Is there salsa in New Zealand?

[seut]

Fisrt 'Hi' to everybody.

I'm from Bulgaria but next year I may go to live in New Zealand for long time (actually I have to decide). I want to ask anybody who is from New Zealand, or just knows, is there salsa, how popular it is (I mean are there many people who dance) and what styles are danced. Generall asking about Auckland and Wellington.

Thank you

[peachexploration]

Hi Suet! There seems to be quite a bit of Salsa going on in New Zealand. I'm not from New Zealand but after doing some searching, but by typing salsa in new zealand and got about 10 pages so NZ seems to be the place for Salsa. The Salsapower site is usually a good source. Do we have any New Zealanders in the house with reccomendations for Suet? Hope this helps Suet. :) Again, welcome. :)

salsapower.com/cities/newzealand_auckland.htm
zanabonidesign.com/tango-salsa/
streetlatin.co.nz/index.html

[seut]

Yep, I've found these but I meant some personal experience. These sites does not give much information about salsa 'activity' (heh :) in NZ.

[peachexploration]

Right Suet. I hope one of the natives of NZ or at least someone who has visted recently has some info for you.

[salsachinita]

We have just been to NZ but not in salsa hunting mode.......

We were only in south island, so can't help you there with Auckland & Wellington; though I'm sure there would be enough, basing on the recent success on Jambalaya Festival (NZ eqivelant to a Congress), where Edie & Al (amongst others) visited.

....... :oops: and we missed the whole thing by a week...........

[Pacion]

Hi Seut

I was in Auckland about four years ago and went in search of salsa ;) . At that time, the level was not great but the people were friendly. Since then, there has been two or three congresses in Sydney and as Salsachinita said, there was the recent festival. I suspect that the standard has risen in that time - plus you may have the New Zealanders who come to the UK, generally for a two stint who have gone back now. It is hard to say how it may compare, not knowing what your standard/level is. That said, I found the people to be friendly so you should be okay.

Flights between Auckland and Sydney were not very expensive, at that time. Therefore, depending on your finances, you could try and factor in a couple of trips a year to Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide - the last two having a decent salsa scene, from what I gather.

Goodluck with your decision!

[seut]

Thank you Pacion (and all).

Actually I am not concerned for the level of the dancers (first there are always good ones and second I am not very good). I wanted to know how popular salsa is there, are there only salsa clubs (at least in some nights of the week) full with people etc, you know. :)

This of course is not the thing that will make my decision, but it is really important for me.

[valconix]

Hi there,

Yes there's heaps of Salsa in NZ, esp in Auckland. I'm from NZ :D

[peachexploration]

Hi Valconix! :D Welcome to Salsa Forums. Happy to have you here! :banana: Good to know we have another NZ native in the house. Can you give us the scoop on NZ?

[valconix]

Lets see.. All Styles are pretty much taught and danced here (NY & Cuban). The scene is not exactly big BIG, but ok for us kiwi's :) as for the level of dancing, well from my last trip to Sydney, I would say it's exactly the same as in Aussies.

[peachexploration]

Great! Thank you Valconix. Suet? Are you around? :D

[seut]

Hi there,

I've been busy these days. I'm glad to hear that salsa dance is popular in NZ. I hope it means that you can go to a salsa party in some club at least few times a week and most of the people in the club will be salseros. As I said I don't really care for the level of the dancers.

Valconix, thanks for the response.

[soyeltuyo]

Hi.

There is a good studio in Christchurch,
Check out http://www.salsafusion.co.nz/

I teach Cuban salsa in Wanaka. Classes are on Tuesday nights, and although it's small at the moment, it may get bigger during the winter with all the visitors and skiiers / boarders.

May see you here: drop me a line
nikmagnus@yahoo.com 8)

[seut]

Hi, soyeltuyo, thanks for the response. If I come down there (no offence :)) it will be some time in the next year. I think it will be in Auckland, but I'll ceartainly make a trip to the South Island. (Christchirch was on the South Island, ain't it? If I'm wrong, please excuse me).

[jimedoc]

Welcome to the forum soyeltuyo!

[pr]

Welcome to the forum soyeltuyo!
Ditto! :D