Saturday 23 May and Sunday 24 May 2009!!
The Official 2nd Annual North West Open Amateur Salsa and Bachata Championships - Saturday 19 April 2008
PLUS Merengue Competition!
Approved by The British Dance Council
Sponsored by UKA who supplied the trophies
Event sponsored by well wishers who wish to create an inter-continental awareness, outreach and support for "My Home Town", a social emancipation community based initiative, headquartered in Choma, Zambia!
Prizes donated by "Supporters of My Home Town" to the monetary value of £14,500!!!!
To view and purchase photos of this event go to salsa.parties.googlepages.com - Thanks to DJ Big Andy, who changed roles for the evening and became our photographer!!
There will also be a DVD available soon
Results
A big congratulations to all who took part - it is not easy competing!!!
Overall North West Open Amateur Salsa Champions
1st - Hendrick Ho & Loreta Juzenait - Win 2 Edie Bootcamp full passes 16,17,18 May in Longridge, plus travel, accommodation and food, plus goodies! (Remaining amount contributes to other salsa/bachata related congresses/festivals/dance championships)
2nd - Ian Taylor & Andrea Hulme - Win 2 Edie Bootcamp full passes 16,17,18 May in Longridge, plus travel, accommodation and food, plus goodies! (Remaining amount contributes to other salsa/bachata related congresses/festivals/dance championships)
3rd - Ian Dibdin & Sonya Houseman - Win 2 Edie Bootcamp full passes 16,17,18 May in Longridge, plus travel, accommodation and food, plus goodies! (Remaining amount contributes to other salsa/bachata related congresses/festivals/dance championships)
4th - John Bryant & Mary Walsh - Win 2 Edie Bootcamp full passes 16,17,18 May in Longridge
5th - John Benbow & Caroline Jackson - Win 2 Edie Bootcamp 1 day pass 17 or 18 May plus 1 evening pass 16, 17 or 18 May in Longridge
6th - Gary Spiers & Janet Barker - Win 2 Edie Bootcamp 1 day pass 17 or 18 May plus 1 evening pass 16, 17 or 18 May in Longridge
7th - Mitch Mitchley-Davies & Juliet Godfrey, 8th - Nunzio Sciammetta & Sharon Johnstone, Joint 9th - Christopher Horswood & Alexandra Holt, Barry Mason & Christine Walsh, Steve Marsden & Anne Maxwell- Win 2 Edie Bootcamp 1 Evening pass 16, 17 or 18 May in Longridge
Bachata
1st - Anwar Azari & Alina Muskvina- Win 2 Edie Bootcamp full passes 16,17,18 May in Longridge, plus travel, accommodation and food, plus goodies! (Remaining amount contributes to other salsa/bachata related congresses/festivals/dance championships)
2nd - Gary Spiers & Janet Barker- Win 2 Edie Bootcamp full passes 16,17,18 May in Longridge, plus travel, accommodation and food, plus goodies! (Remaining amount contributes to other salsa/bachata related congresses/festivals/dance championships)
Merengue
1st - Candace Knight & Miles Kuhudrat- Win 2 Edie Bootcamp full passes 16,17,18 May in Longridge, plus contribution towards travel, accommodation and food, plus goodies! (Any remaining amount contributes to other salsa/bachata related congresses/festivals/dance championships)
2nd - Ian Dibdin & Sonya Houseman - Win 2 Edie Bootcamp full passes 16,17,18 May in Longridge
****PLUS****
The winners of each style of Salsa are eligible to enter the UK World Open Salsa Championships 2008 to be held at Camden Town Hall in the Heart of London!! 11, 12, 13 July 2008
3 Days & 40 hrs of top quality entertainment - Wkshops/Shows/Competions/Dancing - 2 Salsa Bands - Guest Teachers incl Alex Da Silva! www.quepasamagazine.com
AND
The Winners of the Overall North West Open Amateur Salsa Championships are eligible to enter the London LatinFest Salsa Championships to be held at The London LatinFest Weekender, 22 - 25 August 2008
10 Full days of Hot Latin Fun. Friday 15 to Monday 25 August. London’s Biggest Latin Festival incorporating The London Latinfest Pre-Congress Build up week leading the London Latinfest Congress Weekender! www.latincollectiveuk.com
Great Performances after the Championships!! These performances were brilliant - thanks to all involved.
Micro Flattery!!
Joseph competed at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Belfast on 23rd March and was placed 25th best in the world overall - not bad for 1st time out and the youngest age group (age 11) and he is already ranked 6th best in the Great Britain Irish Dancing Championships and hopes to improve his position this year www.microflattery.com
DanceWithPassion Formation Team!!
2007 British open Formation Champions
The DanceWithPassion Juvenile Team seen here with the Swing Guys from Italy, were very proud to be asked to perform at one of the worlds biggest salsa congresses, the BRITSALSAFEST held at the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool www.dancewithpassion.co.uk
Styles of Salsa
Los Angeles
LA style is danced on one with the break forward on count one.
