Dance and help children at the same time? Sounds like a pretty great idea. That’s exactly what happens every year—on November 20 and 21 in 2026—at Amerikahaus Munich. At the Great Solidarity Concerts for Latin America, Argentine Tango, cumbia, salsa, and folk music come together. A festival of joie de vivre! And best of all: all proceeds go to children’s aid projects in Latin America.
How it began: A pianist, a piano, and the Andes
The story behind the charity concert begins in Peru. The idea came from concert pianist Juan José Chuquisengo, who has lived mainly in Munich for decades. Whenever he visited his country of origin, Peru, he would give charity concerts for various social causes.
More than ten years ago, he also began taking his piano to remote villages in the Peruvian Andes, at altitudes of several thousand meters. There, he played for people, some of whom lived in abject poverty. Some had never even seen a piano. They had no access to classical music, whose creators—such as Beethoven and Bach—composed expressly for all humanity. That’s why Juan wanted to bring this kind of music to them!
Since 2012, he has played there around 120 times for free, whether performing a classical concert in a church or leading a playful activity with children—who were often allowed to try the instrument themselves.
Musical journeys
The Süddeutsche Zeitung has also reported on these journeys and the charity concert project. Chuquisengo, who grew up in Lima during a time of great economic instability, says that he was still shocked by the poverty in the villages of the Andes.
These encounters gave him the idea of organizing charity concerts in Munich too, to support the work of people on the ground. If you’d like to get a sense of it, there’s a lovely YouTube video about his “Travesías musicales”—the musical journeys.
The charity concert weekend at a glance
If you enjoy going dancing or simply want to experience a concert that offers more than just great music, read on. We’ll tell you what to expect over the two evenings, who’s behind it all, and why this charity concert in Munich has long been a small institution. Before we get into the details, here are the key facts at a glance:
- When: Friday, November 20, and Saturday, November 21, 2026
- Where: Amerikahaus Munich, Karolinenplatz 3
- Friday: Milonga Solidaria with live tango, performances, and a free tango lesson
- Saturday: 8th Great Solidarity Concert for Latin America with folk music, Cuban salsa, and a Fiesta Latina afterward
- Benefiting: All proceeds go to children’s projects in Patagonia (Argentina) and Cusco (Peru)
This year marks the concert’s eighth edition. New this year is Friday’s milonga, which opens the event and is specifically aimed at the tango community.
Friday, November 20: Milonga Solidaria for all tango fans
Friday is “La Noche del Tango.” The Milonga Solidaria invites you not only to delight in the embrace of your dance partner, but also to include vulnerable children in Argentina and Peru in that embrace. Dance for a good cause! Here’s the evening’s program:
- From 6 p.m.: Doors open
- 6:45 p.m.: Tango lesson, free with Oscar Busso from the tango school
- 7:30 p.m.: Milonga begins – with Quinteto Garufa
DJ Nestor Marino will provide the music selection on vinyl records. The Quinteto Garufa will also take to the stage live, accompanied by guest singer Ximena Mariño. This ensemble has been playing at Munich milongas and concert halls for years, and anyone who has danced to their music will know why (more about the five musicians below).
There will also be dance performances by two couples who are well known in the Munich scene: Gustavo Gómez and Daniela Molina, who teach together as Vive Tango (he is from Argentina, she is from Colombia), as well as Anabella Belmonte and Esequiel Maiolo, who run their own dance schools in Munich, Anabella Tango and DNA Tango.
Tickets: €27 in advance, €30 at the door.
Saturday, November 21: The 8th Great Solidarity Concert for Latin America
On Saturday, the concert takes you on a grand tour of Latin America. The colorful program spans the entire continent. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the concert runs from 6 to 9 p.m. (with an intermission). Then, from 9 p.m. to midnight, it flows seamlessly into the Fiesta Latina, where everyone can dance and celebrate. Latin American snacks and drinks are part of the occasion, as always.
Performing on stage:
- Leonardo Mosqueda & Grupo Cantos with Argentine malambo, chacarera, and bombo percussion
- Vibra Perú! with music from the Andes, the Amazon region, and Afro-Peru, featuring Juan José Chuquisengo, among others
- Buena Vida with musical styles from across Latin America and special guests
- Zambo Con Son with Cuban salsa performed by a twelve-piece band
Tickets: €32 in advance, €35 at the door.
Where do the proceeds go?
The answer is simple: every cent goes to children’s aid projects. In 2026, these are two initiatives:
- AFyDA in Patagonia, Argentina
- Los Niños del Arcoiris in Cusco, Peru
Every year, the charity concert supports two children’s aid projects in two different Latin American countries. So far, it has supported more than fourteen projects in eight countries, raising over €70,000. This year, the organizers hope to break the €100,000 mark. Your ticket can help make that happen!
Transparency: Your money reaches the projects
Unfortunately, corruption is widespread in Latin America. That’s why the organizers take special care to ensure that donations go directly to the projects. They maintain personal contact with the initiatives they support and, in many cases, deliver the money themselves or through trusted individuals. The project page for the Munich Solidarity Concerts has detailed information and documentation about the handover of donations.
From Hasenbergl to Amerikahaus: How the charity concert grew
Friends and acquaintances were soon enthusiastic about the idea, including people from Latin America living in Munich and many Munich residents who are passionate about South America, its culture, and its musical styles. In 2017, the first “Great Solidarity Concert for Latin America” took place at the Hasenbergl cultural center. The proceeds went to two projects in Peru that Juan knew personally.
