Salsa Congresses/Festivals in Spain

G

GRx

Hi I used the search function but couldn't find answers to some of my specific questions. If anyone can help I would appreciate it.

I am planning a trip to Spain with a few friends for 2008. We want to time it with a big congress if possible. The main spots we want to hit within a 2 week period are Barcelona, San Sebastien, Sevilla, parts of Costa del Sol and Ibiza.

We wouldn't mind staying at one place for 3 days to hit up a congress and after that we would like to move on and check out the spots mentioned above.

So can anyone please list the dates/websites of the major congresses in Spain in 2008? In addition, a listing of all the best Salsa clubs in the areas mentioned OR any other cities/places you would recommend for great dancing. Thanks very much in advance.
 
I HAVE THE ANSWER FOR YOU: SIMPOSIUM OF MADRID!!!

simposalsa.com/

Eddie....

2008EddieTorres_Big.jpg





Frankie....

2008FrankieMartinez_Big.jpg




Ferna...

2008TropicalGem_Big.jpg




Adolfo...

2008AdolfoMelissa_Big.jpg



and many more!!!
 
Mambo Italiano said:
I HAVE THE ANSWER FOR YOU: SIMPOSIUM OF MADRID!!!

---.simposalsa.com
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I was there this year. It looks like their lineup for 2008 is more impressive than 2007 - Frankie & Abakua co. were there in 2007 too but not as instructor.

I should give a few warnings.

The floor at Sala Riviera (party venue) is pretty much all concrete and not level in some parts.

The first night, the floor was filled with all kinds of rubbish people tossed on the floor during the shows. Yuck. It was better on last couple of nights though.

I think the place where they hold the workshop is very far away from the party venue.

Madrid itself is dominated by Cuban dancers - at least among the ones I visited. I think there's one place for cross body people (Tropical House) at the time, but I never made it there so I don't know what it's like. Congress itself is pretty much all cross body (LA/NY) by contrast.

When picking up the tickets, don't be fashionably late. That results in even longer wait outdoors. Either be there at or before opening (and then go out for dinner before coming back) or get there well after 1 AM. This is Spain we're talking about so everyone's late. The shows will start about 1 1/2 to 2 hours after advertised time. The only thing that started more or less on time was Frankie Martinez's "musical" on Sunday - I think that was a very special case. I suppose this is something the promoters can effect a change, but somehow I doubt it.

You probably want to be able to speak Spanish if you're talking to ticketing agents, info, etc.

Otherwise, I thought it was alright - rescued by better dancers from out of town and out of country...
 
The floor at Sala Riviera (party venue) is pretty much all concrete and not level in some parts.

I think the place where they hold the workshop is very far away from the party venue.
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I think I heard of this from one of my instructor's friends. She did not recommend this one.

She also complained that the hotel where they put her in was far from the party place. And the shuttle buses ended pretty early and she would miss the party since it would not start until very late.

Thanks for the info. Anything more?
 
Is one better than the other?

SPAIN SALSA CONGRESS - June 27 - 29, 2008. Barcelona, Spain

SPAIN SALSA FESTIVAL - July 4 - 6, 2008. Barcelona,Spain
 
GRx said:
Is one better than the other?

SPAIN SALSA CONGRESS - June 27 - 29, 2008. Barcelona, Spain

SPAIN SALSA FESTIVAL - July 4 - 6, 2008. Barcelona,Spain
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I've been the the July one. Don't take your best shoes as it's an outdoor event and the dancefloor can get gritty. Also, a lot of the dance floor is on a slope so you tend to travel a bit during the dance.

The band was excellent - Johnny Polanco and his band.

I only attended the parties so can't comment on the workshops. Parties ended at 3am (2am on the Sunday) but continued at a club about 20 minutes' drive from the congress venue. I Didn't make it to those parties.
 
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