A second Salsa workshop is being planned for next month, building on the success of the first one in December.

Troy Anthony, a Salsa teacher, choreographer and performer, conducted that workshop along with his partner Georgette Alcocer, and now two more instructors, Rudy Zalez and Griselle Ponce, will join them in Bermuda for the four-day workshop on April 4, 5, 6 and 7 at West Pembroke school. Classes will be held for beginners, intermediate and advanced and those wishing further information should contact organiser Kim Paynter at 297-0584 (evenings) or Lauren Simons at 297-1880, ext. 102 or e-mail: lsimonsbbsr.edu.

The workshop attracted 100 locals of all dance abilities, drawn by the popularity of the Latin dance which is a combination of African and Cuban rhythms with American Jazz. The dance originated in Cuba and spread to Puerto Rico and central American countries before it found its way around the world.

The dance started to gain in popularity in Bermuda when local resident Jasmina Gillpin, who had done Salsa in the United Kingdom, started to do classes at Club 40 in December 2000. A number of people started to take the classes and many have become Salsa addicts.

Dee Martin, who grew up with the dance Tango in Argentina, was one of those taking the initial classes and also joined the Salsa organisation in Bermuda.

"A number of people started those classes and there are a few of what we call Salsa addicts who danced anytime that we could," she explained of Salsa growth in Bermuda.

"Jasmina turned the reigns of teaching over to Travis Gilbert, along with another gentleman, Svoro Podocinski, at Club 40 while Club Azure opened with Kathy and Sonya Bean also doing Salsa classes there.

"That gave Salsa two venues and from the enthusiasm created by Travis and many others, a Bermuda Salsa organisation was formed which, by June 2001, was able to gather over 170 people on its Salsa cruise.

"I'm one of the original enthusiasts with many, many others. We created many local demonstrations, and one of the highlights was at Harbour Nights last July 4 when we had over 40 people dancing.

"Salsa is a partnering dance and in Latin countries not only do men and women dance together but men and men and women and women dance together. It's a community building experience."

Mr. Paynter explained that Salsa has a strong following in Bermuda, gathering every Thursday night at Club 40 and Friday nights at Club Azure. "Now, in the last month or so, we have been gathering at Hillie's on Front Street on Tuesday nights," said Mr. Paynter.

Classes are being run through the Community Education Programme and it is anticipated the classes will be full for next month's workshop, if December's workshop is an indication.

"The response was overwhelming. People were more than pleased with the calibre and way Troy conducted the classes," explained Mr. Paynter. "He is just a warm person and he kept the classes lively and fun."

Presently the 29-year-old Mr. Anthony is teaching `Hollywood Style' Salsa in New Orleans, teaching every day at four locations. He is widely recognised as one of the top Salsa dancer around, with his impressive credentials including working for the Soul Train Awards, assisting with videos for rapper Dr. Dre and singers Eric Benet and Mary J. Blige. He has danced, taught and assisted with various types of productions in Los Angeles and New Orleans and was the Louisiana State Salsa champion in 2000.

Returning to Bermuda with Mr. Anthony is his partner, Georgette Alcocer, while Mr. Zalez and Ms Ponce will be here for the first time.

Zalez is with Royal Salsa Dance Company in Los Angeles and Ponce is with the Caribbean Soul Dance Company in New Jersey.

Zalez is Cuban and his flavour is matched by few. He has appeared on the Jamie Fox Show as the Cuban Salsa heartthrob and is the guy Chayanne spoke with on the dance floor in the movie "Dance with Me". Zalez also had one of the top selling instructional videos "Salsa for the World" and was one of the lead dancers for Salsa Brava Dance Company, before he formed his own company, Royal Salsa.

Zalez has taught and performed throughout the Far East, Caribbean and Europe.

Ms. Ponce won the big Sabado Gigante contest and recently appeared for the show's 15th anniversary in a command performance. She dances and teaches on `1' and `2' and specialises in ladies styling.