Salsa met West Coast Swing and Ballroom 20-22 February at Toronto's fabled The Old Mill for TwoSomeDance's Week-end with SYTYCD Stars.
Dancers of all levels looking to take their knowledge to another level were not disappointed as they attended workshops led by SYTYCD-USA 2nd season winner Benji Schwimmer; SYTYCD-Canada Judge Jean-Marc Généreux & France; Latin Energy; Rhythm & Motion's Elizabeth Sadowska; Pasha & Anya; Shelley & Dave; Akiko Hyodo; Alan Arnsby.
Students taking one set of workshops actually performed a routine Sunday afternoon; showcasing what they learned over the week-end.
Dance parties Friday and Saturday evening in very elegant surroundings gave workshop attendees and instructors and people just coming out to dance a chance to mingle and practice what they learned and pick up new insights. DJ Gio played some great tunes throughout the week-end, including some of the best Cha Cha heard in a very long time
While many of the men dressed down Friday night in jeans while the women were dressed up, everyone dressed up Saturday evening.
Sound levels were very comfortable throughout the week-end, as the dancers were not being pounded with ear splitting music. A most un-expected but welcome treat!
Most dance genres are related and working with cross genre instructors underscored the relationship among different dances. A lot of turn patterns used in Mambo and Salsa came from West Coast Swing in the 1950s - 1970s with a lot of presend day dancers exploring both genres.
TwosomeDance.com is planning another Dance Week-end later in 2009.
