Karim & Mara are soulmate homies that met in their late youth and quickly discovered that Cairo and Miami culture bleed into each other in magic ways. Discoteca 3ala Mars presents explorations of musical lineages between Masr, the 305 and the broader musical traditions of the surrounding regions and cultures. The intention is to explore and enjoy sounds that shape the experiences of third culture kids outside of the places they’re from.

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Happy Pride! It’s summertime here in Los Angeles and we are in the streets, at the day parties, at direct actions, celebrating histories of resistance in community all around. This month, Wadood & Bitchimawitchh sat with Cumbia Bike Club, discussing their powerful movement of bicycling alongside the LA River and other intentional spaces. Afterwards, we all collaborated on a playlist of favorite cumbias(+bops) frequently heard along the ride, as well as some D3M faves.

Cumbia Bike Club is a decolonial and anti-imperialist bike collective of and for BIPOC femmes, gender-expansive and queer folks. We formed from the need to reclaim our power and foster safe and welcoming bike rides. We ride with the goal of using our bikes as tools for collective liberation in intersectional movements. We began riding as a group of friends in 2022, seeking routes connecting us with the land and water. These friendships laid the foundation for grassroots political action and inviting in the broader Los Angeles bicycle community.