DC Salsa Congress 2007 -- roll call [Archive]

Beto

05-13-2007, 10:42 AM

I'll be flying to Washington, D.C. to attend the 2007 D.C. Salsa Congress on June 8th and 9th.

So, who else will be there??? :cool:
I'm planning on being there Friday and Saturday night. Not sure about Sunday yet.

is social dancing in this congress primarily on1 or on2?
There's no way to give an exact percentage on the split but I will say that you'll be able to dance both at this congress. The DC/MD/VA scene dances on1, on2, rueda, bachata, merengue and pretty much everything else.

quixotedlm

05-13-2007, 12:30 PM

There's no way to give an exact percentage on the split but I will say that you'll be able to dance both at this congress. The DC/MD/VA scene dances on1, on2, rueda, bachata, merengue and pretty much everything else.

that really tempted me to look up ticket prices...:)

Big10

05-13-2007, 02:01 PM

I'm planning on being there Friday and Saturday night. Not sure about Sunday yet.
Well, I certainly look forward to meeting the world-famous Beto ;) -- along with everybody else!

There's no way to give an exact percentage on the split but I will say that you'll be able to dance both at this congress. The DC/MD/VA scene dances on1, on2, rueda, bachata, merengue and pretty much everything else.
But, for this Congress in particular, shouldn't we expect the overwhelming majority of people to be dancing On2? That was my impression of the preference for DC-area Salsa "addicts" (who are most likely to be populating the Congress), as well as looking at the list of performers/instructors for the 2007 Congress.

The friend who convinced me to go prefers On1 (like I do), and I had already resigned myself to having to sit out more dances than I typically would at a Salsa event here in Texas. It would be awesome for them to slip in a few Bachata songs during the weekend!

Vin

05-13-2007, 05:10 PM

Unfortunately I won't make it this year. I love the DC congress though. It has enough on1 and on2 to keep anyone happy imo. Any thoughts from TJ?

05-13-2007, 05:39 PM

Unfortunately I won't make it this year. I love the DC congress though. It has enough on1 and on2 to keep anyone happy imo. Any thoughts from TJ?
Well, I skipped last year, as I had to go out of town due to work, and all I remember from two years ago was:

The air-conditioning wasn't strong enough, and it was too hot in the main dance room. I think one of you mentioned that it was fixed the following year?

I spent an hour or so catching up with Winsome Lee who I went to college with.

A lot of that weekend was spent doing the "tourist" thing with a couple of Seattle salseras who were visiting.

Otherwise, the dancing was good. Not particularly memorable for me however.

mayanempire

05-13-2007, 09:45 PM

Had a great time at this congress last year. A few recaps and thoughts on last year's planning can be read here:

http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=13054

http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=12462&page=7

Lofland

05-14-2007, 02:07 AM

what's the male/female ratio in the DC salsa scene?

BrownSkin818

05-14-2007, 11:40 PM

I'll most likely be there! Thursday thru Monday to salsa-til-I-drop and catch up with old friends.

Big10, I'm surprised at your expectations! I could see being skeptical of one's dance card as an on1 follow at an on2 event. But I thought leads had it much easier in that you get to choose the beat. You're not an on2er so I don't imagine you'll be asking, "on1 or on2?" So pick your partners and just start dancing on1. It's often the case that on1 follows can't dance on2 because they haven't learned it. But on2 follows (more often than not) first started on1, so they can surely go back to it. I highly doubt women will turn you down or stop you once started because they realize you're on1. They'll oblige (and worst case scenario might make themselves less available for a future on1 dance if they're hardcore mambo). But whatever, I'm sure you'll get your dances. I'll of course steal you for a few! :p You too Beto! :p

Maya, you still doubting me chica? 8) And why is the Miami thing calling you louder than this shindig?

mayanempire

05-15-2007, 12:59 PM

I'll most likely be there! Thursday thru Monday to salsa-til-I-drop and catch up with old friends.

