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July 4th - Super Salsa Congress Weekend

Posted on July 3rd, 2008 by Allan Tabilas

In the United States, the Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.   For some reason, this July the 4th is also super salsa congress weekend in the U.S., with three large scale salsa events occurring simulataneously. (Update at bottom with the Croatian Summer Salsa Festival)

Philadelphia Salsa Congress 2008 The 2008 Philadelphia Salsa Congress celebrates its 4th (5th) anniversary at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on 1101 Arch St, Philadelphia.   The event features such artists as Andy Cruz y Los Soneros Del Swing, Henry Herrera, Mas Mambo, Tropical Image, and Son De Cali.  Promoter Willie Torres who is part of the Salsa Seven group behind the World Salsa Championships is also working on an upcoming film called Born to Salsa, the Movie.  For some of the footage from the past two years, please check our 2006 video gallery and 2007 video gallery.  Additionally, competitors can quality for the 2008 World Salsa Championships at the Philly Congress in the on1, on2, cabaret, and team division.   The 2006 qualifying round saw on1/on2 couple Darlin Garcia and Kathleen Eccleston and cabaret couple Victor Colon and Sonya Elmore qualify was the initial spark behind our documentary at the World Salsa Championships, Salsamentary.  Nuevotec’s Harry Sanabria will be on hand for the 2008 congress.

Las Vegas Salsa Congress 2008 Sin City and salsa come together with the 5th annual Las Vegas Salsa Congress at the Tropicana Casino and Resort.   The festival is organized by the 2006 Mayan World team champions and 2006 World Salsa Championships top 10 finalist Sin City Salseros (Oscar Coronado and Nathan Strager), along with David Nieto, who placed 3rd in the on1 division at the 2008 World Salsa championships.  Headlining the congress is one of the finest dance teams in the world, Tropical Gem from Italy.  Nathan Strager has told us that 2008 will be its largest event yet, with an incredible amount of artists and performers, with strong representation from Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco groups.  Coverage of the event will be provided by Nuevotec’s Allan Tabilas and Living in Rhythm International’s Joe Figueroa.  You can also qualify for the 2008 World Salsa Championships here!

Orlando Salsa Congress 2008 logoOrlando keeps the Fourth of July weekend hot with the 3rd annual 2008 Orlando Salsa Congress.   Promoters Frank Fuentes, Michael Barbieri (Salsa Heat), and Joseluis Gutierrez have scheduled artists such as Yamulee, Masacote, Salsa Heat, ClaveKazi, and the Cobo Brothers to beautiful Central Florida.  We’ve heard great things about the event, but cannot make it this year.   However, there will be tons of salsa media coverage from iMambo.tv, SalsaDynasty, and BorntoSalsa.  Local Orlando TV shot Hot Spots covered the 2007 event, which you can find directly on the home page.

Update - Croatia has its 4th Croatian Summer Salsa Festival in Rovinj, Croatia from July 3-6 also.  There is a highlights video on the front page which looks very hot with beach parties, performances, and workshops.   The event is organized by Los Mamberos from Croatia.

This weekend promises plenty of salsa fun (in the U.S.) on the east and west coast, and the south.   If you see us at any of the events, please say hi!

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Salsamentary (a documentary)

Posted on February 8th, 2008 by Allan Tabilas

We are pleased to announce our first documentary, Salsamentary. The documentary is available through:

  • Video gallery on our website - click here
  • Subscribe to the Salsamentary Podcast (iTunes) Subscribe to the Salsamentary Podcast via iTunes. (preferred and easiest way of watching the documentary)
  • Since 2005, Salsa dancers from around the globe have competed for first place at the World Salsa Championships.

    In 2006, we followed two couples from Philadelphia, and one from the Netherlands in their attempt to be the world’s best from their respective divisions. The couples are:


    Darlin Garcia (on1 division)
    Dominican Republic
    Kathleen Eccleston (on1 division)
    Cherry Hill, NJ
    Taiti Walter (on2 division)
    Curacao and the Netherlands
    In his early twenties, Darlin is one of Philadelphia’s most talented and accomplished dancers. He’s competed in several competitions and as a cofounder of Art in Motion, been a veteran of national and international salsa congresses. A former gymnast, Kathleen started dancing salsa with Masacote’s Ana Massicot and the Atrium’s Barbara Capaldi. She soon gained experience with New Jersey’s Salseros Unidos, then joined Art in Motion. With salsa experience gained from the Netherlands based team Matanza, Taiti and partner Cristel have traveled Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. They are in demand for their salsa and zouk workshops.
    Cristel Beijkirch (on2 division)
    The Hague, Netherlands
    Victor Colon (cabaret division)
    Puerto Rico & Philadelphia, Pa
    Sonya Elmore (cabaret division)
    Russia & Bensalem, Pa
    A physical therapy graduate and a former gymnast, Cristel has roots from both Holland and Suriname. Along with partner Taiti, she was one of the first couples from Matanza. Her love of salsa has called her to countries such as China, India, Bulgaria, and the United States. A graduate of Penn State University with a degree in engineering, Victor has quickly built a name for himself in Philadelphia and South Jersey. Having teamed up with Sonya Elmore, the dance couple have competed both regionally and in Puerto Rico. As a longtime competitor in ballroom dance world, Sonya was bit by the salsa bug in her travels to Los Angeles. Sonya owns La Luna Dance Studio, one of the largest dance schools in the Philadelphia area. Her pro team is Luna Negra dancers.

    Currently at 13 chapters, with one more forthcoming, the documentary is over 1 hour and 40 minutes. The iTunes podcast allows you to download the files locally to your machine to watch at your leisure.The documentary also features interviews from 2005 on1 champions Abel Pena and Zulmara Torres, 2005 on2 champions Oliver Pineda and Luda Kroitor, 2005 on1 3rd place couple Roberto Arenas and Marie-Josee Strazzero, Salsa Seven Inc. members Albert Torres and Rob Beiner, Griselle Ponce (Taima), Yesenia Peralta and Ismael Otero (Caribbean Soul), Burju Perez (Hacha y Machete), Ana and Joel Massicot (Masacote). More information is forthcoming. Alternative images:

    iTunes Salsamentary podcast download instructions

    For Apple’s own instructions, please follow this link.

    1. Install the iTunes client on your Windows XP PC or Mac OS X machine. Launch iTunes.

    2. In the left pane, click the iTunes Store link.

    3. Once you are in the iTunes Store, go to the search bar in the upper right hand corner, type Salsamentary, and press enter.

    4. In the right corner where it says “Podcasts”, one result should come up with the Salsamentary podcast. Click on the podcast.

    5. Click the subscribe button to subscribe to the podcast. Your computer will download the first video of the podcast (Trailer 1). You must manually download the other chapters.

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