April – , Hyatt Regency Calgary

Alberta Dancesport, DandO Dance & Salsa Rica Productions present the 9th annual

April –, Hyatt Regency Calgarywww.CalgarySalsaCongress.com

April 1–3, 2016Kelly Lannan: 403.560.0842

[email protected]

The Dance Show of the Year!9th Annual Calgary International Salsa Congress

Calgary, AB — With Salsa dancing being featured on the wildly popular So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the

Stars shows; and in films, television, and commercials, international salsa events have seen a huge increase in popularity

as this steamy dance has reached a fever pitch in pop culture. Local dancers Eric Caty and Kelly Lannan were regular

choreographers on So You Think You Can Dance Canada and danced on the local tour stop of Dancing with the Stars. They

are judges at the World professional Salsa Championships at the World Salsa Summit, and were finalists in the world

many times in their career. Their local companies, Alberta Dancesport and Salsa Rica along with Dando Dance, will bring

some of the magic back to Calgary for the 9th Calgary International Salsa Congress April 1-3, 2016.

Local schools are seeing a steady increase in enrollment over the past few years and are excited about the expanding

interest in salsa dancing. “We constantly see new people of all ages coming to take classes which demonstrates the

increased awareness of salsa,” explains David Joseph, of the Calgary Salsa Congress. “Salsa is a fun, social dance that

anyone can do. People may not see themselves as dancers” laughs Eric Caty of Alberta Dancesport, “but they are always

willing to give it a spin. More people are discovering an interest in dance, having watched it on TV, and are excited to

have the opportunity to see it live.”

The steady flow of interest, coupled with a love of salsa, compelled the directors of Salsa Rica Productions and Alberta

Dancesport to organize an international salsa showcase in Calgary. Last year, the 8th Calgary International Salsa

Congress was welcomed with more than 1000 spectators, and over 200 local and international performers. “The salsa

showcases at the Calgary International Salsa Congress are among the top dance performances you would see on

prestigious stages anywhere in the world” says Eric Caty “If you enjoy watching from your living room you will be blown

away by the live show” adds Joseph.

This years’ event runs April 1-3, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Calgary. The event will feature performances by world-

renowned salsa dancers, workshops and lectures for beginners to professionals taught by world-class instructors. Popular

local and international instructors will give classes on Argentine Tango, Cha Cha, Bachata, Burlesquercise, and many

other forms of dance. The ninth annual Calgary International Salsa Congress promises to be an extraordinary event that

you don’t want to miss!

For further information contact Kelly Lannan at 403.560.0842 or email at [email protected],

or visit www.calgarysalsacongress.com.

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For Immediate ReleaseJanuary 18, 2016


[email protected]

Event ScheduleFriday April 1 Imperial Ballroom — Hyatt Regency Calgary (700 Centre Street SE)

6:30 pm Doors open

7 pm Local and Amateur Showcase featuring our international guests

9:30 pm Competitions

Social dancing until 3 am! Salsa Room and Bachata/Reggaeton/Kizomba Room.

Saturday April 2 Imperial Ballroom — Hyatt Regency Calgary (700 Centre Street SE)

10 am–4 pm Workshops with renowned international instructors

Gala Night

8 pm Doors open

8:30 pm Local and International Showcase

Social dancing until 3am! Salsa Room and Bachata/Reggaeton/Kizomba Room.

Sunday April 3 Imperial Ballroom — Hyatt Regency Calgary (700 Centre Street SE)

10 am–3 pm Calgary International Salsa Congress Competitions

Competition start and end times are subject to change

12–6 pm Workshops with our renowned international instructors

8:30 pm Doors open for social dancing

9 pm Show

11 pm Masters Jack & Jill Competition


[email protected]

Jefferson & AdrianitaColombiaJefferson and Adrianita are the current champions of the Puerto Rico World Salsa Open and Colombian Salsa Festival. They are three-time silver medalists at the World Latin Dance Cup. Jefferson and Adrianita are 21 and 17 years old, they train in Salsa and International-style Latin and are members of the Colombian Salsa team Imperio Juvenil.

Junior Alabi and Emily AlabiSan Francisco / Los AngelesJunior and Emily are two of the world’s most beloved salsa dancers having placed second at the ESPN World Salsa Championships. These rising stars grew up dancing salsa in San Francisco and now travel the world, teaching and performing professionally at salsa congresses across the globe.

