zo 14.09.25
Culo Shaking Night with Mario Barrantes Espinoza en Luis Javier Murillo Zúñiga
On September 10th, the team behind the performance Flesh Can’t… Can’t Not’t ‘Tis Flesh H… threw their 4th Culo Shaking Night! For those who don’t speak Spanish, culo means “booty” – so yes, this is literally a night to shake it. Luckily, performers Mario Barrantes Espinoza and Luis Javier Murillo Zúñiga are here to tell us what it’s really about, why they put it together, and why they can’t get enough of it.
Door Eva Houbrechts; Shelsia Da Costa
WHAT IS IT?
Mario: “Culo Shaking Night is one big party inspired by the joy of family celebrations in Latin America – weddings, first communions, birthdays. We organize these big gatherings with the idea of bringing as many people together as possible, offering food, drinks, and music.”
Luis: “The Culo Shaking Nights recreate the festive, familiar atmosphere of Costa Rican celebrations. You can feel what it’s like to be at a quinceañera or a birthday party. That’s really special for me because there was a long time when I couldn’t go back to Costa Rica, and I missed that lively, joyful vibe. European parties often feel very clean and sterile in comparison.”
Luis: “Each Culo Shaking Night is different. The first one recreated the kitschy vibe of an old cantina, the typical bars in Costa Rica. The second was more iconic: neon lights, smoke machines, even a car at the theatre entrance – it really gave off a ‘need for speed’ energy!”
WHY?
Mario: “People often say theatre is a space for socializing, but I’m skeptical. Usually, people go to a performance, watch, and leave. On top of that, there are all these conventions – you have to sit quietly in the dark. That’s a shame. I miss the interaction and exchange.
For me, Culo Shaking Night is about creating a space that encourages real connection. Theatres can feel like mausoleums, and I believe they should be revived by people truly coming together – not just sitting side by side. I think the dance floor is a much better space for conviviality than the theatre. My goal is to bring a bit of that celebratory energy – whether from a club, a house party, or the dance floor – into the theatre.”
CHIFRIJO
At Culo Shaking Night, guests can enjoy chifrijo. The name comes from its main ingredients: chi for chili and frijo for beans.
Luis: “Chifrijo is everywhere in Costa Rica. I love it and really miss it. After not being able to go back for five years, the first thing I did when I landed in Costa Rica was get some chifrijo – ideally with a cold beer in a classic cantina.”
AGUA DE SAPO
Agua de sapo is a refreshing, non-alcoholic drink made with ginger, brown sugar, and lime. It originates from Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, though variations exist throughout Latin America.
Ingredients:
- Sugar cane
- Ginger
- Lime
- Water
CHILIGUARO
Chiliguaro is a spicy shot made with chili and guaro, a sugar-cane spirit similar to vodka or rum. It’s a staple in Costa Rican cantinas, cheap and widely enjoyed.
Mario: “I love having my chiliguaro in an old cantina that’s been renovated but still keeps the original atmosphere. Sometimes, you can even do karaoke!”
Ingredients:
- Tomato juice
- Guaro, vodka, or rum
- Lots of chili
- Salsa Lizano (available in Latin American shops in Brussels)
Take the shot and bite into a piece of lime for the full experience!
REGGAETON
Mario: “I love bringing Culo Shaking Night to big, sometimes highbrow theatres in central Europe. There’s a beautiful friction when a Latino queer immigrant from working-class neighborhoods blasts reggaeton in these venues. It’s powerful, fun, and unapologetically lively.”