quixotedlm
Changui
Who is attending this year? I'm planning on going, but the event website and registration links don't seem to be operational - so no way to register, book hotel etc. Anyone know why registration is blocked?
San Francisco Salsa Congress 2011
- Thread starter quixotedlm
- Start date
Looks like registration is open now! Anyways, I'm looking for people to share a hotel room with me in San Fran. Any suggestions on how to get in touch with other dancers going to the congress?
mangomotion
Changui
I'll be there 
quixotedlm
Changui
i'll be there.
can't say what %, but i suspect you could stick to on2 almost all night if that's your thing.
can't say what %, but i suspect you could stick to on2 almost all night if that's your thing.
mangomotion
Changui
There are definitely enough on2 dancers for you to dance all night. I hope this means your thinking of coming! Save dances for me if you do!
Salsa Student
Son Montuno
I really wouldn't worry about it. My experience as an on2 lead in an area where 95%+ dance on1 is that most follows beyond the beginning stage can manage ok on2 (in fact some won't even realize they're not dancing on1).
Hey we are a couple intermediate/advanced dancers coming from singapore.this will be our first time to US and hoping to meet other dancers from.would begreat to meet u guys
Yupuhhuh
Changui
I had been planning not to risk the heartache of this event barring a miracle or something inspirational. Enter Willie Colon, only musician that could have moved me, I guess I'm in and will see if this Idilio will work out. Totally down to go get a bite sometime and a drink or what not.
salsamarty
Son
Interested in a repeat visit to Tamarindo Friday night?
mangomotion
Changui
I can't make it for dinner this year but I'll be there Thur thru Sat nights! See you all there.
I will be reaching venue sometime after 10pm.
The Cocomo yesterday felt not like a congress pre-party but like how a regular Thursday use to be about 2-3 years back. Crowded but not super crowded like congress pre-party in prior years. I probably saw only 20% of the regulars that one sees at El Valenciano or Beat. Mountuno Swing wasn't too inspiring either.
Yupuhhuh
Changui
That's a pretty spot on description, I was also mildly shocked that there weren't many 'regulars', oh and Montuno Swing, man they need to check themselves on what they play, song selection was pretty poor, though I thought playing quality was at least average
salsa business
I just wrote this article under the title SALSA BUSINESS and would love to hear from you, especially congress participants and the "in" crowd. In my 13 years of dancing I've never been in a group or even taken lessons so I'm an outsider. I would appreciate if you comment whether my hunch is correct. Why in this topic? Because it discusses mostly the SF congress.
It's too long to post it all, but here are some excerpts. The entire article is in my blog (link in signature on the bottom)
"For years, I was wondering why salsa remains below the surface of the mainstream entertainment in this country. It seemed puzzling that such a popular trend would not be explored by the big business. Mambo fever of the 50s became a country-wide phenomenon. Why not salsa dancing?...
Yet salsa doesn't seem to get much exposure in American media. No more ESPN broadcasts. So You Think You Can Dance fired Alex da Silva and never got anyone from the salsa world to replace him. Over the years, Dancing with the stars had only one salsa couple in one presentation. SF Jazz Festival used to have huge salsa nights at the Billy Graham Auditorium. There were Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri and other big stars + huge floor for dancing. I was covering the festival every year and talked organizers into issuing about 2 dozen free passes to dancers. Only 3 showed up. No more salsa dance nights at the festival. Swing dancers have had an outdoor dance floor at the Fillmore Jazz Festival for years, but no salsa until this year. Even Latin media is not covering SF salsa congress....
SF congress website states in its About section that "National media, newspapers and magazines have all documented the extraordinary event that the SF Bay Area International Salsa Congress has become." Yet, there's not one quote, one name, one publication. Either it's not true or the promoter is not aware of its benefits. Even salsacrazy.com no longer promotes the congress...
Could it be due to salsa entrepreneurs' narrow-minded view unable to see the forest for the trees? ...They try to cut corners and save pennies thus bypassing opportunities for growth. They alienate partners, squabble about minor issues and shoot themselves in the foot by breaking promises and deals. It's been proven time and again that "the customer is always right" and even if you lose a little now, the happy client will come back and, most importantly, tell others....My recent conversation with a businessman who dealt with salsa "venture capitalists" confirmed my suspicions..."
