The Middle East’s biggest celebration of all things Latino returns for a second year, promising a heady mix of music, food, film, fashion, art and dance.
Celebrating South American and Spanish culture alike, the weeklong event will run from April 10-17 at locations across Dubai, spiralling out from a central hub at Hilton Dubai The Walk, on JBR.
Headline attractions include a live concert from Columbian starlet Fanny Lu, dance shows from more than 40 professional performers, outdoor film screenings, themed menus across the city and a market village of more than 20 crafts and food stalls.
The event is organised by Dubai-based school BNF Dance & Entertainment.
“The Dubai Latin Festival will be bigger and better than last year with a richer variety of the best from Latin culture and traditions, that promises to bring a little piece of home for the more than 50,000 Spanish and South American residents of UAE,” said the festival’s project manager Silva Santos.
The festival will be split into five-themed events: a Latin Village, Latin Flavours, Latin Dance, Latin Films, and a Latin Concert.
Here’s what to expect:
Latin Concert (April 15)
Among the headline attractions will be a performance from Columbian actress and Tropipop singer Fanny Lu, who will sing hits including No Te Pido Flores and No Eres Para Mi to an expected crowd of 3,000 people on the beach at the Hilton on JBR.
Also performing at the April 15 concert will be UAE acts Eddi Duarte, Muzz Suave, Royal Mariachi, and a salsa orchestra paying tribute to the late Columbian composer Joe Arroyo. Tickets start at Dh180.
Dubai Latin Village (April 14-16)
More than 20 food, art and fashion stalls will be in place for this three-day, free-entry gathering, taking place at the central Hilton hub from 2pm to 10pm on April 14, and from 11am to 10pm on April 15-16.
As well as shopping and eating, there will be live Spanish comedy, music and dance shows, plus a free four-step dance workshop.
Dubai Latin Films (April 14-16)
Each evening at the Latin Village, at 5.30pm, a Latin film will be screened for free on an outdoor projector. On the bill are: Columbian drama-comedy Sofia y el Terco, Brazilian blockbuster Cine Holliudy and Dominican Republic thriller Despertar.
Dubai Latin Flavours (April 10-13)
Four of Dubai’s best Latin restaurants will mark the festivities with a special, one-off themed menu, showcasing the best of their native cuisine, while special dance shows from BNF will entertain diners.
Participating restaurants and dates: Mexican at Maya (April 10), Latin at Toro Toro (April 11), Spanish at Seville’s (April 12) and Brazilian at Fogueira (April 13).
Dubai Latin Dance (April 14-17)
More than 40 professional dancers will be in town to lead a series of live performances, at various locations throughout the festival.
Aspiring dancers can enrol in one of three interactive workshops, unlocking the secrets of kizomba, salsa and bachata.
Meanwhile a four-day bootcamp will give participants the chance to perfect a routine, before performing to an audience on the closing night.
Find out more and book tickets from www.dubailatinfest.com.
