after dark

You get the tickets. We've got the plan.

Merengue maniacs and assorted Latin dance freaks rest up now - there will soon be no time for chair warming. Whether it's the footwork and flavour of the Miami, New York or Cuban scenes that make you feel saucy, aficionados are sending out a loud two-three (or is that three-two?) beat to Planet Salsa. The HK Salsa Festival (formerly the Salsa Congress) is about to kick off. But be warned: its packed four-day programme could induce a sweat in the less-than-taut - just by looking on.

The main event: Those unaware of the enormous global popularity of the dance form will get into the swing when enthusiasts of all levels - including a score of visiting international stars - turn Lan Kwai Fong into a giant dance floor from 8pm on Thursday. Festival organisers Franky Wong (a well-known instructor and choreographer) and Latin events promoter Joseph Ennin will then lead the rhythmic revellers to an all-night affair at the Kee Club (6/F, Yung Kee Building, Wellington Street, Central) where DJs will spin the latest gyration-inducing tunes from 10pm. No such thing as a school night for salseros. Tickets $128, includes one standard drink.

Get warmed up: The festival takes its first electric steps on Wednesday, with an excellent value welcome party to introduce participants to their potential partners at Club Ing, 4/F, Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, Wan Chai, from 8pm. The $188 cover charge includes a one-hour dance class, dinner buffet and one standard drink. This is the time to strut your stuff and show off what you can (or can't) do.

Can't get enough?: Hit the deck during the overnight Salsa Star Cruise on February 27 ($738). Sail straight to the Regal Hongkong Hotel (88 Yee Wo Street, Causeway Bay) after disembarkation on February 28 for a dance show and party ($398, includes a dinner buffet and standard drink). For details of other events too exhausting to list here, go to hksalsafestival.com, and for tickets, see www.hkticketing.com.

Light-footed refreshment: Priding itself on being the watering hole of choice for Ibrahim Ferrer's sensational band last year, Club Havana (3/F, 10 Knutsford Terrace, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2312 6565) offers an outdoor terrace, dance floor, top cocktails and cigars. Food isn't its strong suit, but that shouldn't stop dance freaks.