Dance mashup at BaChaTaHISian fest

A gathering of dance cultures from all over the world. That’s the dream Charito Rivera is working hard to realize with her global dance and music event on Sunday.

The bachata dancer has used her community connections to help her put on the BaChaTaHISian Festival & Concert. That fanciful acronym means that bachata (Latin), Brazilian, Hawaiian, Tahitian and Filipino dance will all be on display during Sunday’s event.

Bachata is a dance from the Dominican Republic with an emphasis on syncopated hip movement. And Rivera, a well-versed bachata enthusiast, has been a featured solo dancer here and on the mainland.

BACHATAHISIAN FESTIVAL & CONCERT Where: Sunset Lanai Ballroom, Camp H.M. Smith in Halawa Heights When: 2-10 p.m. Sunday; dinner and concert 6-10 p.m. Cost: $50, $60 VIP; $20 ages 5 to 15 Info: 428-3521 or charitorivera.com Note: This event takes place on a military base, so civilians must contact Rivera beforehand by texting their names and “gate pass” to 428-3521 to be admitted to Camp Smith. Tickets will be sold at the event.

She has been working toward this festival ever since she graduated from Hawaii Pacific University in 2008 with a degree in social work. Rivera is the epitome of the power of positive thinking.

“I’ve wanted this to happen,” she said last week during a phone interview. “Even though I’ve never done anything like this before, I know I can do this, thanks to my social work skills. Plus I was the family organizer while in high school. So it shouldn’t matter what I have or haven’t done before. It’s what I can do now.”

During get-togethers with fellow dance enthusiasts in the Hawaii Bachata Meet Up group organized by Allyn Plant, Rivera developed an idea of what people would want.

Dance classes begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, included in the festival ticket cost.

There will also be cultural arts and crafts displays and a fashion show.

At 6 p.m. a dinner will include Hawaiian baked ham, or prime rib for those who buy into the VIP package.

A 7 p.m. concert features heralded Latin musical act Voz a Voz from New York City, along with local acts Rolando Sanchez and Eddie Ortiz & the Son Caribe Band.

“This has been a challenging and exciting event,” she said.

“My vision came together more when I was able to get Voz a Voz, whose members were born in the Dominican Republic, and are Latin Grammy and Billboard Award winners,” she said. The vocal trio of Ronny Mercedes, Jaden Pimental and Gio D’Oleo will depart on a European tour next month in support of their new album “Destiny.”

There’s also quite a gathering of local DJs, solo and dance groups, including DJs Judah da Lion and Tiburon, the Aloha Rumberos of Hawaii Dance Company and the Teqniklingz Group.

As for the venue, Rivera said, “I just love it. It has a big indoor and outdoor dance floor, and there’s a panoramic view of the island.”

– Gary Chun / gchun@staradvertiser.com