Rhythm, Dance & Culture : La Fiesta Workshops

On Sunday 8 November, La Fiesta continues with a full day of intimate, hands-on workshops exploring the music, dance, rhythm and cultural traditions behind some of the artists appearing across the weekend.

Join visiting artists and musicians from SENES Flamenco, Suns of Mercury and iLe iLu, alongside Canberra collaborators, for extended sessions in flamenco, Cuban percussion and dance, batá, cajón, palmas, cante, pandeiro and Brazilian rhythms.

Flamenco Workshops : 10:00am - 2:00pm

Three workshops exploring flamenco dance, music and rhythm with live accompaniment: 10:00am Beginner Dance · 11:30am Intermediate Dance · 1:00pm TBC

Cuban Percussion + Dance : 12:00pm - 2:00pm

A hands-on exploration of Cuban percussion and dance with Adrian Hearn, Aloy Junco, Rodolfo “Panga” Hechavarría from Suns of Mercury, combining playing and movement with cultural and historical context.

Pandeiro: Samba and Beyond! : 2:15pm - 4:15pm

Explore pandeiro, samba and Brazilian rhythms with Marina Da Silva from iLe iLu, assisted by Raio de Sol. Hands-on playing, movement and cultural context. BYO pandeiro if you have one; limited instruments provided.

These aren’t just technique classes. Each workshop combines hands-on participation with cultural and historical context — an opportunity to understand where the music and movement come from, how the traditions have developed, and the communities that continue to carry them.

Workshops take place across Latin Dance Canberra and Blank Cultural Platform, with options for beginners as well as more experienced dancers and musicians.

Come for one session, or make a day of it! Detailed information below:

Flamenco Dance, Music & Percussion Workshops : 10:00am - 2:00pm

Latin Dance Canberra

Spend the morning exploring the art of flamenco with SENES Flamenco, across three connected workshops covering dance, technique, choreography, rhythm and percussion, all with live musical accompaniment.

• 10:00–11:30am – Beginner Flamenco Dance: Learn foundational steps and bodywork, explore basic flamenco rhythms and palmas and bring them together in a short routine. Open to all ages, genders and experience levels, with no partner required.

• 11:30am–1:00pm – Intermediate Flamenco Dance: Build on existing experience with a more focused session in technique, choreography, musicality and expression. Participants will work more closely with flamenco rhythm and live accompaniment. Some previous flamenco or dance experience is recommended.

• 1:00–2:00pm – TBC

Cuban Percussion + Dance : 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Blank Cultural Platform

Adrian Hearn, Aloy Junco, “Panga” Hechavarría from Suns of Mercury take you on a extended hands-on sessions combining rhythm, movement and percussion with discussion of the history and cultural context behind Cuban musical traditions.

Participants will be introduced to different rhythmic approaches, instruments and the relationship between percussion and dance, with plenty of opportunities to listen, play and move. A chance to go beyond the performance and better understand the instruments, traditions and cultural influences that shape Cuban music.

The final part of the workshop will go into greater cultural and historical depth - exploring why Afro-Cuban music and dance embody the orishas (Yoruba nature spirits). Don't be surprised to see, hear and feel the power of these spirits as the combine with the batá drums.

Pandeiro: Samba and Beyond! :  2:15pm – 4:45pm 

Blank Cultural Platform 

Discover the versatility of the pandeiro, Brazil's national percussion instrument! Lead by Marina Da Silva, director of iLe iLu, with assistance from Raio de Sol.

Explore samba rhythms on this unique instrument, then journey beyond to explore other techniques through practical playing, movement, and discussion of the instrument’s history, cultural context and place within Brazilian music.

Bring your own pandeiro if you have one. If you don’t, a limited number will be available to use during the workshop. This participatory session is designed to combine technique, rhythm, movement and cultural understanding.