Sydney Salsa Congress: Salsa Dance Day 2, Shows and Party Insider Info…

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Sydney Salsa Congress, Day 2

So, Johnny Vasquez taught an absolutely huge class! Yes, he was on a raised stage, and yes, his crazy hyper energy prevailed upon the crowd, and everyone had a great time. It’s been a long time since I’ve actually seen him (about four years), since I believe he now resides in Mexico. He has quite the star presence, but seems to have returned to earth (or maybe it’s just an act) from his crazy antics of years past.

Saturday’s show were phenomenal. Highighted by an outstanding performance by Modus Vivendi, which flowed into a performance by Oliver and Luda (world champions).  Wow!  That was definitely the highlight of the Australian teams, but there were other total standouts for Australia.  What a huge number of great teams.

Ryoko and Ryu, once again, came out with a great, funny, and intricate routine that was performed exceptionally well, and got another very rare standing ovation. Gotta love these guys. Humble!

Another total standout, Utribe, from France (Paris?). I told you, my last trip to Paris was highlighted by the most fashionable, unique, gorgeous dancer’s (on2 exclusively almost) that I have ever seen. Body movement, grace, interpretation, connections, it’s all there.  These guys really impressed me.  Paris is one of the few places in the world I’d likely train before visiting.

Wow, Saturday nights’ shows were really great. I know I’ve said this before, but they were run really well, and seemed very short (and I am NOT a show watcher…).  As before, at about 10:30 the crowd disperses to the next room to dance, and as before the music tended to the fast New York style. Unlike other nights though, this night was absolutely packed to capacity. I was actually unable to dance at all for the first hour, and spilled over into the next room (of the shows) until security rallied us back in. Saturday, as expected, was the big night!

The band, Salsa TNT, a little more Cuban (which I liked), were very good. The dance partners, even more plentiful than before.  The DJ even played one slower song, later in the evening, in between the mambo tracks.  I stayed late, and by 1am, the crowd had significantly thinned. By 2am, there was a small crowd. I left at 2:30, with perhaps a hundred more left. I definitely danced to “drenched” status on Saturday night.

Tomorrow I’ll wrap up with the Sunday night closing, and finally the big wrap up, and comment s report (which is probably what most people are waitng for anyway). Sunday night was, by far, my favorite dance night of the entire congress, and had some absolutely hysterical things happen…

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