As spring weather continues to waffle between freezing and melting, why not help tip the scales with a night of definitively warming vibes?

Latin Night, presented at St. Albert United Church by the St. Albert Latin Cultural Association (SALCA), will usher in the feeling of summer by celebrating the sounds, sights, and tastes of Latin culture. A run of musical acts, including the blues-rock of Los Rebeldes Musicales, Colombian singer Diana Alejandra Díaz Rojas, and DJ Kris King will offer music to groove to, after Fiesta Cubana dance instructor Orlando Martinez Kindelan gives the room some energetic lessons in Latin moves.

SALCA president Jorge Vargas notes they’ve had Kindelan at previous events, where he’s proven capable of getting massive crowds onto their feet.

“I'm not exaggerating, he had the whole of Lions Park—there were 300, 400 people there—all following what he was doing … He is very entertaining,” Vargas says. “He’ll have people dancing. If you have not experienced that before, you'll be really engaged.”

The catering, too, will reflect the breadth of Latin heritage: guests can feast on tacos al pastor and Chilean sandwiches, and, for those with a sweet tooth, Tres Leches cake and Chilean pineapple and dulce de leche cake.

Latin Night also functions as a fundraiser for the St. Albert Latin Festival, a daylong celebration of Latin Culture in August. This year will mark that festival’s fifth year of bringing hundreds of people out to Lions Park, something Vargas and SALCA manage to do as a small but dedicated team of volunteers—though, he notes, they could always use a few extra helping hands.

“We really want to bring this to St. Albert,” he says, of events like Latin Night and the summer festival. “We would love to have it on a more regular basis... We cannot do it more regularly because we are all volunteering our time, and it's getting harder to get volunteers.”

Those interested in volunteering can reach out to SALCA to support their programming. But no matter what, Vargas notes that they’re dedicated to giving St. Albert opportunities to experience and embrace Latin culture.

“We put in a lot of effort, but this is a little contribution we want to give to our community,” he says. “We know how people in St. Albert enjoy this combination of Latin music with dance with food and beverages and all that. And it's completely family oriented: people bring their children, and it’s amazing how they react to Latin music. It's so, so rewarding to see different ages enjoying themselves and having a good time.”

“Bring those nice, dancing shoes,” he adds. “You're not going to be sitting down. You'll be trying those moves. You'll be trying those rhythms. We are really excited about that.”

Article Written by: Paul Blinov

Latin Night happens at St. Albert United Church on April 5th from 6pm to 10pm. Tickets are $25 through Eventbrite or $35 at the door.

To learn more about the St. Albert Latin Cultural Association, visit there Facebook or Instagram pages.

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