Dazzling sunshine Sunday went with the Winter Salsa Carnival as it packed up, moved from east to west, and settled in for a day at the Dovercourt Community Centre.
Workshop participants were treated to Dovercourt's warm wood floors, high ceilings and brilliant sun on the second floor as they "one, two, three ... five, six and sevened" through Steps Dance Studio's Jennifer Aucoin's Ladies Styling Workshop, United Salseros's On1 Intermediate turn patterns, Art In Motion's Darlin Garcia's Advanced On2 Turn Patterns and Jorge's Cha Cha footwork and turn pattern workshop - On2?!
Finishing at 4:10pm, people strolled down the street to Novaera Bakery on the corner of Bloor & Dovercourt to load up on scrumptious baked goods, coffee, espresso and other delights before heading back at 5:00pm for more shows and a final three hours of dancing!
You could see them coming before they even entered the room. Those bright pennies in Mambo Dream Team's Childrens Group made their debut in a riot of color! The crowd gasped and applauded, put on their shades, sat back and watched the show. From four and five to pre-teen, the group caught the crowd and kept them - younger ones with merengue and the old tunnel dance - older ones with some salsa. Only three months to put the routine together too! And, which one is Pavel & Dora's daughter?
Salsa Steph's Lucky 13th Student Group showcased body movement and isolations, working it up in 8 short weeks.
Ottawa's Salsa Fanatics danced and flirted and flirted through salsa and more.
iFreeStyle's Student Group caught them by surprise with a fabulous Oklahoma send off! Yippy I Oh!
Art In Motion and Darlin finished the show with shades of Once Upon a Time In Mexico! Antonio Banderas or Johnny Depp anyone! How did they do that with those guitar cases?
As the last note died away, people sat still, quiet, not moving as the 2nd Winter Salsa Carnival's three whirlwind days of fun, new friends, dance, and places came to an official end. Costumes packed away, cars loaded for that long trip home or to the airport, thinking of next year.
DJ Nilson broke the spell with some music and people stirred, getting three last hours of dancing.
