Salsa and the City

Hola, sexy! Are you ready for a full week of sensual touching, heavy breathing and risqué outfits? Oh, don’t look so disapproving. I’m talking about none other than salsa dancing. Hong Kong is hosting its seventh annual Salsa Festival from February 11 to 17.

Dancers and DJs from around the world will be flaunting their stuff for seven straight days of salsa heaven. “It’s a really international event,” says the Festival’s organizer, Joseph Ennin, who started dancing 12 years ago in the UK. “Some of the best salsa dancers come from India and Korea. And some of them will be coming to face off with the Australian salsa champions.” Among the confirmed performers are the award-winning American dancer, Alex Lee, and the current reigning world Mayan salsa champions, Esti and Martin.

But don’t worry, you don’t need to be a major booty-shaker to attend – organizers are also offering street parties, performances, workshops and more for the mere mortals. Over the festival’s run, there will be full-day salsa lessons for beginning and experienced dancers alike, taught by top-quality professional instructors. “There’s a difference between being a good instructor and being a good performer,” Ennin says. “We want you to feel comfortable, and great instructors create a great environment for learning.”

The festival will also feature an Asian Salsa Open Competition for all levels of salsero from novice to pro. “Hong Kong’s salsa scene is only getting bigger,” says Ennin. Proof of this phenomenon is the burgeoning numbers of salsa club nights and dance studios popping up across the city. And it’s not only the over-21 crowd that’s getting into salsa, but also the kiddies. Local schoolchildren dancers will be performing at the festival as well, in a show that Ennin promises will raise the roof.

“Salsa is a great way to express yourself. Rather than simply fitting into a jacket, you can really show your personality through salsa dancing,” says Ennin. You’ll have all the chances your body will allow to express yourself at the Festival’s great street parties in Lan Kwai Fong and the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Salsa is also one helluva workout. On average, you can burn 550 calories in one hour of dancing. “You work on your posture and the way you carry yourself,” says Ennin. “Salsa is a great confidence builder.”

Whether you’re looking to show off your dance skills or simply to make new friends, the Salsa Festival will be something to mark down on the calendars. “We’re just going to have a damn good time!” says Ennin. Hey, he can count me in.