Guernsey Press

Salsa Festival sashays back

THE RETURN of Heidi Almonte’s Salsa Festival took place at St Pierre Park at the weekend.

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The Salsa Festival makes a comeback at St Pierre Park Hotel. Pictured in the foreground is organiser Heidi Almonte, left, with Rasa Pauzaite. (Picture by Ben Fiore)

Around 50 dancers, local and from elsewhere, joined three professional salsa and bachata teachers from London to learn new skills and have fun.

‘We did have a really good salsa scene over here, which I have been trying to build back up after some time away from the island,’ said Ms Almonte.

‘The festival was an annual thing some time ago but there was a bit of a break. It’s all about making yourself feel good. I’ve totally turned my own health around with natural things. Dancing is good for the mind, body and soul,’ she said.

Two full days of lessons attended by mixed ability groups culminated each evening with a party to show off their new moves.

One of the professional dancers visiting for the weekend was Biskit from Bar Salsa in London.

‘The best thing about the group here today is the enthusiasm. It’s the kind of feeling London had when it was just becoming popular, now there are hierarchies within the classes and all sorts. Here anyone will dance with anyone and have a good time.

‘The main benefit of dancing isn’t actually the physical part, it’s the mental benefits, in the way that you can just block out all your negative thoughts. People with really-high-stress jobs love it. It releases endorphins, it’s addictive,’ he said.