It was Nines & Sixes dancing on Ones and Twos Tuesday Night. Nine professional couples qualifying for a place in One Final and a $6000 first prize. 9:00pm. they were testing the stage, a surprisingly small stage for its apparent size. It must be the way it triangles into the corner of 6 Degrees.
Two couples from Montreal, Victor & Katia a World Salsa Championship Top 3 and Evens & France did a preliminary qualifier before the semi-final competition itself.
Then Steps' Jennifer handed the mike to iFreeStyle's Angus and the evening started. No warm up this time, just out and go. Music was up tempo, ranging from Pabon/Rodriguez "A Ran ka Fa" [sic] to Mark Anthony's take on Hector Lavoe's killer "Aguanile."
One right after another they danced, working to the crowd and to the judges. Montreal's Evens & France. Then it was a Toronto show with Orlando & Mira who competed solo in the recent Toronto Salsa Festival. Shine King Java & Patience were next, followed by Bong & Irina; Albert & Lauren. Montreal's Victor & Katia came out, followed by Toronto's Paul & Katty; Edgar & Yulia and Olga & Yared.
Frantic scribbling from the judges making notes during the brief, so brief time between competitors. MC Angus buying them a few precious seconds.
Like pigeons on a wire, those waiting to compete or those who already competed intently watched the stage from behind the glass on the second level overlooking stage right and the dance floor.
In a blink it was over. All the competitors had hit the stage and the crowd. The judges retired to tally scores, the lights dimmed and it was dancing.
Some time later the 6 Degrees Salsa Competition Professional Finalists were announced. Rank and Score are not carried to the finals Tuesday 30 March with So You Think You Can Dance Canada's judge and choreographer Jean-Marc Genereux.
The judges for Tuesday included Dance to Live Paula; Los Salsomanos Giovanni; Ana Machado; Blackpool competitor Juan Alberto; Vanesa Trujillo; and Tango and ballroom and salsa specialist Rhythm & Motion's Elizabeth Sadowska.
When it was over, Steps Dance StudioJennifer Aucoin took the stage and announced the Six Degree Salsa Competiton finalists.
In order: Montreal's Victor & Katia - First; Montreal's Evens & France - Second Tie; Bong & Irina - Second Tie; Orlando & Mira - Fourth; Albert & Lauren - Fifth; Java & Patience - Sixth.
Finals - 10:30pm. sharp. Tuesday 30 March. And Jennifer forces the DJs to stop playing so the competition starts on time too.
As a bonus, SYTYCD-Canada's Celebrity Judge, ace ballroom dancer and choreographer Jean-Marc Genereaux is on the judging panel for the finals!
Advance tickets are available. The Competition "Play-offs" *will* sell-out. Don't be disappointed.
Here's some of the previous rounds' fun:
Short videos posted on the SalsaTO ca Facebook profile.
Tuesday 16 March 6 Degrees Competition Amateur Semi-Final.
Tuesday 9 March 6 Degrees Competition Round 4.
Tuesday 2 March 6 Degrees Competition Round 3.
Tuesday 23 February 6 Degrees Competition Round 2.
Tuesday 16 February 6 Degrees Competition Round 1.
Editor's Note
The 'blotches' and apparent out of gamut color steaks on some of the images comes from the venue's stage lighting. A warm wash was punctuated by one or two cold sharp focussed spots. And there are uneven and dark areas on the stage that the competitors continually moved through.
No flash was used in creating the images.
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