2006 Chicago Salsa Congress Returns

Update Again:
Check out the day pass options which are $115.00 for the full day or just $75.00 for the workshops.

The Heatwave Returns February 16-19
I was going to wait to post this blog for next week, but after navigating though the Chicago Salsa Congress website and noticing that their early bird discount for admission will expire on January 9 (They move the date from Jan 6 to Jan 9), I wanted to give everyone the heads up ASAP.

What is a Salsa Congress and why would I want to waste my valuable time and money going?

If you wish to grow as a dancer, I would highly recommend attending a few congresses from time to time. If you are content with your level, a congress may not be your cup of tea.

Salsa Congresses provide:
Salsa workshops taught by some of the best salsa dancers around the world.
Live dance performances every evening.
Social dancing every night on a huge dance floor with live bands.
Meeting and dancing with a lot of salsa dancers!!!

Ok, if I have sparked your interest, here are the details. Sign up before January 6 for the entire package (February 16-19) for $200. The price will inflate to $300 when the early bird discount expires. There are also day passes provided. If you do not want to head to the congress alone, give me an email, - a handful of us from IndySalsa will be attending the congress.

If you are still not convinced about going to a salsa congress, check out the salsa video clips from the 2005 Chicago Congress - we had a great time last year.

IntoSalsa Night is Back!

It has been over 2 months sense we had a Saturday night salsa venue. To pass the time on our Saturday nights most of us just stayed in, caught up on sleep or even worst, dare I say, go to a non-Latin nightclub! It is with great pleasure to announce that IntoSalsa’s Saturday night salsa venue is back! After taking a 2 month break and a change in venues, IntoSalsa Night is now back, bigger, better and badder! Every Saturday IntoSalsa Night will be held at the Vault in downtown Indianapolis. DJ Taz and Jimmie Jim will be spinning our favorite Latin and international beats. It was about 2 years ago when I was learning how to dance and IntoSalsa Night was held at a small Italian restaurant called IL Gargano. Even though their dance floor held only a handful of dancers we all had a great time and friendships were made. A lot has changed in the last 2 years with the introduction of Havana Night on Fridays and now the return of IntoSalsa Night. Let’s continue supporting our Latin venues, they give us so much and ask for so little in return. The social bonds and pleasurable experiences I have made though salsa dancing keeps me coming back for more. Until next time Indy, see you on the dance floor.

Orquesta Tropicoso Visits Indy!!!

Last Friday, IndySalsa, AlexAlex Events and EscapeLatino brought us Orquesta Tropicoso to Havana Night. Over 200 Latin dancers showed up to dance to Cincinnati's premier Latin ensemble. Everyone was very please with Tropicoso, they played Salsa, Merengue and Cha Cha (their own songs and a few covers) which kept the dance floor full on night long. The event reminded me of my experiences in Cincinnati while checking out Salsa Caliente, another premier Latin ensemble. El Master Franco, Indy's own Reggaeton artist performed during the Band’s intermission. Franco filled the dance floor with Reggaeton enthusiasts. He sings very fast and I wonder how he was able to take a breath thought out his songs. Overall it was a fantastic night; there is something special and unique that only a live band can provide to a Latin night. Look forward to seeing future bands at the Havana Night parties. I am still working on posting the pictures on IndySalsa, but for now here are a few teaser pictures.

Update, I have posted the pictures! You will be able to find them in the IndySalsa photo gallery.

Update on a Dancer's Recovery from Knee Surgery

It has been 2 months since my knee surgery. On week three I started to dance again, but I over did it and my knee got inflamed. It was nothing major, but a reminder that I am still not in the clear. My therapist suggested that I increase my level of dancing gradually. I follow their advice and I feel that I am on road to a 100% recovery. Was knee surgery worth the trouble? It is still to early to tell. I am able to dance, but my knees are a little soar the morning after. The real test will be when I resume practicing with my lovely dance partner Sonja and give 100% on the dance floor. It is hard to hold back, especially when one of my favorite songs is playing, but I will not expect anything less than full recovery. For now I will keep up with my strengthening exercises and take it easy on the dance floor for a few more weeks.

Side note, there were a few occasions where a Salsera approach me and ask for a dance and I declined. I only declined because I needed to take a one to two song break so that I do not inflame my knee. I love dancing with everyone here in Indy and I would not want to give a false impression that I was not interested in dancing with someone.

Music Mill an Upcoming Latin Venue

Look out Indy, we have another Latin promoter in town! Las Americas Entertainment gives us Noche Pa' Rumeros at the Music Mill. The Music Mill has over 3600 square feet of dance space, which makes it an ideal venue for salsa dancers. Currently Las Americas has hosted two Latin parties at the Music Mill. The last party was a pre-Thanksgiving Party (November 23). With the support of IndySalsa and Las America s' promotional effort, the Music Mill's huge dance floor was filled with energetic dancers. While I am still recovering from my knee surgery, I was able to dance for a handful of songs with some of my favorite dancers. Near the later half of the night , DJ Cisco from Chicago was spinning less salsa than I was accustom ed to; hopefully in future parties their DJs will keep the frequency of salsa high throughout out the night. The Music Mill has potential; will it be Indy's next Latin hit? We will have to wait and see. Here are the pictures from the pre-Thanksgiving party.