Sonya Elmore and La Luna Dance Studio in Bensalem, Pa have announced the first annual Philadelphia Salsafest to be held from Halloween weekend, October 30-November 1, 2009. The invited performers and instructors list is stacked, as Sonya has invited local, national, and international talent including Puerto Rico Open & Mayan champions and World Salsa Championships finalists (Sonya and partner Victor Colon finished 5th at the 2006 World Salsa Championships in the cabaret division, and is a principal subject in our Salsamentary documentary). Local Philadelphia area talent includes Jessica Rodriguez, Calle Luna, Darlin Garcia, Mike Andino, Barbara Capaldi, and Joe Figueroa. Here is an abbrieviated list of scheduled artists -

• Roberto Arenas & Marie-Josee Strazzero (Chilital Dance), Montreal, Quebec, Canada (interview | social | performance)
• John Narvaez & Liz Rojas (Salsamania), Bay Area, CA (interview | social | performance)
• Cristian Oviedo & Liz Lira, Los Angeles, California (interview | social | performance)
• Victor Perez & Burju Hurturk, (Hacha y Machete) Boston, MA (interview | social | performance)
• Al Espinoza, Los Angeles, CA / Florida (interview | social | performance)
• Magna Gopal, NJ (interview | social)
• Mario “B” Gonzales, (Plan B Dancers) Jersey City, NJ (interview | social | performance)
• Griselle Ponce, Passaic, NJ (interview | social | performance)
• Cultural Explosion, Elizabeth, NJ (interview | social | performance)
• Shaka Brown, DC/Florida  (interview | social | performance)

The event will be located at the Ramada Philadelphia airport. Congratulations to Sonya and La Luna for organizing this event.