The FAIR

The line-up ALAF put together for the 2008 fair was as follows:

Palenke
The Band's eclectic repertoire is passionate, dynamic and eminently danceable: from the characteristically hot blooded tempos of Cuban Salsa and Brazilian Lambada, the traditional folk rhythms of Colombian cumbia and Dominican Merengue, to the latest Caribbean Reggae and universally popular Spanish style "Gypsy Kings".
Songs composed by Lisandro Zapata are a mix of his Rock and Roll background, modern R&B and hip hop, with a hint of Jazz and funk but as danceable as the lovely Salsa that have kept Palenke alive and, has made Palenke’s sound one of the finest of all the bands in London.

Vassani Tango
A three piece tango band accompanies the hugely talented tango dancers. Taken from the recent River Tango stage at the Mayor’s Thames Festival this performance is set to be exciting. It is a unique opportunity for "tangueros" and visitors alike to explore contemporary expressions of tango.

Diablada
The Diablada is the most representative dance of the Oruro carnival in Bolivia.
The dance shows a deep cosmo vision stemmed in the andean cult of the mean "Huari" (Devil) god of the mines. The devil dancing group is a dramatized fight between St Michael Arch Angel and the devils which all together go dancing led by the arch angel.

Mariachi Mexteca
Mariachi Mexteca returns by popular demand, the UK's leading Mariachi band. They maintain the unique and traditional style of the original Mariachi and are the spicy ingredient of the fiesta.

Paraiso Samba and the Gui Tavares Band
Paraíso School of Samba is the only organisation in the UK whose artistic direction is by artists who grew up in the Rio de Janeiro samba community and which closely follows the authentic Brazilian School of Samba structure and objectives, including all its main cultural elements. They focus on percussion, music, dance, carnival and costume design and the culmination results in a powerful performance of passion and joy. This high energy visually arresting show is a powerful catalyst to get the audience dancing and a fantastic close to the fiesta.