| They call it Calgary’s hottest outdoor festival and it’s not because of the weather.
Expo Latino, which is a free event based at Olympic Plaza, cranks up the heat beginning on Friday, August 27 with a Brazilian Carnaval from 6 to 10 p.m. If your Latin dancing is a little rusty, you can ease into the evening with a free samba class by Ache Brasil at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., the parade begins and then the rest of the night is turned over to a lineup that should keep everyone doing the cha-cha. Look and listen for Marie Josée Strazzero and Roberto Arenas Jr. from Montreal.
On Saturday, August 28, the party continues with chili-pepper-like intensity. A full lineup of performances begins at 11 a.m. and goes until 7:30 p.m. Saturday’s highlights include performances by Los Majes Latin Band from Nicaragua and D’Talle All Girl Band from Cuba. D’Talle (pronounced Deh-Tá-Yeh) is an eight-woman (and one male drummer) group based out of Havana that’s becoming known as much for the good looks of its members as for its timba-driven music. Led by pianist Ivette Porras Thorp, the ensemble makes its debut appearance in Canada after successful tours of Europe and Latin America.
Also on Saturday evening is the Bombazo Latino Dance Party featuring DominiCanada from Toronto and another appearance from D’Talle. This event is at the Thorncliffe-Greenview community hall beginning at 9 p.m. with tickets $35 at the door.
On Sunday, August 29, Expo Latino returns to the free events at Olympic Plaza and once again puts a spring in your step by offering free salsa lessons beginning at 11 a.m. This time the teacher is Addie (Salsa Diva) Rodriguez. Addie is known for her "ladies’ style" workshops, which have been known to attract more than 200 women at a time in her hometown of New York, where she regularly shares the secrets of salsa.
Other highlights on Sunday include Fusion Latina Band and Oscar Lopez and his ensemble. Wrapping up things at Olympic Plaza is the Calgary-based Saboga Bay Latin Band. This 11-member group has only been together for two years, but already has gained a dedicated local following for their strong horns, percussion and rhythm sections.
And if you still haven’t had your fix of all things Hispanic, then head over to Don Quijote restaurant at 309 Second Ave. S.W. where the Expo Latino wrap-up party gets underway at 9 p.m. |
Copyright ©2004 FFWD. All rights reserved.