Guide for Salsa Division

WORLD STARS CHAMPIONSHIP
SALSA PRO 2025

1ST PLACE WINNERS PRIZE
Salsa Couple : 1000 €
1ST PLACE WINNERS PRIZE
Salsa Solo Male : 500 €
1ST PLACE WINNERS PRIZE
Salsa Solo Female : 500 €

EVENT DATES

START: Thursday 24th of April 2024
END: Monday 28th of April 2025

COMPETITION DETAILS

Rehearsals: Thursday (24.04.2025) at 12:00
Competition: Thursday (24.04.2025) at 21:30

CATEGORIES FOR SALSA

Salsa Solo Pro Male
Salsa Solo Pro Female
Salsa Couples Pro: Mixed (male-female); males; females
The organization may cancel categories with insufficient participants.
The competitor must be over 18 years old.

VENUE: Maritim Paradise Blue Hotel 5*, Albena Resort, Bulgaria,

NEAREST AIRPORTS

Varna Airport, Bulgaria (40 minutes from the hotel)

HOW DO I REGISTER?

Competitors must send a qualification video (can be your last recorded choreography; it doesn’t need to match the competition piece) as a YouTube link to promo.wssf@gmail.com
Include the following in your email:

Category you wish to compete in
Your names (or both names for the couple category)
Country of originWe will reply as soon as possible, providing the steps and directions needed to complete registration.

We will reply as soon as possible, providing the steps and directions needed to complete registration.

Failure to follow the provided directions means your registration is incomplete and therefore invalid.
If you require an invitation letter, please attach a photo of your passport to the email.
Once approved to attend the competition, each competitor must pay for each category by March 15, 2025—no extensions will be granted.
Competitors who do not pay by the deadline will be disqualified, and their spot will go to a waitlisted competitor. Reassigned spots cannot be reclaimed.
Within 10 days of receiving our confirmation, send back a picture of your WSSF ticket and proof of competitor fee payment.

REGISTRATION FEE
The solo category fee is €60, and the couple category fee is €100 (total for both participants).
Competitors must hold a WSSF ticket for 2025 to participate in the competition.
Please note that the WSSF ticket does not cover the competition fee.

PRIZES
1ST PLACE WINNERS PRIZE Salsa Couple : 1000 €
1ST PLACE WINNERS PRIZE Salsa Solo Male : 500 €
1ST PLACE WINNERS PRIZE Salsa Solo Female : 500 €
The prize does not include state taxes.

WHERE CAN I STAY?
The competitor can book your accommodation on our website by choosing the preferred hotel.

- Maritim Paradise Blue Hotel 5*
- Maritim Amelia Hotel 5*
- Flamingo Hotel 5*
- Kaliakra Hotel 4*
- Laguna Hotel 4*

HOW DO I GET TO THE HOTEL?

We offer an organized transfer from the airport to the festival and return. You can register through our website and reserve your place: https://varnasalsafestival.com/transfer/

NOTICE: INFORMATION FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COMPANIONS
The only way to watch the championship is by purchasing a WSSF ticket, whether they attend the workshops and parties or not. There is no ticket for just viewing the competition. The price of the WSSF ticket increases monthly and often sells out quickly. Please take precautions; THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.

CHOREOGRAPHY REGULATIONS

MUSIC SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Competitors must submit their music in mp3 format one month before the competition. Songs should be titled with the competitor’s name and category, such as “Elena Ivanova Salsa Solo Female.mp3.” Music of poor quality or poorly edited will be penalized.

MUSIC SELECTION

Music must be authentic salsa, produced by a salsa artist or group. Covers by salsa artists are allowed.
The song may be live or studio-recorded, as long as it has good audio quality. Only up to two songs may be used in a mix.
Submit music in mp3 or mp4 format only via email promo.wssf@gmail.com at least one month before the event. Bring a backup on a USB drive.
SONG DURATION: The song should be 2 minutes, with a margin of 5 seconds less or 10 seconds more for music editing purposes. Therefore, the choreography must be between 1’55” and 2’10”.

PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES

Categories

Salsa Solo Pro Male
Salsa Solo Pro Female
Salsa Couples Pro: Mixed (male-female); males; females
The organization may cancel categories with insufficient participants.

THE CHOREOGRAPHY
You must participate with your own choreography. Stolen choreography directly leads to disqualification. The Championship does NOT require a new choreography especially for it, you can participate with your choreography that you have already danced in other competitions.

How many choreographies do I need to prepare for the category?
The competitor must prepare one choreography for each category they want to attend.
In how many categories can I compete?
You may apply to all categories but must pass the initial video selection. Once accepted, The solo category fee is €60, and the couple category fee is €100 (total for both participants).
Competitors must hold a WSSF ticket for 2025 to participate in the competition.
Please note that the WSSF ticket does not cover the competition fee.
What salsa style can I dance?
Any salsa style is allowed: L.A., New York, Puerto Rican, Cali, Cuban, or the dancer’s own style. The competition seeks a dancer who embodies the essence of salsa on stage, highlighting the richness of the genre.
How long should my choreography be?
For solos and couples, the choreography should be 2 minutes, with a margin of 5 seconds less or 10 seconds more for music editing purposes. Therefore, the choreography must be between 1’55” and 2’10”.
If I want to incorporate other dance styles, which ones can I use?
The choreography may be 100% salsa. If adding fusion, only 30% of the piece may incorporate Afro-Caribbean or Afro-Latin rhythms in their most traditional forms, such as Son, rumba, bomba, plena, mambo, pachanga, or cha-cha. This fusion can be at the beginning, middle, or end of the choreography.
Basic Steps and Footwork
Disqualification will result if a soloist or a couple does not include basic salsa steps. The required basic step should consist of at least two bars of 8 beats each (4 measures of 4 beats/16 counts) to showcase individual style and movement.
Are acrobatics allowed?
Acrobatics are allowed but not required. Soloists and couples may include up to two acrobatic moves, each no more than 2 counts of 8 beats (16 counts).
Contact Limits in Couples
Couples must remain in contact for 70% of the choreography, with the remaining 30% for breaks or free steps, which is mandatory.