I just wrote this article under the title SALSA BUSINESS and would love to hear from you, especially congress participants and the "in" crowd. In my 13 years of dancing I've never been in a group or even taken lessons so I'm an outsider. I would appreciate if you comment whether my hunch is correct. Why in this topic? Because it discusses mostly the SF congress.
It's too long to post it all, but here are some excerpts. The entire article is in my blog (link in signature on the bottom)
"For years, I was wondering why salsa remains below the surface of the mainstream entertainment in this country. It seemed puzzling that such a popular trend would not be explored by the big business. Mambo fever of the 50s became a country-wide phenomenon. Why not salsa dancing?...
Yet salsa doesn't seem to get much exposure in American media. No more ESPN broadcasts. So You Think You Can Dance fired Alex da Silva and never got anyone from the salsa world to replace him. Over the years, Dancing with the stars had only one salsa couple in one presentation. SF Jazz Festival used to have huge salsa nights at the Billy Graham Auditorium. There were Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri and other big stars + huge floor for dancing. I was covering the festival every year and talked organizers into issuing about 2 dozen free passes to dancers. Only 3 showed up. No more salsa dance nights at the festival. Swing dancers have had an outdoor dance floor at the Fillmore Jazz Festival for years, but no salsa until this year. Even Latin media is not covering SF salsa congress....
SF congress website states in its About section that "National media, newspapers and magazines have all documented the extraordinary event that the SF Bay Area International Salsa Congress has become." Yet, there's not one quote, one name, one publication. Either it's not true or the promoter is not aware of its benefits. Even salsacrazy.com no longer promotes the congress...
Could it be due to salsa entrepreneurs' narrow-minded view unable to see the forest for the trees? ...They try to cut corners and save pennies thus bypassing opportunities for growth. They alienate partners, squabble about minor issues and shoot themselves in the foot by breaking promises and deals. It's been proven time and again that "the customer is always right" and even if you lose a little now, the happy client will come back and, most importantly, tell others....My recent conversation with a businessman who dealt with salsa "venture capitalists" confirmed my suspicions..."
Yupuhhuh
Changui
Look, soon I'll mention my experiences at the congress, but the article you write comes off very stilted, I've replied to at least one of your posts here on SF yet I've never received a reply, should I fault you for that? Yeah, I know as of this congress Ricardo Sanchez owes me 30 bucks but I ain't gonna cry about it, this guy may have started something, it doesn't necessarily means he really has a say now, I just watched Marco Ferrigno get surrounded and videotaped at this congress. This isn't about roses, it's about money, it's the reason bachata is becoming bigger, it's what plays a part in the stagnation of creativity for sure, but do you know how many performers pay for something like friday and sunday? Enough to keep the thing more than a single day of Willie Colon. If you really want to look at why things haven't been up to par in the bay area over the years then there are far more promising people to look at than Ricardo or Michelle.
Also on another note: SYTYCD didn't hire Liz Lira? I forgot about that, even though I'm not a huge fan, Liz Lira is a great dancer who is a great challenge to meet on the dance floor.
Also on another note: SYTYCD didn't hire Liz Lira? I forgot about that, even though I'm not a huge fan, Liz Lira is a great dancer who is a great challenge to meet on the dance floor.
Sorry if I didn't reply to your comment - I didn't see it as I'm not a regular on any forum.
As far as I know, Liz was not hired to replace Alex who even sat on the jury once, but never placed there again due to his incoherent comments.
Out of many replies I already got there was one from a very informed insider who said: my article was "spot-on" and I "only scratched the surface". That's why everyone's input is so important. If enough people speak out, maybe things will change.
As far as I know, Liz was not hired to replace Alex who even sat on the jury once, but never placed there again due to his incoherent comments.
Out of many replies I already got there was one from a very informed insider who said: my article was "spot-on" and I "only scratched the surface". That's why everyone's input is so important. If enough people speak out, maybe things will change.
Yupuhhuh
Changui
When you say something like Liz Lira has never been part of SYTYCD unfortunately speaks to your credibility, even though I mostly sympathize with what you say.
Hey when everyone speaks out and things change let me know, though to tell you the truth things could change very easily, congress has gotten boring for a good many people.
Edit: if you really care that much then why not hand the very informed people on this forum a summary of your article?