By Leah Wojtach
After months of practice and choreography, Jazzine Avecado, Div. 450, exhausted from Alliance of Boricuas’ (A.B.C.) intense routine is ecstatic to hear from the Chicago International Salsa Congress Dance Festival. The club sent in an audition video to be considered to perform at the event. After weeks of nervous waiting, Avecado and A.B.C. were accepted to perform during this prestigious festival that takes place during the 14th to 17th of February.
Lane’s Aspira, Organization of Latin Students (OLAS), and A.B.C. in Chicago will perform at the Chicago International Salsa Congress. This Latin Dance Festival celebrates the culture of Latin and Afro-Caribbean music and dance. It includes four nights and three days of workshops, dance productions and live entertainment.
A.B.C. was accepted to participate in the Emerging Artist Showcase on Feb. 15. This is the second year the club will perform at Congress.
The Chicago International Salsa Congress features seven dance productions. One of the dance showcases will include O.L.A.S. This will be the club’s first year at Congress.
Anissa Vega, President of O.L.A.S., Div. 461 said , “Aspira and O.L.A.S. are both performing in the Emerging Artists. It’s basically a small competition. Then two acts will make it to the night show.”
O.L.A.S. does feel the pressure for performing for the first time at Congress.
“[Practice] has been very intense. Since its our first time, we have to leave a good impression for following years,” said Eddy Aguilar, Div. 450.
Aspira was invited to perform again this year at Congress, marking their twelfth year performing.
Aspira won the competition the past two years. However, some club members do not feel the pressure to maintain this winning streak.
“We have a reputation for always performing well and we have to live up to that,” said Damian Jordan, Div. 451. “Winning is great, but as long as we’re having fun and upholding the Aspira name, that’s all that matters.”
Even though the Latin clubs will compete against each other in this dance festival, there is no rivalry between the three.
“The presidents of all the Latin clubs, we’re all really good friends. We bring our clubs to hang out,” said Nina Saenz, Div. 463, President of A.B.C. “We’re not trying to having any rivalry. We’re all really supportive of each other and we want to see everyone do well.”
