Latin beats on Stratos and Triangle Television
Tuesday 24 June 2008, 10:23PM
By Stratos Television
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A television series in English for fans of Latin American culture, music and dancing will be screened on Stratos Television, Triangle Television Auckland and Wellington on Friday nights from July 11.
The series, ARRIBA LATINOS, balances news, interviews, music and performances with stories from New Zealand's Latin community in New Zealand as well as the many other New Zealanders interested in Latin American culture.
The four-part series of half-hour programmes will screen on Stratos Television (Freeview Channel 21 and Sky 89) on Fridays at 8.30pm and on Triangle Television Auckland on Fridays at 8pm and Triangle Television Wellington on Fridays at 7.30pm.
Programme maker Everall Dean, one of the owners of the former Cuban venue 'Descarga Cubana' at Karangahape Road in central Auckland, says ARRIBA LATINOS celebrates the growth of Latin culture in New Zealand.
The show's two presenters – Cuban-born Daniel Gallo, and New Zealander Rebecca Coleman-Smith also look at some of the big Latino dance movements in New Zealand such as salsa and samba - from professional dancers to Kiwi enthusiasts, and even people enjoying a form of aerobics called 'Samba-robics'.
ARRIBA LATINOS complements Stratos and Triangle Television's diverse range of community, cultural, arts and entertainment programmes along with the best of local and international news and current affairs shows.
"The series has a mix of interesting stories, including interviews with Latinos in New Zealand … why they have come here, what they think of their new country, and what are some of the challenges they've faced," says Everall Deans.
Chief Executive Officer of Stratos Television and Triangle Television, Jim Blackman, says ARRIBA LATINOS is a lively, fun addition to the stations' diverse cultural line-up.
"The series not only puts the spotlight on one of New Zealand's fastest-growing cultural communities, it acknowledges the many thousands of Kiwis who have caught the Latin bug through dance, music, travel or friends.
"Triangle and Stratos offer the opportunity for local people to make and screen their own programmes – and ARRIBA LATINOS is another great example of how this relationship benefits viewers."
Beginning July 11, ARRIBA LATINOS screens on Stratos Television on Fridays at 8.30pm, and on Triangle Television Auckland 8pm and Triangle Television Wellington on Fridays at 7.30pm.