November 21, 2003 -- Toronto SAlsa Congress

HI, I was wondering if you can please supply me with the name of the company that was selling the wrist money pouches at the Toronto salsa congress in October. If you have any info on this company, website or a phone number, I would really appreciate it. Thanks Calissa

hi there, first I'd like to say that you have a great site... but I can't see any of your quicktime clips. whenever I go to view one it says :"the data that the plugin requested did not download successfully". what can I do? any help would be appreciated.

Oh, and do you know anything about the Vancouver salsa scene? I'll be moving there soon and would love a professional opinion. thanx Elronn

Hello~ I'm the one of Korean Salsera~

I'm always appreciated to To salsa because of much information, especially video clip. However, It's really hard to see Quicktime video clip. When I clik them, I can see the message like this. "the data that the plugin requested, did not download successfully"

Even about a month ago, I can see all the video clip. But, recent days, Something goes wrong.

Can I possibly see those video again? Thank you! Jolly Jihee, in Seoul, Korea

I was trying to watch some of your videos and I couldnt do it. Videos from other sites (like links to salsasaloon) are good but others not :(for example ... there is no response from http://www.coenix.com/tosalsa-data/videogallery/berlinama1.mov ... etc ..
Plz help me ...
WarLock

PS: There is an information : The data that the plugin requested, did not download succesfully :(

Hello,
Thanks for the great site!!!!
For some reason I am having problems dwonloading the Quicktime clips from your site. I have all the latest Mac software and Quicktime Pro installed and have not had a problem with any other sites, but I continually get the broken Quicktime icon (which usually indicates a need for a plug-in) when I try to load your clips. It's a mystery to me. Thought you might have a solution.

Thanks and keep up the good work!!! Robin

I was really eager to see your videos, but the your archive server seems to be out of order or sort of.. I couldn't see nor even one of the videos. What happened? Thanks, Bruno

Dear Bruno, we are in the process of changing servers for our videos and this was being done while I was on vacation, and should be up and running in the next week or so. Sorry for the inconvenience. Rose

Hi Rose! Sorry for the impatience :) But I was wondering when the LA videos will be up? - S or Anxious

Dear Anxious, sorry, but the summer is my busiest salsa time with all the Congresses and Salsa Team Canada, so it's difficult to say when I'll have the time. But I already know which ones I'll be picking... the West Coast Salsa Congress this year was one of the best ever... and there wasn't one night of performances that was better than another. The level of the performances went up another notch this year -- Rose

Hey Rose, I cannot seem to find the 3 new clips that you have posted in Windows Media format. Help! Can't wait to see them. Tnx, Anon

Dear Anon, maybe you're not going to my videoclip page, because I've even tried it at work and I don't seem to have a problem. Rose

Hi rose, I've been visiting your site since it first opened and consistently use it as a reference for events, but when are u gonna get those message boards up so TO dancers can communicate directly over the net with each other? I recall e-mailing u a few months back and u said soon, is it still planned? thanks in advance and we all appreciate your work for the salsa community :) -- sam

Yo, sug'z; i definitely isn't hatin' on rose (cuz you knows me loves she like a play cousin) but for real, sometimes she does wear things that serve up a little visual drama. Rose, you are you; one of a beautiful kind. Do your thing girrrrl! all love, DJS

What does it matter whether she does or not?! -- Anon

Here is a very interesting topic. Does Rose wear provocative and revealing clothes when she dances. Any and all comments are welcomed.

>From New york New york the city so nice they named it twice. Sugar

Hi, I'm trying to find out the meaning of the word Mazacote. Can you find out for me please. Thank you Joel

Thanks for referring me to that article, 10 Tips to Partner Search. However, I should stress that I do already follow some of these tips. On the other hand, Marcel should keep tip #6 in mind: If you make a date to meet, keep it. Don't stand people up. It's bad manners and the word will get put out pretty quickly that you're just wasting everyone's time. If you can't make it, call far enough in advance to make your apologies and see if you can reschedule. If anyone knows Marcel, please feel free to direct him to this post and my original one below regarding partner search. -- Anonymous

Hi Rose, I honestly don't know what is going on... but I just can't stop going to your site! You have done an amazing job with the vast amount of info that is available for all of us, and also for all the updates. The video clips (for me) are the most addictive!

