Music Feedback/Intervention at Congresses

[Brownskin818]

Still following the DC congress reviews. So apparently bachata was played in mass, even though the event was billed as a "salsa congress". I understand they had a separate bachata room in the past but weren't able to do the same this year. I'm not a bachata fan at all so that event likely would have ticked me off.

I'm headed to the Orlando salsa congress in a week and now I'm a bit worried. They are prominently advertising a bachata performance class at the event. Will bachateros be there in mass? Will the event have separate floors? No mention of that specifically on the website. But my solution to this highlights another angle to addressing the general music intervention dilemma...

SOLUTION: I sent the directors an email. Your website says salsa congress. I see an advertising focus on bachata. What can I expect? As it stands, I'm a hard core salsera who doesn't care for bachata. Would this congress be a mismatch for me or will there be separate music floors? (paraphrased)

So bailar y tocar, maybe that's the research angle we should/could take. It would get our expectations in order, give us an out if needed, but also give the directors some incentive to consider and relay such a preference in case they'd been sliding in another direction.

I'll report back on the response I get and probably do an event follow-up as well.



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In other, unrelated news. I really wish bachata would die. ...or at least sever its ties with salsa.

 

[barrefly]

Disa, I thought I was going to lose Missy to the bachata world until I stepped in and did something about it. Please Disa, save our young dancers from this creature called bachata. LOL

 

[wildbill20056]

I like Bachata, but I think it's disgraceful when promoters/organisers let it begin to dominate the Salsa content of a Salsa congress. It's false advertising of the worst sort.

Call it a 'Latin Congress' and let others organise a Salsa Congress.

 

[olamalam]

I'll report back on the response I get and probably do an event follow-up as well.

I hope you get a response. Congress directors don't seem be responsive.

In other, unrelated news. I really wish bachata would die. ...or at least sever its ties with salsa.

If bachata dies, kizomba is the first candidate to replace it, is it better?
If your wish comes true, I really wish at least 10 kizomba songs are played in the parties you are attending :tongue:

 

[azana]

I like Bachata, but I think it's disgraceful when promoters/organisers let it begin to dominate the Salsa content of a Salsa congress. It's false advertising of the worst sort.

Call it a 'Latin Congress' and let others organise a Salsa Congress.

Almost worse - then they have a clear excuse to play lots of.......NON-SALSA music!!!

Merenge and bachata fit fine with salsa - providing it's only in small doses. Just keep the zouk and co separated and quarantined

This is one element I appreciate about the Japan Salsa Congress - the social dancing time is very limited, but they only play salsa. Sydney Congress' Salsa Room also has an excellent ratio, with the exception of far too much chacha. It's starting to turn me off cha. Whenever Liz Lira came out onto the floor, and we were all excited to watch...on came the chacha!

(once again, going to run and hide from potential backlash ...maybe I'll go update the Kansai post on Salsa Cities thread...)

 

[Big10]

SOLUTION: I sent the directors an email. Your website says salsa congress. I see an advertising focus on bachata. What can I expect? As it stands, I'm a hard core salsera who doesn't care for bachata. Would this congress be a mismatch for me or will there be separate music floors? (paraphrased)

So bailar y tocar, maybe that's the research angle we should/could take. It would get our expectations in order, give us an out if needed, but also give the directors some incentive to consider and relay such a preference in case they'd been sliding in another direction.

I'll report back on the response I get and probably do an event follow-up as well.

I do think that such direct communications are a good way to go. That way you can supply enough detail for the organizers to know exactly what their customers want and what specific adjustments need to be made, either before or after an event.

In other, unrelated news. I really wish bachata would die. ...or at least sever its ties with salsa.

Whaaaaaaat? DISLIKE!

I'm really surprised that you're hating on Bachata so much! You have such good body movement that I figured you would like using it in Bachata....

 

[DJ Yuca]

I can relate to Brownskin's statement. Bachata's an ok dance, but I start with the music, and from a musical perspective bachata bores and irritates me. (I will freely admit that I play bachata at my nights out of necessity and I try to do it well, despite my personal disdain.) I'm not a salsa purist, I'm into a lot of different genres of music.

 

[DJ Jamil]

Our famous night, Boston has monthly Open Decks nights. Every first Tuesday, a dancer takes the control of the decks.

So when are you going to jump on the decks olamalam?

Oh and ... hello everyone, debut post!

