2007 - 2020

Rossana Ancosta is the creator and artistic director of Comparsa Urumbe, a Sydney based-group of candombé.

The popular Afro, dancing and drumming genre has become a trademark of the Uruguayan folklore and the soundtrack of the Latin American Festival, performing numerous times between 2007 and 2020 at this Bondi Pavilion Festival. Candombé is of African origin, brought to Uruguay by the slave trade through the port of Montevideo during the XVII and XVIII centuries. Its musical style involves three different barrel-shaped drums or tamboriles: chico, repique and piano, played by the cuerda or group of drummers.

Rossana’s parents emigrated to Australia during the difficult times when Uruguay was under the rule of the civic-military dictatorship (1973-1985).  Adapting to a new environment was initially hard for a then 12- year-old Rossana, but the close ties her family kept with the Uruguayan community, inspired her to take active part in the activities as performer.

By the time Rossana was 15, a Marrickville based candombé group; Lonjas del Uruguay was taking shape. Rossana joined the group and soon earned her the status of main dancer. In 2007 she created her own new group called Comparsa Urumbe. Rossana gathered together 45 musicians and dancers of different multicultural backgrounds, who had also succumbed to the infectious rhythms of candombe. The Company also includes a female dancing ensemble lead by the best dancer or vedette and the abuelos, or grandparents, who dance a traditional milongón.   

Rossana manages the group, conceiving new programs and organising costumes, music scores and choreography, which are taken to Festivals in Melbourne, Bondi and Mardi Gras.