Social dancing hall of fame :-)

SalsaGipsy

SalsaGipsy

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Staff member
This is inspired by the recent discussion about whether performers should be required to social dance. Here I am going to limit the discussion to the high-profile dancers (instructors or performers) that become the star attraction for various festivals and other events.

I would like to give it a positive spin and give the opportunity for those who have the right attitude and passion for dancing to get some positive promotion. Hopefully some promoters will read this and have it in mind when they decide who to book for their events.

So, who have you personally seen social dancing, been happy to dance with non-high-profile dancers, mingling and creating the right fun and inclusive atmosphere for the event? It would also help to mention what kind of event it was - big festival, medium or small event, etc.

Here is my list, for now only the names who come to my mind right now and will probably add more later.

First I have to mention SuperMario who is well-known for having zero celebrity attitude, dancing and chatting to everybody and generally spreading the fun. I have never, ever seen him dance or hang around in the celebrity corner. His attitude has been the same for small, medium and big events.

Tito Ortos I have seen once at a medium-sized festival and he looked happy to dance with anybody, smiling constantly.

Peter Fige has very delightful presence on the dance floor, lovely attitude. This was from two medium-sized festivals.

Hacha y Machete are also easy to recommend - lovely people, great down-to-earth attitude. This is from small-sized and medium-sized events.

Liz Lira I have seen twice at small events and she was dancing a lot, smiling, asking people and giving 100% for each dance.

Terry is also a passionate social dancer - this is from several medium-sized festivals.

To be continued...
 
When I think of celebs who do a lot of social dancing, the ones that immediately come to my mind are:
SuperMario
Magna
Mouaze
Terry
I see them regularly on the dancefloor even at large congresses, and they are all very approachable.
 
Tarek and Debbie of African Jet. Small festival, danced all night long and with absolutely everybody, each night for three nights - Debbie went around asking people to dance when people were too intimidated to approach her, and every one of the ladies I spoke to said that Tarek was a delight.

Also Paul Baarn, from the same festival and other ones of the same size - never seems to leave the dancefloor, dances with everyone, and I've been told by more than one person that he's an absolute gentleman.
 
Ciaran Hegarty said:
Also Paul Baarn, from the same festival and other ones of the same size - never seems to leave the dancefloor, dances with everyone, and I've been told by more than one person that he's an absolute gentleman.
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Second that re. Paul - one of my favourite leaders :) (though I tend not to see him as a salsa celeb really)
 
SalsaGipsy said:
Liz Lira I have seen twice at small events and she was dancing a lot, smiling, asking people and giving 100% for each dance.
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I've noticed the same. Liz is lovely.

I've noticed that Oliver often spends time at festivals throughout Australia catching up with people and dancing with friends, but never says no to requests. I asked him when he was clearly on his way somewhere, but he didn't mind at all.

Luda is very giving; you'd think she was one of the masses. She mingles freely and has no airs. However, the most generous I've come across is probably Nestor Manuelian.

Frankie - love him!
 
From my observation I agree about Liz Lira, Hacha & Machete, Magna and SuperMario dancing happily with everyone and anyone, both at big and small events.

The ones who have not been mentioned yet:

I've also found Ana Masacote very approachable and seen her dancing with everyone, both on bigger and medium-sized events.

A few years ago I participated in the All-Star-Salsa Cruise, I think it was 2009. The one who really stood out mingling, chatting, and dancing with everyone was Moe Flex. He was not only approachable but proactively approached the "normal participants" (for lack of a better word) not only during the salsa parties, but would mingle with everyone the whole time from check-in to check-out of the ship. He may not have been the most famous name on the ship, but for sure the most mingling instructor/performer/promoter.
 
Great thread - I second Magna.

Caveat:
Overall though, it depends on the experience/context. You will never know why/why not someone dances. Eg. you may think someone is a snob yet they are nursing an injury or have something else going on.

I do like seeing instructors who seem so passionate about their art despite the years/repetition and who mingle with everyone / not just camp in a corner with a clique. And I love watching those who seem to dance for the art and not an agenda.
 
