SALSA

1. Organizer's music in preliminaries and semi-final, Organizer's music OR music of the dancers' choice in the final

2. .Length of Exhibition: In all rounds except the final, the length of performance should be 1 ½ minutes long, to conform to the end of the musical phrase. In the final round, the couple may use music of their choice or the Organizer's music, which must be 2 minutes of music to the end of the musical phrase, but must not exceed 2 minutes 15 seconds.

3. Tempo: 48 - 52 bars per minute (196 - 208 beats per minute).

4. Characteristics and Movement: Salsa is of Latin-American origin but has been developing in different ways the last 10 years. There are three main styles of Salsa. The Salsa Cuban style, the Salsa Puerto Rico/New York style (Street Mambo) and the L-A style. The Cuban style of Salsa is more rotating than the Puerto Rico/New York style (Street Mambo) and the L-A style is known to include more show figures. All three styles are accepted. Salsa basic is a two times three-step pattern taken during 8 beats of music, in a quick, quick, slow - quick, quick, slow rhythm. It is allowed to break on the 1st and 3rd beat in the bar or the 2nd and 4th beat in the bar. What is important is to keep the consistence of the breaking. If one starts on breaking on 1 or 3 one must continue to break on 1 or 3 and not travel on to break on 2 and 4 suddenly. Salsa is a very popular club dance in that it allows the dancers much freedom to interpret the music using movements and elements from many different Latino dances. Salsa means, "Sauce", and the dancers should depict a very hot and spicy interaction with each other. The Salsa basics involve clever hand and arm movements as well as changes of handhold while maintaining the flowing movements and which are all typical of the dance.

5. In preliminary and in the semi-final rounds, six (6) couples will dance at the same time, but this is determined by the size of the dance floor. In the final round, each couple performs alone.

6. Lifts: Low lifts are permitted. However, in the final round, when couples perform alone, it is proposed to allow an acrobatic figure, such as a Cartwheel, to be danced, just once (AGM 2007)

7. The main part of the performance should be danced with a hold.

8. In every round including the final, all couples will dance an opening minute and a final minute together