The Cubans are coming to Rotoura

People from all over New Zealand, Australia and the South West Pacific will descend on Rotorua from 27 February to 5 March to attend the biggest community based Cuban dance and music event in New Zealand – Aotearoa Cuban Festival.

Every year it attracts some of the best international and national Cuban dance instructors who come to share the sounds, rhythms and dances of the Afro-Cuban beat with Kiwis who love Cuban dance.

A salute to Cuban Salsa and its roots, the festival recreates the passion and vibrancy of Cuba through the sounds of live Cuban music and dance, and will inspire anyone who comes to learn more.  A full programme for the weekend’s activities is available online.  

A Community Week will run prior to the Festival – Monday 27 February though to Saturday 4 March 2017 - and is packed with free activities to give locals an opportunity to check out the demonstrations and performances and join classes held at the QE Health, Che-Chorizo, and at the Night Market.

A showcase of Cuban and Latin dance will be presented at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre on the 4th March 2016 followed by a Cuban dance party. This amazing show contains the best Cuban Dance talent in New Zealand. Not to be missed. Tickets will be available through Ticket Master.

The Festival is sponsored this year by the New Zealand Communities Trust (NZCT), the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust, Southern Trust and the Creative Communities Rotorua Scheme.  This funding has enabled the Festival’s Trust to bring international dancer instructors to the festival and run a week long programme of community based events.

Trustee member and Creative Director, Greydis Montero Liranza says: “Moving your hips around is like getting your Cuban passport and I am really excited to be able to share my passion and knowledge about Cuba and its dances alongside a great line up of international Cuban dance instructors with New Zealand dancers."