Latin dance convention heats up in Sudbury

The Northern Latin Dance Congress returned to Sudbury on Saturday, bringing out many looking to hit the dance floor.

The fourth annual convention showcases workshops during the day and a performance and dancing during the evening. The day-long event runs from 9 a.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday.Northern Latin Dance Congress held a series of workshops at the Northbury Hotel and Conference Centre on Saturday Nov. 5/22. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News Northern Ontario)“Dancing is fun,” said organizer Zoi Monroy.

“Dancing is good for the soul.”

Monroy said the idea for the event came to her four years ago after seeing similar conventions in big cities.

“You know, they put together these kind of events in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and even all over the world, why don’t we do it here?” she said.

“We’ve got so many good dancers and that’s how it started. We were like ‘let’s do it.’”

Monroy, originally from Venezula, has taught Salsa and Bachata in Sudbury for nine years. She told CTV Bews dancing is not only a part of her culture, but her passion as well.

“I have classes where I teach people for a few weeks, a few years and they see for themselves,” she said.

“They’re like ‘oh my god, I never thought I could do this. Look at me, I can do the steps and I’m dancing and they get all the moves.’ So that’s exciting for me, cuz I see the transformation.”

In its first year, the convention saw 60 participants. Now, the event has grown to see upwards of 100 people. Monroy believes a part of it is the growing number of people moving to the north from South America.

“So, those people are coming here and they’re looking to have some dancing as well,” Monroy said. “Because some of them love dancing. So for them to see this, it’s like this is an opportunity to come here. So it’s growing little by little.”

The event also doubles as a fundraiser, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Sudbury Manitoulin Children’s Foundation.

“We like to support our community,” added Monroy.

Dance instructor Sky Slywchuk has been a part of the Northern Latin Congress since day one, believing this event exposes people to a number of forms of dance.

“I hope more people can come to realize that they get an opportunity to taste a bunch of different styles. It’s a dance buffet here,” Slywchuk said, laughing.

Monroy said she hopes one day that this convention draws out as many people as Toronto’s and Montreal’s.

“I hope this becomes a four-day event where thousands of people come out from all over the world in one place,” she added.

“I get goosebumps just thinking about it. I would like to see that here.”

Monroy said next year’s event will be big as the convention celebrates its fifth year.