Big10, I'm surprised at your expectations! I could see being skeptical of one's dance card as an on1 follow at an on2 event. But I thought leads had it much easier in that you get to choose the beat. You're not an on2er so I don't imagine you'll be asking, "on1 or on2?" So pick your partners and just start dancing on1....
Maya, you still doubting me chica? 8) And why is the Miami thing calling you louder than this shindig?

LOL
The Mambo Project is calling me louder because my name is on the flyer! ha
I'm actually performing there, so it's a must. ;)

I'm still trying to swing DC, too, though, so I there's a good chance I'll be seeing you there (I mean, since you ARE "most likely" coming through and all!).

As for the on1 thing: one of my travel buddies was just as skeptical last year, as he is strictly an on1 dancer. I convinced him to come along and he has said he had a better time in DC than he did at the LA Congress, capital of on1. So there you have it. :)

BrownSkin818

05-15-2007, 03:28 PM

LOL
The Mambo Project is calling me louder because my name is on the flyer! ha
I'm actually performing there, so it's a must. ;)ahhhhhh sooky sooky now! (sp? :oops:) :lol: YOU GO GIRL!!! I'll most definitely be cheering from a distance... can't wait to the see the video!!
:banana:

mayanempire

05-15-2007, 04:00 PM

ahhhhhh sooky sooky now! (sp? :oops:) :lol: YOU GO GIRL!!! I'll most definitely be cheering from a distance... can't wait to the see the video!!
:banana:

hehe

Thanks, chica. Please don't remind me that there will be video!
Hope to see you in DC. :)

mayanempire

05-16-2007, 02:50 PM

Update: Found a cheap flight that I couldn't pass up. Disa, Beto, et al: look forward to seeing you guys. Big 10, look forward to meeting you and any others who are going. Save me a dance (on1 or on2)! ;)

Big10

05-16-2007, 05:12 PM

Big10, I'm surprised at your expectations!...

....So pick your partners and just start dancing on1. It's often the case that on1 follows can't dance on2 because they haven't learned it. But on2 follows (more often than not) first started on1, so they can surely go back to it. I highly doubt women will turn you down or stop you once started because they realize you're on1. They'll oblige (and worst case scenario might make themselves less available for a future on1 dance if they're hardcore mambo). But whatever, I'm sure you'll get your dances.
I guess the thing is that I'd prefer not to force my "1" on somebody, or to have a woman "oblige" me if she's a hardcore mambera and hates On1. (I did that a couple of years ago with a visiting performer, and it wasn't a pleasant experience.) I'd rather sit on the sidelines and watch, rather than go through the motions of receiving a pity dance that my follower can't get into.

In any event, you all are making me feel a little better about my On1 dance opportunities at the D.C. Congress (and I do dance Cha Cha Cha On2). Fair warning has now been given to BrownSkin818, mayanempire, and SheilaB! :cool:

starry

05-17-2007, 01:24 AM

Hi Big10, I'm from Philly, and I know a lot of Philly pholks go to the DC events and dance both On1 and On2. Most Philly peeps like both styles and like to switch it up according to the music. The DC folks are a fun crowd and very welcoming to everyone. Let us know how it went should you go.

SheilaB

05-17-2007, 08:46 AM

In any event, you all are making me feel a little better about my On1 dance opportunities at the D.C. Congress (and I do dance Cha Cha Cha On2). Fair warning has now been given to BrownSkin818, mayanempire, and SheilaB! :cool:

I consider myself warned and look forward to meeting you!:grin:

naturallove

05-18-2007, 05:24 AM

Looks like we're headed up to DC! I think my girls and I are leaving on Saturday, rather than Friday night but we'll be there! Gotta restock on my mambo fateegz gear (my t-shirts are kinda funky and not in a good way) and maybe another pair of dance shoes. Mayanempire and SheilaB, can't wait to see you guys! Big10, I'll be very upset if you don't 'force your 1 on me'. Actually, one of the best dances this mambo dancer had at the ATL Flava Invasion was with a very smooth on1 dancer. ;) The fact that you dance cha-cha on 2 to boot...I might be in love!:nope:

