The Salsa Congress in pictures

Brigitte Bokor, 23, a Hungarian living in Los Angeles, works on a step during a class.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A mannequin shows off a sassy salsa outfit at the Congress. Vendors hawked outfits such as this outside the main ballroom.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Two Japanese salsa groups -- Salsa Pacom (in orange) and Adejo -- commemorate the Congress. Salseros came from all over the world to hone and show off their swivels and footwork.  (Ricardo DeAratanha/Los Angeles Times)

High-heeled salsa sandals tempt shoppers; customers are reflected in the mirror.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Erika Bautista, 27, stretches backstage as she gets ready to perform with the group Ritmo y Sabor, from Oaxaca, Mexico.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Cristina Cardenas works on Steven Charles’ hair before a performance. The two are members of the ReKreation Dance Company from Houston.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Seven-year-old partners Mia Neglia and Adrian Acosta of Los Angeles prove you’re never too young to dance.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Careful there: The 7-year-olds’ repertoire includes a dip.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Adrian Acosta and Mia Neglia get a critique of their dancing from Mia’s mom, salsa diva Josie Neglia.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Eddie Torres, who’s known as “The Mambo King,” is a study in black and white.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Praying before their performance are, clockwise from lower left, Maria Alejandra, 14, Juan David, 18, Diorman Casta-eda, 25, and Daniela Leon, 18. The four, who make up the salsa group Saoco, traveled from Medellin, Colombia, for the Congress.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Round and round: San Diego pair Iran and Natasha make their moves.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

In the wings: Members of Alma Latina Pro Kids and Coppelia Tijuana watch the performance as they wait their turn backstage.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Raymond Pacheco, 12, takes his sister, Jenalyn, 9, airborne during a performance. The two, from Toronto, belong to Latin Energy Kids.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Swing Guys, from Milan, Italy, kick things up a notch on a closed-circuit TV in the lobby of the LAX Radisson.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Eli Torres, left, and Yen Dorado, the 2009 Mayan World Salsa champions, came from Philadelphia to teach and perform. They are the first same-gender pair to win an international salsa competition, and the two believe the Congress helps promote acceptance and understanding.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Ansima Production Ballet, a troupe from Italy, adds a classical touch to its number.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The steps get sultry when Griselle Ponce of New York hits the stage.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Members of L.A. salsa group Paso de Oro add the final touches as they wait backstage. They are, from left, Wendy Saunders, Rosy Sierra, Gema Ramirez and Kathy Reyes.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

In unison: Members of Paso de Oro share a double dip. The L.A. Salsa Congress brought together salseros from around the globe.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)