National Ballet School Meets Salsa
Entering the theatre by stage right - yes stage right - was an eye opener with high ceilings, padded stadium seating and an ear opener too. It is the quiet that one hears in a dedicated performance hall such as the Four Seasons's Opera hall or a concert hall such as Roy Thompson Hall that said this was something different
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For 2009, the Winter Salsa Carnival went to the source of modern dance, the National Ballet School and the Betty Oliphant Theatre.
The stage seemed almost too big for salsa, but in Friday's show, the stage shrank almost to nothing as Montreal's Chilital flooded it with urban and salsa. Toronto's Mambo Dream Team reprised classic Cuban Cabaret in a riot of color and 50s orchestration. Any Desi Arnaz fan would have been familiar with the notes that floated through the house. Going back to a source of salsa, Mambo Dream Team's Orisha dancer gave them a fleeting glimpse of Africa's rhythm.
Any performance that captures the audience and holds them can do it whether the stage is an aircraft carrier deck or a postage stamp, and Second WSC Salsa Competition competitors did just that.
The Competition
Montreal did not sweep the competition as Toronto's Gil & Michelle took the 2009 Amateur title in the 2nd Winter Salsa Carnival Competition. Christy & Briia, Joey & Marlene all gave performances that would give the pros pause! Expect to see much more of them!
Montreal's 2008 2nd Place Canada Salsa Congress Competition winners Evens & Kim built on their experience and won the 2nd Winter Salsa Carnival's Competition Pro division. Montreal's Edson & Lisanne; and Toronto's Mel & Susan rounded off the Professional category with passionate routines that captured the audience and held them.
Angus and Mark Anthony kept the night moving, announcing most of the acts off by stage right with an occasional appearance wearing Tees from all of the salsa clothing vendors.
All too soon, the theatre lights faded to black taking last notes of the last performance with them... The spell broke when the house lights went on and they streamed out to party!
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