Passion, rhythm and technique. One 1000 sq. m. stage, more than one hundred dancers from all over the world – from USA to Dubai, from Puerto Rico to India and Poland – and one competition with  $10 000 prize. The first Salsa festival in Athens starts on November 28^th on the Tae-kwon-do field. The three days and nights filled with the salsa rhythm are expected to be unforgettable and passionate. The festival is organized for the first time in Greece under the name “Todo Latino Salsa Festival.”

“The million moves man” Super Mario is one of the greatest Salsa instructors – Edie Torres. You can see him in the full swing of the dance here:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eUzpDwoNow

as well as bands, which mix Salsa with other rhythms like rumba, cha-cha and hip-hop, will get on stage above which a giant spider will hang. Latin Jazz New Swing Sextet and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico will play in the Salsa rhythm, and from behind the decks we will hear famous Latino performers like DJ Henry Knows, who has worked with Tito Puentes & Christina Aguilera, as well as Maury and Lubi. Everyone who likes the music and is ready to dance to the rhythm until exhaustion is invited to the party.

The festival won’t only be a spectacle. In the morning there will be seminars for all those who would like to discover the Salsa secrets, and the shows will start from 9:00 p.m. when professional dancers are promising to give their best. After midnight, the party will be taken over by the bands and the stage will be given to the audience; between 2:00 and 8:00 a.m. the decks will fire up from the Latin music rhythm.

All Salsa fans and those who want to try out, only have to show interest for participation in the competition. Ten couples will go to the finals and to fight for the three prizes – first place $10 000, second place is participation in the second Todo Latino Salsa Festival with all expenses included, and third place is $1000.

Salsa is part of the Caribbean culture but mostly the Cuban and Puerto Rican ones. It is a mixture of mambo, Cuban son and guaguanco, with African influences. It is a couple’s dance and is based on improvisation. The name comes from the Spanish word salsa – salsa, because it mixes musical and dancing styles.