Put on your best dancing shoes – The Byron Latin Fiesta is only a few weeks away! Festival director Sky Blue spoke with The Echo about the much-loved event that is now in its 11th year!
Sky, what was the impetus for starting the Byron Latin Fiesta 11 years ago?
The north coast was home to me from an early age and, although I travelled overseas and moved to Sydney after completing high school, I always maintained a strong connection to the area. The north coast for me is a place of beauty and inspiration, with a pulse like nowhere else I have found.
Visiting and spending time with the local community, I saw opportunity here and wanted to develop the Latin dance scene. I used to run workshops at the Cotton Club, before it became the Buddha Bar. I worked for Jilly Jackson for the Lismore Lantern Parade and I collaborated with the team at Sassy Salsa. One thing led to another and the Byron Latin Fiesta was born! Creating the fiesta allowed me to tap into my passion for Latin music and dance and created an opportunity for the Latin dance industry to grow within Australia.
The Latin Fiesta attracts people from all over the nation to enjoy the unique attributes of Byron Bay. It celebrates Latin music and dance and it enriches people’s lives with positive energy.
How has it changed and evolved a decade on?
The event has had challenges along the way, mostly with finding suitable venues within the Byron region. Licence restrictions, lack of dancefloor space and a desire for venues to make money from alcohol has forced us to move a few times but we are now very happy at the main venue hub, the Byron Community Centre.
The event has grown in size over the years and evolved to feature top international artists as well as a wide selection of national artists. It has more than doubled in size, now held over four nights and two days with more than 40 dance workshops in four different spaces and two party rooms. It also includes a pre-party and after-parties.
Australia’s dancing community embraces the event and we are proud to say it is one of the longest-running Latin dance festivals in Australia.
Why are the Latin dance- and Latin music-loving communities so strong around here?
The Latin dance community in the north coast has seen changes over the years and can sometimes seem fractured; however, one thing that always brings everyone together is the annual Byron Latin Fiesta! The event is always open to including all local Latin dance artists. It creates a great opportunity for everyone to showcase what they offer and it sparks new interest from punters, which helps fuel the local classes and social nights.
What do you like to bring to your event each year?
International talent, national and local talent, live bands and latin DJs. Opportunities for first-time dancers and well as experienced dancers.
We like to inspire people with the positive energy of Latin music and dance; to create a buzz on the north coast for all things Latin!
If people have never been Latin dancing before how can they engage?
For first-timers or those new to Latin dance, we have a dedicated beginners hub with workshops all day Saturday and Sunday. Everyone is also more than welcome to attend any of the night-time events. Every night features a showcase of performance, then you can soak up the music and atmosphere with the live bands and Latin DJs or try your hand at social dancing! Full bar service and stalls are also open at the Byron Theatre.
What are some of the highlights for this year?
More than 40 dance workshops and four nights of parties! Pre-parties and after-parties plus the main festival event.
International artists Edwin Ferreras (New York) who will be teaching and performing Bachata and Anais Millon (France), one of the world’s leading Kizomba instructors, as well as Cuban dancer Cruz Vazquez.
Live bands Chukale, Australia’s leading Afro-Cuban salsa ensemble, and the fresh new sounds of Bombolaye.
In addition, the event features more than 30 local and national dance schools who participate by bringing their student teams to perform and by teaching fantastic dance workshops!
Byron Latin Fiesta, 4–6 November in venues throughout Byron. For program and ticket info go to byronfiesta.com.au.
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