I have a question regarding non-salsa relationships... I am in a committed relationship, we are very happy although the only thing missing is.. salsa! I am a total Salsa Freak although he is totally NOT. He encourages me to pursue my dancing, but wants nothing to do it.. You know how it is with Salsa.. the flirting, the subtle hip movements, eye contacts.. it's all HEAT. And of course, he doesn't seem to understand that it is all innocent and also why we love going dancing SO often. What to do... anyhow I would love it if I could get some responses from people who are hardcore salseros but also have a love in their life who is not! and how they are handling it... Any advice? -S

Dear S, oh no, you are the very first person to ask for advice about personal relationships and this site has been around for 3 years now... but before I go there... regarding your addiction to this site. Well as you said, you love salsa and anyone who loves salsa will find anything and everything to do with salsa dancing and music as I am just as salsa-addicted as you are... if not more...

Regarding your relationship, it's difficult to really give advice as it really depends on how committed you are to each other, whether you're both willing to work on a compromise, and how much you allow salsa to take over your life... so here's a quick checklist...

1. If he trusts you implicitly and you are both committed to the relationship, then he shouldn't get upset about you dancing with other men as it is only dancing. Although I can understand why some men don't get it, because once I was asked by a male non-dancer (and I thought it was a hilariously funny question) about how guys can do dips and not get aroused? That totally threw me for a loop as I have luckily not been in that situation while doing a dip -- it just never occurred to me as it's always been about dancing.

2. Maybe you should have him come out one night with you to just see what it's all about and/or have him take a class with you; and/or include him in some salsa friendships so he can see how innocent it can be between dancers; and how many dancers are just there to dance because they love it.

3. What is more important to you -- your boyfriend or salsa dancing; or both. If you end up together-forever, then you may have to compromise on what will make you both happy if you want to continue dancing and he still does not want to get involved; and/or just learn enough to social dance with you on occasion.

I've been in a committed relationship before where my boyfriend was happy to let me go alone to the clubs with my friends and dance; but that bothered me because I got tired of going solo and wanted to share the same passion with him. Also, I briefly talked to another dancer tonight who had the same problem as you at one time, and I asked her what she thought... her answer? "Well, obviously I'm not with him now... am I? (laughing) and I had to laugh too because she's engaged to a salsa instructor and is a die-hard salsera herself...

Hopefully, this will give you some "food for thought" and let's see what other die-hard salsa dancers think... Rose

Only at your Site its impossible to see the Videoclips, WHY? Nancy

March 31, 2003 -- Partner Search

I have been a participant in your partner search database and although I find it to be very resourceful, I had a bit of an incident that I think
should be brought to your attention. Before I elaborate, I want to say that none of this is any of your fault as I realize that you're only trying to provide a service for us dancers out there. The incident: I was supposed to meet up with one of my "matches", but the long and the short of it was that he (Marcel) stood me up. We were supposed to meet up on a particular day, and I had even called him to confirm that we were still on (which he said we still were), but he decided it would be funny to stand me up. Pretty sick joke if you ask me. Now, I don't know what kind of person Marcel is, nor do I care how popular he is on this site or on the salsa scene, but he has soured my impression on the whole process of meeting up with new partners and improving my technique (and of course, learning new moves). The reason I sent this email is to let you know what can happen when you provide a service like partnersearch-I've met some nice people and some _ssholes as well. Just putting in my two cents. -- Anonymous

Dear Anonymous, thanks for providing some feedback and in an article written by Julie Dufour on "10 Tips for Partner Search", we stressed caution and getting to know the person via email and/or phone before meeting.

Hi, I was wondering if the older video clips (eg. shows fromt he SF congress) that were posted in couple months ago were still available for viewing. Is there any possibility that it will be posted again? Thanks, Alfonso

I absolutely love your site, but I have one problem. When I try to view the video clips, nothing happens at all. I just see a box where the video should be playing, but nothing plays.

