Dia Alegre: Festival of Nations

Many of Greater Vancouver's local talents performed at Dia Alegre, Festival of Nations/Festival del Popoli at the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, this August 1st. Many North Americans equate Latin music and dance simply with Salsa, or Latin Pop, and are unaware of the many colors and diverse styles the continent has to offer.  It has been a real pleasure to watch the literally and metaphorically colorful  Latin Music and Dance culture presentations. The following is but a small sample of the presentations by local, professional and amateur groups and artists.

Dances of Latin America: La Punta!

Punta is a Garifuna music and dance style performed at celebrations and festive occasions. Contemporary punta, including Belizean punta rock, arose in the last thirty years of the twentieth century in Belize, Honduras and Guatemala.^[1] It also has a following in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Southern Mexico and the United States. It is a circle dance in duple rhythm: one couple dances in the middle of the circle a while the other participants sing and clap their hands. Punta uses the call and response patterns in songs. Lyrics may be in Garifuna, Kriol, English or Spanish.^{[2] (wikipedia)}





As any tipical Latin American music and dance, La Punta is an excellent example of "evolution of dance". Even in its "modern" form as it is  danced on the street, at fiestas, and in the discoteques of Latin America, Punta is like a bit of Zouk, African Tribal Dance, Merengue, Soca and Reggaton and  perhaps this versatility is what explains its popularity: almost any body can dance the Punta, but there is always room for improvement and showing of personal skills and style.  From absolute beginners to Punta Masters, La Punta has something to offer to everyone.