29 March 2006
More Sizzling Acts For Jambalaya
Top Australian Cuban act Club Havana heads to New Zealand next month to join the sizzling hot line-up for the hottest
festival of the year - Jambalaya, New Zealand's Festival of Rhythm Dance and Carnival.
The four-day annual festival at Rotorua takes place over Easter and features top international acts alongside the best
New Zealand has to offer in five theatre shows, three parties, more than 100 workshops and New Zealand's biggest on foot
street parade.
The 12-member Club Havana Band has toured throughout Australia and regularly performs at Sydney's top nightspots. Also
joining the Jambalaya line-up are current world salsa champions Oliver Pineda and Luda Kroiter, and New Zealand's top
salsa couples will be heading to the festival to compete to represent New Zealand at the next world championships in Las
Vegas.
But the Latin rhythms have already started in Rotorua and Tauranga as four Bay of Plenty celebrities begin work on their
dance steps ready for Dancing with the Bay of Plenty Stars on Thursday 13 April, a special event which will also feature
performances by leading New Zealand Cuban dancers Vivio and Greydis, together with world salsa champions Oliver Pineda
and Luda Kroiter. The event is a warm-up for Jambalaya and is being held to raise funds for the New Zealand Youth Salsa
Team to represent New Zealand at the Los Angeles Salsa Congress in May 2006.
Also featuring at Jambalaya 2006 is Australian-based Cuban rhythm combo Son Veneno, Brazilian capoeira master and
percussionist Cabello, energetic Cuban dancer Alejandro Espinosa and the best of New Zealand's Latin rhythm and dance
performers including Batucada Sound Machine, Wellington Batucada and AKSamba
Sydney-based Son Veneno is a world class band, bringing together some of Australia's best vocalists, instrumentalists
and rappers including Carlos Mora and Maya Jupiter. The band's diverse repertoire of original music draws on the styles
of Latin, hip hop, funk and jazz and mix it with Afro-Cuban tradition.
The traditions of Latin music also provide roots for US-based Brazilian Cabello who has dedicated his life to the
rhythms, instruments, songs and dancers of the Afro-Brazilian culture.
Created four years ago by Olivia Sumich and Heidi Hughes, Jambalaya showcases the best international and New Zealand
Latin rhythm and dance and provides an opportunity for everyone to experience some of the world's most exciting and
infectious music and dance styles.
"Jambalaya offers Kiwis a chance to 'get out of their skin'. We're amazed at the range of people who come along to the
festival and really get involved. We've got workshops for everyone from children to beginner dancers through to advanced
performers."
Jambalaya is at the Rotorua Convention Centre and Rotorua Sportsdome over Easter (13-16 April). Festival passes are $165
(plus booking fees). Festival passes give entry into all theatre shows, all open-level workshops, after parties and jam
sessions. Individual tickets are also available to theatre shows ($20-25), parties ($35-40) and workshops ($15). Tickets
for Dancing with the Bay of Plenty Stars are $25 (concession $20, under 15 years $15). Book at Ticketek. More
information is available at www.jambalaya.co.nz .
ENDS