But from the outset, it was clear that the vision should encompass all of Latin America. Teresa Brunnmüller, who now leads the organizing team together with Juan José, has helped make that possible. As a teenager, she spent her summer holidays in Quito, Ecuador, later stayed there for a whole year, and learned Spanish. The two met at a tango salon in Munich. She wanted to support aid projects focused on children, and together they decided to open the solidarity concert to the entire cultural region.
What began as a small event grew year by year. Since 2023, Amerikahaus Munich has been a permanent cooperation partner. Behind the concert series is a team of people from various Latin American countries and Germany, supported by many volunteers. Their mission: to do what they can and love for the children of Latin America—organize concerts! The project is set to keep growing, and the first plans for 2027 are already underway.
Quinteto Garufa: Tango music at the highest level
The Munich tango scene also knows the two charity concert founders as members of Quinteto Garufa. Originally founded as Baldosa Floja by Achim Arbandt, the ensemble has performed in its current lineup since 2019. The musicians have roots in Latin America and Europe, and, like tango itself, they are a melting pot. They play Argentine Tango in all its facets, with precision and dedication, melancholy and longing, but also tenderness and passion.
The group’s repertoire ranges from the great orchestras of the “Guardia Vieja” of the early 20th century to “Tango Nuevo,” made famous around the world by Astor Piazzolla. Light and darkness define this musical style, and its contrasts keep it musically alive. Special highlights include the impressive compositions of Juan José Chuquisengo.
James Ogle
Beate Fischer
Teresa Brunnmüller
Juan Chuquisengo
Horst Dehnicke
Meet the five musicians
James Ogle (violin) has played the violin since the age of four and now focuses primarily on tango music. Regular stays in Buenos Aires and collaborations with Argentine musicians have shaped his playing. He has performed and recorded with international projects such as “El Farabute,” “Duo Tanzango,” and “Narcotango.”
Beate Fischer (second violin) has played the violin since the age of six, studied in Halle and Dresden, and held a position with the Halle Philharmonic Orchestra. She has demonstrated her versatility in a rock band, a Latin ensemble, and classical chamber music groups.
Teresa Brunnmüller (bandoneon) has been making music since the age of five. She discovered Latin America’s musical diversity through the accordion, and later found Argentine tango. She took bandoneon lessons in Buenos Aires. The instrument’s distinctive rhythms, delicate melodies, and unmistakable sound continue to fascinate her to this day.
Juan José Chuquisengo (piano) is one of Latin America’s leading pianists, with performances in more than 50 countries and internationally acclaimed CD recordings. As a composer, he is at home in world music, with a focus on Latin American musical styles and tango. He initially learned by ear, later attended the conservatory, and continued his studies in Germany and Italy.
Horst Dehnicke (bass) was introduced to tango music at an early age, as his mother was Argentine. After playing the violin, he made the double bass his main instrument. He initially played classical music with the ABACO Orchestra Munich. When he joined the tango ensemble “Cuarteto Kilombo,” featuring solo bandoneon player Roberto Diaz, in 2007, his passion for the style grew.
A painting as a symbol
One special treasure held by the team is a portrait of a cheerful boy wearing traditional Peruvian clothing, painted in oil on canvas. It was created by a 14-year-old artist named Willians from the “Wawa Etxea” orphanage, which received support from some of the concert proceeds. When Juan José visited in 2018 to deliver the money in person, Willians painted the picture in just a few days and gave it to the entire organizing team.
At 16, the boy had to leave the orphanage to make room for younger children, and he has since disappeared from view. But his work stands for the team’s mission: to provide protection and care for children in difficult circumstances. It has become a symbol of the charity concerts.
Why the charity concert is more than just a dance evening
The Great Solidarity Concerts for Latin America bring the diversity and solidarity of Munich’s Latin American community to life, while also raising much-needed funds to protect and educate disadvantaged children. Or, as Juan José Chuquisengo puts it: “Dancing, helping, and celebrating— for Latinos, there’s no contradiction!”
And honestly, where else can you enjoy live Argentine Tango, Cuban salsa, Andean sounds, and a Fiesta Latina all in one weekend—and do something truly good at the same time?
Tickets and information
All the information in one place: find tickets and the fundraising campaign here via the Linktree for the Solidarity Concerts—a “Helping” category event.
Contact and getting involved: Please write to us via the contact page or directly to Teresa or Juan José. Email addresses below.
Tip: If you’re not sure which of the two events is right for you: Friday is the one to choose if you want to dance at a milonga like the ones in Buenos Aires. Saturday is ideal if you want to listen to music from across Latin America and then dance the night away. Or simply come both nights. The bottom line: come along, dance, and help!
The charity concert brings together everything that belongs together: fantastic live music, Argentine Tango, the warmth of Latin America, and a cause that matters. Join the celebration with Munich’s Latino community and support children in Patagonia and Cusco. Get your ticket, grab your dancing shoes, and join us!
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Links, event details, and tickets:
Visit the team on Facebook and subscribe to the YouTube channel!
You can also find a recap of the Solidarity Concerts from 2017–2024 on YouTube.
The “Solidaritätskonzerte München” website has lots of teaser videos and photos under
All projects.
You can donate directly here
Email Juan José Chuquisengo: juanchuquisengo@yahoo.com
Email Teresa Brunnmüller: teresa.brunnmueller@gmail.com
In cooperation with Amerikahaus Munich
