EL Guapo
Las Vegas Salsa Congress
Stardust Hotel
I was sitting in an office amid 120 degree weather last Thursday afternoon when I received a call from long time friend Anthony Biondo aka Tony-B. Tony was going to be in town for a night and a day, specifically for the 6th annual Salsa Congress. His girlfriend Adrianna was competiting in the event, which boasts the best Salsa dancers this side of the Mississippi. I naturally wanted to cover this event being an avid fan of salsa music and not wanting to pay the 40.00 entrance fee so I flexed my press credentials powers to the max. The Salsa congress has been convening for the last several years in an effort to expand the culture that bore Salsa music and the rhythmic gyrations that accompany such great music that spans several generations.
I met Tony at the Marriott suites and we made our way to the Stardust Hotel on the strip, we quickly got past the initial pleasantries and made our way to the nearest lounge. Press registration was a breeze. I spoke with Nate who described himself as the tall white boy amid a sea of Latin. He wasn't too hard to find and away we went. The event itself is a great example of culture that is so often misunderstood and associated with stereotypes not befitting nor giving credit to the artistic stamina needed to bring about such beauty to a culture long since passed over.
The ballroom was packed with an assortment of white, brown, yellow and black. These were the dedicated students of a cultural byproduct whose worth will always be unknown to the mainstream. Only those with the sense of style and grace could bring about envy to those with none.
My papa told me!
My parents were the hit of local Tri-state party and dance circuit of the 1970's. My sister and I would stay up late with the other kids high on Pepsi watching our parents dance the night away to Tito Puente, The Grand Combo, Orchestra Harlow, Willie Colon, The Fania All-Stars and many great Latin artists hitting you live. This was their peak. Many years later my friends and I would try to re-create this world in San Diego, hoping that our peak would rival that of those who came before us. In many ways they did. Sadly those peaks have the eventual downfall. The music like the memories are forever.
The actual competition was a fascinating spectacle in regimented dance, mixed with improvsation and flair. Salsa dancing and the dancers including Adrianna (tony's girlfriend) were spectactular. The movements are basic, it's the dancers with true skill who add the flavor and excitment to the routine. Adrianna and co. had enough flair and determination to make this competition a must see in Vegas or anywhere. I'll be honest i don't remember who won the overall event the Corona's were flowing that hot night in Las vegas.
I recommend to anyone needing a good injection of latin culture to visit or look up the Salsa congress online for any events being held in their cities. The music alone is worth the price of admission. The DJ and the dancers certainly knew their business. The salsa being played ranged from the really hot and heavy of the 60's and 70's to a few recent hits.
I blame you Father
I sat there watching the dance floor filling up with people shaking and strutting their stuff. I was pretty buzzed and i couldn't help noticing the hot,hot ladies waiting for a guy like me to ask them to dance. Except i couldnt..in all my years my father neglected to show me 3 things: 1)How to seduce women 2)how to throw a curveball and 3 how to dance!!
Highlights
It was great seeing my friends again it had been too long. The music and solidarity of the event left me wanting more. The organizers of the event knew how to put this thing together and it was evident. The music and dancing were beyond my expectations. Much credit to Adrianna and co for a great performance(and pic). Look for this event in a city near you and for god's sake learn how to dance!
Stardust Hotel
I was sitting in an office amid 120 degree weather last Thursday afternoon when I received a call from long time friend Anthony Biondo aka Tony-B. Tony was going to be in town for a night and a day, specifically for the 6th annual Salsa Congress. His girlfriend Adrianna was competiting in the event, which boasts the best Salsa dancers this side of the Mississippi. I naturally wanted to cover this event being an avid fan of salsa music and not wanting to pay the 40.00 entrance fee so I flexed my press credentials powers to the max. The Salsa congress has been convening for the last several years in an effort to expand the culture that bore Salsa music and the rhythmic gyrations that accompany such great music that spans several generations.
I met Tony at the Marriott suites and we made our way to the Stardust Hotel on the strip, we quickly got past the initial pleasantries and made our way to the nearest lounge. Press registration was a breeze. I spoke with Nate who described himself as the tall white boy amid a sea of Latin. He wasn't too hard to find and away we went. The event itself is a great example of culture that is so often misunderstood and associated with stereotypes not befitting nor giving credit to the artistic stamina needed to bring about such beauty to a culture long since passed over.
The ballroom was packed with an assortment of white, brown, yellow and black. These were the dedicated students of a cultural byproduct whose worth will always be unknown to the mainstream. Only those with the sense of style and grace could bring about envy to those with none.
My papa told me!
My parents were the hit of local Tri-state party and dance circuit of the 1970's. My sister and I would stay up late with the other kids high on Pepsi watching our parents dance the night away to Tito Puente, The Grand Combo, Orchestra Harlow, Willie Colon, The Fania All-Stars and many great Latin artists hitting you live. This was their peak. Many years later my friends and I would try to re-create this world in San Diego, hoping that our peak would rival that of those who came before us. In many ways they did. Sadly those peaks have the eventual downfall. The music like the memories are forever.
The actual competition was a fascinating spectacle in regimented dance, mixed with improvsation and flair. Salsa dancing and the dancers including Adrianna (tony's girlfriend) were spectactular. The movements are basic, it's the dancers with true skill who add the flavor and excitment to the routine. Adrianna and co. had enough flair and determination to make this competition a must see in Vegas or anywhere. I'll be honest i don't remember who won the overall event the Corona's were flowing that hot night in Las vegas.
I recommend to anyone needing a good injection of latin culture to visit or look up the Salsa congress online for any events being held in their cities. The music alone is worth the price of admission. The DJ and the dancers certainly knew their business. The salsa being played ranged from the really hot and heavy of the 60's and 70's to a few recent hits.
I blame you Father
I sat there watching the dance floor filling up with people shaking and strutting their stuff. I was pretty buzzed and i couldn't help noticing the hot,hot ladies waiting for a guy like me to ask them to dance. Except i couldnt..in all my years my father neglected to show me 3 things: 1)How to seduce women 2)how to throw a curveball and 3 how to dance!!
Highlights
It was great seeing my friends again it had been too long. The music and solidarity of the event left me wanting more. The organizers of the event knew how to put this thing together and it was evident. The music and dancing were beyond my expectations. Much credit to Adrianna and co for a great performance(and pic). Look for this event in a city near you and for god's sake learn how to dance!
posted by Angelo P. at 12:48 PM
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