Big10

05-18-2007, 04:40 PM

Big10, I'll be very upset if you don't 'force your 1 on me'. Actually, one of the best dances this mambo dancer had at the ATL Flava Invasion was with a very smooth on1 dancer. ;) The fact that you dance cha-cha on 2 to boot...I might be in love!:nope:
:oops: ....... :lol:

Well, I'm glad to see that my list of dance partners is growing, even without stepping foot on the floor yet! Maybe I better stay off the dance floor, so that I don't disappoint anybody! Ha ha ha. I'm looking forward to it....

BrownSkin818

05-21-2007, 11:19 AM

question for the dc locals... some beginner friends of mine want to get into salsa so i need to expose them while im in town. theyve expressed interest in wanting to go to habana village the thursday before congress. however id wanted to take them to the congress pre-party at cecilias. whats your take on which is more doable for newbies? (theyve had maybe a month of lessons)

SheilaB

05-21-2007, 11:49 AM

whats your take on which is more doable for newbies? (theyve had maybe a month of lessons)

I'd choose Cecilia's :)

sara1011

05-21-2007, 09:11 PM

I'd choose Cecilia's :)

Definitely. The dance space at Habana Village is practically nonexistent.

lavaboi555

05-22-2007, 08:09 AM

habana village is a fun place for lessons, but gets packed later in the evening. it's located in the heart of adam's morgan. if you tire from the crowded tiny dance floor, you can check out the night life around the corner. habana village is basically a townhouse converted into a salsa venue trying to hold a party crowd. the place has lots of character.

the pre-party at cecila is probably a better choice if you want room to dance. especially if there is an official event there on thursday.

05-22-2007, 08:49 AM

Parking seemed to be an issue the handful of times that I went to Habana Village.

Beto

05-22-2007, 11:02 AM

Parking seemed to be an issue the handful of times that I went to Habana Village.
Parking's non-existent in Adams Morgan. Sometimes it's better to Metro in and walk the 10 minutes to Habana Village than it is to spend 20-45 minutes looking for parking.

Getting BOT, I agree, the pre-party at Cecilia's is the better option for newbies.

BrownSkin818

05-22-2007, 04:07 PM

And Cecilia's wins it 5 to 0! Thanks for the input guys. I'm gonna have them check out HV sometime over the next couple weeks. Then they can compare/contrast it with Cecilia's when I get there. :p

David_on2

05-30-2007, 09:29 PM

I'm very tempted to book my flight and pass. I have a travel voucher that I need to use before July. But hotel is the issue. Their block of rooms have sold out. Rates have doubled. :( I'm willing to share the cost of the room with anyone staying at the Sheraton National. PM me...thanks in advance!

David

p.s. please pardon my cross-posting ;)

BrownSkin818

06-04-2007, 10:43 AM

woo hoo! workshops are posted...

www dot capitalcongress.com/DCC2007_workshops.pdf

Big10

06-05-2007, 11:55 PM

woo hoo! workshops are posted...

www dot capitalcongress.com/DCC2007_workshops.pdf
Thanks!

Over the last couple of days, I've been exchanging e-mails with the local friend who'll be flying to D.C. with me, as well as the friend with whom we'll be staying in D.C. -- so I'm starting to get really excited. :banana: Thanks again to those of you who've offered to dance On1 with me....even though my friend called me a "player" when I told her about my online dance card. :nope: :oops:

I know what some of you look like, but if you don't know me, I'm temporarily posting a picture within my "public profile." I'm about 6'2". I've added a little facial hair since that picture was taken (moustache and goatee). For extra identification, I'll plan to wear a shirt with a "10" on it for Friday night -- although I have no idea what I'll wear on Saturday night.

Party time....:cool: