Reasons for Salsa Dance Schools to Boycott Congress Organizers

This article is written in response to the discussion between “Mama” and Lee “El Gringuito” in the comment section of the article “DC Bachata Congress Offers Smorgasbord” written by Wil Shamlin. The anonymous responder “Mama” commented on her not attending the DC Salsa and Bachata Congress held in the weekend of August 19 until 22, 2010.

She wrote, “It is unfortunate that there wasn't any Cuban salsa to be found at the event. With so many great instructors right in the DC area, the history of salsa was totally ignored. I did not go because of it and wouldn't encourage any casineros to go either in the future. If lap dancing can be included - so can some AfroCuban dancing”. DJ Lee “El Gringuito” - one of the organizers and promoters of the congress – responded, “There was a Casino De Rueda class. In fact, we reached out to the Cuban Rueda Community and no one got back to us. We wanted to do an entire Cuban themed night, but our phone calls were unanswered.” But, “El Gringuito” stays hopeful. “Next year we hope to make this a vital part of the weekend. In regards to "the history of salsa was totally ignored" we are a Bachata and World Dance Festival. We do our best to include all dances,” he added.

We can only guess the real reasons for the Cuban instructors in the Washington DC area to not respond to the calls of the congress organizers. Some Salsa dance school owners said in the past that they refused to collaborate with congress organizers because:

1. The congress organizers are not trustworthy, or they simply do not like the personalities of these organizers.
2. The congress organizers do not share their profits with local Salsa schools.
3. The local Salsa masters have not gotten enough exposure during past editions of the congresses.
4. They do not see the added value to their own dance schools.
5. They do not want to risk their good reputations by supporting organizations of which they have little faith in their professionalism and organizing qualities.

These Salsa owners forget that the success of any Salsa congress depends greatly on the engagement of the local Salsa dance schools and instructors. Congress organizers invest large sums of money, so they take a huge risk in order for them to promote and spread the love of Salsa and other Latin dances in their cities and countries.

By the way: one of the teachers on the program of the DC Bachata and Salsa Congress 2010 was the Cuban Salsa and Rueda de Casino expert Barb Bernstein's from www.danceintime.com  productions based in Baltimore, U.S.A.

This is a clip of Barbara Bernstein explaining the “Sombrero” Miami Style turn pattern used in Rueda de Casino.