The Latin Passion Festival continued its passion on last Saturday night at Sha Tin Town Hall with a mix of dance, music and colourful costumes as Latin Fantasia showcased a mix of styles From Rio with Samba and Love ( Brazil ) and guest artists.
The extravagant costumes eventually stole the show with some stunning Carnival Parade outfits during the finale, the highlight of which was an opulent peacock dress.
The first act was a little restrained in comparison. The lead vocalist, Alcione Justo Marques, was happier with the livelier numbers when she was standing together with the band later in the set, rather than at the start singing the quieter ballads on her own at the front of the stage. The group also seemed a little distant and rather subdued for a Brazilian band, but they played the standard Latin numbers of La Bamba, Bamboleo, Macarena and other favourites quite competently albeit with a little too much Hammond Organ at times.
However the atmosphere began to warm up as the dancing began and built up as From Rio went through number of traditional Brazilian and other dances. The sword fight during the Maculele dance looked particularly impressive as big sparks were flying each time the dancers crossed swords at high speed.
However the biggest cheer of the first act was for the limbo dancer, managing to get under a seemingly impossible low level bar torched with flames which sent thick smoke up to the roof of the Auditorium.
The second act belonged to the reigning ten dance world champions from Slovenia . Misa Cigoj and Anastasia Novozilova. Their expressive style of Ballroom dancing was a joy to watch as they treated the audience to a passionate Paso Doble, a modern Rumba, a lively Samba and an expressive Cha-cha-cha. They really seemed to be thoroughly enjoying their dancing and that enjoyment came through to the audience.
By contrast the Argentine Tango danced by Pablo Inza and Moira Castellano looked a little lightweight and lacking in passion. However the tango dancers in the audience ensured the couple were given a rousing reception.
The third and final act was all feathers and sequins as an array of increasingly outrageous costumes adorned the stage until the finale when the stage was ablaze with colour. The band got the opportunity to switch from their cruise ship outfits at the back of the stage in the first act to some very colourful outfits for the drumming start of the Carnival Parade and seemed to relish the opportunity to come centre stage. The dancing was a little secondary as the outfits got bigger and heavier but the audience loved the finish and the customary cascade of glitter from the roof added to the spectacular ending.
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