Viva Lo Caliente, a week-long festival presented by the Latino-Canadian Association of Northern B.C., celebrates Hispanic cultures and traditions beginning with the city-wide Spring Clean Up Sunday, April 29 and concluding with the grand finale Latin Dinner and Dance Party Saturday, May 5.
"For this week-long festival we decided to offer many free activities, along with the dance party that people would have to pay for," said Juan Carlos Lpez, association president. "We are paying for the music so that will keep the cost of the dinner dance tickets low."
Sunday, April 29 at 10 a.m. volunteer for Spring Cleanup with the Latino-Canadian Association of Northern B.C. at Antler Park, 1253 Bowron Crescent.
Monday, April 30 at 7 p.m. a talk and discussion: A Brief History of Latin America, How Exhumations Bring Closure to the Victims of the Armed Conflict in Guatemala is presented by guest speaker Cristian M. Silva Zuiga, B.A.,M.A., international liaison coordinator of the Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team (EPAF) at Caf Voltaire, Books & Co., 1685 Third Avenue. Free admission.
Wednesday, May 2 at 7 p.m. the film The Salsa Revolution is presented by the Latino-Canadian Association and the Prince George Public Library. This documentary takes the audience on a journey through the history of Salsa music, a defining rhythm for Latinos the world over at the Prince George Public Library. Free admission.
Friday, May 4, Spanish Family Storytime 11 to 11:45 a.m. in partnership with P.G. Public Library. Preschool children and parents are invited for a fun time of stories, songs and crafts while listening and learning Spanish at the library. Free admission.
Friday, May 4 Latin dance workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. Listen to a presentation about the Spanish art form of Flamenco and learn the basic steps of flamenco, salsa and merengue dancing in time for the Latin Gala Dinner. Workshop is at St. Michael's Anglican Church, 1505-Fifth Avenue. Free admission.
Saturday, May 5, the Latin Dinner and Dance Party is at 6 p.m. at the Columbus Community Centre. The event showcases Latin-American culture, cuisine, live music and entertainment. A hot six-piece Vancouver band, Aracely y La Tropa 21 will perform.
Tickets are $40 at Books & Co., 1685 Third Avenue and through members of the Latino Canadian Association of Northern B.C.