 

[lolita]

Jamillllllllllllllllll, welcome on board

 

[Smejmoon]

The only instant solution I see is separate rooms and voting with feet. In reality many dancers don"t care about music, like crappy music and so on. Many top DJs play the latest top pop hits, cause there is a demand. And organizers care about money first.
If there is a choice, it answers will come, even if they might be surprizing.

Also I consider getting a player with double headphone exits and taking it to "salsa" events. I know quite a few good musical bachata songs.

 

[Beto]

Still following the DC congress reviews. So apparently bachata was played in mass, even though the event was billed as a "salsa congress". I understand they had a separate bachata room in the past but weren't able to do the same this year. I'm not a bachata fan at all so that event likely would have ticked me off.

The separate room will return for next year's congress so that should keep the "salsa/mambo/cha-cha" heads happy.

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In other, unrelated news. I really wish bachata would die. ...or at least sever its ties with salsa.

Wow, really? You sound like like the lindy hoppers and lindy instructors that wish blues dancing would die. Newsflash: That ain't gonna happen.

Disa, I thought I was going to lose Missy to the bachata world until I stepped in and did something about it. Please Disa, save our young dancers from this creature called bachata. LOL

LMAO! Missy probably shouldn't bachata until she's older, right?

I like Bachata, but I think it's disgraceful when promoters/organisers let it begin to dominate the Salsa content of a Salsa congress. It's false advertising of the worst sort.

Call it a 'Latin Congress' and let others organise a Salsa Congress.

Absolute agreement! DC has a bachata congress coming up in August which will have separate rooms for salsa, kizomba, zouk, samba and west coast swing. Truth in advertising.

I can relate to Brownskin's statement. Bachata's an ok dance, but I start with the music, and from a musical perspective bachata bores and irritates me. (I will freely admit that I play bachata at my nights out of necessity and I try to do it well, despite my personal disdain.) I'm not a salsa purist, I'm into a lot of different genres of music.

That means you're a good DJ and read the crowd even if the music genre you're playing isn't your cup of tea. I like that.

Whaaaaaaat? DISLIKE!

I'm really surprised that you're hating on Bachata so much! You have such good body movement that I figured you would like using it in Bachata....

I know, right?!! Brownie's got some of the *best* body movement I've ever seen and to think she wouldn't use it for bachata? It's a shame.

 

[olamalam]

So when are you going to jump on the decks olamalam?

You are fully booked! Maybe you should do that twice a month. And you can find more opportunity to dance

We had a nice discussion here:

dictator songs
I was planning to do an experiment on open decks with the experience I gained from this thread.

 

[bailar y tocar]

Still following the DC congress reviews. So apparently bachata was played in mass, even though the event was billed as a "salsa congress". I understand they had a separate bachata room in the past but weren't able to do the same this year. I'm not a bachata fan at all so that event likely would have ticked me off.

I'm headed to the Orlando salsa congress in a week and now I'm a bit worried. They are prominently advertising a bachata performance class at the event. Will bachateros be there in mass? Will the event have separate floors? No mention of that specifically on the website. But my solution to this highlights another angle to addressing the general music intervention dilemma...

SOLUTION: I sent the directors an email. Your website says salsa congress. I see an advertising focus on bachata. What can I expect? As it stands, I'm a hard core salsera who doesn't care for bachata. Would this congress be a mismatch for me or will there be separate music floors? (paraphrased)

So bailar y tocar, maybe that's the research angle we should/could take. It would get our expectations in order, give us an out if needed, but also give the directors some incentive to consider and relay such a preference in case they'd been sliding in another direction.

I'll report back on the response I get and probably do an event follow-up as well.



-----------------
In other, unrelated news. I really wish bachata would die. ...or at least sever its ties with salsa.

This is a good approach. If you do get an answer, the most re-assurring would be that they have two rooms of music.

Personally I have never understood why a salsa congress that has contracted for 2-6 rooms for workshops at the venue would not schedule an alternate music room. There is no excuse for that. Its just lack of organization, someone dropped the ball. The venue can get the bachata/reggaeton/merengue DJs to come for "nearly free" (its usually hotel room plus extra passes for their friends). There is already a sound system and dance floor in there for workshops - a minor boost may be needed for the deafening club sound required for reggaeton. So why would they drop the ball ? Is it because they don't really support salsa ?

 

[bailar y tocar]

I know, right?!! Brownie's got some of the *best* body movement I've ever seen and to think she wouldn't use it for bachata? It's a shame.

Maybe she needs to hook up with some dudes from the DR who dance the real deal bachata. It actually looks more like rumba guaguanco when they do it - with the open breaks and flirts - interesting to watch - I assume more fun to dance than the boring closed position stuff stateside.

