The diverse crowd at Carnaval de Sol. Photo courtesy of Latincouver
If you’re not sure what a Zumba is, you can find out at this year’s Carnaval del Sol 2012 (‘Carnival of the Sun’) – the 4th annual Latin American Celebration of Art and Culture. Several streets in Vancouver will be closed on two days in June to the exciting sounds and events that encompass a Latin American fiesta experience.
The Carnaval del Sol is the largest Latin American festival in B.C. with more than 50,000 people attending last year’s festivities. Spearheading this festival as well as other year-round networking events is LatinCouver, a cultural and business society bringing together Vancouver’s Latin Americans and their enthusiasts to strengthen and celebrate the richness of their cultures.
Edgar Morales, the public relations contact with LatinCouver reflects on last year’s Carnaval. “It brought for the first time a Latin American public event to the downtown core of Vancouver. Carnaval del Sol gave our Latin American community a stronger presence in Vancouver and it showed that our community is growing and becoming more established in the Lower Mainland.“
On Saturday, June 30, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., the Placa du Sol on Granville will feature singing, folklore dancing and music from many Latin American countries. You will even have the chance to dance to a Latin-soul-funk-rock-reggae band. More music and a fashion show will be held at the Green Plaza on Pender and Dunsmuir.
The diverse crowd at Carnaval de Sol. Photo courtesy of Latincouver
In case you can’t get enough soccer in your lives even with the current Euro 2012 playoffs, you can watch the preliminary Mini World Cup soccer game on Sunday, June 24 and the championship game on June 30. These games will take place at Futbolito Plaza on Granville, between Robson and Georgia Streets. The Family Plaza at Dunsmuir and Georgia will feature dance lessons and music.
Dancing, children’s activities, soccer, viewing the arts and listening to Latin American music in the outdoors can make one very hungry. In the mood for brigadeiro, empanadas or milhojas dulce de leche? Traditional and modern Latin cuisine will be sold from vendors representing more than ten countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Cuba and Jamaica. The various programs and activities are arranged in a ‘plaza’ format throughout the city core.
“The Plaza is where our unique culture was developed by people coming together with friends, business activities and ideas along with cultural events such as dancing and singing,” says Paola Murillo, director and founder of LatinCouver. “We wish do the same thing in Vancouver.”
On Thursday, June 28 at 7:00 p.m., the Inspirational Latino Award ceremonies will be held to honour distinguished members within the Latin American communities for their business, cultural and environmental achievements in B.C. This is the event’s first year in Vancouver and it will be held in the CBC Studio on Hamilton Street.
And the Zumba? You might get tired just by reading what’s involved. It’s a Colombian dance fitness program that involves squats and lunges along with dance and aerobic elements incorporating hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo, martial arts, Bollywood and belly dance moves. Come to the Placa du Sol and get your wannabe Latin American blood moving.
“Carnaval del Sol will be a fantastic celebration of multiculturalism during the Canada Day long weekend,” says Murillo. “We want to invite everybody to be part of this emblematic Latin experience.”
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To see the programs and events list, visit the Carnaval del Sol’s website: www.carnavaldelsol.com
