Liverpool Salsa Festival will be a 48-hour dance frenzy

Mar 18 2010 by Gil Lightfoot, Flintshire Chronicle

Liverpool’s second International Salsa Festival is turning to the luck of the Irish to help raise money for victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Organisers are headlining the two-day event on March 20 and 21 as a St Patrick’s Salsa Weekender.

An impressive line-up will feature top name salsa performers and teachers from the Dominican Republic and Cuba.

Proceeds from the event, expected to attract hundreds of salsa dancers, will be split between UNICEF’s Haiti Relief Fund and Breast Cancer Care.

Organiser and salsa teacher, Karen Salsaroja, said: “We started organising the event before the recent terrible events in Haiti. Salsa owes much of its origins to that part of the world and it seemed only right we should help raise funds for the victims.

“I am sure the performers from neighbouring Cuba and the Dominican Republic will be given an extra special welcome in Liverpool.”

What will be a virtual 48-hour frenzy of dancing starts at 9-30am on Saturday, March 20, with a day long programme of workshops – aimed at absolute beginners and experienced dancers – with the classes led by an international line-up of teachers.

Showpiece event of the weekend will be a grand charity salsa ball at the University of Liverpool’s Carnatic Hall in Mossley Hill.

The line-up includes many of the top names in the salsa world, with more performers added as the event draws closer.

Sunday sees a more relaxed programme, with a chill-out party at Kingdom in Harrington Street in Liverpool city centre, more workshops, master classes and an end-of-festival party.

Added Karen: “Our first big festival last year was a tremendous success and we are sure this year it will be even bigger. We have really put Liverpool on the salsa map and our bookings show people from all over the country plan to head to Liverpool for what will be a fabulous weekend. And as it comes close to St Patrick’s Day, we will make sure it will be a party to remember, salsa meeting Gaelic.”

For more information, visit www.liverpoolsalsafest.co.uk.