The dancer that is bringing an Afro-Latino festival to Margate

Leon Williams, a professional and amateur dancer in Margate, has successfully managed to make a dream of his come true which he has had since August last year when he performed at the Margate Soul Festival. He played Afro music in a one-hour slot during a festival with music from Funk to Soul and no-one sat down for the whole set.

At that moment he realised this was an amazing ‘window of opportunity’ to bring an Afro-Latino festival to the people of Margate. This July he is delivering on his dream and bringing an Afro-Latino festival to Margate beach on the 17th-19th July.

Since having the idea, he has had an incredible response from not only the local community, but musicians and dancers up and down the country, and has finally been able to announce the festival. The interest in the festival highlights that people do want to embrace the cultures of Latin music and Salsa dancing; his friend texted him when her local hairdressers were discussing in excitement the prospect of this event.

He grew up in a house full of music ranging from swing to Elvis Presley due to his mum’s love of it and it wasn’t until he went on a tour in Australia in 1998 that he fell in love with Afro music; he witnessed the joy of Afro music as he watched people get up, dance and enjoy themselves.

It would mean the world to Leon if he was able to get just one person into dancing who has never danced before; through the joy and brilliance of the dance, music and particularly important to him the cultural impact of the music. He told CommunityAd that he thinks the history of Afro/Latino music is often overlooked and swept under the carpet; much of the music being inspired by slavery.

He really encourages everyone to get involved in dancing, at 53 he has been dancing for 40 years and for 20 years he has been doing dance lessons in Latin and Salsa.

Leon has run East Coast Entertains since 2014. Their Mantra is: “Bringing people together through music, dance and culture.” They run weekly, monthly and annual dance events around the Southeast. They hire out DJs for special and themed occasions plus team bonding days and corporate events through music and dance; they also work closely with live bands and singers too.

Leon is awaiting a decision from Thanet council on a community stage on Margate’s seafront, that will be free and allow people of any age or ability to embrace the festival.

To follow any updates to the festival you can keep an eye on https://www.visitthanet.co.uk/ whats-on/ or follow the Facebook  page: https://www.facebook.com/events/594194118080867/

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