I even tried it on my friend's computer (which he brags about being a state of the art - Apple Mac G4 powered) and it still doesn't work, so I know its not just me.

Please look into this if you get a chance. I haven't been able to travel since September '02, and I am dying to see the clips of Frankie & Aisha as well as the couple who I keep hearing so much about who won at the SF Congress in November.

Thanks and keep up the good work. I will continue to keep referring all of my SALSA friends to your site. Job well done! Sordaka

I is not possible to watch the videos on www.tosalsa.com
I just get a blank box with an icon in the left corner.
Below the box the comment of the videoclip.
What can I do to prevent that? -- Sergio

dear rose, just wanted to talk a little about people who work overtime to trash others... sure we have all spread gossip once in a while and that's natural even though personally i'd rather not...but i'm talking about those who actually spend and invest the time to spread lies, gossip, trash, bitch and ruin other people's reputations purely out of some pathetic insecurity. I would just like to ask everyone out there dancing in the clubs to try to cut back on these bad habits this year and remember you're out to have fun. Not work most of the night dispelling rumors before you can enjoy a dance with a friend who's been misinformed. To the rest of you please don't believe anything you hear unless you really trust the source! sincerely...a good person! -- Doormat

Dear Doormat, thanks for writing in and reminding dancers out there. That was similar to one of my Salsa New Year Resolutions for Dancers...

"3. Don't forget to show respect to fellow dancers or readers on the world wide web of salsa... the goal here is to educate and to learn to respect each other's differences, not insult each other's opinions or ideas." except I forgot to include in public and not just in the internet. Like anything else, people sometimes takes salsa a little too personally and forget to respect themselves and others, and to treat others as you would like to be treated. Rose

I've been dancing salsa for about a year now, I'm not that good but I'm still learning all the time. Besides taking classes and going to salsa clubs, I think that a great way to learn is to watch great dancers. And your web site is so wonderful, I told my friends to check it out.

Two things I would like to share with you:

- First, you posted a clip "Frankie Martinez - Social Dancing Puerto Rico Salsa Congress". You probably agree with me that this guy is absolutely incredible, his fluidity is very impressive. You wanted to know what the salsa song is, I'm not sure who is playing but the song is "Mi negra esta cansa". I know of a great version on Oscar d'Leon's CD "En Vivo", but the version in your video clip sounds a bit different, was it a live band? Like you said, this is one addictive salsa song...

- Second, maybe you could tell me where to buy some salsa videos similar to the ones on your website. I know that you can buy instructional salsa videos, but I'm interested in videos from salsa performances or contests. I can't seem to find any, no matter where I look. Is it true that such videos are just not available comercially? Best wishes, Radu.

PS: I think that you're a good dancer, and I enjoyed watching your clips.

And WHY do I do it in Quicktime, because it's the most stable format for our server.

Soooo, if you don't see the Quicktime symbol, then you need to download Quicktime Player, which means you can see all my clips anytime...

If you have the Quicktime symbol, then you just have to wait until the clip downloads for you to play...

Hope this helps, if not, email me at rose@tosalsa.com.

Thank you and wish I knew enough to make a suggestion of something simple that might help with that clip! Karen

Dear Karen, I can imagine your frustration, as I was frustrated when I first got the new computer and had to figure out why I could get video, but no sound; and then when I started to play with the software to figure out the proper settings because you have hundreds of different variations to play with and they don't give you a any typical settings to try, so it's all trial and error unless you have lots of friends who know how to play with videoclips. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what I did differently with this clip and I'm not familiar with what you need to do to try and play it. I will eventually replace that clip with a better quality one as I've been playing with the settings; unless another geekie person can suggest something to you. So stay tuned... Rose

I LIKE TO ASK ALL CUBAN SLAVES & CUBANS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE EXPOSED. I MUST REMIND EVERYONE CHANGUI CAME AFTER THE SON!!!!! SO NOW WE KNOW IT WAS A CHEAP COPY OF THE DOMINICAN SON. THE BOLERO IS FROM ANDALUCIA AND CAME TO THE NEW WORLD VIA PUERTO RICO AND NOT CUBA.

