Salsa dancing can be as spicy as the condiment that shares its name. And at tonight’s Viva La Salsa Dance Contest and Celebration at the I-X Center, lots of folks will show off their sizzlin’ steps. “The music is so lively and catchy, you can’t help but move,” says event chairwoman Felicia Soto. “Plus, it’s a tremendously fun way to exercise.”

The fifth-annual bash features a dance competition judged by a panel of professional hoofers from around the country. They’ll score couples on technique, rhythm, and complexity of their dances, as well as the pairs’ chemistry. Noel Quintana’s Latin Crew provide Cuban-flavored salsa, merengue, and jazz music all night long. “They’re very determined to keep people on the floor,” says Soto. There’s also a buffet table stocked with south-of-the-border fare like quesadillas, slow-roasted pork, and rice and beans. It all adds up to a muy caliente Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, says Soto: “I’d like guests to take away a piece of Cleveland’s diverse culture.”
Sat., Oct. 6, 7 p.m., 2007

This article appears in Oct 3-9, 2007.