The style is mainly cross body with “flashy” moves which can consist of tricks and dips and also tends to include “shines”.
LA is influenced by Hollywood and by the swing and mambo dances. It is sometimes considered “more show than dance”!
New York
NY style is generally danced on two with the break back on count two.
The style is mainly cross body in a more slotted/linear execution, with a composed, elegant and smooth look and feel, bringing in a sensual quality.
Cuban
Cuban is mainly danced rotationally as opposed to linearly.
Cuban is characterised by complicated arm movements and wraps and is influenced by the Salsa Casino Style, which is used in Rueda Dancing.
Cuban is considered to be the original salsa style.
Colombian
Colombian is generally danced with no forward and backward motions of the feet.
The most common style is the Cali style with fast spins, swivels and kicks similar to Jive.
The style usually breaks on one and utilizes all eight beats of music.
Amateur Championships
This is an Open Championship and is therefore open to any amateurs, whatever their experience and level and of any nationality.
Those who are not allowed to enter this Amateur Championships are anyone who:
- are professional dance teachers who hold a recognised dance qualification with any recognised dance organisation, such as UKA, IDTA etc
- has been teaching part time for more than two years or is making a full time living from dance
- is a judge, adjudicator or scrutineer
- has previously entered a Professional Dance Championship.
The above applies even if one of the couples is classed as an amateur.
General Rules
- The deadline for entries, including payment, Has Been Extended to the Evening of the Championships!!
- All competitors must sign the waiver form before taking part in the championship
- All competitors agree to Salsanorthwest taking photographs and videoing the event, which can be used for promotional purposes
- If competitors are dancing to their own choreographed music, this must be provided to Salsanorthwest on two readable CD’s and be of between 2 and 2.15 minutes in length. For Salsa the music must contain at least 70% Salsa/Mambo/Cuban music containing the traditional clave beat. The CD must be handed into the organisers before the start of the competition
- All competitors will be ranked, whether they reach the finals or not
- In the event of equipment failure during the competitor’s routine, the competitors will be allowed to restart the routine from the beginning. If the fault is due to the competitors supplied music, the competitors must either continue or end the routine
- Salsanorthwest reserve the right to change the date/venue/programme if necessary
Competition Rules
Preliminary and Semi Final Rounds, in each Salsa style and Bachata
Couples: Up to six couples will dance an opening 1.5 minutes. Three of these couples will then dance another 1.5 minutes, followed by the next three dancing 1.5 minutes. Then all six couple will dance a closing 1.5 minutes to the organiser’s music. This could be subject to change, depending on the number of entrants in each style. There could also be more than one heat in each round.
Finals, in each Salsa style and the Bachata Final
Couples: Depending on the number of entrants, the finals could consist of 5 to 7 couples. All couples will dance 1.5 minutes to the organiser’s music. Each couple will then dance to their own choreographed music, or to the organiser’s music. This dance can be freestyle or choreographed. It must be at least 2 minutes of music to the end of the musical phase, but must not exceed 2.15 minutes. If the music exceeds 2.15, it will automatically be stopped at 2.15 minutes. All couples will then dance another 1.5 minutes to the organiser’s music.
The Official Overall North West Open Amateur Salsa Championships
The top two placings of each salsa style will dance their individual routines. The judges will choose an overall winner based on the judging criteria.
Lifts
Only low lifts are permitted in the preliminary, semi finals and during the finals whilst dancing with the other couples to the organiser’s music.
High lifts will be permitted during the couples individual freestyle or choreographed performance, during the final round.
Styles in Salsa
Couples can compete in one Salsa style only. Couple can compete is the Salsa and Bachata Championships and in the Merengue Competition.
Judging Criteria
Partnering for couples
In all styles of salsa and bachata, the majority of the performance should be danced with a hold, although shines are allowed. Leading, following and synchronisation will be judged.
Timing
The judges will be observing the timing and breaks. It is important to keep the consistence of the breaking.
The Salsa Dance
Salsa is a very popular club dance in that it allows the dancers much freedom to interpret the music using movements and elements from the many different Latino dances. Salsa means “Sauce” and the dancers should depict a very hot and spicy interaction with each other. The Salsa basics involve clever hand and arm movements as well as changes of handhold while maintaining the flowing movements, which are all typical of the dance.
Music Interpretation and Choreography
Style, control, poise, appearance and execution of the dance. Spacial awareness and use of the dance floor.
Overall Performance
Originality and creativity plus entertainment value. Costumes, confidence and interpretation.
The judges decision is final. The final decision will be overseen by the scrutineer.
Entry
Fee is £20 per couple for Salsa and Bachata.
Judges - 2008
Scrutineer - David Lawson
David has been a scrutineer for over 25 years and is considered to be the best in his field
Judges
Ansell Chezan
Ansell is qualified with the UKA, ISTD AND IDTA. He is an examiner with the UKA and World Dance Council Championship adjudicators. Having just returned from Athens where he judged the Greek National Dance Championships in all the dance styles, he is the new chairman of the Latino Committee of the IDO
From the age of 4yrs Ansell has always been involved with dance and was initially trained in Tap, Modern and National. From the age of 21yrs he was then introduced to Ballroom and Latin. He became one of the inaugural members of the UKA club dance committee that introduced Salsa on a professional level.
Ansell has traveled the world lecturing and demonstrating and has been involved with many TV projects including Wayne Sleeps show `Dash` TV dramas such as `They way we live now` BBC and `The Two Ronnies`
David Rawes
David is a life time member of the UKA, his experience covers many forms of dance, from Classical sequence to Latin, from Salsa to Hip hop, from Freestyle to Drama, indeed David has always taken an interest in new dance forms. As the senior partner of the Judy Clegg Academy of Dance, he helps many young professionals, achieve their dreams...
He also lectures for the Lancashire Community college, and promotes very successful Freestyle competitions in the Northwest.
A highly respected member of the Dancing Fraternity.
Bill Reeder
Bill holds the highest qualifications the dance world can bestow. He holds Fellowships in the British Association of Teachers of Dancing and 5 fellowships in the United Kingdom Alliance. Not only does he adjudicate, he also is an examiner for the United Kingdom Alliance. Bill also holds qualifications in Sports Psychology and is a Life Coach.
Ray Bulpitt
Ray is a Fellow Examiner and Life Member of the United kingdom Alliance in all Ballroom, Latin American, Classical & Modern Sequence, Freestyle, Rock ’n’ Roll, Theatrical and drama Disciplines. He is licensed with the British Dance Council as a Championship Adjudicator in all styles and holds a full scrutineering qualification.
He has examined and adjudicated throughout the world, and was a founder of the Dance Teacher Organization in his home country Zimbabwe.
Ray is actively involved in teaching and promoting dance throughout the Northwest
Marie Sandham
Marie and her husband Michael are former World and European Ten dance finalists and United Kingdom Ten dance Champions (Ten dance is 5 ballroom and 5 latin). They have competed, demonstrated, lectured and taught all over the world. They have two large busy dance studios, in Bolton and near Leeds, where Salsa is one of the main dance styles being taught. They are both involved in training competitors from all over the country. Marie holds UKA and IDTA qualifications.
Emma Moore
From the Salsa World
Drawing on both her dance and DJ backgrounds salsa has become an obsession for Emma who, along with her dance partner Mushi, has travelled the world performing, teaching and DJing. Emma is currently resident at Salsology.
In 2002, Emma and Mushi were honoured with an award for the Most Inspiring Newcomers and in 2003 were invited by Susana Montero to judge the British Salsa Competition. Emma also features on Susana Montero's Ladies Styling video sold worldwide
Jim Winward
From the Salsa World
Jim has been teaching Salsa for over 15 years and is a well respected teacher around the Preston area. He is also a DJ
MC – Brian Porter
Brian originally trained in Dance at the acclaimed Laban Centre, London. This lead to many contracts as both performer and teacher, nationally and internationally: touring in Dance, Opera and Theatre. Work has also included teaching and choreographing in many settings: from professional commissions for theatre; through to pieces for schools, colleges and groups; to individual coaching for dance enthusiasts. Brian also teaches regular salsa classes, which include the full range of Latin dances. Passionate about dance, Brian regularly dances ballroom and Latin and has more recently discovered Argentine Tango – leading to a special trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Brian is also a qualified fitness instructor and personal trainer
The Official North West Open Amateur Salsa Championships - Held Saturday 21 April 2007
Thanks to United Kingdom Alliance www.ukadance.co.uk - our sponsors for the event
To view the trophies provided by UKA go to fotografy.co.uk
All photo's of the event can be viewed and purchased at fotografy.co.uk
Our official photographers for the event
See Lancashire Evening Post coverage on our press clippings page and view the Evening Post Slideshow here
Results
Overall North West Open Amateur Salsa Champions - couples over 18
1st - Anwar Azari and Catherine Salter
2nd - John Bryant and Mary Walsh
3rd - Gary Spiers and Janet Barker
4th - Antonio Gheno and Elvira Gheno
5th - Russell McChley and Sonya Houseman
6th - Ian Dibdin and Angela Thornton
LA Style - couples over 18
1st - John Bryant and Mary Walsh
2nd - Gary Spiers and Janet Barker
3rd - Russell McChley and Sonya Houseman
4th - Mitch Midgley-Davies and Donna Midgley-Davies
5th - Mark Threlfall and Amanda Collison
Cuban Style - couples over 18
1st - Anwar Azari and Catherine Salter
2nd - Antonio Gheno and Elvira Gheno
3rd - Ian Dibdin and Angela Thornton
Thanks to all who entered and to our winners who travelled from London to take part!
Jackie Sanderson, President of the United Kingdom Alliance 
Rebecca Stevens
Amanda Robson