“We have the best salsa dancers in the world coming to the event,” says Ricardo Sanchez about the San Francisco Bay Area International Salsa Congress and Competition. Taking place November 20th-23rd at the Oakland Marriott City Center, the annual event attracts Latin dance and music

enthusiasts from 25 countries and nearly 400 U.S. cities. More than 100 professional dance teams representing the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, Australia, Canada, Japan, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and other nations will compete.

Attendees will enjoy daily workshops, performances and competitions showcasing talent from novices to world champions Oliver Pineda and Luda Kroiter of Australia, alongside superstars Junior and Emily Alabi, all of whom were showcased on the Dancing With The Stars TV show. Nightly concerts will feature renowned Latin Jazz artists including Eddie Palmieri, Herman Olivera, Jimmy Bosch, Johnny Polanco and Doug Beavers.

“The event provides a unique opportunity for participants worldwide to experience the very best in salsa, say Ricardo Sanchez and Michelle Castro, directors of PB&G Productions, which presents the salsa congress. PB&G states that the event here in the Bay Area has become a major global attraction, drawing new and seasoned salsa dancers from every continent to test their skills competitively in various categories for cash prizes and trophies.

The competition, though, doesn’t seem to be what fuels people’s passion for salsa – there is an obvious sense of community that reflects the global popularity of salsa dance across races and cultures. “It breaks a lot of barriers about who we are regardless of what country we’re from,” says Ricardo. “People go to these congress events and see people from all around the world and they get inspired – it’s people who feel the same things about life and music,” he says.

Both Ricardo and Michelle grew up with salsa dancing, Ricardo in his home country, Colombia. Speaking to the global popularity of salsa, Michelle says, “It is such a passionate dance – people get hooked on the music and the way it makes them feel.”
Ricardo lives in San Jose, though their office and dance studio are in Campbell. He and Michelle also produce twice-monthly socials and provide training classes and workshops.

John Narvaez and Liz Rojas of Oakland are also among the world-class Salsa dance artists who will be at the Salsa Congress event. With second place finishes in recent competitions, they are among the most accomplished competitive Salsa dance couples in the world.
Though the competition is real, Liz emphasizes the social aspect of the events. “It's all about making real friends and having fun on the dance floor with your own unique style,” she says.

Liz has written about her philosophy of Salsa: “It fills your soul with fire that lets you express yourself on the dance floor with freestyle and vigor. I love to pass down the knowledge and the passion which I have for this wonderful art.”

For more information about the event and the dancers, visit www.sfsalsacongress.com.