desconocida
Son
I, too, agree with pretty much everything you're saying except for the assessment of day/night socials as I simply lack data on those day socials. And yes, I did not like that Friday location at all, neither!
Festival and Travel Planner 2025
- Thread starter azana
- Start date
I popped into this event. Didn't go to every party, but I hit a couple. Let me start off by saying, I think they missed an opportunity by not having dancing by the fountain during the daytime, given the lovely scenery, shade, perfect weather, amount of space and proximity to where they put the snacks and refreshments. I'm thinking how Prague Marathon does something outdoors, but this would have been even better, IMO.I promised to report back on Mambo Italiano Rome (Dancehouse Events), but frankly, I'm somewhat torn as to what my verdict is. On the plus side: everything was absolutely gorgeous. Also, the weather... But that's to be expected in May-June in Italy, I guess... (btw., the event will be held end of March next year). The main venue had a garden with a fountain and tables arranged around it, so if you didn't feel like dancing, going out and socializing there was a great alternative (sometimes you could even get snacks and drinks there, which were included in the price). My main problem was that I didn't feel like dancing a lotand I'm not sure this had anything to do with the organization or just my mood. On the organizational part I'de say there might have been a bit too much of a gender disbalance and maybe overall the event would have benefitted from being slightly less packed. Moreover, it was extremely hot - I guess not much could have been done about that in a historical building like that (some rooms had better AC than others), but maybe some large fans would have been nice. I was a bit surprised as I didn't find the overall level to be crazy high as I was expecting from a Dancehouse Event (this was my first), but friends who've been to a few others before confirmed that it's usually somewhat higher. Except for Friday, where music and sound were poor during most of the night, I thought music was overall good (I attended all parties, so Thu-Sun, but didn't go to any of the afternoon socials). Oh, the bar was pretty amazing, which is really nice. Water wasn't always available, but most of the time I got some when I was looking for it. Everything ran pretty smoothly, there were hardly any delays, the schedule was fairly accommodating to everyone's needs. The girls working the registration desk were super sweet and helpful if you needed anything.
I guess what really bothered me about this event is something that is not controlled by the promoter in any way, namely the fact that much of it felt like a social media spectacle. People were constantly recording anything and everything and it felt like that completely took over the dynamics on the dance floor as well. Hence I am so unsure of how I would objectively rate this event. Given that Rome was extremely expensive I'd probably look into some other Italian congresses next year.
Friday was poor because the venue was way across town, which is why the day social might have been poorly attended. Many attendees didn't want to go back and forth a half hour each way. Many waited till the evening so they could get dressed up and peacock for social media.
I agree that the Saturday and Sunday daytime socials were better than the evenings. More relaxed and casual and better dancing experience. I did notice that there were more followers. Either way, after Sunday afternoon I had danced with the people I wanted to dance with. Also liked that there was no stage or barrier between the artists and everyone else.
Also agree that the level was lower than their other events I've attended. Not sure why. But I did dance with a couple of follows that seemed like beginners. No problem. Also, I met a lot of cool people.
There were a few things I didn't like. Firstly, it was too hot. Perhaps that is why they are doing March next year. I'd rather have it in June and utilize the outdoor space and put some blowers indoors.
TDH is known for its refreshments. They had less and they were sporadic and outside in the yard so a lot of people never saw them. Also, people with dance shoes on may not have wanted to walk outside for snacks. In general, snacks seemed to be about 40 percent or less than before (Prague, Budapest). In particular, the lack of water was shocking when the other events had unlimited supplies.
I like TDH events, but think I would skip Rome next time.
Unless you count this event they're hosting in July with Frankie Martinez and Bersy Cortez in Budapest, but it's more of a workshop focused weekend rather than a social dancing weekend.
desconocida
Son
Whaaaat? You've been there, too? Pity we've missed each other...
I was about to ask why just "popped into it", but quickly realized I wasn't too keen on making it everywhere everytime, neither; last party I arrived at 04:45 and left an hour later, Saturday I may habe been there for about 2.5 hrs of social dancing.
Yeah Madrid is a possibility for me depending on other options.
Yeah, I did the daytime mostly because it was a better vibe for me and I could get better dances in. I peeked my head in for a minute on Saturday and it was too hot so I just sat mostly and watched people taking selfies.
Oh, Bersy is coming as well? I have to think new...
What's interesting is that there are 3 afternoon socials and 3 night parties included in the pass.
Afternoon socials are 4 hours long.
All the workshop are included as well for a very reasonable price of 120€.
I'm becoming more and more curious about it
WellHelloThere
Changui
Madrid in June is really hot…good luck with daytimes socials unless there is aircon.
Yes and the organizer revealed that the fashion police go to these events and want you to wear a suit to dance despite the oppressive heat
DJ Yuca
Son Montuno
That is bizarre. I actually really like charanga - but as a DJ there is no way I would play large quantities of it in a set. Unless charanga was the theme of the night and I had specifically been told to - and even then I'd be dubious.
Whilst a band specialising in a subgenre of salsa (e.g. charanga) can work very well indeed, a DJ certainly needs to have a personality and distinctive sound, but also needs to take advantage of the massive variety of salsa (and related danceable music) that has been recorded over many years. Variety, in other words. A DJ is not a band.
DJ Yuca
Son Montuno
The suit jacket and shirt underneath will end up getting soaked with sweat, unless the person only dances occasionally. The suit does look elegant, but being soaked with sweat spoils that elegance. Back in the day a suit or sportscoat were obligatory in most venues, but it only worked if there was very strong aircon or the guy wasn't dancing much. Or he was such a good dancer that he didn't mind having a soaked suit all night.
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The problem for me is how much it limits my arms (in addition to the sweat). I saw someone in LA created a dancing suit but still skeptical.
DJ Yuca
Son Montuno
Sounds good - you get to sit down and enjoy the music and scenery, whilst your suit does the dance for you.
Here one charanga example from Rome festival posted now as video (Fruko Y Sus Tesos: "Llegó la Charanga").
Charanga is indeed pretty often played at EU mambo festivals. I am neutral about it, I like it enough and if I remember correct it's nice to dance to.
Can you give some examples? Charanga is a type of the band.
Or you mean too many fast guaracha style songs and not enough slow son montunos? (because these two styles probably cover 80% of what's played).
He may have confused pachanga and charanga, but many people do as wikipedia says and I didn't even notice:
"The orquesta, or band, was referred to as charanga, while the accompanying dance was named the pachanga. The similar sound of the words charanga and pachanga has led to the fact that these two notions are often confused."
Pachanga - Wikipedia
Pachanga is the dance/rhythm while charanga is the instrumentation.
There’s a whole discussion here:
