Latin fiesta a highlight of Sonoma International Film Festival

Tequila, complementary Mexican and Spanish delectables and salsa music all were essential to the happening that pulsated Saturday night within a great tent on the historic Sonoma Plaza.

This was the Vamos al Cine, or Let’s Go to the Movies. The distinctly Latin fiesta within the Sonoma International Film Festival helps raise money for a number of charitable causes. It sparked to life, not coincidentally, about the time a showing of the featured film “Ciudad Delirio” wrapped up the at nearby Sebastiani Theatre.

Actors, filmmakers, Latino community leaders and festival patrons stepped into the tent to behold a grand, Latin-themed movie party.

Among the plentiful temptations were Lagunitas brews, wines from Gloria Ferrer and The Other Guys, and Dirty-Ritas, created with a tequila infused with cinnamon and pineapple.

Guests helped themselves to tables laden with Latin culinary wonders. The spread by La Espanola meats starred Spanish cured ham, cheeses and olives. Staffers of Maya and La Casa restaurants set out a sampling of favorite dishes.

There was instruction in salsa dancing before the music of Freddy Clarke & Wobbly World enticed dancers to come mix it up on the floor.