Have you met... the Salsa Star?

Have you met... the Salsa Star?

  • Yes - They were far nicer than I anticipated

    Votes: 243 100.0%

  • No - Not come across one yet

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    243
T

TheBear_CanDanceToo

So we've got the "Salsa Snob" thread - but what about a Salsa Star thread?

This could mean either a big "Name" that you got to know a little and found them just as down to earth and approachable as anyone, or perhaps just someone local at your own club who always seemed way too out there, until you actually spoke to them, danced with them and found them to be lovely after all...

There's a few I can think of who I thought were really intimidating when I first came across them at congresses/events etc but who have turned out to be just the opposite.

Locally - a girl called Jan at my first major social when I was a beginner - I watched her all night - great looking and fantastic dancer. I eventually plucked up the courage to ask for a dance and she was SO nice to me, despite my being rubbish.

"Names";
Brigitte Ferlet - Having seen Brigitte performing and teaching at assorted congresses I was really intimidated when I came across her at a social but chanced asking her for a dance. Wow! She's lovely. So not what I (stupidly) expected - I now know her a little having run into her several times more, and now she asks ME for dances!

Anyone else care to share...?
 
I met Iris de Brito briefly last year at a congress and I thought she was a bit stand-offish but then I met her again this year and she was absolutely lovely. Very friendly, very entertaining, and she even asked me to be her partner for a class! I couldn't believe my luck - effectively getting a 1-hour private with her :) . The only bad thing was dancing socially with her and seeing the difference (or vast yawning gulf) between her body movement (amazing) and mine (not amazing) :lol:
 
Mine was at the last Palm Springs salsa festival with Edie. I'd never met her before and was terrified to ask her for a dance but I did even though all I wanted to do was run the hell out of there!

--T
 
TheBear_CanDanceToo said:
This could mean either a big "Name" that you got to know a little and found them just as down to earth and approachable as anyone
Click to expand...

I am trying hard to think of a salsa stars that I have met but are opposite of what you wrote above. Not having met too many and only knowing a very few personally, may be my experience is skewed. So far I have found the big names to be far more friendly and approachable than an average club salsa dancer.
 
Often when you know what you are you don't have anything to prove. You do what you enjoy and that's it. I have noticed this from people in many walks of life i.e. good at things different from dance. When I first started my tango teacher (lady) was the nicest person ever. Everyone said all sorts of things about her...but I just couldn't imagine how nice she was to a person who knew nothing. I saw her sincerity, here genuineness, her heart - that's what mattered.
 
In between travelling to LA, Puerto Rico, NY, Chicago and Toronto for congresses I've had dances with some pretty famous men. My favs by far were Milton Cobo, Ibi Regueira, Albert Torres, Tomas Guerrero, Stacey Lopez and Tito Ortos.
Known local dancers here in Montreal I especially enjoy dancing with: Guessly Sheri, Roberto Arenas, and the guys from the San Tropez pro troupe: Cornell Mans, Francisco De La Calleja and Ricardo.

One trait all this superstars have in common is how humble they really are in person. They really do not care what level you are at, they make you look and feel great.
 
Offbeat said:
TheBear_CanDanceToo said:
This could mean either a big "Name" that you got to know a little and found them just as down to earth and approachable as anyone
Click to expand...

I am trying hard to think of a salsa stars that I have met but are opposite of what you wrote above. Not having met too many and only knowing a very few personally, may be my experience is skewed. So far I have found the big names to be far more friendly and approachable than an average club salsa dancer.
Click to expand...
My experience has been the same. The stars I've come across all seem friendly and approachable. It seems to me that the biggish-fish-in-small-pond types tend to develop the biggest attitude :roll:
 
Sure, I danced with Griselle Ponce, Cha-chi,Burju, Susana Montero (she even gave me nick name Mini Mario) and the best of all I'm on the picture with Wayne Gorgea at Wayne Gorgea's living room!

Mario
 
Jambo said:
Can't believe no-ones mentioned me yet! :roll:
Click to expand...
We're still waiting for you to cross the Atlantic! :)

I agree with the "salsa superstars" all being nice. Only heard of one snarky remark from a "salsa superstar" and even then it was supposed to be a private remark, I think.
 
TheBear_bottom said:
You're one of the 'I'm a loofah' ones now!
Click to expand...


Am not!!

loofah.jpg
 
TheBear_CanDanceToo said:
....what about a Salsa Star....?

This could mean either a big "Name" ..., or perhaps just someone local at your own club...

Anyone else care to share...?
Click to expand...

Thankyou for starting such a positive thread :D , Bear!

Being so far away, I have not met as many 'names' as I would have loved to.... but here is mine:

Luis Vasquez & Joby. Met them & danced with him on their final tour as Salsa Brava (before the split). I was self-concious as LA really isn't my strength.... but I was pleasantly surprised on how nice & comfortable his leads were, and how effortless he made our dance (it felt just like dancing with any of my local latino bros when we were growing up :D !!)

James Cobo. Met him at the first Sydney Congress. He was such a gentleman throughout the weekend, eventhough our one dance (which I insisted to be on2 :oops: , just to test myself) was not anything worth mentioning, I appreciated his supportive attitude.

Tropical Gem. Also met them at the same Syd Congress. Great fun :D !!

Edie & Al. Not that I've really danced with either of them (long queue at the Congress!), but I love their "dance to the music" speech :notworthy: !

Cast & band members of musical shows: Lady Salsa & The Bar at Buena Vista. I was fortunate enough to host a few parties & went on the road a little with them.

Gupson Pierre (of Singapore). My dear friend for many years. We must have hung out more than we danced. Always a pleasure 8) .

Then there are the musicians: Oscar D'Leon, Alfredo de la Fe, Jimmy Bosch, Johnny Rivero, and Los Van Van.

The Australian based ones: LDA of Sydney (only danced with Nestor & Patricia so far), Ricardo of Salsa Republic (best rueda ever!), Sharon Pakir of Spin City, John Salsa of Perth, Aloy Junco & Yarima, boys from Katumba, Fabio Robles (who coached me in the early days) of Back To Back, plus everyone who had been active in the clubs since the early '90s.

What I've learnt is this: there is NO need to be 'star struck'. People are people, "names" or no name. We all want to feel loved & accepted. We all love to dance!

We are all united in this salsa world with one thing in commom: the shared passion for the dance, music, culture & lifestyle.

Just ask for a dance; then get to know the person behind the name 8) .
 
salsachinita said:
What I've learnt is this: there is NO need to be 'star struck'. People are people, "names" or no name. We all want to feel loved & accepted. We all love to dance!

We are all united in this salsa world with one thing in commom: the shared passion for the dance, music, culture & lifestyle.

Just ask for a dance; then get to know the person behind the name 8) .
Click to expand...
True.
 
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