2005 West Coast Salsa Congress
by Rebecca Luzcando
posted June 8, 2005

Following a mediocre congress experience in Chicago last winter, I was due for some fun in the sun. The 2005 West Coast Salsa Congress offered up unparalleled dancing, useful workshops and spectacular performances. As the 6th annual event, the Los Angeles congress had every detail of the experience down cold. From the flawless registration process that lasted all of 2 minutes to the last timely shuttle bus, Albert Torres Productions is to be highly congratulated for their impeccable attention to details. Here are some highlights:

SalsaLand. Even the name itself invokes awe-inspired worship. The venue, located in the Hollywood Park Casino's parking lot, was constructed during the two weeks before the congress. It was a whopping 173,000 square feet of dancing goodness (read: 4 football fields in size, which actually broke the record for the most flooring ever rented for any event)!!! In the center courtyard was a 2,000+ square foot covered dance floor, flanked by many smaller floors, the Café Mambo Restaurant, the Dance Performance Theatre and a vendors' gallery. The place was a land unto its own.

The Workshops. You name it, it was there. Lady's styling, Casino Rueda, Shines, Lifts and Tricks, Patterns, Spinning Technique, On 1, On 2 and on and on. The world-class lineup included favorites such as Edie & Al, Jayson Molina, Josie Neglia and Henry Herrera -- each revamping their curriculum from the last time. Workshops were all day, every day with no fewer that five to choose from each hour. All-in-all, these were the some of the best workshops I've been to so far.

The music. Anywhere you can find Mike Bello (who espouses connection to the rhythm of salsa), you're going to find good music. But, it didn't stop there. The congress offered a two-day musicians' seminar featuring an experienced team of instructors from both, the old and new schools. Live entertainment was performed by Oscar D'Leon, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Jimmy Bosch and Johnny Pacheco and other Salsa Greats. The enthusiasm for the artists and excitement in the air was obvious by the effort put forth by all the dancers. The two forces dueled it out all weekend long making it one of the best dance concerts of any congress.

The recovery. Due to constraints put forth by the airline industry, the Indianapolis group stayed a day after in L.A. Hungry tummies were attended to at Pablo's Mexican Cantina in Marina del Rey, tired feet and heads were pampered at Venice Beach and for the tireless at heart the afternoon was spent walking along the Hollywood walk of fame, where any good salsero would be most welcome.

The weekend was such a remarkable and unforgettable experience. I met amazing dancers from all over the globe, I barely ate or slept, and my dancing has changed forever. It was, truthfully and beyond doubt, like a little bit of heaven on earth!