AND IF YOU WANT DATES, THEN YOU'LL HAVE IT,1865 THE BOLERO WAS FIRST HEARD IN CUBA WHERE 20 YEARS BEFORE IT WAS HEARD IN PUERTO RICO. I PERSONALLY DISLIKE CUBAN MUSIC AND I SIMPLY CANNOT COMPREHEND WHY PEOPLE CAN LOVE SUCH A BUNCH OF LIARS & INGRATES. THE ONLY CUBAN I'LL RESPECT IS MACHITO SINCE HIS MUSIC IS BEAUTIFUL. BENY'S MUSIC HOWEVER IS BOLOGNA!!! BENY MORE COME ON PLEASE HIS MUSIC IS VERY VERY LAME. HIS VOICE DOESN'T HELP HIM BE ROMANTIC AND AS FOR HIS OTHER SONGS THEY'RE QUITE LAME AS WELL. BACK TO THE BOLERO, WHICH ARRIVED IN CUBA AFTER REFUGEES FROM "EL GRITO DE LARES" TOOK IT OVER THERE. IN 1866 CUBA BEGINS TO COPY OTHER COUNTRIES, STARTING WITH PUERTO RICO. STEALING THE BOLERO AND CREATING ANOTHER VERSION OF EL GRITO DE LARES THEY CALLED "EL GRITO DE YARA". TO ALL YOU HOW TAKE CUBA'S SIDE LET YOU SPEAK FREELY AND SAY YOU ARE A BUNCH OF IDIOTS AND UNDEREDUCATED MORONS.

YOU TAKE CUBA'S SIDE BECAUSE YOU KNOW JACK ABOUT PUERTO RICO'S MUSIC. WHAT ABOUT MISS TROVADORA CELINA GONZALEZ WHO MAKES AN ATTEMPT AT COMPYING OUR JIBARO MUSIC AND CALLING IT SOMETHING LIKE PUNTO GUAJIRO, AND I MUST REMIND YOU THAT IT IS A COPY SINCE THE LE-LO-LAY IS PUERTO RICAN AND NOT CUBAN. ENTER THE 50'S CUBAN MUSIC HAS ALWAYS BEEN LAME IN PUERTO RICO ALWAYS IN FACT THE ONLY CUBAN RYHTHM THAT WAS A CRAZE IN PUERTO RICO WAS THE CHA-CHA-CHA (THE ONLY ONE NOT CONSIDERED LAME). FOR THE AVERAGE PUERTO RICAN THE MAMBO, THE SON, THEY WERE ALL TOO SLOW. TO BE ACCURATE THERE ARE ONLY 3 CUBANS THAT HAVE DONE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL TO TODAY'S SALSA. THEY ARE MACHITO, MONGO SANTA MARIA, & JUSTI BARRETTO. ALL LIVED AND WORKED WITH PUERTO RICANS, WHAT
A COINCIDENCE THAT THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO SALSA.

SINCE THE RHYTHM WAS TOO SLOW THE RICANS IN NEW YORK CREATED THE NEW YORK/ EAST COAST MAMBO. THIS MAMBO WAS MUCH FASTER THAN THE ORIGINAL CUBAN MAMBO AND MUCH EASIER TO DANCE. AT THE SAME TIME THE ONES IN PUERTO RICO CREATED A MIX A RHYTHM THAT SOME CALLED GUAGUANCO AND DON'T CONFUSE IT WITH THE CUBAN GUAGUANCO BECAUSE I CAN PROVE IT TO YOU. LISTEN TO QUIMBARA BY CELIA CRUZ (A CUBAN GUAGUANCO) AND THEN LISTEN TO AGUA LIMPIA TODO BY TITO PUENTE (A RICAN GUAGUANCO).

