LATIN dancers from around the country will be battling for over $20,000 in cash and prizes at the third annual Perfect 10 dance competition, hosted by Latin Passion TT, at Cascadia Hotel, St Ann's, from September 21-22.
There will be two categories of competition – salsa and kizomba – with workshops to educate and enthral participants, and parties for everyone to enjoy and practise their moves.
World-renowned kizomba couple Akram Bouchiba and Sara Paxolieta of Switzerland will be hosting workshops teaching their choreography and help judge the talent on display.
[caption id="attachment_1104260" align="alignnone" width="481"] Syd and Caroline -[/caption]
Both have featured at dance festivals around the world including Welcome to the Jungle 2024 in Bali and other festivals in Abu Dhabi, Australia and Egypt. Some of their dance videos have amassed millions of views on Instagram and their live performance is expected to be electrifying.
In a video release, both expressed excitement for Perfect 10 and being in Trinidad and Tobago for the first time. "It's gonna be amazing. We will see you soon," Akram said while in Spain on holidays.
Latin Passion dance school, which has been in existence for 12 years, is run by head instructor Sydney "Syd" Boissiere and his mother, Carol "Carrie" Boissiere.
In an interview with Newsday recently, Syd said he anticipates Akram and Sara's presence as well as the competitions will elevate Latin dancing locally.
"People come to dance for several reasons. People come to cool their brains, some people just want an extra-curricular fun, and some just want to improve their dancing. We're gonna straddle both people. They're (Akram and Sara) gonna raise the standard of kizomba. They are very good at what they do. They are well sought-after."
Kizomba, a dance originating in Angola, has evolved into various forms incorporating many different elements.
[caption id="attachment_1104261" align="alignnone" width="683"] World renowned kizomba couple Akram Bouchiba and Sara Paxolieta of Switzerland will be hosting workshops teaching their choreography and help judge the talent on display. -[/caption]
"It is a more intimate dance," Syd said. "A lot of people when you say intimate they think sexual. The reason I say intimate is because the (arm) hold is more intimate. You are closer to your dancing partner – like tango."Any dance you are gonna have different levels of comfort levels between the parties. Whether it's kizomba, batchata or even salsa, you can dance it more intimately or sensually with a partner you know, whether it's your wife or girlfriend."
He said Perfect 10 started in 2022, initially to celebrate Latin Passion's ten years in existence. One international dancer was brought to hold workshops and judge the competitions in 2022. The next year a couple was brought in, and the event was open to all dancers.
"Perfect 10 has mushroomed and developed from many perspectives. The footprint we had in the first year got large in the second year, both in terms of the competit
