It's time to dust off your dance shoes and slip on your best dress for Labour Weekend.

The 10th annual Bay Salsa Festival is taking place right here in Tauranga on October 21–23.

This year's festival promises to be the best ever, with a full schedule of dance classes, parties and performances bringing the beauty of Latin dance to Bay residents.

The festivities begin with a Friday night dance party at La Mexica on the Strand, followed by two days of workshops at the Otumoetai Action Centre.

A two-hour showcase of more than a hundred performers dancing a variety of styles will take place on Saturday night, with a ‘Back-to-School' themed ball concluding the festival at Tauranga Racecourse on Sunday evening.

Festival organiser and co-founder of Bay Salsa Dean Christie says it's a great opportunity for people to try something new.

'The Bay Salsa Festival is a fun, inviting event where people who have never danced before can come and learn and be part of a great weekend,” says Dean.

'And if you are not quite ready to jump on the dance floor yet, then coming to the showcase on Saturday night will not only reveal what Latin dancing can be like, but also give you a great night out. There are also two parties and a ball that you can attend to feel the vibe and practice dancing.”

What started off as one day of workshops back in 2006 has now become a weekend-long event, with 36 classes over two days. There are a range of Latin dance styles to choose from, including Linear Salsa, Cuban Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, Kizomba, Samba De Gafieira, Cubaton, Son, Rumba, and Pachanga.

Tickets are available for the whole weekend, or just for certain events/classes.

'There are door sales available for all of the events and classes over the weekend,” says Dean. ”The festival is about inclusion so everyone is welcome.”

Zouk teachers Shannon and Trajano giving a demonstration.

Many of the teachers and performers are national champions in their dance style, or have competed internationally.

The aim of the Bay Salsa Festival is to raise funds to help teams and couples travelling overseas to represent New Zealand on the world salsa stage – although Tauranga gets to see them first.

The 10th Annual Bay Salsa Festival takes place at various locations around Tauranga on Labour Weekend, October 21–23.Weekend passes $195, single event passes cost $20 - $100.

For more information visit: www.baysalsafestival.co.nz