Anya KatsevmanNew YorkAnya Katsevman has starred in the touring shows of Dancing with the Stars and Burn the Floor, she has performed for U.S. President Barack Obama and performed with El Gran Combo at Madison Square Gardens. Anya is an undefeated 2 time World Salsa Champion On2, and has won Salsa Championships and performed all over the world. She is a trained dancer and coach on the International Latin dance circuit and is currently a judge of the World Salsa Summit.

International Guests


[email protected]

Billy Fajardo and Katie MarlowMiamiBilly and Katie are both former World Hustle Champions and World Cabaret Champions; they have competed and performed at some of the largest and most prestigious events in the World. Billy and Katie are considered among the most highly accomplished and versatile dancers in the world. They have been honoured with many lifetime achievement awards in the dance world, and are head judges of the World Salsa Summit.

Edwin RiveraLos AngelesEdwin Rivera is one of the youngest salsa superstars on the world’s Salsa scene, and has traveled to every single continent in the world for his performing, teaching and unique choreography skills. Edwin of Puerto Rican origin, was born & raised in the Bronx, New York. Now residing in Los Angeles, Edwin is one of the most popular dance-personalities in the world, especially in South America after participating in the local version of the popular television show Let’s dance, Rojo Fama Contrafama. He starred as Roberto Roena/Cheetah Solo Dancer in the movie El Cantante with Salsa superstar Marc Anthony as well as Jennifer Lopez. Edwin was honoured at the 2008 Los Angeles International Salsa Congress for his contributions to the Salsa Community around the world. He is also currently working on two feature films and just finished producing his second album!

International Guests


[email protected]

Event Organizers

Kelly Lannan and Eric CatyEric and Kelly are the owners of Alberta Dancesport – Calgary's best place to dance, the directors of Salsa Rica Productions, and the organisers of the Calgary International Salsa Congress, and the Rocky Mountain Dancesport Grand Prix.

Eric and Kelly are proud to be choreographers on So You Think You Can Dance Canada, and to represent Canada as finalists at many World Professional Salsa Championships. Eric and Kelly still perform and teach on the international salsa circuit and judge many events including the Global Salsa Championships at the World Salsa Summit.

David and Olga JosephDavid and Olga Joseph share a love for dance, music and expression. They have danced and taught for many schools, festivals and arts organizations in and around Calgary. They are affiliated with numerous productions across Canada, the United States and Mexico, and are proud to be organisers of the Calgary International Salsa Congress.


[email protected]

Calgary Salsa Congress

Astonishes!The Calgary International Salsa Congress has received an overwhelming response from the local and international community. Over 1000 spectators and 200 performers each year inspired extensive media coverage and excitement for the coming year's festivities.

Dancers, vendors, sponsors and spectators alike were treated to capacity parties, jaw dropping professional shows, and had the opportunity to attend classes with teachers not normally available in Canada.

This years pre-ticket sales, promise an even more successful event in 2016, and current media excitement suggests that the benefits of sponsorship will reach not

only those in attendance, but will also be seen and heard throughout Calgary and Canada.

We look forward to seeing you at the 9th Calgary International Salsa Congress!

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[email protected]

What is Salsa?Salsa is the world’s most popular dance. Salsa has no age or colour, and is a perfect pastime or passion for anyone. Tens of thousands of Calgarians can tell you why. Salsa is a social, fun, passionate and energetic dance that people from all walks of life can enjoy at any time, anywhere in the world.

Every night of the week you can find people attending a salsa class in Calgary. Expo Latino, held every August, is Calgary’s second largest festival, drawing crowds of over 80,000 people each year. The premiere of ABC television’s immensely popular Dancing with the Stars drew an audience of 22 million people. Compare that to the audience of 200 million people around the world who watched the 2005 World Salsa Championships on ESPN.

Salsa dancers range from people who grew up with Latin music, to young professionals and university students, to married couples or singles looking to meet new people, to seniors looking to get active. Salsa has no age or colour, and is a perfect pastime or passion for anyone.

The Calgary Salsa Congress is the one time of the year where the Calgary community comes together alongside Salsa dancers from around the globe to celebrate, share, learn, and be inspired.



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April – , Hyatt Regency Calgary