AND HERE'S WHERE THINGS GET COMPLEX FOR ALL YOU IDIOTS WHO TAKE CUBA'S SIDE. OTHER'S IN THE ISLAND CALLED THAT SAME MUSIC (THE RICAN GUAGUANCO) GUARACHA AND IT WAS NOT THE CUBAN GUARACAHA SINCE IT WAS MUCH FASTER AND H_LL OF A LOT OF DIFFERENCE JUST LISTEN TO CAO CAO MANI PICAO BY CELIA CRUZ (CUBAN GUARACHA) AND THEN LISTEN TO EL CABALLO PELOTERO (A RICAN GUARACHA).

BY 1965 ARTISTS LIKE RICHIE RAY & BOBBY CRUZ AND THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL WERE TOO TIRED OF THIS WHOLE CONFUSION. SOME DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
RICAN GUARACHA AND CUBAN GUARACHA OTHER'S DIDN'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WEST COAST MAMBO AND NEW YORK MAMBO, IT WAS ALL JUST A BIG CONFUSION AND GREAT DISORDER. IT WASN'T FANIA!!! IT WASN'T NEW YORKERS!! AND CERTINATELY NOT CUBANS!!!! BUT RICHIE RAY & BOBBY CRUZ WHO CALLED THE MUSIC SALSA. AT THE TIME THESE RHYTHMS AND VARIATIONS THE RICAN/CUBAN GUARACHA THE RICAN/CUBAN GUAGUANCO, THE NEW YORK/CUBAN MAMBO, BOMBA, PLENA, PACHANGA, CHA-CHA-CHA, TUMBAO, JIBARO MUSIC, GUAJIRA MUSICA, AND OTHER AFRO-RICAN AND AFRO-CUBAN GENRES WERE MIXED AND BLENDED TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS
"SONIDO BESTIAL". IT WAS INDEED A NEW CREATION, IT WAS THE PUERTO RICAN SALSA.

AND HOW DID IT BECOME CALLED SALSA, WELL CRUZ & RAY WERE IN VENEZUELA AND A RADIO STATION DISCJOCKEY TOLD THEM WHAT IS THIS MUSIC YOU PLAY? THEY ANSWERED IT'S KETCHUP!! IT'S SALSA. THE FACT THAT IT HAS CUBAN ELEMENTS DOES NOT MAKE IT CUBAN OK.

I WAS ALWAYS TAUGHT THAT SALSA IS PUERTO RICAN AND AND I'LL ALWAYS SAY WITH CONVICTION IT'S PUERTO RICAN WETHER YOU, WHETHER CUBANS, OR WETHER HOWEVER THE H_LL WANT'S GIVE THEIR OPINION IT'S PUERTO RICAN SALSA NOT CUBAN SALSA.

Respond To The Opposites

It is great that you post video clips on the site! Would it be possible to publish them in a format so you can use Windows MediaPlayer? Thanks so much in advance! Anon.

Dear Readers, it's been one of my pet projects since we started this site to be able to put videoclips on this site as it's a great way to share and showcase some of the amazing dancers around the World. We used Quicktime Player as our chosen medium because we find it the most stable and easiest to use on our site. Also, it's very time-consuming and can take up alot of website space to show more than one type of format. As I add more clips to the site, other videoclips will be removed as we don't have an unlimited supply of website space. Rose

I would like to know where is the best country to offer salsa studies. I really dig into salsa and I want to study its history, theory and movement. Does anyone know where (which school) is the best?
I guess this is a new area of study. But there must be an expertize in this area. Thank you. Shoko

Dear Shoko, salsa studies... I'm not sure where or if they offer such studies as people are always on the internet looking for information. There are many books out there that talk about the history of salsa. I did a quick search on Amazon and found some interesting books (the only ones I haven't heard mentioned in the salsa scene are the cuban books).

