Canada 5th Salsa Congress October 4-8,2007 in Toronto

On recommmendations from friends and other salsa enthusiasts I decided to attend the congress. Toronto is one of my favorite cities. So much to see & do. So culturally diverse. Friday, Saturday, & Sunday proved to be an exciting, fun, and exhausting experience. I'm still smiling and wondering if I will ever get enough salsa! That is not to say that I didn't wish for some things to be different. Are we ever totally satisfied?

Workshops ranged from beginner to advanced levels on 1 and 2 or 1 and 2 combined.from 11 am to 5 pm. Picture taking and videoing during the workshops and performances was prohibited. They were allowed at Dancing 'Till Dawn with more than enough salseros(as) showing off their new and old skills. Although the rooms tended to be warm there was an abundance of cold refreshing water (or energy drink samples) and cool air in the hallways day & night. Others expressed wishes the classes had been slower paced or broken down more step by step. I was glad to hear from other salseros & salseras that the intermediate/advanced classes proved to be challenging in both tempo & skill. I thought it was just me! I actually stopped to watch on several occasions and was able to master most routines by the end of the class. Loved the Afro Cuban dance and body movement classes. Can't wait to view the free Cha Cha DVD/CD to refresh my memory on the great routine I learned. One of the Ladies' shine classes contained the steps I learned from the middle section of Tormente taught @ Energetic Soul Studios in Clawson. That was incentive for me to relax and go with the flow. Mostly, the instructors were very skilled, helpful, courteous, & able to communicate their instructions either verbally or in demonstration. One female instructor asked if anyone had questions and preceded to continue forward even though a number of hands went up. I wasn't sure if she didn't see them or just was nervous and was focussing on getting her instructions completed in the alloted time frame. As usual there was an abundance of ladies limiting the ability of experiencing the entire partnerwork routine in one class. In this class the instructor failed to have the leaders rotate to include the ladies on the sidelines. Leaving the room, I requested a moderator to intercede by requesting the instructor have the leaders rotate as I have experienced at previous congresses. Unfortunately, the instructor announced, "Someone complained so we have to change partners." The rotation only occured once with only a few leaders rotating in a unorganized fashion. I was one of the lucky ones to be asked to participate thanks to a very kind leader who was obviously with a usual dance partner . When asked back into the partnerwork I declined inviting the other uncoupled ladies to take my place. I was willing to chalk the expereince up to dance instruction style in progress until learning from a fellow Detroit salsero that this same instructor stressed the importance of using tact in his lunch and learn session following the class I just attended. Super Mario he is not! Perhaps he should listen to his own words!

There was plenty of time before the workshops and perfomances to grab a bite to eat, take in some sites, nap, or shop the vendors or city. Vendors wares ranged from shoes, t-shirts, purses, energy drinks, & dance wear to instructors selling their instructional cds/dvds. There was an abundance of restaurants internally and within walking distance There was even a grocery store on the way to the mall. However, if I am like any of my fellow dancers I sometimes fogot to eat and lacked sleep due to dancing to 3:30-4 am.

The performances displayed the varied skills from the amatuer to professional from a number of countries around the world & Canada. I am always amazed at the skill and talent of the performers, especailly the teens. The costumes ranged from glamorous & sexy to animalistic, humorous, or military. I don't recommend arriving late unless you are preparred to stand for 2 hours.

Then there was Dancing to Dawn as I affectionately call, "Dancing Until I Drop". The DJs expertly played a variety of Salsa, Mambo, Timba, & Cha Cha Cha. Saturday night's Jimmy Bosch and Orchestra kept me dancing until my feet hurt. Having worn out my favorite lower heeled shoes before the congress I was amazed to find my 3 inch heels served me well. Wearing dance sneakers for the workshops helped. Save for a minor backache Sunday morning, which I might add was well worth it and gone today, to experience the hours of dancing pleasure with skilled dancers. An added plus was having "Dance Ambassadors" one could ask to dance when others were not available or when insecuries with skill level overshadowed that "dance like no one is watching" feeling. I'm not sure if the "very shy" persons took advantage of this service. That might be intimidating. I'm not sure if the ambassadors searched the areas around the dance floor and asked those standing to dance. Although less intimidating for the shy or novice dancer it may be difficult for the ambassadors to distinguish the "onlooking" dancers from those hoping for a chance to dance. Although crowded and of course "sweaty" with the crowds thinning around 2:30 a.m. the majority of dancers were courteous. I only found one couple who consistently ran into me and others without apologizing or limiting their dance space. This just helps to prove the Canadian Salsa Congress has a reputation for being the friendliest one around. The dance floor began separating Friday night shortly limiting dance floor space. Prompt attention was paid in getting the floor back together to accomodate the salsa addicts. In fact, this salsera witnessed a gentleman inspecting the entire dance floors and carpet. Of course, true to salsa dancers love for dance, the carpet and halls sufficed in the interim. I witnessed no floor separation Saturday.

The hotel was beautiful, clean & comfortable, convenient, and accomodating. I was a little disappointed there was no refrigerator in the room to store beverages and snacks. Others were awaken by building construction. I can sleep through almost anything and was glad to miss that unfortunate expereince. Valet parking was pricey @ $30 per night. Not willing to chance the experience of having the car vandalized with items stolen from a nearby parking lot by one of my roommates the last time she stayed @ the Sheraton, we opted to pay the parking fee.

All in all, the experience was well worth it. Hopefully, I can remember what I learned and incorporate it into my dancing. My photographic memory is operating on slow shutter speed in trying to recall the footwork and upper body movement. Well, until the next time that is...
Shrn