The Big Apple hosts the 2010 New York Salsa Congress from September 1st through the 6th. Presented by Mambo Fateegz Inc, the 10th annual event, held at the Hilton New York Hotel (1335 Avenue of the Americas), provides Salsa dance entertainment, instruction, and socializing for six days. Dancers from all levels attend the event to watch the superstars of Salsa exhibit their skills in performing and competing. Professional Salsa dancers Luis Aguilar and Anya Katsevman demonstrated their quality and experience by winning this year's competition to the enjoyment of attendees.
2010 New York Salsa Congress Competition
The Professional Salsa Championships held at the NY Salsa Congress is in its fourth year. Baila Society Online Dance Academy hosted the competition and organizers brought in expert judges to critique and score the competitors against their peers. Dancers were able to compete in two divisions, "Strictly On 2" and "Open - Anything Goes".
The judges included Billy Fajardo and Katie Marlow, who are world class performers, Paul Pellicoro an expert in Dancesport, Jose Decamps the undefeated World Mambo Champion, Talia Castro-Pozo a professional choreographer, coach, and owner of Stepping Out Studios, and Nelson Flores, a top Salsa instructor and coach. They judged the competitors on the following criteria and evaluated as a percentage of their total score, 20% timing, 20% musicality, 10% difficulty, 10% connection, 10% presentation, 10% choreography, 10% Salsa technique, and 10% dance technique.
The "Strictly On2" division allowed only On2 Salsa timing, no lifts, tricks, or drops were allowed, and one foot had to remain on the floor at all times. The "Open" division allowed for dancers to compete on any timing as long as it was consistently maintained throughout the performance and gave dancers an opportunity to showcase lifts, tricks, and drops. Prizes were $3,000 in cash to the top winners of each division.
Luis Aguilar & Anya Katsevman
For the second year in a row, professional Salsa dancers Luis Aguilar of San Francisco and Anya Katsevman of New York won the first place title of the "Strictly On2" division at the 2010 New York Salsa Congress competition. The crowd was ecstatic to see the couple work the stage with their Ballroom technique, flawless connection, and fierce confidence.
Luis and Anya recently won first place at the 2009 World Salsa Championships in Florida and now added another title to their long list of accomplishments in the world of Salsa dance. The partnership comes together several months out of the year to practice for performances and competitions from their respective coasts. Anya has about fifteen years experience in Ballroom Dancesport and enjoys costume design as well as features in movies and music videos and Luis directs his dance team Couture Dance Alliance that recently won their first title at the 2010 US Salsa Open.
Watch Luis and Anya's riveting competition performance video to understand why the judges and audience were in awe of this world-class partnership.
The New York Salsa Congress, along with other Salsa congresses around the world, host competitions for dancers to win money and bragging rights throughout the year. The popularity of Salsa dancing has increased with the advent of entertainment television programs that bring dancing to the forefront. Now, Luis and Anya add to the inspiration and provide onlookers an inside look into the world of competitive Salsa dancing.
Source:
- NYCSalsaCongress.com