Music in Cuba with Sample Pages, by Alejo Carpentier, Alan West-Duran (Translator), Timothy Brennan (Editor)
The Roots of Salsa: The History of Cuban Music by Cristobal Diaz Ayala, Cristobal Diaz Ayala
Latin Jazz : The First of Fusion, 1900 - Today, by John Storm Roberts
Musica: The Rhythm of Latin America: Salsa, Rumba, Merengue, and More by Sue Steward, Willie Colon (Preface)
The Latin Tinge: The Impact of Latin American Music on the United States by John Storm Roberts

You might want to start with those. You may find classes on the history of salsa music possibly -- my first thoughts would go to Cuba as I've met many musicians here in Canada and they live and breathe the music there. Maybe some of our readers may have more thoughts. Rose

Rose, I'm glad you finally updated the links page! Good work! TOSalsa is still my favourite salsa "portal" site! Josue

Dear Josue, I'm glad you like the updates... believe me this past summer with all the travelling, Salsa Team Canada, this website, my real job and my computer challenges -- it's a never-ending battle of what to update first... Rose

Hi there... i would like to know if anyone of you knows what "orgastan" means... coz i haven been looked for this word long time ago and nothing... and do you the official site of DLG ?! :) thanks anyway.. Gerardo

Dear Gerardo, orgastan... maybe a reader will know, but regarding DLG, I'd be really surprised if there still is an official site because they've been disbanded for a few years, but I did find an old bio... The lead singer, Huey Dunbar, is now solo and has his own website, you may want to check that out... Rose

great site, keep up the great (job..love it!)
where can i go to see the oro solido pics can you send them to me at my e-mail if thats not too much to ask -- jay

Dear Jay, unfortunately I took down the link to the Latinfest photos to make room for more updated photo events, but hopefully in the next week or so, I'll have the Oro Solido pics back up for viewing. Due to the amount of emails I get, we don't send pics via email -- sorry.

Hi Rose:I really enjoy reading your articles and watching your videos, and I know how busy you are.

I would appreciate it and I'm sure some aspiring show dancer would appreciate it too, if you could put my ad on you home page, or wherever you think is appropriate.

Wanted-Female Soca/Calypso dancer or very fast learner for Travel Trade Show on Sunday, Sep 29, from noon for approx 2/3 hrs. Good opportunity for future shows for right person. Have fun and get paid too!!!Please email dancetoronto@canada.com and list your dance experience and dance goals. Do you have a colorful and flamboyant costume as well?

Thanks Rose, for your..........everything (there's too many things you do that I can't list them all). Linda

Hey Rose, I figure i know you only really do salsa but how bout some different kinds too? Like bachata or merengue or even better spanish reggae!! i love your site keep up the good work and think bout that spanish reggae like Dj Reggaeton or Baby Rasta y Gringo. And for a CD that others would enjoy Aventura "We Broke The Rules" releases June 2002 its bachata. Thanks again, Michelle

Dear Michelle, I'm glad you enjoy our site, and there are some great bachata and merengue songs, I have a small list of favourites that eventually I may share, but this site is meant mostly to be about salsa -- our main passion. If we had originally wanted to focus on other major forms of latin music, we would have chosen another name. Any deviation from salsa music is usually because of the fact we realize that our readers occasionally like to dabble in other styles of music or dance which might enhance their appreciation for the latin scene in general, but thanks for sharing. Rose

Nice job... Nice if you expanded to the US. It would probably really take off. Keep up the nice work. Jack, Dancer/sys admin.

Hi Rose, I view your salsa web weekly, and enjoy the updates. Keep up the great work! One of my favorite areas is viewing the pictures. What happened to the old photos that used to be posted? Is it possible to keep the links active? Thanks! Tracy

Dear Tracy, thanks for writing in! Photos and videoclips take up ALOT of memory, which is why you don't see the old pictures still on the site -- we totally are running out of space. I've been going so digi-crazy and find it tough to pick and choose what pics to post, that I tend to let you view them all to save me time. Hopefully sometime soon, we'll be able to expand the amount of space we have on our server and then I can bring back the great photos of the past.

Rose and Ziv, Salsero Corner and Salserosweb message boards are really cool and extremely addictive as you no doubt know.

It would be great for TOSalsa to host something like this (if it isn't already in the works). The discussion forums are always packed and I think you guys should take them to the next level!

What do you think? Josue

Dear Josue, thanks for your feedback and yes, that's been one of the sections we will eventually develop for our site. We've been really swamped with real work and salsa backlog! Rose