Latin Sparks Festival

Latin Sparks Festival

Canada’s Largest Latin Dance Party
Genre Latin dance
Location(s) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Years active 2012 - present
Website
http://latinsparks.ca/

Latin Sparks Festival is Canada’s largest Latin dance party hosted over the summer in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and attracts over 4,000 people for a night of social dancing under the stars on Albert Island (beside Lebreton Flats).

The festival is entirely outdoors. It features dance workshops, Latin street food, bars, live DJs, multiple dance floors and a night of social dancing to Latin rhythms.

History

Latin Sparks Festival made its debut in 2012 as a small group of 40 friends gathered weekly on Sparks Street to dance outdoors in the summer time.

In 2013, the Latin Sparks Festival grew to accommodate the increase in demand. As opposed to being a weekly event on a patio restaurant, the festival fenced off a portion of Sparks Street, attracting an estimated 1,500 guests per event (with 3 events over the summer).

Latin Sparks, 2015

In 2014, Latin Sparks grew in size, scale and frequency. Hosting 5 events over the summer, each night attracted an estimated 4,000 guests. The event occupied a block of Sparks Street.

In 2015, Latin Sparks Festival occurred only once over the summer; however, the festival doubled in size as it spanned over 2 blocks of Sparks Street. For the first time, the event featured 2 live bands - a Cuban orchestra playing salsa and a Brazilian 25-piece Batucada playing a mix of percussions and horns. This event attracted an estimated 6,000 attendees.

In 2016, Latin Sparks Festival moved to Albert Island[1] - a never-before-used venue directly behind the Canadian War Museum and beside Lebreton Flats. The new venue is accessible from Booth Street and overlooks the Ottawa River. Latin Sparks 2016 attracted an estimated 3,000 attendees.

In 2017, Latin Sparks Festival will be held on Albert Island. As Canadians of Latin American descent make up one of the largest non-European ethnic groups in the country,[2] this festival will showcase their culture in this year's Canada's 150th anniversary edition.[3]

The festival has been supported by such sponsors as: Hot 89.9 FM, Labatt Brewery Company, Modelo Especial, Cellection and various local Latin American restaurants.[4] The event is generally held on a Saturday from 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Laquerre, Alexandre. "Albert Island - Ottawa Past & Present". www.pastottawa.com. Retrieved 2017-05-28.
  2. ↑ "The Latin American Community in Canada". www.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2017-05-28.
  3. ↑ Dept., Service Innovation & Performance (2017-04-19). "Ottawa 2017". ottawa.ca. Retrieved 2017-05-28.
  4. ↑ "Latin sparks festival Ottawa - Latin Sparks Festival 2017". Latin Sparks Festival 2017. Retrieved 2017-05-27.
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