Tyne Carnival returns to Newcastle and seeks volunteers!

Interview opportunity: Tyne Carnival Organiser Ximena Cordova is available for interview by arrangement.

miércoles 22 de octubre de 2014, 11:21h

Ximena holds a PhD in Carnival Studies, conducting her own research and training to be a Devil Dancer in the Butchers Troupe, participating in the main parade in honour of the Virgin of the Mineshaft at the World famous Oruro Carnival in Bolivia.

Carnival organisers are also looking for enthusiastic dance volunteers of all ages to join in the second Tyne Carnival.

The Tyne Carnival made its debut along Northumberland Street last year enthusing crowds with a Latin American spirit, returns bringing music, dance and procession to the centre of Newcastle at 11am on Saturday 30th June.

Carnival dancers and some of the most exciting musicians and artists in the region, including the World Beaters Samba Band, APU, Burundanga, Rumba NE, the Lawnmowers, and the X-Salsa dance troupe will entertain crowds along the procession route of Northumberland Street, Newcastle.

Ximena Cordova, Tyne Carnival Organiser said:

“Carnival dancing is open to anyone in its very nature. The steps are easy to follow and all levels of ability are welcome. Children also welcome to come along to be involved in the Children’s Troupe. The Tyne Carnival aims to be a showcase of the cultural diversity of our region and a celebration of participation in

our cities”

Members of the public who want to join a carnival troupe to be part of the procession can join rehearsals to learn music and dance for the Carnival. Rehearsals will take place between 11.30am-1.30pm on Saturdays May 26, June 9, June 23, at the Stand Comedy Café, Newcastle. Children can come along to rehearsals to join the children’s troupe but must be accompanied by their parent, carer or guardian at all times. Please email [email protected] to find out more. There will also be a costume theme and a professional make up artist for performers on the day of the Carnival.

This year the Tyne Carnival, which is delivered by Rumba NE, Musicando and ¡VAMOS!, finishes with a special parade finale. Carnival participants and audience can join in a lunchtime terrace party, at The Stand, Newcastle, with a BBQ, music and dancing, open to all.

One of last year’s participants added:

“I had never taken part in any public event before, but the rehearsals were fun, and we were taught a series of moves. Once in costume, I felt confident to dance along Northumberland Street with my troupe and the crowd response was amazing. I would definitely recommend joining in with The Tyne Carnival.”

In the evening there’s a Latin takeover of The Stand with Cuban musician Domingo Candelario and many of the carnival acts in a party until 3am.

Ximena Cordova, one of the organisers of the Carnival who also holds a PhD in Carnival Studies, will give a talk on at 12.30pm on Thursday 28 June at Newcastle University. She will talk and show film footage about her experiences training to become a dance performer, as part of her PhD research, at one of the most colourful and exciting Carnivals in the world, the Oruro Carnival in Bolivia.

¡VAMOS! Festival has been granted the Inspire mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme, awarded to innovative and exceptional projects conveying the spirit of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said:

“¡VAMOS! Festival is encouraging people of the North East to fulfill their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as ¡VAMOS! Festival we are delivering our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in celebrating and understanding Spanish and Portuguese speaking cultures.’’

¡VAMOS! Festival returns for it's 7th edition featuring 6 weeks of vibrant and varied celebration of Latin, Spanish and Lusophone cultures between 1st June and 15th July 2012. The festival includes events across North East England, in Newcastle, Gateshead, Middlesbrough, North Tyneside and extends for the first time to County Durham.

The programme features the UK premieres of visual art exhibitions and films, Latin American artists commissions as part of the celebration of the Cultural Olympiad, performances by leading Latin DJs and musicians, talks, language cafes and workshops.

For information pick up a festival programme or see www.vamosfestival.com or read an online version http://bit.ly/JiENXO. Sign-up for the ¡VAMOS! newsletter, join the ¡VAMOS! Facebook group http://tinyurl.com/vamosfestival or follow @VAMOS_Festival on twitter.

For media inquiries, images & interviews contact:

Cait Read 07811 320447 [email protected]

¡VAMOS! Festival is delivered by ¡VAMOS! Festival CIC and since 2006 has delivered a vibrant programme of over 240 events celebrating Latin and Lusophone cultures to more than 100,000 people.

¡VAMOS! Festival 2012 is supported by Arts Council England, Newcastle University, Instituto Cervantes (Manchester), Dance City, the Embassy of Mexico to the United Kingdom and the Embassy of Brazil in London.

¡VAMOS! 2012 commissions supported by Arts Council England, North East, curated by Pablo Leon de la Barra in partnership with North Tyneside Council, Durham County Council, the organiser of BRASS: Durham International Festival, and mima.

Festival sponsors include: Printing.com, Embassy of Mexico to the United Kingdom, Embassy of Brazil, The Tyne Bar. Festival Partners include: Newcastle City Council, Gateshead Council, Dance City, Mouth of the Tyne Festival, Middlesbrough City Council, The Sage Gateshead, Filmoteca del Departamento de Cooperación y Promoción Cultural Exterior de España, Supay Fotos, The Biscuit Factory, The Bowes Museum, GemArts, Musicando, Newcastle Flamenco Collective, Hannabiell and Midnight Blue, Latino Events, Crusoes, Newcastle City Council Learning, Salsa Amor, Project Hub Creative Content, Dynamix Skate Park, 100 Hands, Star and Shadow Cinema, North East Centre for Lifelong Learning, Todo El Mundo, X Salsa, World Beaters Music, SalSeduce, Bar Loco, Hoults Yard, Embassy of Spain Office for Cultural and Scientific Affairs, Newcastle Music Service Burandanga, Friends of Summerhill. Media Partner: Latino Life

!VAMOS! Festival has been granted the Inspire mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme. The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Inspire programme is run by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. It is an opportunity for everyone to be a part of the London 2012 Games – a broad participation programme spanning sport participation, education, sustainability, volunteering, and business opportunities & culture. New opportunities are being created to inspire young people and encourage the whole of the UK to join in. The Inspire programme has awarded over 1,400 different projects the Inspire mark.

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are delivered by two key organisations – the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). LOCOG is responsible for staging a memorable Games in 2012. They will deliver the best possible Olympic and Paralympic Games experience for everyone involved, enabling a lasting legacy and inspiring people to join in.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is the public body responsible for developing and building the new venues and infrastructure for the Games and converting the Olympic Park for long-term use after the Games. In the summer of 2012, the UK will come alive with the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Find out the latest from the London 2012 blog – london2012.com/blog

Cait Read

¡VAMOS! Festival PR

¡VAMOS! Festival returns for 6 weeks this summer!

1st June - 15th July 2012.

JUST ANNOUNCED: View the ¡VAMOS! Festival 2012 programme http://bit.ly/JiENXO

¡VAMOS! 2011 video sampler: http://vimeo.com/27448025