Canberra’s Rex Hotel is hosting the spiciest event on the local calendar from Friday 7 October until Sunday 9 October. The Canberra Latin Dance Festival (CLDF) is filled with world-class workshops, spectacular performances, intense dance routines and the best Latin dance music in the capital.

Among the many Latin dance superstars will be Sashya Jay, one of the directors of Rhythm Brazil Samba Troupe in Sydney – leading the Samba parade with Dahlia Elkateb, fellow dancer from the UK, on the Sunday night.

Sashya is a full-time Samba dancer around Australia and was featured prominently throughout the Olympics. Now Canberrans will experience the beauty of her dancing first hand.

“This year I will be hosting a Samba dance workshop to live drums – a traditional and authentic instrument that I believe is the essence of Samba dance. I will also be choreographing the Samba Parade Finale on the Sunday night and performing alongside the international guests of the festival,” says Sashya.

Growing up in Jamaica, the concept of culture, dance and expression was ingrained in her from a young age. It is this joy and vibe that she enjoys about Latin dance and wants to pass on to the Canberra audience.

“If I’m having a great time that rubs off on the people watching. Everybody loves what they do so much that they are just focused on being in the moment and having the best time possible. It’s something that I love sharing with people – it’s very contagious the feeling!”

The festival aims to bring dancers together to celebrate and bond over their love of dance. At the dance parties, festival-goers will be able to dance until the early hours to different Latin rhythms – including Salsa, Zouk and Bachata – across two rooms.

“The Samba Parade Finale is a good opportunity for dancers to come together from different schools and different troupes. I see it as a celebration of togetherness,” says Sashya.

If you want to keep on partying after the festival wraps up on Sunday, the after-party will continue at Highball Express in the city.

 

Canberra Latin Dance Festival
Canberra Rex Hotel
7-9 October 2016
Click here for more information