For Weldon Wade, salsa is more than a hobby ? it?s a way of life.

The web developer and registration officer for the Second Annual Bermuda Salsa Congress has danced his way across the United States, parts of the Caribbean and South America.

?I have been everywhere except Europe,? he said. ?I have been down the Islands, New Orleans, Toronto, LA, Palm Springs. ?I am not one of the best dancers, but I am attempting to learn more about the culture, the music, the artists and the groups that make the music, as well as working on my Portuguese and Spanish.

?So, I am looking at the roots of Salsa ? the Afro-Cuban ? and the fundamentals and where it all came from. In my opinion people don?t do that kind of research, although they dance to the music.

?I don?t want to go too deep, but this is where my heart is.?

?Bermuda was showcased and Coxy, Jamal Ming and Steve Bean performed at the New York Salsa Congress,? he said. ?So, last year was a great year for putting Bermuda on the map.?

In Bermuda, Salsa is thriving. It is largely spearheaded by Travis Gilbert and Angela Hayward, who will performing and instructing at the Congress.

Their Latin Dance Company and Sabor Dance School have three club venues, Wednesdays at Elbow Beach in the Veranda Bar, Thursdays at Ozone and Saturdays at Champions. ?They are really keeping it alive in Bermuda, but a couple of other organisations are doing their bit. Kim (Paynter) does a workshop every other year and of course the Congress is annual.?

Congress Event Schedule

3 p.m.-1 a.m. Registration Booth Open

8-9 p.m. Doors open - General Seating for Shows

9-10 p.m. Dance Performances

10 p.m.-3 a.m. Late Night Social Dancing

9.30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Registration Booth Open

10.30 a.m.-5.45 p.m. Day One of Congress Workshops

7.30 p.m.-1 a.m. Registration Booth re-opens

8-9 p.m. Doors open ? General Seating for Shows

9-10 p.m. Dance Performances

10 p.m.-3 a.m. Late Night Social Dancing

10.30 a.m -5.45 p.m. Day Two of Congress Workshops

7.30 p.m.-1 a.m. Registration Booth re-opens

8-9 p.m. Doors open - General Seating for Shows

9-10 p.m. Dance Performances

10 p.m. - 3 a.m. Late Night Social Dancing