Dancers delight at Latin festival at Sarjeant

Irina Kapeli and Rene Olmos performing a tango at Sarjeant on the Quay last Saturday. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Around 200 people attended a fiesta at Whanganui's Sarjeant Gallery last Saturday night.

Organiser Andrea Gardner said the celebration for the Latin America and Spain Film Festival showing in Whanganui was an outstanding occasion.

"Chile's ambassador to New Zealand, Rodrigo Espinosa, attended the event and the embassy provided empanadas and Chilean wine."

The gathering was treated to dance displays from Whanganui duo Rene Olmos and Irina Kapeli as well as the Latin American Dance Troupe from Palmerston North.

Colourful folkloric dancers delighted the audience at the Sarjeant.

"The tango performed by Rene and Irina was spectacular," said Ms Gardner.

"Rene is originally from Argentina and he moved to Whanganui this year after nine years in Auckland.

"He has started up Whanganui Dance where he teaches salsa and bachata.

"Irina is Russian and moved to New Zealand at age 13.

"After studying classical ballet and jazz she is now a professional dancer involved in performing, teaching and judging salsa."

Ms Gardner said the Latin American Dance Troupe is made up of dancers who originate from Chile, Colombia, Argentina and Venezuela and they demonstrated dances from all their countries of origin.

The Latin American Dance Troupe from Palmerston North entertained at the Sarjeant on Saturday.

"They performed wonderful, colourful folkloric dances - the cumbia, cueca, merengue and mapale."

The next Latin America and Spain Film Festival screening is Decent People (Gente de bien) from Argentina at the Davis Lecture Theatre, Whanganui Regional Museum, Watt St, at 4pm on Saturday October 28.