What else can salsa borrow from the Dancesport world?

[dancin/dj]

Nobody placing in the salsa *competition* circuit can be called a street dancer.
Not to nitpick, but the salsa elite are not street.

true and a lot of them took or take ballroom classes , pilates,jazz& tap,martial arts & some went to big name theater arts folks to learn how to do fancy lifts ...

 

[Pacion]

"Street" is not exactly a "one-size fits all" term, and I agree on Johnny Vasquez starting in the street category. (I haven't seen him compete in a few years... I don't believe he does anymore but since he's in Europe and I'm in the States, I could simply be ignorant.)

He didn't start with ballroom or jazz training, although along the way he adopted some of their principles.

To me, it comes across in his later dancing/choreography that he has been doing other dancing training. I do not believe he is competing here in Europe but... could be wrong (I am not a groupie, therefore can't say for sure ).

Josie Neglia and Terryl, Enio Cordero (sp) partner are a couple of other names I wanted to originally mention as non-street, IMO.

 

[Don Silver]

To me, it comes across in his later dancing/choreography that he has been doing other dancing training. I do not believe he is competing here in Europe but... could be wrong (I am not a groupie, therefore can't say for sure ).

Josie Neglia and Terryl, Enio Cordero (sp) partner are a couple of other names I wanted to originally mention as non-street, IMO.

You have that right, those three names all have extensive cross-training and they look the way they do mostly because they like their style.

I've seen Josie in some LA clubs in the last six months, and she looked very street on one dance (when her lead and the song happend to be more cuban influenced) and looked very refined, non-street with a different lead/tune.

I'm impressed by her range, and that is consistent with many of the long time dancers. She did a excellent job of enhancing and reflecting her partners feel.

People often believe trained dancers only dance one way, and base their like/dislike after seeing a few dances. Those dances, with those partners may or may not reflect their complete range.

Terryl & Enio are amazing, and their dance reflects their background and extensive cross-training with ballroom, swing and other dances. Enio's brother is one of those world-class swing/ballroom competition winners, and Enio is not far behind. I agree that Enio would not be considered street, but I suspect if he decided, it would take him a short time to adopt that feel.