(Mayan Nightclub, Sat Oct 3, 2009) - As the 2009 Mayan Team Showdown was underway, a big concern on everyone's minds and a motive of anxiety to all competitors was the question of if "Alma Latina" from Tijuana, Mexico/San Diego, CA, would join the Out-of-State/International preliminary division of the competition. Many dancers from all teams knew that if they did, they would be a great contender and a favorite to win the whole competition. Some dancers went as far as stating (even as they were in teams participating in the competition) that if "Alma Latina" was to enter the competition, they would be the sure winners without question, as their level of dancing and choreography is just too high.

Certainly, Gaby Equiz's & Sergio Jasso's "Alma Latina" from Tijuana, Mexico, has made its presence felt in the L.A. and California-wide Salsa Scene many times before, whether at shows or in…

(Mayan Nightclub, Sat Oct 3, 2009) - The defending 2008 champions, Luis Aguilar's "Tropical Rhythm," took second place in a battle of dancing and choreography like the Mayan nightclub and Los Angeles had never pesenced before. The 2009 Mayan World Salsa Team Showdown was an incredible event!

Their routine had strength, was very musical, almost theatrical, and was executed with a lot of heart and almost flawlessly. At the end, only 5 points separated them from their former place at this competition, behind Gaby Equiz's "Alma Latina" of San Diego/Tijuana.

The Tropical  Rhythm dance team is currently L.A.'s number one dance team, with the most committed members, the best choreographies, and the most appeal to a wide range of audiences. We surely hope that they are able to sustain the trajectory that they have carried so far, and remain strong for years to come, as many have been…

The story of Abel Peña and Sulmara Torres, as a dance partnership that has taken the salsa competition world by storm, is one that very few could have predicted, but which some hoped it would one day become as great of a reality as it is today. They first met at The Granada club in Alhambra, CA, where Abel, a seasoned local Los Angeles professional dancer, and Sulmara, a dancer who was already displaying many strengths in her dancing, had their first social dance and instantly felt a connection that meant something to them. They had a few more dances that night and after they decided to begin rehearsing and training together.

Abel and Sulmara trained in Los Angeles for several months before deciding to enter many popular L.A. Salsa competitions. At first, they were seen as underdogs by many, and not as a dancing threat by some of…