It’s time to put on your dancing shoes, Toronto! One of the city’s favourite summer festivals is returning this weekend, bringing lots of Latin moves, vibrant live performances and delicious bites.
Salsa on St. Clair is back again this year, bringing a piece of Latin America to the streets of Toronto on July 5 from 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and July 6 from 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The event features delicious, authentic Latin food from over 15 countries, vibrant live performances of Latin rhythms and the hottest dancing performances and interactive classes that offer attendees a chance to show off their best moves and learn some new ones.
Salsa on St. Clair Festival Ambassador Jesus Bustamante is debuting as the head of the event this year after years of attending and participating in the event.
“It’s an honour to be part of it as a musician, as a host, as a Latino man myself, I assure anybody who attends that they are going to be blown away by the lineup that we have this year,” he told Now Toronto on Thursday.
According to him, attendees are in for a pleasant surprise this year, with some of the festival’s most beloved attractions making a comeback combined with unique activities also joining the celebration.
“It showcases different cultures, different authentic attire from different countries, like Colombia, Brazil with the samba, we have salsa representing Cuba, Bolivia, Venezuela, Mexico, all showcasing the true aspect of the roots of these wonderful cultures,” he added.
HOW TO GET THERE
As the name suggests, the festival takes place on St. Clair Ave. W. between Winona Rd. and Christie St., inviting Torontonians to flood the streets with vibrant dancing and community-building.
The event takes place only blocks away from St. Clair West Subway Station, which is a 24-minute walk from Winona Rd.
In addition, commuters can also take the westbound 512 streetcar at St Clair Ave. and Tweedsmuir Ave. and ride seven stops to Winona Ave., where the festival begins.
ROAD CLOSURES
As the festival takes over St. Clair Ave. W., streets will be closed from Winona Rd. to Christie St. between Saturday at 7 a.m. and Sunday at 11 p.m.
Besides no car access, commuters should also prepare for TTC route changes, as streetcars and buses will also not be going through the area.
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DIVERSE LINEUP OF PERFORMANCES
The annual festival is promising a spectacular artist lineup, filled with interactive live performances to make attendees rock their bodies to Latin rhythms.
Looking to learn some salsa and bachata? Local dance academy Abanico Dance & Entertainment will be taking over the festival to teach some of the most popular latin dance styles with interactive classes made for adults and children of all levels!
Colombian Dance Company (CDC) will also be attending the event to showcase the country’s diversity and traditional styles with professional folkloric dance performances. Having performed at Cielito Lindo Folk Fest, Latin Fest Mississauga, Pan American Food Festival, and Harbourfront Centre, CDC is one of the city’s favourite Colombia performers, which you won’t want to miss.
Cumbia Power will be bringing in some warm tropical vibes to Toronto at the festival, with the Latin cumbia rhythm. With trumpets, timbales, drums, bass, electric guitar, güiro, piano, and congas, they will fill in the streets with vibrant beats and lots of dancing.
With 18 years of Brazilian dancing experience, Dance Migration will be bringing the best of the country’s traditional samba to St. Clair this weekend by offering stage performances, workshops, engaging activities and lots of Brazilian cultural celebrations.
Licensed Zumba Instructor Nelcy will also be bringing her passion and best tips to teach event attendees some zumba moves. With 11 years of experience and a blend of Chilean and Colombian heritage, attendees are guaranteed to leave rocking the dance floor after going through her hands-on classes at the festival.
Bustamante also tells Now Toronto that Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow will be attending the event on Saturday for a Politician Dance-Off at 3:30 p.m., showing off her best dance moves.
To check out the full event lineup and schedule, attendees can download the Salsa on St. Clair app, which is available on both AppStore and Google Play. The new app also allows attendees to get live notifications about the festival programing, see a festival map, and even access special promotions.
FOOD VENDORS
In addition to plenty of dancing, the festival will also bring Latin vibes to the city through a range of flavours.
There will be bites from over 15 South American countries at the festival, and here are some highlights you can expect:
- El Sazón de la Tía Flor’s tacos.
- El Churrasco Equatoriano’s barbecue;
- Pancho’s Bakery’s churros;
- Summertime Lemonade;
- Hielito Bits’ frozen sweet treats;
- Mis Amigos’ beef skewers;
- Ontario Corn Roasters.
