THE VAMOS! Festival is in full Latino swing with a cornucopia of all things wild and wonderful that celebrate the world of Spanish and Portuguese cultures.

It was my first visit to Newcastle University’s Culture Lab, and what a fabulous, intimate space it is. Just perfect for a specially choreographed, exclusive dance by one of the world’s most exciting dance groups, Danza Contemporanea de Cuba.

Entitled Dominus, the five dancers first built themselves into a clever domino stack before toppling over on to the floor and engaging themselves in an imaginary game of dominoes.

Dancing on chairs, on the table and crashing themselves around with superb hotheaded agility, the flavour of Cuban passion came through loud and clear.

A spirited dance tug-of-war ensued over their winnings – only one bottle of Bacardi rum – which became the focus for five fantastic solo performances. Without even touching the bottle they all showed their individual prowess with kicks, rolls and body-defying leaps, their squabbling spilling into the audience until they eventually decided to share the rum.

There was also a special screening of Only When I Dance, a Brazillian film telling the inspirational true story of Irlan who grew up in Rio de Janeiro’s most violent of places, the Complexo do Alemao.

In true Billy Elliot style, Irlan wins a scholarship to the Centro De Danca Rio and eventually, at great emotional and financial cost to his family, Irlan wins his place with a New York ballet company.

VAMOS! continues around Newcastle for the rest of the week.

The dancers from Danza Contemporanea de Cuba can be seen in a one-off performance with five amateur boxers from Tyneside at Dance City tonight at 7.30pm. Tickets 08448-112-121.

Helen Brown