We are excited to have you back at CZC in 2024! Here are some of the questions we’re hearing a lot:
When and where is the event?
Our event is May 15-21, 2024 at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. Our closest event hotel continues to be the Don Valley Hotel and Suites. If you prefer an alternative, the Toronto Pan Pacific is a great option a short drive away (more details to come).
Our schedule is:
- Wednesday 15th: Pre-party at venue & MAC Exams
- Thursday 16th: Intensives, Professional Development & Pre-Party at main venue
- Friday 17th – Sunday 19th: Workshops, Competitions, & Dancing at main venue
- Monday 20th: Afterparty in Niagara Falls
- Tuesday 21st: Afterparty in dZouk Studio – 95 Danforth Ave Unit 401, Toronto
How do I travel to Canada?
Check out our handy travel prep guide!
You should verify entry requirements yourself on the Government of Canada website. DO NOT rely Canada Zouk Congress for entry requirements.
You can fly into either Pearson Airport (YYZ) or to Billy Bishop City Centre (YTZ). Most flights will fly into Pearson, where you can get the UP Express train to connect to the local transit system, or grab an Uber/Taxi to the venue. We do not recommend flying to the Hamilton airport, (J. C. Munro, YHM). It is approximately 1.5-2h drive away from the venue.
Please ensure you check the requirements for your specific travel thoroughly. As a reminder, all international travellers must have a valid passport, including those travelling from the USA. Most people who are not American or Canadian citizens require either a Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter. Make sure that you apply for an ETA through the Government of Canada’s website, not a third party. It is significantly cheaper (around $7).
If you are travelling from outside Canada, do not bring fruits, vegetables, meats, seeds, or other foods onto your flight. It is better to purchase your food in Canada (there is a Canadian Superstore grocery near the venue) to avoid Customs issues.
Where should I stay?
If you do not have a car, we strongly recommend staying at the event hotel: Don Valley Hotel and Suites. It’s very reasonably priced in comparison to most places in Toronto. Alternatively, the Pan Pacific Hotel is a beautiful hotel a short drive away, particularly if you will have a vehicle during the event.
Parking at the venue is free and plentiful, so even if you are driving, you don’t have to worry about finding a parking spot. Please note that parking at the Don Valley Hotel and Suites is paid, but you can leave the car at the venue for the weekend.
How do I find roommates?
We have a WhatsApp chat and Roommate Finder for that! CZC takes no responsibility for whom you decide to room with, and any issues that may result from rooming arrangements. If you need the link to the WhatsApp group, email us at events@dzouk.com (you should also see it on your ticket confirmation email).
What is there to eat?
There is a Tim Hortons between the hotel and the venue, a restaurant at the hotel, and we will have a caterer on-site. The venue also has a small shop that may be open, and features an assortment of Japanese snack foods, ramen, and more. A short drive can take you to many other restaurants, or you can use UberEats or Skip the Dishes to deliver to the venue.
Can I get a ticket?
Group Sales are the easiest way to get a ticket at launch on October 19, but individual tickets will be sold on the website. Transfers are often available on our Transfer Board in the months leading up to the event. Limited International and Newcomer passes will be sold in 2024.
I’m new to Brazilian Zouk! Are there Newcomer passes?
We have a limited number of Newcomer passes that go on sale in January 2024. These tickets are only for people who:
- Have never been to a major event before;
- Have been dancing Brazilian Zouk less than a year total; and,
- Are still learning the basics.
If you are unsure if these conditions apply to you, please contact us. You can find more information about the program on this page.
Will you still have level controlled workshops?
Yes, our workshops for Advanced and Challenge workshops will be limited to dancers who complete a level assessment and are placed into those divisions. This can be done by video before the event, or in person on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. Intermediate and Open classes will be made available for all attendees. We also do prequalifications for previous attendees and for those who compete in specific divisions for BZDC Jack and Jill competitions, to streamline the process.
This policy ensures that dancers get to participate in workshops at or near their level, and that instructors can plan workshops that are aligned with the experience level of attendees.
We do not do exceptions to this policy.
How do I transfer my pass to someone else?
If you’re looking for someone to purchase your pass, we suggest using the Pass Transfer Tool on Danceplace. Once you list your ticket for sale, you can connect with a buyer and process the transfer automatically. Remember that you cannot sell a pass for more than you paid, and there may be transfer fees. You can see the full policy here. We do not roll over passes to the following year.
Can I roll my pass over to 2025?
Canada Zouk Congress will not carry forward passes to a subsequent year. In the event that you experience critical illness, injury, or emergency circumstances May 2024, please contact us directly before the event. No exceptions will be made for initial requests submitted after the event, or for issues that arose within the transfer window.
How can I check the status of my pass?
Log into Danceplace.com with the email you used to register. It should appear under My Tickets. If you do not see something there, please email or message us and we can look up your ticket.
How do I see the schedule?
On Danceplace.com, you can search for Canada Zouk Congress, and select this year’s event. When a detailed schedule is created, it will be posted there. In addition, you’ll be able to make a customized agenda for you to plan out your whole weekend experience. If you are a volunteer or staff member, everything you need to attend will also show up on that personalized agenda.
For quick reference, you can also favourite the event and access it through My Account > My Events.