MAMBO_CEC
Son Montuno
This review is based on my thoughts and opinions only, taking into account that I prefer to dance On2 when I attend congresses.
Location:
The congress hotel was situated in the Marival resort and suites in Riviera Nayarit Mexico. It was a really nice resort with big clean rooms, our room faced onto the beach and all our meals were included in the package. This congress also had the feel of a mini vacation for me.
Congress:
Thursday night:
The main salsa room was called the Mambo Room. The theme was Winter white party; everyone was all dressed in white. Lots of on1 dancers, lots of couples, lots of salsa romantica .This was the night I danced the least as I was still recovering from a longish flight. The night also had a laid back vibe to it, did manage however to get in some excellent dances despite the overabundance of salsa romantica and get acquainted with some of the dancers I would be dancing with over the next 3 nights. Thankfully no shows to attend
Friday night:
Theme Burlesque: Again lots of people dressed up in their Burlesque attire, this seems to be a non-American phenomenon as I‘ve yet to go to an American congress that had a themed night. This was the night where the shows seemed to go on for ages, eating into the social dancing time. Managed an excellent hour or so of social dancing with the highlight being two wonderful wonderful dances with Burju and Cecile. It was already 1 am in the morning when a TIMBA band came on a played what seemed to be a never ending set, they also played really loud, ear-splittingly so. I spent most of that time in the lobby or observing the goings on in the Sensual Room (Bachata and Kizomba). I did however get to see some amazing impromptu rumba performances from Mykael Fonts and Alien and some of the other Cuban dancers in attendance. Once the set was over the Djs played Romantica until the end.
Saturday Night:
This was one of the best nights ever in a congress that I have attended both for performances and social dancing, it was also the best attended night, and it was a themed night Rockabilly. There were so many amazing follows ( so much sabor, flava and Musicality) and all On2, I would be hard pressed to remember anyone dancing On1, I danced until my feet hurt, some of follows two in particular were so amazing to dance with I was asking them 3 or 4 times a night to dance (Yasmin and Vicky…awesome stuff). Had some fun dances with two ladies from Chicago and also two ladies from LA. Mexican salseras rock!!! Awesome Djs great music!!!
Sunday Night:
Most laid back night of the congress, again wonderful performances, also great social dancing there were in fact a small amount of shows which were of the highest quality (Hint to promoters here). Had some wonderful dances again with the local salseras and my new found salsera buddies and a kicking mambo with the missus all topped off by a wonderful concert by the great Menique, who also complimented my dancing (well sort of.). Highlight was two wonderful dances with a local celeb Maritza and Karen (Ricardo y Karen)!!! Went to bed tired but happy.
Final observations
This was another fantastic congress. I’ve never seen so many amazing follows all in one place apart from a NY social or the Milan On2 congress. The leads weren’t too shabby either, the resort was wonderful, with pools, sand, ocean and salsa what else do you need…awesome experience for my last overseas congress. Also lots of Bow-ties in attendance!!!!
Location:
The congress hotel was situated in the Marival resort and suites in Riviera Nayarit Mexico. It was a really nice resort with big clean rooms, our room faced onto the beach and all our meals were included in the package. This congress also had the feel of a mini vacation for me.
Congress:
Thursday night:
The main salsa room was called the Mambo Room. The theme was Winter white party; everyone was all dressed in white. Lots of on1 dancers, lots of couples, lots of salsa romantica .This was the night I danced the least as I was still recovering from a longish flight. The night also had a laid back vibe to it, did manage however to get in some excellent dances despite the overabundance of salsa romantica and get acquainted with some of the dancers I would be dancing with over the next 3 nights. Thankfully no shows to attend
Friday night:
Theme Burlesque: Again lots of people dressed up in their Burlesque attire, this seems to be a non-American phenomenon as I‘ve yet to go to an American congress that had a themed night. This was the night where the shows seemed to go on for ages, eating into the social dancing time. Managed an excellent hour or so of social dancing with the highlight being two wonderful wonderful dances with Burju and Cecile. It was already 1 am in the morning when a TIMBA band came on a played what seemed to be a never ending set, they also played really loud, ear-splittingly so. I spent most of that time in the lobby or observing the goings on in the Sensual Room (Bachata and Kizomba). I did however get to see some amazing impromptu rumba performances from Mykael Fonts and Alien and some of the other Cuban dancers in attendance. Once the set was over the Djs played Romantica until the end.
Saturday Night:
This was one of the best nights ever in a congress that I have attended both for performances and social dancing, it was also the best attended night, and it was a themed night Rockabilly. There were so many amazing follows ( so much sabor, flava and Musicality) and all On2, I would be hard pressed to remember anyone dancing On1, I danced until my feet hurt, some of follows two in particular were so amazing to dance with I was asking them 3 or 4 times a night to dance (Yasmin and Vicky…awesome stuff). Had some fun dances with two ladies from Chicago and also two ladies from LA. Mexican salseras rock!!! Awesome Djs great music!!!
Sunday Night:
Most laid back night of the congress, again wonderful performances, also great social dancing there were in fact a small amount of shows which were of the highest quality (Hint to promoters here). Had some wonderful dances again with the local salseras and my new found salsera buddies and a kicking mambo with the missus all topped off by a wonderful concert by the great Menique, who also complimented my dancing (well sort of.). Highlight was two wonderful dances with a local celeb Maritza and Karen (Ricardo y Karen)!!! Went to bed tired but happy.
Final observations
This was another fantastic congress. I’ve never seen so many amazing follows all in one place apart from a NY social or the Milan On2 congress. The leads weren’t too shabby either, the resort was wonderful, with pools, sand, ocean and salsa what else do you need…awesome experience for my last overseas congress. Also lots of Bow-ties in attendance!!!!
Sounds like a great time!