Bondi Dances to a Latino Beat
Sunday 18 February, 2007
1.00pm – 7.30pm

Tickets at the door. $20/$15 Concession (Children under 12 years free)

South American Festival ignites Bondi with colour, flair and scorching ‘Carnaval’

It's colourful, vibrant and lots of fun - February is ‘Carnaval’ time - not only in South America, but also here at Bondi!
As the temperature heats up, so does the entertainment. The annual South American Festival – now in its 27th year - is a great family day celebrating the Central and South American cultures.

Waverley Mayor George Newhouse is encouraging everyone to come and enjoy this popular event at Bondi. “Latino culture is famous for its energy, colour and vibrancy. This festival is a potent mix of music, dance, arts, crafts, exotic food and captures the sultry ‘carnaval’ feel.”
“Quite a few Central and South American residents live in Waverley and this headline event is sure to bring them out in force, and I imagine many will samba into their dancing shoes. It’s a celebration of Latino culture and their contribution to our community. I enjoy seeing Waverley’s broad mix of cultures coming together and having fun,” he said.
The festival will boast a variety of amazing contemporary and traditional acts. There will be performances by CLUB HAVANA BAND, the best 10-piece Cuban band in the country; RASTAWOOKIE’S Latin flavoured reggae and WATUSSI’S exhilarating up-tempo Latino beats. The much-celebrated LATIN DANCE AUSTRALIA will also perform with their Samba, Salsa and Zouk spectacular.
Also appearing will be the large colourful BUENA VISTA DANCE COMPANY with an exhilarating display of music and dance from Cuba. Dance and music from Peru, Bolivian singers and AIRES COLOMBIANOS presenting traditional folkloric music and dance will also be crowd pleasers. Festival favourites SAMBA FROG are back with their dynamic drumming and dance, adding their sensational energy to the day.

We will again have the fabulous TANGO SOCIAL EXTRAVAGANZA - ‘MILONGA’. Patio De Tango will present a workshop and display before everyone takes to the floor for two hours of fun, social dancing to experience the passion of one of life’s most intoxicating dances. Top Latin DJs - DJ DANTE, MARSSS and DJ MARCELINHO - will mix up unforgettable sets in three areas of the Pavilion, including the upstairs cocktail bar.
Join in dance workshops with LATIN DANCE AUSTRALIA and MARCOS’ Dance Workshops to learn some of the classics of South American dance. There will also be stunning Maculele and Capoeira performances by CAPOEIRA BRASIL. The festival finale will showcase a magnificent BRAZILIAN FANTASY SHOW complete with dancers and drummers with their spectacular sequined and feathered costumes!

If you don’t feel like dancing, there’s still plenty of spice. There will be more than 20 food stalls offering mouth watering South American cuisine. A great mix of arts and crafts will line the beach forecourt and The People & Colours of Quiche Guatemala art exhibition will be at the Pavilion Gallery from 13-18 February. This is a stunning exhibition of photos and textiles of the Mayan people from the western highlands of Guatemala. Proceeds from the exhibition will support the work for Ajb'atz Enlace Quiche, a non-government organisation dedicated to creating educational and economic opportunities for the indigenous Quiche community.