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There is no way to resist the Latin temptation this autumn!
The Latin Passion Festival, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will run from October 20 to November 20, showcasing a selection of exotic music, dance and theatre works. Artists from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, the US and Hong Kong will perform.
The festival is complemented by the 'Latinamerica 2005 Festival', presented by the Group of Latin American Consulates (GRULAC) from October 18 to November 20 to promote their cultures to people in Hong Kong. Participating countries are Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela.
The Latin Passion Festival will feature the Buena Vista Social Club presenting legendary Cuban diva Omara Portuondo, who will open the festival with her concert Flor de Amor Tour.
Hailed as 'The Edith Piaf of Cuba', Omara has introduced the wonderful sounds of Havana to the world. Her Flor de Amor Tour is backed by top musicians from Cuba and Brazil, who also played on her latest album.
Also don't miss the concert with Rosa Passos, heir to Bossa Nova Master Jo?o Gilberto and hailed by Yo-Yo Ma as the world's most beautiful voice.
Other music performances include:
* A New Vision of the Fandango Traditions on the Caribbean Coasts by Grupo Chuchumbé (Mexico) and Claudia Calderón's Piano Llanero Ensemble (Venezuela & Colombia).
* Havana-Mania Carnival! by Cuba's 'a cappella' band Vocal Sampling and Hong Kong's singer-songwriter Chet Lam.
Dance spectacular "Jarocho" from Mexico, an Asia Première, will also mark the opening week with flamenco, danzon, salsa and Afro-Cuban rhythms performed by 40 dancers and musicians.
Other dance performances are:
* Principal of The Royal Ballet, Carlos Acosta's Tocororo - A Cuban Tale.
* Miguel Angel Zotto's Tango Una Leyenda (Tango: The Legend) by Tango Por Dos (Argentina).
* Latin Fantasia - Parade of Samba and Latin Dances by From Rio with Samba and Love (Brazil) and various artists.
Local performing groups also have presentations with Latin elements in the festival. They are:
* Latin Passion by Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.
* The Postman by Chung Ying Theatre Company.
* Kiss of the Spider Woman by Spring-Time Creative Media & Perry Chiu Experimental Theatre.
In addition to the performances, the festival has a huge variety of activities open to all. The Mexican Tilingo Lingo group will spearhead the series of activities with a tour of music and dances at various LCSD venues in mid-September. Other activities include outdoor Latin Fiesta, salsa parties, art and book exhibitions, dance workshops, master class, lecture demonstrations, talks, and meet-the-artists sessions.
Presented for the second time in Hong Kong, the 'Latinamerica 2005 Festival' will feature exhibitions, film and food gala, parties and an array of community activities.
Tickets of the Latin Passion Festival are priced from $100 to $480 and they are available at URBTIX outlets from tomorrow (September 2). Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Group booking discounts of up to 20% are available.
Programme brochures are available at URBTIX outlets or at the website www.latinfestival.gov.hk.
For programme enquiries, call 2370 1044. Telephone reservations can be made on 2734 9009 (from September 3) and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Thursday, September 1, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:14
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