Long overlooked, Riverside Airport is emerging as a hub for innovation, education and community—offering a powerful runway for the city’s future growth.
Friday night’s Quitapenas show at the Farm House Collective represents more than just a record release for the Inland Empire-based band. In a recent Instagram post, the group described their approach as “joy as resistance,” creating spaces where people can “dance, breathe, and hold each other up” during challenging times.
You don’t need to speak Spanish to understand the message behind Quitapenas’ music. It’s about joy, dancing, community, and spirit. Their swirling melodies and pulsing rhythms dare you to stand still—and in trying times, their message has never felt more urgent.
“Our band is called Quitapenas, which means to remove your worries,” the band wrote. “We believe in celebrating ourselves—not to ignore what’s happening, but to remember why we fight in the first place.”
The new EP, titled Retumba—meaning “to echo, to resound, to make noise”—marks a shift from the clean, reverb-heavy guitar tones of their 2015 self-titled album. Drummer Eddie Valencia said the change reflects deeper study of their musical roots.
“Over the years, we’ve tried to give the textures a grittier feel,” Valencia said. “We’ve come to better understand how some of the music we love—like champeta, soukous, and Caribbean guitar sounds from Haiti—use different effects to create a specific vibe and texture.”
That evolution is captured in the new single “Que Tumbao”, which features a music video directed by longtime collaborator Richie Velasquez. The director, who has worked with the band for years, said he wanted to show “how animated the band feels through my eyes.”
“I love blending humor with meaning,” Velasquez said. “Sometimes the message is light and playful, like ‘es not that deep,’ but other times, ‘it es that deep.’”
Formed in 2011, Quitapenas grew out of a shared love for dance rhythms from the tropical Afro-Latin diaspora. The band draws from the musical traditions of Angola, Peru, Colombia, and Brazil, creating what they describe as “rhythmic contagion” that invites audiences to engage with liberation through music.
The Farm House Collective is a converted 1953 motor court that opened earlier this year and has hosted acts including the Allah-Las, Wand, and Souls of Mischief. The venue offers dining, retail, and concert space in restored motel buildings.
Retumba is streaming now on all major platforms. Vinyl records and merchandise will be available at the show, and the band said they are working to bring community resources to attendees.
More information: Quitapenas’ album release party with El Santo Golpe takes place Friday, June 13, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Farm House Collective, 1393 University Ave. Tickets are available at farmhousecollective.com/events.
California Baptist University opens ticket sales earlier than ever for its popular performing arts lineup, encouraging Riverside families to secure seats now for a season of musicals, plays, and a beloved holiday tradition.
