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2012 Six Degrees Salsa Competition Latest News
Monday. 2 April. A Philadelphia and even a NYC Invasion could be in the offing for the International Division. Elvis & Melanie; Fausto Felix & Farrah Benoit; Darlin Garcia & Vera Rowe are rumoured to be at Six Degrees this evening.
$15 Tix still available. $10 Early Bird Tix sold out.
Don't wait! Just a few $10 Early Bird Tix left for the 6 Degrees of $14,000 Salsa Competition - Finals get them now. Otherwise it's $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
One day left until the International Division of the Six Degrees Salsa competition. The competitor's list is a closely guarded secret at this time, but some information about who is competing is available. Officially the competitors originate in the following countries Mexico - 1; Brazil - 1; Venezuela - 1; New York - 2; Philadelphia - 1; Montreal - 2; Toronto - 1.
Unofficially, gleaned from open sources, Mexico's David & Paulina are returning to defend their 2011 Six Degrees Salsa Competition championship. Toronto's Clifton & Andrea, Toronto Professional division winners are competing.
It is possible that Carine & Rafael - Brazil; Johely & David - Venezuela; Darlin Garcia & xx - Philadelphia; Victor & Katia - Montreal are in the running. There may be more.
Friday 30 March. Special Deal $10 Early Arrival Tickets now available - limited quantities. And these ticket holders must arrive in the venue before 9:30pm. Tuesday 3 April.
Monday 26 March. World Salsa Cup - World Latin Dance Cup competitor, bachata expert Philadephia's own Darlin Garcia may hit Toronto to get a piece of that $14,000 Salsa Competition prize!
Wednesday 21 March. Amateur Division pics and results now posted. Behind the scenes and people pics coming!
Tuesday 20 March. If 2011 was something, 2012's International Division is shaping up to be the Battle of the Americas. Nine International Finalist Couples confirmed 20 March 2012.
Countries and locations include: Mexico; Brazil; Venezuela; New York; Philadelphia; Montreal; Toronto. Drop money on the table and the talent starts poking around to see what is to be had.
Friday 16 March. Seven amateur couples will be competing Tuesday 20 March at the 2012 Six Degrees Salsa Competition. At this time they are: Elle Ma & Felipe; Johnny & Jenny; Davey & Janice;
Lloyd & Fiona and Montreal's Lilia & Hersson;
Rajeev & Anya; Kevin & Sandra.
Good luck to all the competitors.
A CHIN staffer took in Round 3's fun Tuesday evening, run up to coverage at the finals?
Tuesday 13 March. Los Salsomanos.com's Giovanni is guest DJ this evening at Six Degrees.
Monday 12 March. Last round of qualifiers for the 2012 Six Degrees Salsa Competition. Just come on out and dance for about two minutes to Son Ache with a partner you would compete with. Tuesday 13 March judges are iFreeStyle.ca's Angus; DanceToLive.com's José, a very proud father second time around.
Wednesday 7 March. It may have been brisk late winter cool outside, but the story was hot summer inside for the 2012 Six Degrees $14,000 Salsa Competition Round 2.
Six Degrees is definitely on the radar as one amateur couple, Lilia & Hersson drove in from Montreal, Quebec to toss their hat in the ring.
Once again, the legendary Toronto salsa band Son Ache, fronted by Cristian Saldivia, with Rufino Maceiro, percussionist Leon Chendy Jr., keyboardist Jr.Roberto Linares Brown put out a different live tune for each competing couple.
It's now a Montreal vs Toronto vibe with Montreal's Lilia & Hersson competing, along with Toronto's Rajeev & Anya; Fiona & Lloyd.
One professional Couple, Salimeh; & Alberto put it out to the judges with Son Ache choosing Mark Anthony's "Aguanile."
Son Ache used other classic songs, including Sonora Carruseles' "Micaela," Joe Arroyo's "La Rebelion," and Oscar d'
Leon's "Ven Morena." These tunes may or may not appear again, and don't forget that live musicians put their own take or cover to them. Listening to the original track may put one in the ball park, but only working the live musician's excerpt or snippet of that tune will bat that home run.
Son Ache returns Tuesday 13 March for the next preliminary round.
Amateur couples Lloyd & Fiona and Montreal's Lilia & Hersson advance to the semi-finals. What city will prevail in 2012?
Professional couple Salimeh; & Alberto advance to the semi-finals.
Judges for the evening were City Dance Corps' Tina and Danzarte Dance Company's Pedro Salazar.
Pedro has some history with the Competition as he was a consistent winner through the 90s at the Berlin Salsa Competition, the fore-runner to today's Six Degrees Salsa Competition. Pedro is known for his strong choreography and eye catching costuming.
Rounding off the evening, City Dance Corps Semi Pro troupe performed a graceful salsa with a touch of tango and contemporary.
Giovanni's Los Salsomanos performed a spectacular Cali Salsa routine which must be seen to be believed.
The is still time to enter the Six Degrees $14,000 Salsa Competition with the winning Toronto Professional couple scoring some $$$ and scoring a chance for $$$$ more! The Amateur winner is looking forward to a relaxing trip courtesy of Moreno Travel's Denise Hernandez.
Tuesday 6 March. City Dance Corps Semi Pro troupe also will be performing Tuesday 6 March as part of the 2012 Six Degrees Salsa Competition.
Monday 5 March. Giovanni's Los Salsomanos performs Tuesday 6 March at the 2012 Six Degrees Salsa Competition.
