Saturday Gala

"Is Puerto Rico in the House?" People shouted out and flags waved as David Melendez got Saturday evening's Gala Show off to a flying start.

Puerto Rico's Sabor Latino woke everyone up with a blistering routine.

Toronto's Pavel & Dora continued with South American flair.

Philadelphia's 2 couple Art-in-Motion put the Salsa back into Salsa with a routine that kept everyone guessing from one beat to the next.

Toronto's Mark-Anthony and Akila brought a feline touch with their leopard trimmed costumes.

Montreal's Saltimambo returned with a nod to the future in a flurry of arms, legs, feet and turns clad in sleek sci-fi costumes.

A big surprise of the night was the Mambo Mosiac's Int/Advanced Student Dance Team. Their Salsa took inspiration from South America's Tanqueros, bringing a sensual almost serene touch to their dance.

Al "Liquid Silver" & Karla came out and danced after David Melendez announced that their costumes and custom mixed music was lost in luggage hell. Ever the showmen, Al & Karla gave the audience a taste of what they can do in borrowed clothes and even shoes. Al promised three shows next year and said he would not disappoint Sunday night.

Jaun Caldeone and his Cultural Explosion surprised the audience and opened Salsa's embrace to ballet with a very lyrical and flowing routine that mixed salsa's freedom with ballet's grace and discipline.

From the ballet studio to Pop, Toronto's urban conscious CityDanceCorps continued this salsa journey through dance and culture with a very slick Michael Jackson send-off, complete with moonwalk - all to a salsa beat. White uhmmmm red armbands anyone?

Well known lift and aerial specialist Dave Paris & Zoe caught everyone off guard Saturday night with a spectacular showcase of aerials and lifts that could have been lifted from Circe de Soleil's handbook. They put the effortless into the seemingly impossible. Yes, and you too can duplicate some of these moves with lots of practice and infinite trust from your partner. More than a few performers have taken a few moves from the Davemeister. Coming to a salsa show real soon!

On to "Cuban Pete's old Havana with Stephanie's Mambo tribe. Dashing young men flirted with dainty pastel clad tipsy ladies, finally being carried off to parts unknown - all to big smiles.

Young Bloods got every Salsera in the place hooting and hollering at their tongue-in-cheek shines routine.

Toronto returned to the stage with Salsamanos and a sexy take on salsa.

Montreal's Roberto & Marie-Josee gave a good take on Salsa Classica.

Bermuda made it known they were in the house when the Sabor Dance Company took to the stage with a very classy take on that delightful flirt that played itself out on every beat between men and women.

Boston's Ana & a Top Hated Joel, complete with cane brought a hi tone Fred Aistaire elegance to what can be lo - tone salsa.

Puerto Rico's Tito & Tamera took salsa back to New York City's mambo mecca the legendary Palladium with a classic cha cha tribute inspired by Tito Rodriguez.

As the last notes died away from Oliver & Luda's dance, the doors opened to the Dance Party, as Ocho y Mas lured the 1300+ audience into a five hour salsa feast of live and DJ music.