This December, athletes from over 40 countries will convene at Walt Disney World to dance-off for the title of World Salsa Champion. Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, located at Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., will be the host site for the Third World Salsa Championships from December 12 through 16. The competition will be broadcast by ESPN International and Transworld International, under the direction of noted producer Rob Beiner, winner of 12 EMMY awards.
"We are thrilled to be hosting an international event of this magnitude that also delivers world-class entertainment," said Nancy Gidusko, director of Walt Disney World Minority Business Development. "Not to mention, our alliances with international organizations allow us to showcase Central Florida to multicultural businesses that will impact the region's economy."
Hailed as the Olympics of Salsa dancing, the World Salsa Championship gathers the winning couples and groups from different salsa competitions from Australia, Argentina, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Holland, Hong-Kong, Italy, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Peru, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, UAE, United States, Puerto Rico and Venezuela to defend their titles in their respective divisions.
The four main divisions dominating this enclave of professional athletic-dancers are those of the LA style "On 1" emphasizing the first beat of the music; the NY style "On 2" emphasizing the second beat of the music; "Cabaret" which combines Salsa dancing with tricks, cartwheels, and flips; and "Team" where 6 or more dancers, up to 20 at once, perform at the same time.
Cultivating this worldwide Salsa dance movement is Salsa connoisseur Albert Torres who has managed to create a world dance championship with a culminating event for professional and amateurs alike.
The Third Annual World Salsa Championship will pay tribute to the legendary Palladium Days including rhythms and music of The Big Three Orchestras in three consecutive evenings (playing Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez and Machito) and culminating with a tribute to the FANIA All Star. The Grand Opening will feature music by the legendary group El Gran Combo, nominated to the 2007 Latin Grammy edition.