 

[Beto]

Maybe she needs to hook up with some dudes from the DR who dance the real deal bachata. It actually looks more like rumba guaguanco when they do it - with the open breaks and flirts - interesting to watch - I assume more fun to dance than the boring closed position stuff stateside.

I was indifferent about bachata for years and more or less faking it when asked to dance. Then last year Darlin Garcia (Art in Motion) came down from Philly and taught a Dominican style workshop at a local dancer's house which opened my eyes to how much fun you can have with the dance when you break out of closed position. Traveling, more hand/arm/core movement, you name it. I'll need to upload the videos when I get some time as the workshop really inspired me.

 

[bailar y tocar]

I was indifferent about bachata for years and more or less faking it when asked to dance. Then last year Darlin Garcia (Art in Motion) came down from Philly and taught a Dominican style workshop at a local dancer's house which opened my eyes to how much fun you can have with the dance when you break out of closed position. Traveling, more hand/arm/core movement, you name it. I'll need to upload the videos when I get some time as the workshop really inspired me.

The other problem I have with stateside bachata is the music selection: commercial DJs pick the electronica versions with regurgitated hooks played on synth that just sound the corniest of corny. The real deal bachata played on acoustic instruments in folkloric style is a real pleasure to listen to. It has that feel of the Cuban oriente genre changuii in regard to the flavor (timbre?) of the instruments.

Sidenote: I'll admit it. I am a music snob.

 

[Beto]

The other problem I have with stateside bachata is the music selection: commercial DJs pick the electronica versions with regurgitated hooks played on synth that just sound the corniest of corny. The real deal bachata played on acoustic instruments in folkloric style is a real pleasure to listen to. It has that feel of the Cuban oriente genre changuii in regard to the flavor (timbre?) of the instruments.

I haven't been hearing too much of the corny stuff. Then again, the DJs I listen to in DC have been good about avoiding the crap and playing the quality stuff.

Sidenote: I'll admit it. I am a music snob.

Impossible not to be when you're a dancer.

 

[timberamayor]

The other problem I have with stateside bachata is the music selection: commercial DJs pick the electronica versions with regurgitated hooks played on synth that just sound the corniest of corny. The real deal bachata played on acoustic instruments in folkloric style is a real pleasure to listen to. It has that feel of the Cuban oriente genre changuii in regard to the flavor (timbre?) of the instruments.

Sidenote: I'll admit it. I am a music snob.

We are so often in agreement

I am not a bachata fan for 2 reasons: the music sounds corny at best often with lyrics aimed at teenagers (that synth playing what used to be acoustic guitar parts bugs the c*** out of me) and the dance looks goofy (to me) but for some reason people have the idea that it's sexy and sensual. To each his own.

BUT that's just the stuff people are mass marketing and teaching as bachata music/dance. I totally agree that a nice acoustic guitar bachata, like it was before it had it's "international breakthrough" is not at all corny. I have seen some real dominican bachata videos and that looks like a whole other dance and is even danced to quite fast music not such sappy love song slo-mo "latinos are so sensual" music. it looked interesting.

So I expect that if i went to DR and hung out at some "classic" bachata places my feelings would be quite different.

As far as bachata at salsa congresos, I agree that truth in advertising is the key to not alienating the dancers. If you know what you can expect then you can make an informed decision about what you want to do. Separate rooms are great whenever possible.

my dos kilos

 

[timberamayor]

To clarify what I mean Corny=Aventura

 

[Brownskin818]

Sorry for getting off topic with my bachata dislike. I exaggerate when I say it should die. It has its place, I just wish that it were more with the latin mix nights like wildbill said.

I dislike bachata because....

1. the music feels folksy and ploinky-ploink to me. i don't care for it. there are plenty of salsas like that too. i dont care for them either. there are only a couple of bachata songs that make me want to hit the floor.
2. in closed position, the dance is too intimate for me. its a sexual dance and i would need to be sexually attracted to my partner to want to dance bachata with him. otherwise, i feel creepy/icky being that close up on and slow grinding on somebody im not feeling or don't know.
3. in open position, the dance bores me. i love the elastic exchange of salsa. bachata doesnt have that. its quite stationary and slow in comparison. ive had some bachatas where the guy amped it up like a high-impact salsa, but then that didnt feel right. the dominican footwork adds a level of intricacy, but it doesn't lead to the kind of fix that i like.
4. ive been molested during a bachata . before the incident, i was turning down maybe 75% of bachata requests. since the incident, it's more like 99.9%. good riddance.