabaca may not be as celebrated as Mistral.
However, her star is still rising, especially in the United States, where she continues to build a fan base (she has more admirers globally, notably in Europe and South America).
Unsurprisingly, in 2016, theValparaíso native was awarded the Pulsar Primeros award in Chile, the country's version of the Grammy Awards.
As she wrapped up the set, those in the first rows begged Ilabaca y Fauna for an encore.
Yes, a 90-minute setlist wasn't enough to showcase the vast talent.
To learn more about her U.S. tour, visitIlabaca's Instagram page.
