Would you like your chance to win through to international fame and fortune?
Would you like your chance to take part in the ULTIMATE World Salsa Competition?
Do you think you have what it takes to be the new stars on the global salsa scene?
Can you be OUR CHAMPION?
Then here is your chance to win ALL this NOW!

OR, if you dont want to compete, then why not:- take Masterclasses with some of the Worlds most famous Salsa stars; partake of our fabulous buffet; come along and support the competitors and dance the night away to the hottest salsa, mambo, bachata, cha cha, timba, reggaeton and merengue ANYWHERE!

THE EUROPEAN SALSA OPEN has been developed as one of only 12 worldwide qualifying event for the new championships being organised in 2012/2013 with finals in New York.
They promise to be THE LAST WORD in Salsa Championships, run BY dancers for dancers.

In 2011, we are running our test event within the sumptuous surroundings and the newly renovated Bar Salsa – The UK’s No1 Weekly Latin Venue.
Both Amateur and Professional level divisions are available and the competition is open to ANYONE (over the age of 18) from anywhere – hence OPEN!.

Date: Sunday 11 December
Times: 12noon-2am

Venue: The newly renovated, all-improved Bar Salsa, 96 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0RY

Judges

Patrick Mussendijk (2 x Dutch National Champion and winner – The
International European Salsa Competition in 1999)
Jerome Ramos (THE Rising Star of the NY scene – one of the legendary Heartbreak Boys)
Mr Nelson Flores (founder of Descarga Latina and one of THE most respected teachers and performers in the Salsa World)
Melissa Fernandez (partner of Luis Vasquez with over 12 years experience as an international teacher and performer)

plus UK-based Chairman of the judging panel Richard Marcel (choreographer and dance consultant on Strictly Come Dancing)

Rough schedule:

Doors open at 12noon to register in people for the workshops.
Between 12.30-4pm your choice of 12 Masterclasses in Salsa on1 and on2, shines, ladies and mens styling, spin technique and Cha Cha

Masterclass & Meal Package price = £40 (which includes a sumptuous buffet meal in our beautiful new 80-seater restaurant)

Doors open to the general public at 5pm (Party night price £5)
The Amateur Freestyle elimination round is run between 6-6.30pm. This will give us 4 Amateur couples for the next round.
Dancing between 6.30-7pm
The Professional Freestyle elimination round is run between 7-7.30pm. This will give us 4 Pro couples for the next round.
The 4 Amateur couples come back for “placing” between 7.30-8pm.
The 4 Pro couples come on to perform their “show pieces” to allow for their final placing. 8-8.30pm.
Dancing between 8.30-9.30pm.
Announcement of winners at 9.30pm sharp and presentation of prizes
Dancing from 10pm till close at 2am

Prizes:

A full and final list of prizes will be available here closer to the time, but the First Prize packages will be made up of items such as:

The Amateur Prize package would include shoes, Cds and a signed contract to perform twice at Bar Salsa in 2012 (total prize value = £500)

The Pro Prize package includes £2000 cash prize, Tshirts, Shoes, Cds and a signed contract to perform twice at Bar Salsa in 2012 (total prize value = £2500)

General Rules and Guidelines

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 £6000 per annum (~less than £120 per week)). We leave it up to the individual participants to be honest when filling in the entry forms.
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Entry forms can be picked up at Bar Salsa OR at any Latin Collective class or clubnight or print out and use this ENRTY FORM – PDF VERSION
Dl size application form

Entry to the competition is FREE and the final date for entry is on Sunday 4 December.
Any posted forms must arrive with us by this date.

RULES
1. The competition is open to salsa dancers of all styles and all levels
2. Both sets of Elimination rounds are judged on freestyle dance ability
3. Amateur Final rounds are judged on freestyle dance whilst the Pro level Final round is judged on a showcase choreography piece (this choreo piece must be NO MORE than 3.30sec in length and 2 tested CDs must be handed to the promoter/dj by no later than 5.30pm on the date of the competition.
4. Tricks and dips are permitted;
BUT only 1 aerial (where both feet are raised above the leaders head level) is allowed per dance. However, up to 3 lifts (where both feet off the ground BUT remain below the leaders head level) are ALSO allowed.
5. The judges decision is final

“HEAT” & FINALS FORMAT
All the elimination rounds/heats are based upon freestyle dance ability.
For both divisions (Amateurs & Professionals) all competitors will be on the dancefloor together.
1-1.5mins of a first salsa track will be played whilst the couples dance
We will Rotate the couple around the dancefloor so that the judges get a different viewpoint and then play a second track (different tempo and style) for 1-1.5mins
Again we rotate the couples and play a third and final track (also different tempo and style) for 1-1.5minsby which time the judges will have made their decision.

3 couples will be chosen from these competitors to go through to the Final Round for each division

The Amateur/Semi Pro Final round will be judged in the same fashion as above – FREESTYLE DANCE ABILITY

The Professionals will be judged on their ability to put together a choreography/cabaret piece
This Cabaret piece must be no more than 3.30 in length and must follow the general guidelines above
It MUST contain partnerwork, but can also contain shines AND can be danced to alternative music provided it can be defined by an 8-beat, dancers-measure step pattern

JUDGING CRITERIA
The Heats/Elimination Rounds
As this is based upon Freestyle, the scoring is based upon timing, musicality (musical interpretation), lead and follow technique and dancefloor use and etiquette. The Amateur/Semi-pro group will therefore be judged purely on these criteria

The Professional Showcase Round/Finals
As in the FREESTYLE rounds, competitors will be judged on timing, musicality (musical interpretation), lead and follow technique and dancefloor use and etiquette. But, in addition they will be scored on creativity and entertainment