HAVANA CLUB brings the LITTLE HAVANA FESTIVAL to THE LATIN QUARTER GALWAY
Join in Galway's Cuban Adventure on the 4th, 5th and 6th June 2010
Havana Club, the authentic Cuban rum, and the Latin Quarter Galway are bringing a brand new festival to Galway over the June Bank Holiday weekend. Galway's Little Havana Festival is a new, free and fun-filled Festival taking place in the city’s Latin Quarter on the Friday 4th, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th of June. Cuban inspired music, dance, street entertainment, art and cultural events feature in the busy programme of activity both on the streets and in the bars and restaurants throughout the Latin Quarter, creating a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in a colourful Cuban atmosphere reminiscent of Havana itself. The energy of this festival will come alive as the three-day programme of free events unfold, bringing the rhythms and sounds of Havana to the medieval streets of Galway. As the world famous Havana Club Cuba Libres and Mojitos are enjoyed, the festival will be embraced by visitors and locals alike. An exciting line-up of performances (from 7pm each evening, 6pm on Saturday) featuring authentic Cuban Bands, Salsa Dancers, Latino Djs and Percussionists and a Tapas Trail in many of the Latin Quarter's pubs and fine restaurants along with a range of related daytime street activities, the festival will transform the district into a Cuban oasis.
The festival kicks off at 7pm on Friday with an outdoor performance on Mainguard St by the wonderful Cuban All Stars (Ireland's favourite authentic Cuban band), followed at 8pm by the colourful Carnaval Parade of pulsating percussion and performance through the streets of the Latin Quarter. The street entertainment that evening concludes with the energetic and exciting Rumba Caliente (the UK’s most exciting salsa soul group) and a gig by Norman Jay, one of the words’s finest and most respected DJ’s, from 10pm. Not to be missed, so get to Galway early on Friday! The weekend's programme of activities continues right through ‘til Sunday; highlights on Saturday include Salsa Celtica (one of Europe's most exciting groups merging Irish traditional music with all the Latin American elements of Salsa) and world renowned DJ Gilles Peterson (who is bringing his distinctive Havana Cultura sound to Galway with a special performance Upstairs at Kelly’s) & Sabor Cubano (an eclectic and infectious five piece Latin music act channelling the Samba, Bossa Nova and Cuban Latin musical styles).
Sunday will see The Cuban Jazz Project bring their unique blend of Afro-Cuban jazz and soul sounds to the Latin Quarter Galway. Other key performances feature Cuba Libre (a unique sound of powerful blend of brass, piano & percussion), Cuban Combination (There sound is brassy, bass heavy & altogether banging, a mix of styles with a funky edge) and DJ El Ray (Galway’s resident DJ with a Latin party vibe). Sunday afternoon (in association with Coca Cola) a Family Fun Day will take place throughout the Latin Quarters pedestrianised streets.
For a full schedule of events, more information and regular programme updates, visit www.thelatinquarter.ie. Havana Club has kept alive the art of ageing and blending premium rums, ensuring the continued energy, heritage and excellence of the Cuban rum-making tradition.