May 12 , 2002 --

Mechy, I am not sure how you came to the conclusion that most competitors
at the Mayan are Mexicans. They are all from different backgrounds or so the
screen shows when you select to see their performance videos ( particularly
those who made it in to the finals, including Cuba and Puerto Rico!!).

Second, all the winners seem to dance the same ? mmh yeah I think they all are
dancing Salsa!. I kind of agree with you on the making-love move though. It's kinda cheesy! Salsa is not part of Mexico's culture.. . so you think that in a country with a population near the 90 million and 1'964,375 sq. km people only listen to 'rancheras' ?!. Furthermore, have you been to 'barrios' near Mexico City where Salsa is rather popular ? I don't know what you mean by California/LA music is not good either. Nowadays salsa music is widely distributed around the world -- L.

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May 15, 2002 -- Mayan Competition

I haven't been impressed overall with the level of competition at the Mayan this year. The couples that are strong are great, but the parity among talent is lacking compared to last year's comp.

The Mayan competition is a great event but I don't think we are seeing the best salsa talent out there, nor should we assume that these couples are the best merely because they are in a well publicized event (as I understand, pretty much anyone can enter). This may change in a few years though as more people realize that they can enter and succeed, and with the addition of the International/Out of State division, the organizers are definitely letting us know they want to "up" the competition level.

I am impressed with the amateurs this year. A few of the couples are better than some of the pros in my opinion.

Again, it's great that the Mayan is doing an excellent job to promote the event and salsa in general. However, I can't wait to see future comps as I feel the talent pool will just get better. -- Josue

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May 15, 2002 -- Mayan competition

I have been reading various comments on different web sites regarding the styles, ability, and the overall uniqueness of the competitors. Most of the comments suggest the following, along with a few of my own: Johnny Bravo is electrifying to watch, but was sloppy with transitions. He should be matched with a quicker partner. Silva and Lira make for a handsome couple, they were polished, and they draw you into there playful routine. Ciro and Mary Ann did a wonderful routine, very soft and elegant, and overall it was very clean. I would have made her stand out more, with a different costume.

Overall, the competition clips are fun to watch. The music assigned to each video is wonderful, and the effort by Club Mayan to add to the credibity to Salsa in World competition format is great. It has a long way to go to reach the level associated with competition ballroom, but who cares, it's street dancing, it is also an Art form, so when you go out, leave your attitude at home, and above all, have fun. -- jackson

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May 16, 2002 -- response to L

L,
I know they were dancing to Salsa. Duh. But they are different ways to dance salsa. There were no Puerto Rican or Cuban COUPLES in the finals. A couple of Puerto Ricans and one Cuban guy who all learned to dance in the United States competed but with partners from other countries. The Cuban guy didn't dance Cuban style. The Puerto Ricans didn't dance Puerto Rican or New York Style. Of course, you don't have to be from these countries to dance these styles, but nobody danced a different way. The competition seemed like acts from Broadway musicals or cabaret rather than Latin dancing. The dancers seem to think they have advanced past the clave and they don't have to follow the rhythm or beat of the music.

Salsa may be popular in everywhere, but the Salsa that is produced in LA or California is really terrible. For example, salsa versions of MY LADY, CARELESS WHISPER, really bad versions of Cuban hits from Issac Delgado and Los Van Van are all from California. Salsa dancing and Salsa music has changed a lot from the Cuban Revolution, don't just go by what the Cubans locos in Miami say. The American embargo has had some benefits in Cuba, it has protected the quality and originality of our popular music, protected it from the blandness and commericalism of CURRENT Puerto Rican or New York salsa. If Cuba opens up,
they whole world will see what they have been missing in salsa dancing and music.

Yes, I have been to the barrios near Mexico City. How can it be part of the culture, if they don't even produce their own salsa? There is no Salsa explosion. Of course, not all Mexicans listen to Rancheras. There are other types of Mexican music too; pop, banda, etc. and maybe one salsa song. Can you name me one
famous Mexican salsa band or a famous Mexican Salsa song? Mexican, not Mexican-American please. Does Mexican salsa dancing have its own unique flavor or style? no. They dance salsa like they salsa their Cumbias. Most of Mexicans who are competing in the competition learned to dance salsa in LA or the United States -- Mechy

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May 16, 2002 -- Mayan suggestions

I have an idea for Salsa dance competitions like Berlin's or Mayan. Why don't they have one judge from for each style of salsa? One judge who dances LA style salsa, another judge that dances NY style, one who dances salsa style, etc. If not Latin people who learned to salsa in their own countries will stop entering these contests. At least, there will be more variety and the top prizes won't only go to the couples that do the hardest spins, dips, flips and tricks. Joekim

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May 19, 2002 -- Mayan Competition

Rose, I've been reading comments at www.salserosweb.com regarding the professional finals at the Mayan. Apparently a fair number of people feel that the comp was fixed and that Rudy Zalez and partner should have won.

You mentioned that the judging was ambiguous and I'm curious about your thoughts on the comp and, if you were to use your own, probably more specific (please elaborate if necessary) criteria, who should have won?

Did you think Ana and Orville should have advanced? Do you think that the judges in LA are biased towards their dancers? How would you rate the competition overall?