The buzz grows for the second round of the 2012 Six Degrees Salsa Competition.
Toronto's Albert "Strickly Salsa" Gomez posted a video of a recent weight room workout, with some 260+ pounds on the bar. That's almost the combined weight of SalsaTO.ca's Mike & Sharon!
Albert said," I will picking up my dance partner who weighs about 145 pounds of muscle. And it's a one lift pose over my shoulder into a 360 degree helicopter aerial that lands into a split. Love it, [we're] excited. [N}eed lots of power, the big boyz advanced lifts.
This could be a safe bet that one Toronto power salsa performer is going to give everyone a run for their money. Which Tuesday is anyone's guess.
And if 2011's routine with SYTYCD Canada's Alex Crenian was something, then everyone is in for a treat. Just keep coming out to catch Albert!
Tuesday 6 March Judges are CityDance Corps' Tina and Danzarte Dance Company's Pedro Salazar. Tuesday 13 March Judges include iFreeStyle.ca's Angus Dirnbeck and DanceToLive's Jose Rodriguez. Congratulations to Paula and Jose on arrival of their second child. The Competition is fortunate that Jose found some time to judge so soon after such a momentous event.
Saturday 3 March. Six Degrees Salsa Competition Co-organizer Jennifer Aucoin will be wearing Bella Shoes for the duration of the 2012 Six Degrees Salsa Competition. Baila Boogaloo's Darlene Wang de Martinez is the Toronto distributor.
Friday 2 March. Son Ache is the live music that the competitors will dance to on Tuesday 6 & 13 March. Bailer Bailer!
Wednesday 29 February. Sometime around 10:30pm, the lights came up and the stage curtains parted revealing Toronto salsa band Son Ache fronted by Cristian Saldivia, Rufino Maceiro. Jennifer Aucoin, clipboard in hand, wearing a pair of Red Marias c/o Bella Dance Shoes strode to the centre of the floor. The 2012 edition of the Six Degrees Salsa Competition is underway!
Six Degrees Salsa Competition continues to make history. In addition to being the richest salsa competition in Canada, the competitors are now competing to live music in the preliminary rounds.
Toronto salsa band Son Ache, fronted by Roberto Linares Brown including percussionist Leon Chendy Jr. put out the live tunes, a different one for each competing couple. Five amateurs and five professional couples put it out there for the first round of preliminaries.
Amateur Couples Davey & Janice; Kimberly & Lloyd; Rajeev & Anya; ; Johnny & Jenny; Elle Ma & Felipe each took their turn to two minutes of live music.
and
Professional Couples Salimeh; & Alberto; Pam & JP Nunez; Clifton & Andrea; Steven & Olga; Pauline & Francisco; Danilo & Tia also took their turn to two minutes of live music including the tunes Michaela and Aquinile.
It moved quickly, mere moments between couples barely allowing the two judges, Go Dance Mambo's Stephanie and City Dance Corps Estelle to mark the score sheet.
The band enjoyed playing live to the competitors, the crowd loved every minute, cheering on their favorites, jumping when Cache played Aguinile and making noise for particularly interesting tricks or pauses or accents.
A short time later, the house lights came up and Jennifer, now standing on the stage, announced the couples who would be advancing to the next round.
In no order Amateur couples Elle Ma & Felipe; Johnny & Jenny; Kimberly & Lloyd; Davey & Janice; are advancing to the next round.
Professional couples Pam & JP Nunez; Clifton & Andrea; Steven & Olga; Danilo & Tia are advancing to the next round.
It isn't too late to enter, either email Jennifer or literally walk-in. Next round is 10:30pm. Tuesday 6 March.
In related Competition news, Jennifer announced that the 2011 Six Degrees Salsa Competition Winners, Mexico's David & Paulina are returning to defend their championship.
Jennifer also announced that six international couples are confirmed for the 2012 Six Degrees Salsa Competition with a possible three more couples.
Tuesday 28 February. GoDanceMambo Stephanie and City Dance Corps Estelle are judging the preliminary rounds Tuesday 28 February at Six Degrees. Fun starts at 9:15pm.
Monday 27 February. Fun starts 9:15pm. sharp with Vladimir's lesson. And, City Dance Corps puts out a performance with the live band Tuesday night. And City Dance Corps students/members get $5 cover.
Sunday 26 February. First out of the gate for the 2012 Six Degrees of Salsa Competition are Amateur Couples Davey & Janice; Kimberly & Lloyd; Rajeev & Anya; Catherine & Lean; Johnny & Jenny
and
Professional Couples Salimeh; & Alberto; Pam & JP Nunez.
Friday 15 February. 10:30pm. Tuesday 28 February, Competition Starts - with competitors competing to live music from the band.
Wednesday 15 February. 10:30pm. Competition Starts - with live music from band.
Thursday 2 February. Internationally known Puerto Riccan Performers Tito & Tamara are the 2012 6 Degrees Salsa Competition celebrity judges.
Tuesday 24 January. Competitors wishing to preview or do a dry run of their routine before a live audience can contact Kathy who runs Acrobat Salsa Fridays. Email kcampbellevents@gmail.com.
Want to win next year? Eat your Cornflakes and start now. Jennifer Aucoin announced to a cheering crowd that 6 Degrees is running a 2012 Salsa Competition and has upped the ante to$14,000 total cash prizes, cementing their place as Canada's richest salsa competition.
Here are the 2011 Six Degrees Salsa Competition Photos & Standings
Here are the 2010 Six Degrees Salsa Competition Photos & Standings