By the time Spanish flamenco band, Viento y Fuego took to the stage, the crowd gathered at Lobo in the Morrison Hotel for the launch of the Festival of World Cultures were more than ready to get their hips swinging. Tiger beers and finger-lickingly good canapΘs disappeared in minutes as the tempo was cranked up a notch or two. Judging by the slick and sexy moves on display, it appeared that Dubliners had been forsaking the pub for weekly salsa dancing classes and were eager to show off.
Spice Girl Mel B was due to attend the launch but backed out at the last minute because a family commitment. Even if she had showed up, I suspect this high-spirited crowd may have been having too much fun to notice her. That might have been another blow to her fragile ego following the flop of her recent album, so it's best that she wasn't around.
Organised by D·n Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the first Festival of World Cultures will run in the D·n Laoghaire area from August 24th to 26th, featuring Irish and international acts.
"We've got some top-class world performers in our line-up, and the whole aim of the festival is to showcase the social changes taking place for Ireland to become a multicultural society," said festival director Jody Ackland. Originally from Manchester, Ackland was a world music promoter for 12 years, so she's been able to line up some of the best names in the business.
"Can Mexico be involved next year?" Miguel A. Vilchis, deputy head of the Mexican Mission asked the D·n Laoghaire-Rathdown county manager, Derek Brady, after reading the brochure. The more the merrier, replied Brady. Another Mexican, Octavio Hernandez, was here with Viento y Fuego and chatted to Caroline Murphy from Shankill, who was planning to attend a number of events.
Wanderlust presenter Brendan Courtney sandwiched the evening into his jet-setting life. The third series of the twentysomething Internet-dating-cum-travel show is in the middle of filming, so he was just back from Monaco (which he found completely dull) before heading off to Edinburgh this weekend. He was happy to boast that Wanderlust has been nominated for a Nombre d'Or in Amsterdam this September, beating off competition from Big Brother and others.
Another RT╔ face, Mono presenter Bisi Adigun, who'll be hosting an event during the festival, delighted the audience when he jumped onto the stage to demonstrate his bongo-drum skills.
Just back from holidaying in Turkey, Jack Gilligan, Dublin Corporation's arts officer, was getting into the swing of things but still had time to plug the free lunchtime opera concerts taking place at the civic offices every Thursday throughout August. "Opera is for everyone!" he enthused.
