(Seated from right) Paris, Dr Safrina, Yii, Ting, Teo, Isabelle, and Gupson (back row – second left) with international artistes and the festival organising committee.
MIRI: Sarawak and Miri in particular remained an almost unknown destination to dance circles until recently, when the world’s dancing community including famous international dancers came to town for the inaugural Miri Afrolatin Dance Fiesta.
In the retinue are Afrolatin dancers like Isabelle Crepin from France, Guspon Pierre from Canada and Paris Penalver from Australia.
However, now the situation has changed emphatically for the better following the hosting of the inaugural Miri Afrolatin Dance Fiesta here from March 2-5, which is also the first such fiesta held in Borneo.
Isabelle, who has never being to Asia, Guspon and Paris were among 15 international and national artistes who came for the fiesta to conduct workshops in their own specialities, besides performing at the Gala Dinner on Saturday night.
“I am proud to be here. When Dr Safrina contacted me and I asked ‘is it real, am I going to Asia?’ but you did it and I am very proud of you,” said Isabelle at a joint press conference yesterday with Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting, Miri City Mayor Adam Yii, the festival organising chairperson Dr Safrina Othman and artistes Guspon and Paris.
Among those present were Bintang Megamall general manager John Teo and artistes including Theodore Wolashie Awadzi from Norway.
Guspon, who has over 20 years of experience in dancing and conducting workshops the world over, also commended Dr Safrina and her team for successfully organising the fiesta.
“The reception was really amazing, I never felt that before. I am seeing the future is very bright for Miri in being an important dance festival destination and I hope the mayor will be with us at the next festival here and beyond,” he said.
Paris too was very thankful that Miri initiated the first Afrolatin Fiesta in Borneo adding that “Already this is being so great and the community here makes it so wonderful… I believe this fiesta will to be continued”.
Dr Safrina said her strong determination to hold the fiesta was driven by the ambition to put Miri on the world map of dancing, adding that since she was actively involved in dance festivals in many countries one and-half years ago, many people didn’t know where Miri or Sarawak is.
“Many asked me where do I come from and when I said Miri they asked where is it? Only after I said in Borneo, then they have a rough idea and that is why I wanted to organise this dance festival here to promote Miri to the world community and also dance to the people,” said Dr Safrina, who is also the proprietor of La Danza Fitness & Dance Studio, Miri – the organiser of the fiesta.
Datuk Sebastian was full of praise for the organisers and the Miri City Council which supported the event as well as the artistes for making the festival a reality.
“Indeed with this fiesta. Miri is placed on the international scene of dancing. People from outside come to know Miri because by organising international events like this, we could effectively promote Miri,” said Ting.
The four-day festival, attracting some 70 participants including the international and local artistes like Malaysia”s very own Afrolatin dance experts Azlan and Mabel from UK/Malaysia, and Deejay Selva.
Activities during the fiesta included an 18-hour workshop, a performance workshop, one Kizomba bootcamp, three dance parties, gala dinner and excursions to Niah National Park, Tusan Beach and Miri City.