AS THE dark winter months are rolling in, it is good to know that a celebration of Latin music and dance will brighten up a weekend in November.
The Bachata Open Galway 2012 event takes place in the Radisson Blu Hotel from Friday November 9 to Sunday 11. Bachata is a style of dancing that originated in the Dominican Republic. This will be the first bachata championship in Ireland, the winner will go to Murcia, Spain, representing Ireland at the championship.
Salsa teachers from Ireland, Spain, Britain, and other countries will be attending; there will be champion couples from Spain who dance in the bachata style; and six DJs.
The event opens on Friday 9 with a party at Baranda lounge in Radisson Hotel, including sets from two DJs; Saturday 10 is the night of the championship but there will also be salsa workshops for those keen to learn Latin dance. On Sunday 11 there will be all day workshops in salsa and bachata, and sets from four DJs.
The workshop facilitators will be Sabor Dinamico specialising in Colombian salsa (Saturday 10, 11am - 12 noon, all levels ) and Ronald and Bianca in Bachata (Saturday 10, 12 noon - 1pm, all levels ).
For more information, tickets, and prices see http://www.bachatarepublic.com and bachataopen.ie
