South American Festival turns 30

There’s a huge party at the Bondi Pavilion on Sunday February 21 when Sydney’s longest running Latin American festival celebrates its 30th birthday.

The Pav’s South American Festival will mark the occasion with a huge line up of entertainment over seven hours and across three stages.

The best of Australia’s Latin performers will be there, including Latin jazz favourites Espirito, Afro Colombian rock roots dynamos Watussi and salsa sensations Saraguey.

As a special birthday treat many festival veterans, including Maria Cuevas, Francisco Toledo, Gonzales Porta and Armandito Garcia, will form the South American All Star Band to keep everyone dancing.

The Brazilian Latin Dance Company will put on an extravaganza of drumming, costume and dance while Capoeira Brasil will stage a dynamic show.

And you can brush up on your dance technique throughout the day with free Zumba, Latin and Cuban dance workshops by award-winning dance champions and an introductory Tango workshop for beginners by Australia’s current Tango Salon champions, Sophia and Pedro, from Patio de Tango. This will be followed by a display of improvised Tango Salon dancing (“Milonga”) by students and aficionados.

The upstairs Seagull Room at the Pav will pump out the best Salsa, Reggaeton, and Latin House featuring some of Australia’s top DJs and the popular La Fiesta Collective will keep the party jumping with a star-studded line up of musicians and DJs.

There will also be an array of art and craft stalls and a delicious selection of Latin American food stalls.

Running in conjunction with the festival from February 15 – 28 (10am-5pm), the Bondi Pavilion Gallery will present Brazil: Colours, Forms and Energy, a collection of works by Brazilian and Australian artists who present the magic and beauty of Brazil’s rich vein of colour, shapes and energy. Admission is free except on festival day.

And in the Bondi Pavilion Theatre from February 15-20 is a compelling play, Brazilian Mist, the story of Capoeira from its roots in Africa, through the evils of slavery, down into the underworld, before emerging as a graceful fight, a deadly dance, and a symbol of freedom. Book on 9267 4768.

The 30th South American Festival will be at Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive Bondi Beach on Sunday February 21 from 1pm to 7:30pm. Tickets $20/$15 concession (children under 12 free) available from www.moshtix.com.au /1300 GET TIX (438 849) and all moshtix outlets. For information call the Bondi Pavilion on 83623400 or visit www.waverley.nsw.gov.au