Sign This ft. Santiago Vázquez & La Maquina
afrogrooves presents
09
September
2026
Following the highly successful edition on July 11, Sign This returns to Cinetol for a special evening of fully improvised, danceable live music. This edition is extra special: Santiago Vázquez, the Argentine creator of the musical sign language Rhythm and Percussion with Signs, will be there in person to conduct the band.
Under his direction, Afrogrooves will create a unique musical journey on the spot, where grooves, breaks, and compositions emerge in the moment—no setlist, entirely guided by hand signals. Although this system was originally developed for percussion, Afrogrooves applies it to a full afrobeat band, resulting in a rich, layered, and energetic sound that blends afrobeat, funk, jazz, and improvisation. No two concerts are the same.
La Maquina, the The Hague-based percussion ensemble led by Iván Gianakis, will also be part of this special evening. With thirteen percussionists, instruments from all over the world, and the same Rhythm and Percussion with Signs language, La Maquina delivers a hypnotic mix of traditional rhythms, modern grooves, and collective improvisation. The meeting between both ensembles and Santiago Vázquez promises to be a unique musical experience.
Sign This is a project by the Afrogrooves Foundation, in collaboration with the Rhythm With Signs NL Foundation, and is part of a series of concerts centered on the power of improvisation, rhythm, and musical connection.
Want to learn the signs and join in? Take part in the workshop on Wednesday, July 29, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, at Sportstraat 42, Amsterdam!
