2013 Canada Salsa Congress

It was the Thanksgiving weekend long weekend and that only means one thing for me – The 2013 Canada Salsa Congress – the 11th annual edition. This year the venue was the Sheraton Centre Hotel across the street from Nathan Philips Square – Toronto City Hall.

The pre-congress party started with the DanceFeet Canadian Salsa Championships and the DanceFeet CSC Amateur & Pro-Am Competition. The dance competitions had difference dance styles and difference divisions. The two main divisions were – Showcase & Heated.

A Showcase division means that the couples choreograph their own 2 minute routine to their choice of music.

A Heated division means that several couples are dancing on the dancefloor at once to music selected by the DJ. This is social dancing - choreography not necessary.

The following were all the competition grouping breakdown from the website:
"Professional & Amateur Showcase divisions (ie choreographed showcases) will compete on Thurs. Oct. 10th at 9pm

1. Professional Salsa division (Official Regional event for the Global Salsa Championship Miami, February 2014 organized by Billy Fajardo)

2. Professional Bachata division (Official Regional event for the Global Salsa Championships Miami, February 2014 & Official Qualifier for the 2014 Toronto Bachata Competition)

3. Professional Hustle division

4. Amateur Salsa division

5. Amateur Bachata division (Official Qualifier for the 2014 Toronto Bachata Competition)

6. Open Hustle division (can be Am-Am or Pro-Am)

7. Pro Just Salsa Heated Division

8. Pro Just Bachata Heated Division

9. Pro Just Hustle Heated Division

10. Team Bachata Showcase Division

Pro-Am Salsa Showcase division will compete on Fri. Oct. 11th. Semi Final Round at 3:30pm and Finals at 9pm

This means that a professional/teacher will dance a choreographed routine with an amateur/student. Prizes will be awarded. All competitors will compete in the Semi-Final round on Friday afternoon at 3:30pm. Top 6 female competitors and Top 3 male competitors will be announced at 5:30pm and they will advance to the finals to be held Friday evening at 9pm. The Pro-Am Salsa Showcase will open our Friday night show followed by performances by National & International Artists.

Pro-Am & Am-Am Heated divisions will compete on Sat. Oct. 12th, 2:30pm - 5:30pm

For all the heated divisions, no choreographed routine is necessary, multiple couples will be on the floor, music will be selected by the competition DJ. Each school or team will be able to reserve their own table of 10 to watch and cheer on their fellow competitors. This year we are also offering Am-Am heated divisions. The Pro-Am competition will be divided into male and female categories and all categories will be divided by level - Novice, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Advanced. Competitors may enter their own level plus one or two levels above. For definitions and rules see rules page.

1. Pro-Am Salsa Heated division - Novice, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Advanced divisions. New Silver division added (Amateur is 50 years of age or older)

2. Pro-Am Bachata Heated division - Novice, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Advanced divisions

3. Pro-Am Hustle Heated division - Novice, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Advanced divisions. New Silver division added (Amateur is 50 years of age or older)

4. Pro-Am Cha Cha Heated division - Novice, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Advanced divisions. New Silver division added (Amateur is 50 years of age or older)

5. Pro-Am Triple Threat division (Salsa, Bachata & Cha Cha) -Novice, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Advanced divisions

6. Am-Am Salsa Heated division - Novice, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Advanced divisions

7. Am-Am Bachata Heated division - Novice, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Advanced divisions

8. Am-Am Hustle Heated division - Novice, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Advanced divisions

9. Am-Am Cha Cha Heated division - Novice, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Advanced divisions

10. Am-Am Triple Threat division (Salsa, Bachata & Cha Cha) - Novice, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Advanced divisions

11. Pro-Am Bachata Showcase Division
These competitions will provide an opportunity for dancers to showcase their talent and creativity to Canada and to the rest of the world and will also allow many amateur dancers to get a taste of competing!"





For dance images from the congress - they can be viewed and purchased at the following link.