Festival and Travel Planner 2026

[Mambosero]

No reviews of Mambo Italiano?

Level of dancing was significantly lower than last year and low for dancehouse events. Many people chose to skip the parties completely and it was very apparent.

Some people commented about the lack of artists and their presence on the dance floor was lacking. I personally don’t care to dance with artist but I didn’t see many of them social dancing for long periods of time.

They had a new local DJ join their regulars and he played some odd songs including a couple of Cuban songs in a row to finish one of his sets. He was hit or big miss with some of his choices.

Floor in the main room was quite slippery and hot. Friday events happened at a different venue with different passes depending on if you wanted training or social dancing. Heard some follows complain about the floor hurting their knees on Friday (stone floor). Schedule was weird for Friday with a continuous party (17:00 to 1:30).

The event was a big letdown compared to their regular events. I’m not entirely sure what happened this year.

Positives: regular DJs were good, food/snacks, and beautiful venue. Sunday day social was really good.

 

[AguaDulce]

The event was a big letdown compared to their regular events. I’m not entirely sure what happened this year.

Yeah, I think a lot of folks skipped it because of the negative feedback about last year compared to his Budapest and Prague events. Sounds like this year people at least knew when the snacks were available? The venue is nice for photos but a lot of the hardcore dancers want space and a comfortable environment. I'm never checking for the artists and/or youtube salsa celebrities so I found that comment interesting.

I'm not sure about the upcoming event in Madrid, but the little bit I've come across doesn't sound too appealing. I'll be interested in the feedback, as most of my friends are skipping it.

 

[Mambosero]

The venue is nice for photos but a lot of the hardcore dancers want space and a comfortable environment.

I think the glamour of Rome/beautiful venue overshadows the important things for hardcore dancers. Every instagram post is about Rome and the venue. Also, food was indoors this time and plentiful compared to Prague.

I'm never checking for the artists and/or youtube salsa celebrities so I found that comment interesting.

I personally don’t care about artists unless I’m friends with them. The comment came from someone who is more of an artist chaser.

 

[Chris_Yannick]

Thedancehouse should stick to Eastern/Central Europe.

 

[MamboJazz]

Old style bachata sensual means what? I can understand perhaps bachata moderna. The styles are not so different as much as a lot more waves and head rolls now - frequency has gone up, yes.

You may have missed the bachata evolution outside Spain of the last two years: headrolls are gone, bye bye. If you see one report me. It's all Bachazouk with followers doing tilted turns now. But I don't know if they do this in Spain as well (haven't been there since two years), there is resistance in Spain because they invented the former bachata sensual. The old dancers prefer the old style, of course - old means 27 year old people. Welcome to innovation stress.

 

[kire1820]

So I am about to start my 2 weeks trip to Europe. I'm going to PISC and Bucharest to follow. I know PISC's reputation hasn't been very good amongst my dancer friends from Europe, but alas, my vacation worked out this way. I'm very excited about Bucharest Salsa Revolution, though. I have a few days after Paris and Bucharest...you guys have any recommendations regarding countries/cities to visit that may have an okay social scene? (FYI, I am coming back to the States via London, so I'm looking for other cities.)

 

[kire1820]

Yeah, I think a lot of folks skipped it because of the negative feedback about last year compared to his Budapest and Prague events. Sounds like this year people at least knew when the snacks were available? The venue is nice for photos but a lot of the hardcore dancers want space and a comfortable environment. I'm never checking for the artists and/or youtube salsa celebrities so I found that comment interesting.

I'm not sure about the upcoming event in Madrid, but the little bit I've come across doesn't sound too appealing. I'll be interested in the feedback, as most of my friends are skipping it.

That is really interesting. I had friends who went last year and said it was "Magical" I had big FOMO...I guess I shouldn't have. I went to live 2 mambo this February and had a blast. The thing I don't get is that a lot of "social dancers" went the second week, but I actually enjoyed the first weekend a lot more! I enjoyed how spacious the first weekend venue was...although it isn't much to do around the hotel. The second venue was BEAUTIFUL...but it was VERY VERY crowded. At night, there was the security guard carrying a decibel meter constantly telling the DJ to turn the volume down. In terms of artists...I feel that I would like to dance with them out of curiousity...to see what the hype is about...but usually, they have a line and don't have much downtime. There were so many good dancers at live2mambo so I didn't care as much.

 

[Chris_Yannick]

The thing I don't get is that a lot of "social dancers" went the second week, but I actually enjoyed the first weekend a lot more! I enjoyed how spacious the first weekend venue was...although it isn't much to do around the hotel. The second venue was BEAUTIFUL...but it was VERY VERY crowded

The 2nd weekend had more social dancing hours compared to the 1st weekend and is known to attract more social dancers (for now) . I suppose many social dancers still have a nostalgic connection to Anantara. I know I do.

 

[Offbeat]

. The comment came from someone who is more of an artist chaser.

Even then, why should it merit a mention I am assuming dance house is a primary social dancing event.

Btw none of people in dancing I know are chasing so called celebrities (in a small pond). I have always been opposed to call them artists and we had a separate discussion on whether they deserved to be called artists.

I don't think anyone on the SF cares about how many celebrities are at any event. The same with at least the people I know that would frequent festivals.

 

[Chris_Yannick]

Btw none of people in dancing I know are chasing so called celebrities

That's because those who don't chase know that chasing often leads to disappointment.

IME, star chasers aren't very good dancers.

 

[Offbeat]

IME, star chasers aren't very good dancers.

Exactly. None of the good dancers chase stars. They may dance with them but they aren't chasing them.

