- Amateurs (who do not make a living from dance tuition or performance)
- Professionals (for whom dance tuition and performance provides a significant source of income – more than £5500 per annum (at least £100 per week))
Due to the complex nature of the salsa scene, particularly outside the major cities, our definition of an amateur can include a semi-pro (for whom dance tuition and performance provides only a small additional income – NO more than £5500 per annum (less than £100 per week)).
We leave it up to the individual participants to be honest when filling in the entry forms. But let me guarantee you that if any of the prize-winners is proven to have falsely claimed to be an amateur when they are not, then we will have no hesitation in stripping them of their prizes and naming and shaming by making such information public knowledge.
General Rules and Guidelines:-
1. The Championships will be launched at the scalalatina BANK HOLIDAY ALL-NIGHTER on Easter Sunday 23rd March.
2. Between Sunday 23 March and Sunday 17 August there will be some 24 heats across the UK. Only one couple progresses from each heat, but if you fail to succeed in that heat you may enter another later heat. Only Amateurs must take part in the heats to win their way through to the finals. Professional couples will be invited to participate and will enter at the semi-finals stage.
3. All those wishing to participate must be available and able to attend The London LatinFest Weekender in London (Sat 25-Sun 26 Aug inclusive) at SCALA. They do not have to attend the workshops or pay for the full pass (unless they wish to), however, they must at least purchase the party night pass to guarantee access to the party nights at which the finals will take place. Once each amateur pair wins through they should book these immediately by emailing us directly at
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– the original lowest ticket price (prior to 1st June) will be held for these winners.
4. The finals will take place across the London LatinFest Congress weekender with the “semi-finals” taking place on Saturday 23 August and the Grand-finals taking place on Sunday 24 August.
5. All heats and the “semi-finals” will be based on a freestyle format. The semi-finalists will be whittled down to just 4 amateurs and 4 professional couples who will progress to the Grand-finals the next day. The Grand-finals will be based around your own short choreography (Which must me no longer than 4 mins in length). You are allowed any tricks of dips that you wish to in your choreography AS LONG AS THEY ARE SAFE.
6. So as to avoid any issues of favouritism etc, the small judging panel will be made up entirely of the foreign teachers and performers who are participating in the LatinFest Weekender. These may be supplemented by judges chosen from the sponsor brands.
7. All those who make it through to the ”semi-finals” on Saturday 23 August must arrive at the venue 30 mins prior to the doors opening to the public (ie 9pm) so that we can organise and brief everyone. PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE.
8. Those that make it through to the Grand-finals on Sunday 24 August must arrive at the venue 1 hour prior to the doors opening to the public (ie 8.30pm).
9. All couples must consist of one male and one female and EACH participant must fill in an application.
10. A couple is classified as being professional if one of the pair is Professional as defined and must compete accordingly.
11. The Competition is open to citizens of any country and nationality over the age of 18.
12. The use of tricks, dips and lifts is permitted!
13. The Judges decision is final.
The main stage at SCALA will be made available for the main performers to rehearse and perform and so NO SPECIAL PROVISION will be made for ANYONE ELSE including competitors to rehearse on stage at SCALA. Therefore, you should rehearse elsewhere.
List of Heats Across the UK - 2008
So far, we have organised 16 heats across the UK as follows:-
Sat 19 Apr - Latino Beat's 7th Anniv Party
Carrington House Hotel, Bournemouth
call 01202 421104
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www.latinobeat.co.uk
Sat 19 Apr - SalsaNorthWest 2nd Annual North West Open Amateur Salsa and Bachata Championships
Longridge Civic Hall, Calder Avenue, Longridge, nr Preston, PR3 3HJ
Call 07899866408
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www.salsanorthwest.co.uk
Sat 3 May - LatinXces Bradford All-Dayer
Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford BD5 8HZ
call 07855 026250
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www.latinxces.com
May Day Sun 4 May - Scalalatina MAYDAY MADNESS BANK HOLIDAY ALL-NIGHTER
SCALA, 275 Pentonville Rd, Kings Cross, London N1
call 07958 678 298
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www.latincollectiveuk.com
Wed 7 May - Metrolatina Showcase Night
Bar Salsa, 96 Charing Cross Rd, Soho, London WC2H
call 07958 678 298
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www.latincollectiveuk.com
Sun 11 May - KeenDance Party
Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury SP1 3UT
call 07866 489781
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www.keendance.co.uk
Fri 23 May - Te Quiero Salsa
Club Salsa, 1 Station Rd (off Hills Rd), Cambridge CB1 2JB
call 07958 678 298
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www.latincollectiveuk.com
Bank Holiday Sun 25 May - Scalalatina SPRING SPECTACULAR ALL-NIGHTER
(part of the London Latin MiniFest)
SCALA, 275 Pentonville Rd, Kings Cross, London N1
call 07958 678 298
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www.latincollectiveuk.com
Sat 7 Jun - Salsa Estrellas
The Gallery, Silver Street, Bedford MK40 1SY
This is also the Three-Counties 2nd Open Salsa Championship
call 07765 256842
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www.salsaestrellas.com
Sat 14 Jun - Irish Salsa School 2008
Maynooth, Eire (tbc)
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www.irishsalsaschool.com
Fri 20 Jun - SalsaAmbiente Party Night
The Refectory, Guildford Cathedral, Stag Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7UP
call 07765 256842
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Www.salsaambiente.com
Wed 2 Jul - Metrolatina Showcase Night
Bar Salsa, 96 Charing Cross Rd, Soho, London WC2H
call 07958 678 298
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www.latincollectiveuk.com
Sat 5 Jul - United Colors of Salsa
Colors, Basildon, Essex SS14 1DQ
call 07958 678 298
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www.latincollectiveuk.com
Fri 25 July - Club Candela
The Lion Hotel (upstairs), Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 1UY
call 01691 655353
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www.clubcandela.co.uk
MORE HEATS TO COME.......
GRAND FINALS
Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 August
THE LONDON LATINFEST WEEKENDER
SCALA 275 Pentonville Rd, King’s Cross, London
To Enter the Competition at any of the above heats, please contact the promoter directly.
