A new Latin music festival will take place in Southport in May featuring live Latin American music and dance, arts and cultural activities. Andrew Brown reports

 

A new Latin music festival is coming to Southport in May.

Fiestaval Southport 2022 will take place at Casablanca, at Southport Pleasureland, on Saturday May 21 – on the UN World Day for Cultural Diversity – with free admission for visitors.

It has been brought together by a voluntary committee, Viva Foundation, despite the uncertainties of COVID, to provide residents and visitors to Southport with a vibrant programme of live Latin American music and dance, arts and cultural activities throughout the day.

Southport’s very own Latin music festival will feature a showcase of live Latin American music and dance performances. It will also have a top line-up DJs and dancers, plus handicrafts and cultural exhibitions.

The event has been made possible thanks to a successful fundraising campaign. Viva Foundation Chairperson Irma Mejia said: “We did it. A sprinkle of Latin cheer is coming to Southport this year thanks to Southport Pleasureland, Sefton Community Transition Fund, and everyone who contributed to our successful Fiestaval crowdfunding campaign.”

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Fiestaval host DJ Irmita will premiere her new salsa song Soy Rumbera at Fiestaval 2022, so Grab your maracas and of course your dance shoes and prepare for an all-day marathon of Latin music and dance featuring sensational live Latin Bands artists July Julay, Mestisa, Colibri Mexico, Son de Cuba, El Suso, Calypso Caribbean Steel Drum Band and more.

The event features Latin American dance shows, dance workshops, guest teachers, DJs, Latin American crafts and exhibitions all under one roof at Southport Pleasureland’s new live music venue Casablanca, on Marine Drive Southport.

Entry to the free daytime Latin festival is free and the dancing begins at 9.45am with Latin dance workshops and social dancing with DJ Irmita, Sweet Salsa and Salsa Siempre until midday followed by live Latin music and dance performances until 6pm.

Fiestaval Artists:

Mestiza, Latin American Folk Duo

El Suso, Colombia

July Julay, Dominican Republic

Calypso Steel Band

Son De Cuba

Colibri Mexican Dancers

Salsa Siempre,

Sweet Salsa,

Host:

DJ Irmita,  Chile/ UK

Programme:

9:45am:  Check In

10:00:  Dance Workshops Salsa Siempre/ Sweet Salsa

11:00 Social Dancing:DJ Irmita

12:00 –  Live performances

6pm  Fiestaval Finish

This free community Latin music and dance festival is followed by a sizzling evening salsa after-party feat. Pre-party dance class, live Latin singer and DJ Irmita and guests from 8:30pm. Admission to the “Official After Party” is by ticket only. More details can be found at www.southportpleasuerland.com

This article first appeared in Stand Up For Southport