 

[AguaDulce]

I have always been opposed to call them artists and we had a separate discussion on whether they deserved to be called artists.

I've used the term artist because others do and it's one way to distinguish the hired folks from the folks that are not hired to be there. For example, you might see someone there as a regular social dancer, but at another event he/she might be labeled as one of the artists because he/she is getting paid to be there.

One reason why I like the marathons and smaller events is because the artist hype often doesn't exist, and if the youtube/IG content creators aren't there as well, even better. Nothing against these folks. I'm just not into the groupie type energy.

As far as the level at TDH Events, I think it has gone done a bit because the word got out and it has become a bit more of a social see and be seen event as opposed to a hardcore dance event. Not everyone is at these events primarily to social dance. I've been at Magic, Rave and other events where some people mostly drink, stay with their circle of friends and chit chat. To each his/her own. Nothing against that. There is something there for everyone. I'm there to listen to good music, dance and connect with good people.

 

[AguaDulce]

The 2nd weekend had more social dancing hours compared to the 1st weekend and is known to attract more social dancers (for now) . I suppose many social dancers still have a nostalgic connection to Anantara. I know I do.

Some people told me they thought the social dancing in week one was actually better because there was more space to dance and the music was slightly better.

Whereas, week 2 is more upscale, socializing, get dressed up, use the sauna at the hotel, big pre-parties in hotel suites. Also, I was told week 2 had snacks where week 1 did not so it was situated to be more of a social vibe.

 

[Chris_Yannick]

Some people told me they thought the social dancing in week one was actually better because there was more space to dance and the music was slightly better.

Yes I heard the same from those who attended both weekends.

There was just an insane amount of dancing spread over 2 weekends plus high quality parties during the week.

You can't really go wrong with either.

 

[AguaDulce]

Someone just sent me this. Speaking of TDH

 

[Yogalholic]

So I am about to start my 2 weeks trip to Europe. I'm going to PISC and Bucharest to follow. I know PISC's reputation hasn't been very good amongst my dancer friends from Europe, but alas, my vacation worked out this way. I'm very excited about Bucharest Salsa Revolution, though. I have a few days after Paris and Bucharest...you guys have any recommendations regarding countries/cities to visit that may have an okay social scene? (FYI, I am coming back to the States via London, so I'm looking for other cities.)

Line salsa doesn't exist in France except for Paris

 

[MamboJazz]

I went to live 2 mambo this February and had a blast. The thing I don't get is that a lot of "social dancers" went the second week, but I actually enjoyed the first weekend a lot more!

The location of the 2nd weekend has a few years more tradition, it's beautiful and so dancers make no mistake returning there.

I enjoyed how spacious the first weekend venue was... although it isn't much to do around the hotel.

Exactly. I checked out that area during day, it is boring for having your hotel there. In contrary the location of the 2nd weekend is in the middle of Budapest nightlife, with 24 hour shops and lots of restaurants, bars etc. Really nice, I love it.

The second venue was BEAUTIFUL...but it was VERY VERY crowded.

Not during afternoon socials at least. Sometimes it got crowded on one place then I switched to the other side where it was better.

At night, there was the security guard carrying a decibel meter constantly telling the DJ to turn the volume down.

That's a good thing I think, but also shows how it's useful to control the DJs.
EDIT: now I remember there reportedly was trouble with the hotel management due to loudness, apparently severe because organizer was worried it could endanger the return next year. So if DJs still had to be controlled it shows they either don't have a measure on their desk (which is lousy) or they didn't care, which is lousy as well.

Next year date collisions will make me visit the 1st weekend, so I will see how dance is at the other venue.

 

[kire1820]

Some people told me they thought the social dancing in week one was actually better because there was more space to dance and the music was slightly better.

Whereas, week 2 is more upscale, socializing, get dressed up, use the sauna at the hotel, big pre-parties in hotel suites. Also, I was told week 2 had snacks where week 1 did not so it was situated to be more of a social vibe.

To add to some details, first weekend, there were free water but there was like one water filtering station and everyone has to line up to get water...whereas, second weekend, they have BOTTLES of water ready for you to pour into the glass...I was so thirsty sometimes I just take one bottle for myself hahaha. The pre-parties was real, lots of people don't come down to dance till like 3am or so. Yes, people do dress up. I aim to travel light for international trips. Actually, is there a thread about salsa outfits for men? What type of pants are good for social dancing? brands of shirts that is good for moisture wicking....could be a cool thread...im going to look for it.

 

[AguaDulce]

EDIT: now I remember there reportedly was trouble with the hotel management due to loudness

I think I remember TDH sending out a notice about noice from people conjugating in the hotel and also people using the wrong exit doors or something like that.

 

[kire1820]

Line salsa doesn't exist in France except for Paris

Yeah, I'm literally digging through Facebook salsa groups right now...looking for events hahaha. I'm aiming for balance of sightseeing and maybe some dancing...but it's becoming clear that while salsa festivals are amazing in Europe, it's kind of hard to find quality salsa linear On2/on1 socials. A lot of bachata and Kizomba :-/. So here is what I am thinking right now..

1) Vienna - there seems to be some bar event Monday night...so I can fly to Vienna and do some walking tours and explore etc. Seems to be a good city for post salsa recovery with spas and deep tissue sports massages according to ChatGPT. Samuel and Lisa is based there too...always like their style...may take some classes there.

2) Prague - Never been, but definitely plan to go when my vacay actually lineup with one of the marathons. Not sure if there is salsa events...but seems super picturesque. Will probably just be sightseeing.

3) Forget sightseeing...take the train to London and just hit up Tonycrossbody's event monday and Funky Mambo Tuesday, then head to Bucharest.