by Sofia Ivanova
2003
Torino, Italy, World Salsa Congress
Oct 30th - Nov 3rd
Turin,
"a thing of beauty"? How does this fit
with her hoary reputation as a gray,
sad, smoke-wreathed and essentially
boring city, a factoryoplis whose only
product is the motor car? (1) Yet surrounded
by snow-capped mountains with the sky
a cobalt blue, changing to purple and
then pink, this city possess its own
magic. Not a metropolis like Rome or
Milan, but certainly quaint and unique,
where one feels that it is indeed another
part of the world.
That
was the backdrop to the 2003 Torino
Salsa Congress held October 30th - November
3rd. Organized by Razz M Tazz' founders
Angel and Addie Rodriguez, with added
assistance from Allessia Gobbi.
Le
MERIDIEN Lingotto, a four star hotel
with numerous amenities, was the accommodations
location for the Congress attendees.
The hotel is just one part of this great
facility (1 kilometer long, which is
about a mile and a half) and was originally
a Fiat plant. The rest consisted of
a mall (8 Gallery) with the hotel situated
in the middle. The mall was on the 2nd
floor and spanned the entire complex
with the middle part of the mall being
covered with a glass roof that appeared
to be able to open in the summertime.
It was under the glass roof portion
that the workshops and performances
were held.
THURSDAY
The
Congress kicked off on Thursday night
at the Intriga Tropical Disco Latino
where dinner was served, the performances
were held with social dancing afterwards.
The show was hosted by Renato Ghelli,
a local DJ and radio reporter, and Sandy
Albertelli, who was also a performer
throughout the Congress. Opening night's
performance theme was "Women Power"
and the ladies did not disappoint the
crowd. Griselle Ponce, Yesenia Peralta,
Irean Otero and Addie Rodriguez kicked
off the show by individually coming
out on stage and dancing up a storm
as they took turns wowing the crowd
with their footwork and styling.
Bachata
is also very popular in Italy, and there
were quite a few bachata exhibitions
throughout the Congresso including Thursday
night. There was a rather spicy threesome
routine with 2 men and 1 woman (definitely
check out that clip)!
FRIDAY
On
Friday morning, the workshops began
with simultaneous classes being taught
by Chicago's Miguel Mendez (salsa -
all levels) on one side and Irean Otreo,
from New Jersey, teaching ladies styling
on the other side. When speaking of
sides, there were 4 walls erected in
a u-shape area and each workshop was
held in one of the 3 u-shaped spaces.
They were quite spacious as both Miguel
and Irean each had approximately 40-50
students. But the drawback was that
as they were next to each other, you
could hear each instructor, talking,
counting and their music. Made for a
real cacophony of sound and was rather
frustrating at times. The good thing
about it was that it attracted people
walking through the mall who were most
curious to see what all of the raucous
was about!
Friday
night's show was strictly for the Italian
performers. Hosted by Renato Ghelli,
Richard Gonega of All Star Entertainment
and Lieb J., the performing group Serial
Dance opened the evening with a great
routine. The guys were all dressed in
white and the ladies in skin tight royal
blue jump suits with one of the ladies
in an American flag design. This group
has everything going for them; the women
are stunning, the men good looking,
beautiful costumes and of course excellent
dancing!
There
were also children performers, Andrea
and Anthea, who looked no older than
maybe 10 years old but danced like seasoned
dancers. They had lovely red costumes
and a cute routine.
Max
and Fra, who are also part of Serial
Dance also performed a really fast routine
that had a bit of salsa and cha cha.
La Luna Club consisted of 7 couples
dancing rueda. They were entertaining
and had a high-energy routine. Son Colombianos
from Torino, came out in 2 big hats
and ponchos and proceeded to wow the
crowd with an impressive shines routine.
In
between the performances, awards were
given to Addie Rodriguez, Griselle Ponce,
Susanna Montero, Ilean Otero and Yesenia
Peralta for their contribution and dedication
to salsa.
There
were so many performances each evening
(nearly 30) that it's impossible to
mention everyone, but some that really
stood out included Sam Raboo y su Descarga
Latina, Luca and Katia (part of Serial
Dance) who did a really nice hustle
routine to the Bee Gees "You Should
Be Dancing," Picante Latina performed
a highly entertaining piece, Mirko Stefio
y su Puertorico Dancers did a great
job with a high-paced routine.
On
Friday, the show closed with Clave Negra,
a group from Cuba, which consisted of
3 men dressed in tribal gear! They had
real machetes as props and their synchronicity
was excellent.
SATURDAY
Saturday
night performances were really electric
as it was the International Dancers
time to shine. Mirko Stefio y su Puertorico
Dancers opened the show with yet another
swift routine. Leon Rose and Susanna
Montero really gave the audience something
to cheer about! Susanna did an incredible
body roll at the beginning of their
routine and she and Leon danced up a
storm.
Miguel
and I also performed on Saturday night
with Los Soneros Del Swing (Andy, Karla,
David and Yarlyn). Performing right
after us was Dino and Nazario, a father
and son team. Nazario is perhaps 13,
nevertheless they had a nice routine.