I look forward to reading your comments about the LA Congresso and think that it's cool that you're updating the page from the field, so to speak! Josue

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May 31, 2002 -- Mayan contest

I am so glad the organizers of the Mayan contest have looked so far beyond their borders for their International contest. They have chosen such exotic and far away places like Seattle, Toronto and Montreal. Nobody who learned to dance from Cuba, Puerto Rico or New York. It shows how one sided the contest is.
It is just another Ballroom competition or an audition for a Broadway show -- Mechy

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June 2, 2002

Hi Mechy, you should NEVER make comments such as "chosen such exotic and far away places like Seattle, Toronto and Montreal" without knowing all the facts. I don't know all the details of how the whole competition was organized, but being friends with some of the competitors and having the opportunity to go down and see it myself for the first time gives me some knowledge and understanding of what they did.

This competition did invite dancers from around the World via their website, BUT the Mayan Club doesn't pay for their air and hotel accommodations to participate -- the dancers do. So for any dancers who enjoy dancing in a competition and are willing to spend their own time and money in getting to LA -- they would be allowed to compete. Obviously, Toronto, Montreal and Seattle are an affordable trip to make without spending alot of $$$ to enter a competition where you won't know for sure if you will advance and/or win any placement. There were only 8 dance couples allowed in the competition on a first-come, first serve basis. Also, a couple did compete from Mexico that night and a couple from Spain was entered, but unfortunately didn't show up that night.

Maybe if the Mayan Club Competition had the International and the Finals very close to the West Coast Salsa Congress and/or worked together, you would have the opportunity to see dancers compete from every part of the World compete as the trip would be more affordable -- Rose, www.tosalsa.com

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September 17, 2002

I'm responding to some of the comments that were made in this column in regards to the Mayan Contest.

I am a fellow mexican/american who loves Cuba, Puerto Rico and totally respect where Salsa is really from, but it really bothers me when I see comments made against my people because all they are trying to do is dance Salsa (they might not be dancing = the traditional or correct way, but give them the benefit of the doubt that they are dancing simply because they love it, you should be honored. I totally agree in the fact that the original / more sophisticated dancing of salsa has diminished, everyone is trying to do acrobatics and all that bumping and grinding totally is not cool! I also realize that there are so many different styles out there... and I am aware that the Cuban Style is slowly coming back (at least I hope)...

I just want to say in this time! We should just be happy that we can DANCE! That we have the freedom to express our emotions through the art of dancing and not criticize each other!

Hasta pronto mis amigos de latino America! Thanks, Anon.

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September 24, 2002 -- response to Anon

Anon, I have nothing against Mexicans dancing Salsa. But then again, they aren't really Mexicans, they are Chicanos (Mexican-Americans). I am not a traditionist in Salsa. I am open to new styles of dance or new styles of Salsa music. But the people who claim they are trail blazers, don't even know the traditional or original way of dancing to salsa. It is hard to respect a new style of dancing salsa
if the music sucks. Fania and New York style developed hand in hand. LA style salsa with what? With great (jajaja) salsa songs like Lady and Careless Whisper and uninspired versions of Cuban songs? Even Rose was disappointed when she went to the Mayan contest. It was geared to LA style dancers and not to other dancers from other styles.

Cuban style dancing is coming back? Do you know why it went away? Your American government created something called an American embargo. And stopped the flow of artists to the United States. After the Revolution, Cuban-Americans and Americans wouldn't touch anything that smelled of Cuban culture because for them it reeked of Castro. Meanwhile, salsa dancing in Cuba evolved decade by decade. The way people dance salsa now in Cuba is very different from 10 years ago for example -- Mechy

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October 2, 2002 -- For Mechy and in regards to the Mayan Competiton

Mechy, When you say you have nothing against Mexican dancing Salsa, but then you began trash talking Mexican again!

Why do you do that? What's wrong with people from other countries dancing salsa? Can you tell us that without insulting readers and yourself? Besides, would you tell us with what's wrong with dancing on 1(LA style) and ballroom dancing that you seems to dislike so much?

As time go by, people evolve, so do singers, music and dancers. A true dancers express how they feel when they hear the music. The baisc steps (whether on1 or on2) acts as foundation to guide a dance to express himself/herself. No one style is the only style and no one style is the correct style. How you express it is up to you.

In regards to the Mayan Contest, my experience is that whenever you enter a contest, do find out the judging criteria and how judges score to avoid being bias before entering the competition. Afterall, Mayan is the host of the competition. They have the right to do what they want. It is entirely up to the dancers to find out if that particular contest fit their style prior to entering.

If I may expand this a little furthur: From what I saw in IHSC Miami 2002, they look for competitors who dance close to the Ballroom style dancing. At Mayan, they seems to look for whoever has the flashies style, the best theme beside dancing. Afterall, it is an entertainment show to attract patrons. Personally, I do think that Orville & Ana should qualified over some others. At Sportmens Lodge in LA, the biggest score goes to Timing. Timing count as 50% of the score. Whether you dancing on2, on1 or whatever, you have to be on time.

Look forward to hear some postivie think from Merchy -- Brian