JUDGES
The Stars (The main artists) of WSSF. The whole name list will be published soon.

SCORING CRITERIA

35% Choreography (Creativity, Difficulty, Footwork, Dynamism)
30% Timing and Musicality
20% Technique and Quality of Movement (also synchronization for couples)
10% Projection
5% Costume and Styling
Choreography: Salsa must constitute 70% of the performance, both in dance and music, regardless of the salsa style (Cuban, Cali, L.A., New York, Puerto Rican, etc.). Competitors may incorporate up to 30% of other Afro-Caribbean or Afro-Antillean rhythms if they wish, including Afro-Cuban (or Afro styles from other Caribbean countries), Cuban rumba, pachanga, cha-cha, son, guaracha, plena, bomba, mapalé, bolero, danzón, etc. Alternatively, the choreography can be 100% salsa.
Footwork: Clear footwork is essential in this free footwork/solo competition.
Dynamism: The choreography should not be heavy, boring, or repetitive.
Timing and Musicality: Coherence in timing and musical interpretation.
Technique and Quality of Movement: Precision in execution, cleanliness, and body control.
Projection: Charisma and the ability to engage the audience are crucial here. Competitors should not sing the lyrics or encourage applause with gestures; the applause should be earned through the performance itself.
Costume and Styling: Originality and creativity in costume, consistent with the style danced.

Creativity, originality, dynamism, and choreographic complexity will be evaluated.
Footwork: The choreography must showcase a clear emphasis on footwork, an essential element in this genre. Given that it is a free-step competition, a clear expression of footwork is mandatory.
Dynamism: The choreography should not be heavy, boring, or repetitive. There should be a close connection between the music and the dance, reflecting changes, nuances, intensity, climaxes, and lyrical themes.
Showcase Your Timing and Basic Steps: Although footwork complexity is assessed, it’s mandatory to include at least two measures of basic salsa steps (2 eight-counts – 16 counts) so the judges can evaluate the competitor’s salsa basics. Ideally, perform these in the opening measures of your song to establish your timing and basic steps. Some choreographies lack even one basic step, so we emphasize this requirement to avoid penalties. A well-executed basic step is challenging, so do not underestimate its importance.

Timing and Musicality: Consistency in timing (On2, On1) and alignment with the music is critical. Avoid going off-time or making arbitrary shifts unless justified by the music or fusion style (e.g., starting with a son or cha-cha On2 and switching to salsa On1 is acceptable if justified). A dancer can begin their “one” count with either the left foot forward or the right foot back; both are acceptable as long as there’s consistency throughout the choreography. When interpreting an instrument such as piano, bongo, or timbales, foot placements may vary for expressive effect, but timing must resume afterward. Though many street dancers may dance by “feel” rather than “beat,” this event requires a unified timing criterion for evaluation.

Technique and Movement Quality: Clean execution is required. Pay attention to line work and stability in turns. If styles like rumba, Afro or pachanga are used, they should be well-executed. Avoid incorporating styles or steps that can’t be supported with technique. For couples synchronization and cohesion are essential.

Projection: Engage and communicate with the audience. A flawless choreography performed in time, with unique style, will fall short if it lacks audience connection. Facial expression and gestures should match the music and movement. Singing along (mouthing words) and gesturing to prompt the audience for applause are not allowed. No shouting, such as “Let’s go!” is permitted. The choreography should earn applause organically. Requesting applause may result in a penalty.

Costume-Styling and Stage Presence: Stage behavior, creativity, and originality of costumes will be considered, provided the costume is relevant to the dance style. Costume is the lowest-scoring element but should not be neglected. Dance shoes must be worn; no jazz sneakers, street shoes, sports shoes, or dancing barefoot, or there will be a penalty. For women in solo and couples heels of at least 5 cm are recommended. In female solos or couple who perform in flat shoes, it’s understood that those who wear heels will receive higher technical scores. Therefore, it is advisable for female competitors to wear heels.

For a world competition, styling and costuming should reflect the event’s formality and respect for the stage, without limiting the dancer’s creativity or alignment with the song’s theme. Hair and makeup should also be appropriately styled. Avoid “streetwear.”

Costume mishaps, such as a broken zipper or a dropped button, can distract the audience and judges from the performance itself. Competitors should be prepared for such issues, as they are unfortunately common in competitions.

STAGE
The stage is 72 m2 (width 12m & length 6m) and the dancing floor is laminate.
You are not allowed to use talc on the stage.

CANCELLATION OF THE CATEGORY

World Stars Salsa Festival & World Stars Championship have the power to cancel a category in case there are less than 8 competitors. In this case the organization returns the Competition Fees. The cancellation of a category will have been announced until 30 March 2025.