The mom dances as well and she and her
group, Ladies in White, performed later
in the evening.
Chicago
was represented for the 2nd time when
David and Samantha took the stage. She
was Fire in a beautiful sparkly red
dress and David was Ice dressed in white.
Their routine was entertaining and at
one point Samantha's shoe got caught
in her dress and she swiftly untangled
it to continue with a near flawless
routine. They dance so well together.
My hat goes off to David as he performed
three times Saturday night, first with
Miguel and I, then with Samantha and
later both of them performed with Los
Soneros Del Swing.
After
the Fire & Ice routine, Samantha presented
Addie with a Lifetime Achievement award.
Addie was so gracious in her acceptance
as she told the crowd to keep their
eye on Samantha, as she's likely to
be the next salsa Diva!
Another
kids group to perform was Ninos de Fuego.
Next came Tito and Tamara from Puerto
Rico. They're such a great couple to
watch as they dance beautifully together
and both are also extremely attractive.
Felipe Polanco also performed with two
gorgeous women clad in sparkly gold
dresses. A great, classy routine from
him - as always. Then it was Jayson
Molina's group dancing to a really fast
song. The women were dressed in sexy
see-through negligee type dresses with
just thong panties underneath! Their
synchronicity was excellent and the
crowd was in awe, especially the men.
Question is was it the great dancing
or the see through negligees?
Los
Soneros Del Swing executed their new
piece, which is a fast-paced, high energy
routine, and also very entertaining.
Andy Cruz and his dance company continue
to mature and develop with every performance.
They're already wonderful dancers and
yet manage to improve every time they
step on stage.
Daniela
and Graziano, D&G (from Serial Dance)
did a wonderful flamenco/mambo routine.
Graziano was dressed in a Zorro type
costume, which was a bit of a shame
as he is a highly attractive man and
the mask hid his features. Next came
Juan Calderon and his group Cultural
Explosion. Juan is so creative with
his routines as this one featured a
circus theme with Siamese twins dancing
with one woman. Jhesus Aponte and his
partner performed the same routine that
they did at the Detroit Congress, only
it had some added intricacy and lovely
costumes. Local favorites Sergio and
Sonia San Boli performed a rather "glowing"
routine as the stage was completely
dark but their costumes glowed. It was
a unique routine, but would have been
better if we could have watched them
perform it as opposed to just the outline
of their bodies moving.
Tropical
Gem from Milan closed the show with
a fantastic routine. The two couples
that danced covered the stage so well
and the women could spin like tops!
Their synchronicity was exceptional
which is quite difficult as their music
was really fast. Hopefully this group
will be invited to perform in Chicago,
as they are extremely entertaining.
SUNDAY
Alejandro
Angelica and Alessia Piazza opened the
Sunday night show with a tango presentation.
Tango music is so dramatic and melancholy
and was the perfect opener for the final
night of the Congress.
Manuel
Mascarel y su Mambo Swingers had an
original Phantom of the Opera routine.
Ono Chango from Cuba had an interesting
Afro-Cuban dance routine. Jayson Molina
and Gabi performed a great shines routine
to super fast music. Jayson moves so
easily, it's as though he doesn't have
any bones in his body, just fluid motion.
Seo Fernandez y Aliccia incorporated
some hip-hop and salsa in their presentation
and their routine was filled with amazing
lifts. At one point he had her on top
of his head while spinning himself without
holding her. It was unbelievable!
Tropical
Gem also performed again, although this
time it was 4 couples dressed as robots.
Once again their speed and synchronicity
was impeccable. Los Soneros Del Swing
performed again but they had a bit of
bad luck at the end. The stage covering
tore under Karla's heel right at the
end so she missed her footing but still
managed to finish the move.
Clave
Negra performed again, this time dressed
as straw men and they played the congas
in parts of their routine. The Salsa
Sensation School had quite a production
with dancers rotating on and off the
stage. Their routine was a mixture of
salsa and bachata.
Mirko
Stefio y su Puertorico Dancers performed
an excellent shines routine as five
men dressed as sailors danced across
the stage. They had great formations
and their change of positions was very
smooth.
Closing
the show on Sunday night was none other
than Lieb J. y su Salsacahe. Lieb J.,
of Cuban descent, not only emceed part
of the event, he is also a choreographer
as well as a dancer. His troupe performed
a fast routine that was interspersed
with hip-hop.
The
final social of the Congress was filled
with fun and gaiety as everyone was
saying their good byes to the many friends
that they had made. The night's festivities
included a Gina and Gino (Jack and Jill
in the States) dance contest. The drinks
were flowing freely and the cameras
were clicking every few minutes. The
party lasted until 5am when most of
us had to get back to check out of the
hotel in order to make our flights.
As
we left for our journey home, we looked
back on a fun filled four days of memories.
As Torino will be the site of the 2006
Winter Olympics, perhaps we'll be able
to see again a part of the world that
we explored if ever so briefly.
(1)
Cittˆ Torino, Bruno Gambarotta, Harpax
Editore, November 2001, pg. 8
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