17-19 Mar 2006.
Mambo Tribe's Winter Salsa Carnival
Capitol Event Theatre.
2492 Yonge Street - 4 blocks north of Eglinton.
3 nights of Salsa Parties & Performances - 2 Days of Workshops.
Friday 17 Mar. 10pm-2am. Acrobat Pre-Party @ Acrobat Lounge. 2464 Yonge St. 3 blocks North of Eglinton.
Saturday 18 Mar. 11am-4pm. Workshops @ Capitol.
Saturday 18 Mar. 8pm-2am. Gala Masquerade Ball @ Capitol.
Must wear mask! Venetian Costume or Supremely Elegant! Prizes for best Dressed.
Sunday 19 Mar. 11am-3pm. Workshops @ Capitol.
Sunday 19 Mar. 5pm-10pm. Social @ Capitol.
DJ Julio, DJ Nilson, DJ Sweet Pea, DJ GIO & DJ MAS confirmed.
Buy ticket before 15 Jan. get discount and entry to 6-10 Aug. 2006 BermudaSalsa.com Royal Caribbean Cruise.
Confirmed Instructors & Performers -
Griselle Ponce & Josh Torres -NJ;
Sonia & Morris -Montreal;
Pawel & Dora -Toronto;
Oscar & Vanesa -Toronto;
Jennifer Aucoin -Toronto;
United Salseros -Toronto;
City Dance Corps -Toronto;
Mambo Tribe -Toronto;
Ana Machado - Toronto;
Juan Calderon & Christine -NJ; Seku Miller & Christina -Chicago.
Pricing - Workshop - Accomodation details on the website or contact
info@wintersalsacarnival.com
Stephanie Gurnon
The Winter Salsa Carnival is something that I've been meaning to do for a while, since I've been teaching and performing salsa and organizing events for quite some time! I've been touring on the world salsa congress circuit since 1999 independently, and with my business partner Mark-Anthony Sheppard, so we saw how organizers ran their events.
We discussed having a Toronto Congress of our own, since the first one in 2000 was only a one-shot event. We started planning when we created Mambo Tribe Salsa Dance Company in 2003. Our team assembled, our business plan printed, we set off to find sponsors as a salsa event for 500-2000 people, which is a very big deal !
Funny enough, Mark was at Ba Ba Lúu one night talking to Jen Aucoin about how we're planning a salsa congress. Her mouth dropped and she exclaimed,
"So am I!!!! ..."
Then, Mark's eyes bugged out and both were left speechless and kind of chuckling in disbelief.
We decided that the timing wasn't propitious, and we had better wait responsibly instead of jumping ahead and taking a huge risk that could dammage our school, our finances, our credibility, our reputation. We certainly didn't want to compete against Jen as that would be shooting ourselves in the foot! I had worked with Jen a lot and respected the fact she wanted to start her congress with Dave Melendez.
We also wanted to see how Toronto would respond to a huge salsa event. Luckily Jen has had 3 very successful, very organized congresses, helping Toronto's salsa community flourish.
Theme is Born
Next, Mark wanted something theatrical and I wanted to do something outside the box. He wanted to do a Carnival, I wanted to do a Masquerade Ball, which is why we our troupe does a masquerade ball themed routine. We toured with this choreography through all of 2005 in France, Germany, Bermuda, Boston, Chicago, Montreal & Toronto. People loved our outfits and the masks.
So... we know it is very hard to put together such an event as the Winter Salsa Carnival: bringing in dance troupes from the US, Canada & Bermuda, hosting the dancers, planning the schedule, getting a great location that is close to a hotel... that isn't inside a hotel like at a congress. It just so happens that the Pre-party @ Acrobat Lounge is a 1/2 block away from the Capitol Event Theatre, so that was a bonus.
Selling masks, organizing a volunteer team, a silent auction, vendors, promotion, getting excellent DJ's...the list goes on!
Excitement & Anticipation
The other day I got an email that said, "Stephanie, I'm so excited for the Carnival I CAN'T STAND IT!!!"
...well, nor can I !!!!!
The masks that everyone has to wear will create a sexy, intriguing atmosphere, where one's identity can be confused, ambiguous...
Be sure to wear a 1700's costume, the Rococco period, or dress elegantly for Saturday Night's Gala! Sunday will be dressed down and Friday is casual at Acrobat. Pre-paying online or in person gets you an automatic domino mask and you can avoid the 'at-the-door' line up!
