1st Amsterdam International Salsa Congress, 1st to 4th December

[SalsaGipsy]

Here is my review too. I enjoyed it a lot but I hope a few things get fixed for next year:

* The shows finished way too late. I managed to miss almost everything but as a result the time for dancing was too short.

* The floor was not very good. Very soft and uneven and my shoes kept catching the edges of the tiles. I saw one lady whose heel was completely stuck between the tiles.

* The music on Saturday was way too loud. Was everybody deaf? There were people standing right next to the speakers not being bothered by it at all.

On the other hand there was good space for dancing. The atmosphere was nice and there were lots of good dancers. There were a lot of people who looked like they were having fun and not many stone-face snobs. The music was ok. The location was great. So, it will be on my wish-list for next year.

Compared to the other Amsterdam congress, this was a bit less international but more relaxed and fun.

 

[MacMoto]

I thought the bar was also a bit overpriced because of how small the drinks were and done in an annoying way with making like ~3.30 euro into 2 coin hotel currency to make it seem cheaper? but maybe that is standard for congresses?

The use of plastic coins seems to be a common practice in the Netherlands - almost all the salsa venues I've been to in the Netherlands operate the same "buy the plastic coins from cashier to buy your drinks with" policy. I agree that drinks were very expensive for the size.

 

[olamalam]

The use of plastic coins seems to be a common practice in the Netherlands

And in Anwerp/Belgium.

 

[Liefebees]

I'm definitely going next year!

 

[MacMoto]

Great See you next year.

Then again, why wait for a whole year when there's the Amsterdam Salsa & Zouk Festival in February too you know

 

[TwoLeftFeet]

on a side note is it considered bad form to post youtube videos (made publicly available) of congress workshops...

 

[olamalam]

on a side note is it considered bad form to post youtube videos (made publicly available) of congress workshops...

IMO, it's better to record yourself while doing the routine and post it. It wouldn't look as good as instructors but at least it's not unethical for sure.

Btw, active links annoys Chrisk

 

[MacMoto]

is it considered bad form to post youtube videos (made publicly available) of congress workshops...

Yes...

And to post the vids on youtube in the first place. Especially when the event promotors and the instructors themselves ask you please don't.

At some congresses they've given up and simply banned videotaping of workshops altogether so you could only video yourselves/friends/etc

 

[TwoLeftFeet]

duly noted. I must admit I didn't hear anyone ask specifically not to. I shall action accordingly.

I don't think its bad form to have vids on youtube per se... its useful for me to access them at work or whilst travelling.

for the purpose of debate...

what are your (olamalam) reasons to say its unethical,

is there a line...

where is your line?

1) share with your class mates
2) share with your dance partner
3) share with your friends
4) share with your peers
5) share with anyone who wants to learn

what is the difference between posting a video of a pattern to music and a social dance?

in my opinion you dont pay for a workshop to learn moves, but to learn the technique to complete those moves well, cleanly and stylishly.

 

[olamalam]

sharing with class mates is fine. some may not have their camera that day and i dont think that promoters, instructors would disagree with that either.

instructors generally against sharing with the world (youtube) and imo there are two reasons for that. 1- they are selling a service to you, not to the world.
2- (hidden reason ) they might wanna use the same routine in a couple of festivals and they may not want others to learn this. ie, I'm pretty sure that miltons routines are similar. nothing wrong with that, there are some "milton style" moves that he uses all the time in social dancing and he teaches his way of dancing. and people are supposed to attend his workshops to learn miltons style.

Besides, I dont believe that you can learn much from a workshop video without attending the class. otherwise salsa would be much cheaper. promoters buy would a projector and set of dvd's

well, once I posted part of miltons workshop as well but it was kind a necessary:
http://salsaforums.com/showthread.php?t=18322

I dont record others while social dancing so cant post it anywhere

 

[petteri]

Besides, I dont believe that you can learn much from a workshop video without attending the class. otherwise salsa would be much cheaper. promoters would a projector and set of dvd's

That is true. It takes a lot of experience to learn much from videos.

Let's take for example Milton Cobo style for men. Let's think that starting point is pretty decent On1 dancer somewhere in Europe who has obsession to learn some weird style.

Just few simple points.

1) Reschedule your dance year ahead
2) Learn to dance basic On2 timing
3) Learn to spin effortlessly. 1 or 1,5 has to be really easy on partnerwork.
4) Learn to move heavily when needed
5) Improve your timing
6) Learn to lead and follow lady very well
7) Switch completely On2, no On1 dancing beyond this point
8 ) Ignore complaints of ladies that you dance only On2.
9) Learn make some figures (like basic crossbody + 360s etc) starting turning on count 1 ( not 2 as in standand On2.) Stay still on beat.
10) Improve your timing and movement
11) Ignore complaint of ladies when you lead figures on1 instead of 2 when dancing On2
12) Improve your timing.
13) Renew your pattern of figures completely, learn to spin and move heavily when needed. Now you have to learn patterns from social dancing videos as no-one is able to teach them to you. (You know all the basic figures already. Don't you?)
14) Ignore complaints of ladies that you do not respect local style and timing.
15) Improve your timing and movement
16) Learn to use all the spare time you created when you started turning on 1 when dancing On2.
17) Perfect your style, hope for the best, now it can start to pay off or not.
18 ) (Year later) Re-learn to dance also basic On1 as your style and figures are so much "Milton style" that they do not work On1 anymore.

Good luck.

 

[chrisk]

duly noted. I must admit I didn't hear anyone ask specifically not to. I shall action accordingly.

I don't think its bad form to have vids on youtube per se... its useful for me to access them at work or whilst travelling.

First, you know that you can set up videos on YouTube to be private, so that only you can find them after using your login? And may I point out to you and everybody else that we've talked about the issue before in the thread We're Doomed!! (Question for Pro's) and that you want to move the debate over there if you want to stay on topic.

 

[Liefebees]

Great See you next year.

Then again, why wait for a whole year when there's the Amsterdam Salsa & Zouk Festival in February too you know

February is far too soon. I want to complete the 'beginners' course at my danceschool before plunging in. Besides, I will be able to buy the tickets waaaay beforehand so it's cheaper.

 

[lolita]

And may I point out to you and everybody else that we've talked about the issue before in the thread We're Doomed!! (Question for Pro's) and that you want to move the debate over there if you want to stay on topic.

If we keep "moving" debates over to old threads we will never create new threads, because we exhausted all possible discussions. I'd like to think we are intelligent people and that our minds develop throughout our salsa progression and my opinions 6 years ago when I joined the forums are completely different from my ideas and opinions I contribute today and they will be different a few years from now.

So, let it go, Chrisk, we don't have to be confined to old threads.

 

[chrisk]

If we keep "moving" debates over to old threads we will never create new threads, because we exhausted all possible discussions. I'd like to think we are intelligent people and that our minds develop throughout our salsa progression and my opinions 6 years ago when I joined the forums are completely different from my ideas and opinions I contribute today and they will be different a few years from now.

So, let it go, Chrisk, we don't have to be confined to old threads.

Thanks, but my intention isn't to confine you or any other member to the old thread, but have this thread stay on the topic of the amsterdam congress. The issue of posting workshop videos or showing them to various other people isn't in any way related to the congress that this topic is about. That's why I pointed to the possibility of using the old thread to continue the talk about this. And as I agree with you that opinions are subject to change, you can always post an update to an old thread with your new opinion. Otherwise feel free to open up a new thread about "posting workshop videos - yes or no?". But please don't hide this discussion here in the thread about the amsterdam congress, where other (new) members won't find it or expect it to take place.