Usually when one thinks of Salsa congresses, they think ‘big events with big names held in a well known hotel and close to a big airport-right? One can expect a full three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) of non stop Salsa workshops, performances and dancing till wee hours of dawn; enough to satisfy any Salsaholic’s crave.
Although I haven’t been to as many congresses as some of my other peers, I’ve been to enough (Chicago, Seattle, Salt Lake city) to know, that all the previous descriptors the Portland Salsa Congress was not except for the big names. The fact that the only thing the Portland Salsa Congress had going for it, was the big names, didn’t necessarily make it a bad thing, though. On the contrary, this was just as a much of a positive for the event, than negative.
Yes the Portland Salsa Congress’s biggest weakness-the small venue- is the Tiffany Center. Since there is only one main room, it means that there is only one area to dance in, practice, rehearse and take lessons- whereas in the bigger congresses there are multiple rooms so that all of these could possibly occur at the same time. On top of that there was no air conditioning- so it was a little stuffy at times.
But if you chose to look at the glass being half full you’ll realize that the Tiffany Center, is an older, quaint and ‘charming’ building with hardwood floors. I liken it to the Century Ballroom in Seattle, or the Willowbrook ballroom in greater Chicagoland area. Big enough to fit a couple of hundred people.
This venue promoted a more intimate, friendlier overall positive experience. During the event I had the privilege of organizing the performers before they went on stage. And you know what? For the most part, these stars of the event were approachable, you know-human like. And as the congress progressed the more down to earth, just like you or me, they became.
As the Portland Salsa Congress was wrapping up I started getting that feeling when you realize you that something good’s about to end. Having spent a a whole 3 days of non stop dancing and it occurring to me that it’s probably going to be a while before I get to see some of these people – was I gonna miss this guys? (Alright I get it- I’ll stop with the mush ;p).
So for those of you who didn’t attend, you missed a relatively small congress, with good music, great performances and a good amount of salsa dancing (that is for the PDX area). But amidst the presences of internationally known Albert Torres, Christian & Liz Lira, John & Liz from Salsamania, and finally Eli & Yen who brought the house down, believe it or not you missed an opportunity to interact with some of the friendliest, finest Salseros around.
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