In two weeks' time, Latin dance stars and enthusiasts from around the world will be heating up *Scape in Orchard Road with sensual and exotic moves.
Among the hottest dancers coming to town are Ricardo Vega and Karen Forcano from Argentina and Chile, the winners of the World Latin Cup, all-round Latin dance superstars.
Other celebrity acts are Richard David Tholoor from India, a pioneer of salsa there who holds a record in the Limca Book of Records for the most number of spins in a minute, and renowned Street Latin movie and singer Yovanny de Jesus from the Dominican Republic.
They will be performing and giving masterclasses as part of Singapore International Latin Festival, which runs from Jan 29 to 31 at *Scape.
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BOOK IT / SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL LATIN FESTIVAL
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WHERE: 04-01 *Scape, 2 Orchard Link
WHEN: Jan 29 to 31
ADMISSION: Prices start at $45 for a one-day workshop and go up to $329 for full access for all workshops, shows and parties
INFO: Go to www.silf.sg/event_pass.html
During the three-day event, there will also be performances, Latin dance championships, social dancing and dance workshops.
The featured dance styles are diverse. Other than the everpopular and exciting salsa, slower forms such as bachata from the Dominican Republic and kizomba (occasionally dubbed "African tango") are also included.
The festival will also introduce a new workshop in a style called Brazilian Zouk, an up-and-coming popular form that can be danced to modern pop Latin hits or any pop music.
The dance festival is organised by local dance school, En Motion, whose dance crew, Los Bravos En Motion, made it to the top 15 of the reality dance show, The Dance Floor Season 2, on Channel 5.
Organisers expect about 1,500 participants from Singapore and the rest of Asia.
Another highlight is the Asia Latin Championship, in which 14 couples from Japan, India, Taiwan, Indonesia and Singapore will be competing for the top prize of $1,000 in the salsa and bachata categories.
Latin dance enthusiast Yeo Wei Wei, 20, is looking forward to the festival.
The Republic Polytechnic student, who is also part of En Motion's salsa student team, says she hopes to pick up some ideas on how to dress from the different international dancers. She is especially interested in catching the routine by dance champions Vega and Forcano that clinched them the top prize in the World Latin Cup last year.
She says: "I can't wait to see the amazing performances, meet new people and grow as a dancer and learn."
