he dance will continue for Salsa lovers next month with Bermuda Salsa Congress organisers promising a bigger and better second annual event. Even complete beginners can take part as there will be workshops for everyone. The event is set to take place on February 10, 11 and 12, at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

The Congress will showcase dancers and instructors from New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Canada, New Orleans, San Diego and Bermuda. "We are having a bigger stage, better seating, and we are going to be bringing in some bigger and better new talent ? some people that haven't been seen just yet locally," said Bermuda Salsa Congress web developer and registration officer Weldon Wade.

The organisers, who are headed up by Kim Paynter and US Salsa Congress organiser David Melendez, are also bringing in some instructors who "are familiar with how we dance" along with new talent. While it is easy to attract stars and instructors to Bermuda, Mr. Wade admitted it is harder to bring in amateurs who flock to congresses in the US. "This is the second time I have worked with Kim and this Congress is really a local event, no matter how hard we market it through our international channels, but Bermuda is expensive to come to," he said.

"A good majority of salseros and dancers don't have the budget to come here for the weekend. I went to the Los Angeles Congress two years ago, it cost me a little bit, but they had bus tours, give-a-ways all day and they had dancing until 5 a.m."

Some of the instructors include locals Travis Gilbert and Angela Hayward, co-directors of the Sabor Dance School.

"They have confirmed to both instruct and perform," Mr. Wade said."So, it's a mix, although we also like to bring in international talent.

For instance Al (Liquid Silver) Espinoza was here last year, he was a cowboy in gold, and his dance partner put a coin in his back and he came to life.

"He has been to Bermuda a number of times in the past offering workshops and unleashing his mix of hip hop and salsa or Millennium Salsa on the dance floor," he said.

"Al is one of the most ?Al is one of the most sought after instructors in the world and one of the top entertainers in salsa today. You do not want to miss seeing him and his team. ?Georgette Alcocer and Troy Anthony, of Latin Motions, in New Orleans, are no strangers to Bermuda either, as the couple were married here in 2002.

?They have brought their own Creole Style Salsa here each year since then. Troy is a 2004 West Coast Congress honouree and both Troy and Georgette were our first Honourees.

?We also have Andy Cruz and Dulpessey Walker who will be coming to Bermuda for the first time.Maria Falcon has been to Bermuda a number of times in the past, although with Lee Rios this will be their second time at the Bermuda Salsa Congress.

?This dynamic and exciting couple, who represent Texas, want to bring you their energy again. ?Shaka Brown is one of the smoothest and most technical dance/instructors Bermuda has seen. He was another guest instructor who contributed to last year?s Congress.

?Another is frequent visitor, Magna Gopal, who attended last year?s Congress. She also taught workshops with the Mambo Tribe over the summer. She has danced her way into that league where her first name is famous. There is only one and her smooth and unique style and ability to spin until the lead gets tired is her trademark, not to mention she is ready to dance until the DJ calls, ?last song? or the facility turns out the lights.?

Apart from bringing out salsa enthusiasts who dance regularly, the organisers want to get ?the Salsa curious? who have not learned the dance involved ? and to bring back people who may have learned to Salsa but are not currently dancing.

?We want to bring out all those who brought Salsa to Bermuda initially, like Sonia and Cathy Bean,? he said. ?They were the first people to teach Salsa at Club Azure, as well as people who haven?t seen Salsa before.

?With the event of programmes like ?So You Think You Can Dance? and ?Dancing with the Stars?, are showing people about partner dancing and it is starting to catch on.

?Even though Salsa isn?t the Waltz or the Cha Cha, it is still partner dancing. My fianc?e and I teach a classes at the Fairmont Southampton and every year we teach beginners classes to the guests.? This year?s Congress will have one fewer night of dancing than last year, in line with other salsa congresses, Mr. Wade added. ?It will allow us to move some of the performances onto other days and essentially provide a better product.?

Tickets can be purchased at Internet Lane, which is located in between Trends and Silk Thai Restaurant, on Reid Street, or online at www.boxoffice.bm. or www.salsacongressbermuda.com. Some passes can also be purchased at the door. Full pass tickets are $190 and evening events are $80 until January 31, and after $200 and $85 respectively. Fairmont Hamilton Princess are offering special rates for Salsa patrons.