1. History

2. See also

3. References

4. External links

Latin Sparks Festival is Canada’s largest Latin dance party hosted over the summer in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It attracts over 4,000 people for a night of dancing.

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

In 2018, Latin Sparks Festival was held in Ottawa on Saturday, June 9 and in Toronto on Saturday, August 18. Both events had overwhelming success and the organizers plan to continue growing and offering more unique artistic content to Canadians and international tourists attending their events.

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).

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]

In 2018, Latin Sparks Festival expanded to Toronto for the first time. The Festival took place in Ottawa on Saturday, June 9, 2018 and attracted an estimated 4,500 attendees. Once again sold out, Latin Sparks in Ottawa featured 2 new headline acts and continues to grow its artistic content. Latin Sparks in Toronto was held for the first time on Saturday, August 18, 2018 and attracted an overwhelming 3,500 attendees. The Festival featured 10 acts and 6 food trucks, amazing artistic content and a great diverse crowd. Latin Sparks Festival plans to continue growing and return to Toronto in 2019.

The festival has been supported by various private and government bodies including: the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the City of Ottawa, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, 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

• Latin American Culture
• Latin dance

References

External links

• Official Website

• Van Wyksvlei
• Van Wyk's Vlei
• Vanwyksvlei
• Vanwyksvlei Dam
• Van Wyksvlei, Northern Cape
• Vanwyksvlei, Northern Cape
• Van Wyks Vlei, Western Cape
• Van Xuan University of Technology
• Vanya-class minesweeper
• Vanya Cullen
• Vanya (disambiguation)
• Vanya Gospodinova
• Vanya Sokolova
• Vanya Verikosa
• Van Yen
• Van Yen District, Hai Hung
• Van Yen District, Yen Bai
• Van Yuezuencue Yil Universitesi
• Van Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi
• Vanzac
• Van Zandt (disambiguation)
• Van Zandt Williams
• Van Zant (band)
• Van Zant (disambiguation)
• Vanzant's Point, Ontario