It was the end of September and finally that most anticipated event on our calendar had arrived: the LPSVG-LPTT Latin Fiesta Weekend, where we hosted our sister school, Latin Passion Trinidad & Tobago (LPTT), for 4 days of dancing, workshops, performances, and…. did we say dancing?

First of all, who are “we”? “We” are LatinPassion SVG (LPSVG), and we are all about Latin dancing. The only established Latin dance school in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, we provide lessons in salsa, bachata, kizomba, and (soon to be) tango. Merengue and the hustle (quick step) are occasionally thrown in, with reggaeton and semba added to the mix at weekly Latin night parties. We offer workshops to the public and participate in regional conferences where we get to experience different styles with foreign dancers and learn from international dance instructors.

So, back to our amazing weekend……

Day 1

Tango workshop by LPTT instructors Carol Boissiere and Rodney Phillip – This slow, graceful dance of Argentina was new to us but we loved it, so it will be appearing in our syllabus for this term!

There was plenty of swiveling about and we even tried one move where the male holds his partner and pivots her on her left leg as she gracefully sweeps her outstretched right leg just above the floor in a circle. The instructors did a full demo of all the moves afterward so we could see how it’s really done.

Day 2

Buccament Bay frolic – Our Trinidadian guests spent the day checking out their luxury accom’s, Buccament Bay Resort. Set on a west coast beach, here they could bathe in the sun’s rays poolside or sip a cooler at the beach bar overlooking white sands leading out to a peaceful bay. Much needed relaxation for the night ahead!

Semba workshop by international instructors Frederic Phillipy and Christine Mongin – The waist movements of this Angolan dance reminded me of calypso music, but the sound is more relaxed and it is danced with a partner. They surely put us in the mood for what was next……….

Latin Collision Party – Time to put those semba moves into practice and awaken the night with all our favourites in salsa, merengue, bachata, kizomba, reggaeton and hustle music. Our Trinidadian friends kept us on our toes all night! We broke for a performance by some of our intermediate-level dancers as well as a soca/semba show by red-and-shiny-gold-clad Frederic and Christine.