"5th
Annual Puerto Rico Bacardi Salsa Congress" |
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July
30, 2001 August
1, 2001 -- Palm
Trees, Beach, Sun, Fun and Salsa! August
2, 2001 (from Puerto Rico) August
6, 2001 There was so much to see that the lithium battery in my camera ran out before my film did (almost 10 rolls later with the help of Albert Gomez of Strickly Salsa, Lillian Diaz of Young Ambition and a journalist from Houston), 3 tapes full of interviews (and I didn't get to do as many as I would have liked as everyone wanted some vacation time away from "business") and 3 video tapes of shows. By Friday, I was ready to take a much-needed break, but some opportunities each day were too good to miss and I had quality time with a lot of different dancers at the restaurants, the beach and while walking around the workshops and booths. It's
hard to believe that it's only been just over a year since I've met
many of the dance instructors who teach or attend various congressos.
Of the ones whom I've met previously over the past year...
Tropical Gem, Italy Comments from other Attendees... August 9, 2001 Puerto Rico Salsa Congress Hi Rose, Everything you said about me at the salsa congress in Puerto Rico was absolutely right. I was excited about seeing the sights and enjoying the sun in the exotic island environment, but it was the salsa that totally blew me away. It took a while for it to sink in how people that attended lived and breathed salsa. Their energy and enthusiasm on the dance floor was great. I also noticed how the Puerto Ricans enjoy salsa in maybe a different way; they really feel the music and release their bodies more to show its beautiful rhythm. I think another hightlight was meeting so many people from other contries and dancing with them. Its nice to see that the latin fever touches persons in other cultures as well. A lot of people complained how salsa wasn't quite so big where they come from, I guess that's too bad... we have it pretty good here in Toronto, don't we? After 8 nights of straight salsa and 5 days of straight workshops, I guess I need a little rest. I thought I would be sick of salsa by now, but I think I actually like it even more. For sure though it won't be long before I rejoin the salsa scene here again. -- Greg Pintilie Other
Links |
This
is probably one of the most expensive trips you could make for about
a week totalling approximately $1,200-$1,550 Cdn. if you plan well enough
($600 airfare, $300-450 Night Pass, $3-500 Hotel by sharing costs with
friends), not including eating and shopping expenses; or could go as
high as $3,500 Cdn. total cost if you go direct and stay in the most
expensive hotel and/or want to include some sightseeing. I was able
to eat for about $20 Cdn. per day (or less) as there was some nearby
deli/restaurants with decent food. Taxis and Car Rentals are expensive
and everything's in US$.
But
is it worth it? Well, everyone (including me) who went this year
had such a fabulous time that they didn't want to come back to Toronto
and most of us are definitely considering going back again next year.
Due to word of mouth from all the dancers about how wonderful our trip
was, has got the buzz going that we'll probably have about 100 dancers
attending next year and more dance teams performing. It's the only salsa
vacation I took where I still felt I was in holiday mode a week after.
I went to work and nothing bothered me for a week as I was in a euphoric
state. How often can you look at deadlines and say, "That's alright,
if I don't do it today, there's always tomorrow" -- not!
The
Organization by All-Star Entertainment Co.
It’s
my third afternoon in Puerto Rico, we’ve had sun and some tropical rain,
but nothing compares to the energy that’s building towards the weekend!
I just came out of the 2nd set of afternoon shows and have been blown
away by the energy of the Puerto Rican dancers and the Venezuelans.
Regarding their dancing I just don’t know where to start (or how to
exactly describe it), the Puerto Ricans definitely have sabor (flavour)
- very similar to the energy and style of New York, but obviously now
I understand where much of their influence came from. As you watch the
Puerto Ricans, they are very strong in their free-style (shines) - their
styling is very funky, but they are not as strong in partner work; whereas
the Newyoricans have taken it further by adding more refined and complicated
turn patterns and sharpened their free-style patterns. The Venezuelans
have a different take on salsa as they mix in a lot of hip hop and jazz
into their choreography; but the amount of energy they put into their
dancing is phenomenal to watch and the amount of dancers who have come
to the congresso and the size of the teams are huge! The groups average
around 8-20 dancers each with fabulous and colourful costumes. 
Also,
I was going to find out when I could interview and have a picture with
Victor Manuelle and I got lucky, he was just coming into the press room
and had a very cozy shot with him and got his autograph. Unfortunately
for me, I needed a translator to help do the interview as he doesn’t
speak hardly any English; but he was very charming. 
There’s
lots more to see and do here, and as usual, you can be totally exhausted
running around trying to do everything There are many Toronto dancers
here including Guillaermo Baez - a Venezuelan instructor who used to
teach at Berlin’s before Jennifer and Giovanni. It’s his first congresso
and it was hilarious to see how he got hooked. Bong, Trionne and I had
breakfast with him the other morning and when we were getting ready
to leave - he couldn’t decide whether to go to the workshops with Bong
or to go walking with Trionne and myself - guess what won out! The workshops!
But of course, he would try to catch up with us - NOT! Everyone that
I’ve talked to that are experience Puerto Rico for the first time are
loving every minute of it and are very tempted to come back again next
year… 
The
salsa "time of my life"!
Others
who left a lasting impression or I finally got to meet for the first
time...