Tauranga's Latin dance community is gearing up to host the country's top teachers and hundreds of enthusiastic students this coming Labour weekend.

The Bay Salsa Festival on October 21-23 – which has been running since 2007 – is one of the highlights on the New Zealand dance calendar.

'We were forced to cancel due to Covid-19 last year,” says head of the organising committee, Karen Saunders.

'We have a really active Latin dance community here in Tauranga with a lot of styles to choose from, so we're excited to be welcoming back our friends from other centres.”

At least 40 Latin dance experts will join local teachers to run an intense two days and three nights of workshops, parties and a performance showcase that's open to the public.

'Even non-dancers will enjoy the dance show on Saturday night,” says Karen. 'It really is spectacular. 'People who want to try Latin dance for the first time are also welcome along to beginners' classes – and those who are already on their dance journey will upskill in the more advanced classes.”

The event is run by volunteers to ensure any proceeds from the festival are put towards supporting Kiwi dancers on the world stage.

'We provide a grant that anyone in New Zealand can apply for,” says Karen. 'They must be travelling overseas to either compete or perform.

'We've helped many teams and individuals over the years attend events such as the World Salsa Champs and even the Hip Hop Worlds when we assisted one of the Urban Dance teams with travel costs to get to Germany.”

Karen and her former festival co-organiser, Dean Christie, won an award in 2019 for their contribution to New Zealand's Latin dance scene through the festival. 'The organisers don't do it for personal gain,” says Karen. 'We do it to give back to the community.”

The general public is welcome to the dance showcase on Saturday, October 22 from 7pm at Otumoetai College Performing Arts Centre. Tickets are $20 each from: https://www.baysalsa.co.nz/product/shake-it-showcase/