Rumba rhythm hits Rotorua streets

Mambo, rumba, salsa, cha-cha-cha - Rotorua came alive to the sights and sounds of Cuba last week with the New Zealand Cuban Festival held in the city.

Yesterday was the final day of the festival with dance lessons held at the Millennium Hotel, the base for the week-long festival.

New Zealand Cuban Festival Trust chairman Petera Hudson said it was the first time the festival had been held in Rotorua and it was a resounding success.

"We were on Eat Streat last Saturday at the same time as the Lakeside concert so there were thousands of people walking the streets, it was the best publicity we could have asked for.

"Then on Thursday we were performing at the Night Market until 9.30pm and we followed that with some demonstrations in the City Focus."

Mr Hudson said dance classes were held all week with international dancers coming to Rotorua on the Thursday in preparation for their showcase event on Saturday. "We had some great local support so we had to add an extra three rows of chairs to fit everyone in for the Saturday Showcase.

"The showcase culminated in a huge afro-Maori, Cuban-fusion dance which was really amazing."

Mr Hudson said the Cuban ambassador to New Zealand came, along with Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick and district council cultural ambassador Trevor Maxwell."

He said there was also a lot of local support for Rotorua dancer Kisa Kohunui who runs Dance to Inspire.

People came from all over New Zealand and as far away as Australia, New Caledonia and the United States.