This bank holiday weekend will come alive to the sounds, smells, sights, and feel of Cuba and its capital city Havana with the Little Havana Festival.
Galway’s Little Havana Festival takes place tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday and promises Cuban inspired music, dance, street entertainment, art, and cultural events.
The festival kicks off at 7pm tomorrow with an outdoor performance on Mainguard Street by the Cuban All Stars followed at 8pm by a carnival parade of percussion and performance through the streets of the city’s ‘Latin Quarter’.
Street entertainment then concludes with the British salsa soul group Rumba Caliente and a set from legendary DJ Norman Jay from 10pm.
Highlights on Saturday include Salsa Celtica, who merge Irish trad with salsa; DJ Gilles Peterson upstairs at Kelly’s; and Sabor Cubano, an eclectic and infectious five piece Latin music act channelling the samba, bossa nova and Cuban Latin musical styles.
Sunday will see The Cuban Jazz Project bring their unique blend of Afro-Cuban jazz and soul sounds to the ‘Latin Quarter’. Other key performances feature Cuba Libre, Cuban Combination, and DJ El Ray,
Sunday afternoon will feature a Family Fun Day in association with Coca Cola, which will take place throughout the ‘Latin Quarter’ pedestrianised streets.
For a full schedule of events see www.thelatinquarter.ie
A safety plan has been put in place the public to ensure the enjoyment and safety of festival goers.
The Public Safety Initiative has been developed by the Galway City Council and the gardaí and it has the full support of local businesses and city centre residents.
No glasses, bottles, or cans will be allowed onto Main Guard Street, High Street, Quay Street, Kirwans Lane, and Courthouse Lane, including Cross Street upper and lower. Only plastic receptacles will be permitted in these areas.
All entry points to the festival area will be manned by gardaí and stewards, with waste disposal bins located at each access point in order to dispose of any glass/cans.· Plastic containers will be made available at each of the entry points.
Litter control measures will be in place throughout the city before, during, and after the festival. Bottle banks and bins will be provided at the entry points and the public are being asked to use these bins.
