Jambalaya Festival Of Rhythm and Dance launches tonight

Media Release
16th November 2011

Jambalaya Festival Of Rhythm and Dance launches tonight at The Ponsonby Social Club. People will get a chance to meet the artists, organisers and participants, and the 2012 programme will be announced and the new posters and promo video revealed.

The legendary Jambalaya Festival returns in 2012 to its favourite time slot of Easter.

Corban Estate Art Centre will come alive 6 – 8 April 2012 with three nights and two days of dance and music workshops, live performances, theatre, art installations, international food & crafts, DJ’s, bands, parties and more.

Jambalaya is well known for creating a festive community where people can unwind, connect, learn new skills through interactive workshops and experience some of the hottest talent from across the globe.

Creative Director Heidi Hughes has hand-picked the most inspiring and dynamic artists and tutors from New Zealand and beyond, for participants to experience in one place at one time.

Workshops for 2012 include:
Dance: Tango, Swing, Hip Hop, Belly Dance, Burlesque, Salsa, Contemporary, Zouk, Maori, African Music: Beat Boxing, Ukulele, A Capella Singing, Samba Drumming, African drumming Other: Capoeira, Costume Making, Kids Music & Dance Running simultaneously to the festival are the extremely popular immersion courses, which are designed to give enthusiasts of specific genres of music and dance an opportunity for concentrated learning with expert international teachers, who are in town for the festival.

Australian Tango champions and Jambalaya crowd favourites Fabio Robles & Ana Andre return after seducing everyone with their charm in 2011.

As well as the workshops, there is an entire 'festivalscape' to discover - including market zone, live theatre, wellness zone, Moroccan tents and tipi’s, costume making zone, art trail, families will love the fun interactive kids zone, and partying with live bands and DJs deep into the night.

Live bands confirmed for next year’s festival so far are: Underscore Orkestra from Portland who fuse Gypsy, Balkan beats, Batucada Sound Machine who famously formed at Jambalaya many years ago and Afrobeat sensations Zoh Zoh.

Set in the beautiful bush-surrounded Corban Estate Arts Centre, only 15 minutes drive from the city and fully weather proofed to ensure festival goers a dry, safe and fantastic Easter!

Onsite camping is available, creating an intimate festive atmosphere for out of towners or for those feeling like staying over.

Tickets are only $125 for an adult’s full festival pass and children under 13 are free. Senior, youth and discounts available. You can purchase tickets from www.jambalaya.co.nz. If you are a west Auckland resident you can also download a free pass for Friday evening.

As well as the launch party tonight at The Ponsonby Social Club, Jambalaya are also holding FREE Salsa workshops with two world champion Salsa dancers from Cali Colombia from the world famous Swing Latino dance company.

Salsa Cali Style for beginners on Tuesday 29th of November, 6:30 pm at Juice Bar, 144 Parnell Road.

Salsa Cali Style for advanced on Wednedsay 30th November, 7 pm at The Kingslander, 470 New North Road.

ENDS

www.jambalaya.co.nz

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