2005 Chicago International Salsa Congress Review by Shirley Fastner

February 17 - 20, 2005 Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Chicago

Despite the marathon pace and any disorganization, I would not have missed the Fourth Annual Chicago Salsa Congresso for the world. Once again, we have Cultural Expressions to thank for all of their efforts. When all was said and done, it was great. The key was in pacing oneself. Do the math - with a schedule that ran from 9 a.m until 3 a.m. - not much time remains for sleeping or anything else. Although amazingly more than one person did slip over to the Auto Show next door in between the early evening and prime time dance performances. It was particularly unique to have approximately 24 Navy volunteers helping out at this event. Nice to see them enjoying themselves and they did a great job.

As usual, the schedule was constantly a work in progress, however, the biggest changes seemed to occur in the workshops. Classes that were listed as being taught on "l" were later listed as being on "2" on the day of the event. Sometimes one did not get that information until one arrived at the class only to find it was being taught on the opposite beat of what was listed. Also, at times it was a bit confusing walking back and forth from the ballroom to the other classrooms and figuring out where the shows would be held.

The extravaganza opened Thursday night with dance performances getting underway around 9:45 p.m. Ray Rubio was the main host once again - always a good choice. Maybe it's just me, but I could listen to him and his jokes all night. (He's back on 1240 AM with salsa for those who want to know). Throughout the weekend most of the instructors got out on stage and displayed their talents. Once again, I want those costumes! There was the dead time between the early and late performances with really only the main hotel restaurant and the snack bar from which to replenish oneself, although the all-important Starbucks was available.

The Johnny Polanco Orchestra got things going the first night and as Polanco is a staple of the L.A. salsa dance scene, one is always guaranteed a great night of dancing (not standing there wishing for a DJ). Albert Torres, THEE salsa event man in L.A., and Polanco's manager, was ever present as he usually is for any major salsa occurrence.

Friday, February 18, 2005

On Friday, there were workshops from 9 to 3pm, but I only took 2 classes,Yesenia Adame's Ladies Styling and Thomas Guerrero's Partnering. The first was fascinating, but unless you were right in front, it was hard to see and the latter, which was supposed to be on 1, became an on-2 class on the daily updated schedule. My partner for that class demanded to see the moves demonstrated on 1 and Guerrero complied. In general I chose the classes I knew I would like and so I really have to say they were all good. Of course, as has been said before, one can only absorb 2 or 3 classes a day. Actually, without a video, it is hard to remember any of the moves if you are not using them immediately, but I still feel that something rubs off and that one's dancing is just that much better simply for having attended. Also, I guess, if one is a veteran, after awhile you just know who teaches on 1 and who teaches on 2.

Then we were back at the shows. The afternoon shows started around 4:00pm and were hosted by SalsaChicago.com's Miguel "Lsalsero" Mendez and Luis "Electrico" Diaz, who also received a lifetime achievement award for his dedication to Chicago's Salsa scene.

Halfway through the evening show, awards were given out. One of the performers, Gordon Neil, actually did some singing as well, when goaded by the audience. Despite some really creative standouts, such as "Jane's Salseros" (all the way from Korea even starting out teasing us in traditional dress), two hours was a long time to sit and still have energy to dance with the performances ending around 11:30 p.m.

Unfortunately, the Festival de Rueda that Mark Scollar worked hard to put together was cancelled for the evening just as it got underway as I understand the ballroom was suddenly needed for a sound check, so 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. was a blank. This was too bad as there would have finally been something to fill the schedule between twilite and prime time shows for those of us unable to nap. Well, then there were all of the wonderful vendors. One could always buy shoes (and I did).

I was so tired after a day of activities on Friday, that when I walked into the Main Ballroom at midnight and my beloved Andy Montanez still had not yet begun, I had to seek sleep, no matter how much I adore him.

Saturday, February 19, 2005

On Saturday I took some of Addie's Ladies Power Combo (no men allowed!) which I actually managed to do on "2". The afternoon show was particularly important to Miguel Mendez because it was the debut performance of his son Michael Angelo dancing with Descarga Caribe's PaLante dance company. That afternoon Mark Scollar managed to hold for a little while the Rueda Festival following the early dance presentation. This was the only Rueda event and it was fun.

Los Soneros del Barrio featuring Frankie Vasquez came on around 12:15 a.m. with their classic "old school" salsa, played about 45 minutes and had the dance floor packed. Saturday night in general was probably the most well attended, with some people coming in only for that evening. When Los Sonereos weren't back on by 1:45 a.m., I decided I had to save my strength for one more full-blown day and my Eddie Palmieri. There were sublime dancers present in the evenings along with all of the performers and instructors out there on the dance floor. It was great to have partners of such different and creative styles - the caliber of dancing was so inspiring. It was also fun meeting people from everywhere at all of the events.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

On Sunday I took some of Sonia & Morris's class on Shines & Turns on 2, Tommy & Gregory's cha cha and Juan Calderon's Partnering, which he claims he teaches for 1 & 2. It was great to see someone "signing" (for the hearing impaired) for one of the men that I danced with in one of my workshops so that everyone can enjoy salsa!

The Sunday matinee performance was the big Youth Showcase which was very impressive, although at times it is scary to see little kids looking so sexy. Sunday was also the first evening with regular open salsa dancing between shows, although once again, people were probably collapsed elsewhere, garnering strength for their last hurrah. At 9:30, the Navy Color Guard opened the last evening dance performance with their display. Once again, throughout the whole Congresso, I had too many favorite performers to mention here - so much talent - save to say that Andy Cruz and Company and Leonardo "Chino" Montalvo really stood out. The grand finale musical performance was that of none other than Eddie Palmieri and La Perfecta II with the outstanding Herman Olvera on vocals. Palmieri is always a joy to behold as he will forever be known as one of the founding fathers of salsa as we know it. It would be hard to find a better act to close the Congresso and send us all home with fond memories, if one was still able to stand.

Post-Congresso, I think I noticed ever so slightly that those who participated in the Congresso are those who work at their dancing and seem to stand out a little more when I dance with them. It does show when you work on your dancing and to have a candy store of instructors to draw from all in one place at one time is something to take advantage of. Also, the love of salsa/addiction truly brings out the most interesting people from all walks of life - all joined by the love of this music and dance. Creating "unity through salsa", as Albert Torres puts it, is accurate when you can go almost anywhere in the world and find salsa and connect right away no matter where you come from.

Even though there were multiple reasons, I truly missed the wonderful previous locations and being able to step right out onto Michigan Avenue. I felt badly for our out of town visitors when some of them were surprised to be so cut off from the city being all the way down at McCormick Place. Granted there was more than enough to do at the Congresso itself, but it would be nice if out-of-town guests would have had a little more access to our fair city. As bad as the weather is, February is just the perfect time for our Congresso.

Click here for pictures and digital video clips of the 2005 performances brought to you courtesy of Cultural Expressions Productions, Ltd and SalsaChicago.com.