Carnivargyle

Overview

Carnivals were originally a festival to farewell the pleasures of the flesh before the Roman Catholic tradition of Lent. These days the focus tends to be more the party and less the restraint. Most famous Carnivals are done with for the year — Venice, Rio, New Orleans and our own Mardi Gras — but the Argyle in the Rocks is having its own go at drawing out the festival spirit. Last year they tested the water with a one day 'Carnivargyle', which this year they've expanded into a full month of anti-lenten excesses.

2011's Carnivargyle includes Brazilian dance, barbeques dripping with staple Argentinian green sauce chimichurri, and rhythmic demonstrations of capoeira. Thursday nights will see samba classes and tequila tastings, while Wednesdays and Sundays the space will play host to live latin bands. Gonzalo Porta & The Sydney Salsa All Stars lead a New Yorican (New York and Puerto Rican latino) evening Wednesday March 20, while the following Wednesday is a night of Afro-Cuban sounds. Friday and Saturday nights feature DJs pushing latin tunes, and barbeques in the expansive courtyard.