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Omara Portuondo, the only female vocalist in the legendary Buena Vista Social Club opened the Latin Passion Festival with her concert Flor de Amor Tour tonight (October 20) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Latin Passion Festival, will until November 20, showcasing a selection of exotic music, dance and theatre works.
Officiating at tonight's opening ceremony was the Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho Chi-ping.
Internationally acclaimed artists from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico and Venezuela will be joined by Hong Kong artists to present an exhilarating range of performances and outreach activities.
The second Omara Portuondo Flor de Amor Tour concert will be held tomorrow.
Hailed as 'The Edith Piaf of Cuba', Omara has introduced the wonderful sounds of Havana to the world. The diva from Havana is the ultimate interpreter of Cuban music and she has become well-known for her passionate 'feeling', a Cubanised style of Bossa Nova with American jazz influences.
In addition to the performances, the festival has a huge variety of outreach activities including outdoor Latin Fiestas, salsa parties, art and book exhibitions, dance workshops, master class, lecture demonstrations, talks, meet-the-artists sessions.
The festival is a box-office hit and limited tickets are available at URBTIX. 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.
Ends/Thursday, October 20, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:15
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