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smiling28 said:
Caveat:
Overall though, it depends on the experience/context. You will never know why/why not someone dances. Eg. you may think someone is a snob yet they are nursing an injury or have something else going on.
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Yes, of course. That's why I'm hoping that, with more replies, the statistics will take care of it. For example, I have been to a party where Magna did not dance at all (it was at the time of her foot injury). But, since so many people mentioned her name here, I know it was not for lack of passion to dance. Not that I had any doubts but sill... :)
 
I second Olam and SG. Unless I have know them at some personal level or seen them on multiple occasions at multiple venues, it is very difficult to pass a judgement on anyone whether they are a star or a no name social dancer.
 
Jolinia said:
A few years ago I participated in the All-Star-Salsa Cruise, I think it was 2009. The one who really stood out mingling, chatting, and dancing with everyone was Moe Flex.
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I'm glad you mentioned Moe Flex - he's been ubiquitous at events in the UK and Ireland for the last few years so I tend to take him for granted. He has a natural gift with people, has a seemingly instinctive ability to read the energy of a crowd, and is great for trying to get everyone involved - if anyone was ever the life and soul of the party it would be him.
 
Juan Calderon (he's an On1 instructor in NJ) is VERY VERY friendly to dance with.
He goes up to any girl and dances with her, no matter her level.
I love dancing with him. (he's now promoting more bachata)
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Ismael Otero - he's crazy!!! (in a good sense) will never say no to anyone!
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Franklin Liranzo from Los Divos!!! He's a newcomer, been performing around NYC and SalsaCruise. Very friendly and will never miss out on a good dance.
 
EMOYENO said:
Juan Calderon (he's an On1 instructor in NJ) is VERY VERY friendly to dance with.
He goes up to any girl and dances with her, no matter her level.
I love dancing with him. (he's now promoting more bachata)
--------
Ismael Otero - he's crazy!!! (in a good sense) will never say no to anyone!
-------
Franklin Liranzo from Los Divos!!! He's a newcomer, been performing around NYC and SalsaCruise. Very friendly and will never miss out on a good dance.
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Franklin Liranzo? Really? One of the biggest snobs in NY. Never asks anyone he doesn't know. Gives off mega superior vibes. Dances to show off. And I'm really not the only one that thinks that. I'm surprised given that you seem to like and respect a certain style of dancing that you mention someone so totally into himself and not the music.
 
londongirl said:
Franklin Liranzo? Really? One of the biggest snobs in NY. Never asks anyone he doesn't know. Gives off mega superior vibes. Dances to show off. And I'm really not the only one that thinks that. I'm surprised given that you seem to like and respect a certain style of dancing that you mention someone so totally into himself and not the music.
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TOTALLY into himself?? really? that's new to me good info to know
 
EMOYENO said:
TOTALLY into himself?? really? that's new to me good info to know
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I guess you're friends with him? Sorry. Didn't realise. People often come across different to strangers. And if you're gonna recco someone for social dancing I tend to go for people who create a nice atmosphere for everyone not just their clique.
 
londongirl said:
I guess you're friends with him? Sorry. Didn't realise. People often come across different to strangers. And if you're gonna recco someone for social dancing I tend to go for people who create a nice atmosphere for everyone not just their clique.
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Well he's actually danced with me a couple of times. I dont chase him for a good dance, because I can pretty much guess what you mean. But I've talked to him on a lot of occassions. LOL I can pretty much understand what you mean. I dont have my clique believe me. I tend to be by myself. Ask Valentine! ;-) LOL
 
EMOYENO said:
Franklin Liranzo from Los Divos!!!
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Never heard of this guy before so looked him up on YouTube. First video that came up was of him dancing with a young man called Elvis Collado who I remembered from the one and only time I was ever in Club Cache a couple of years ago - myself and my wife were both blown away by him, neither of us had ever seen a man moving like that before. Great to finally be able to put a name to the face!
 
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