WORLD LATIN DANCE CUP 2011 — So, after day 2 of the 2nd Annual World Latin Dance Cup, there was a complete crack-down on cameras and camcorders, where friends or relatives of those competing could not keep any memories of the competition. Flash was not an issue, as flashes can be shut off and would not interfere with any 'professional' recording being done at the event. The event grew in attendance tremendously when compared to the first day, with only 3 people attending the salsa social, and the second day, with quite a few more couples out there. But it definitely is not an event where International travelers should plan to attend to watch only. It is not a congress, it has a very limited number of people actually attending it for fun, everyone there is on business and will leave if disqualified, the wait for performances is long, and very…

Our SalsaHook.com Corresponent, Marcel Demallo, is at the 2011 WLDC and is reporting on the event, day by day. Thank you, Marcel, for your kind contributions to SalsaHook.com with this reporting and information.WORLD LATIN DANCE CUP 2011, THURSDAY — The second day of the 2011 World Latin Dance Cup was well underway yesterday with more competitors going against each other with their talent and skills. The day was a bit busier than Wednesday night, the nightly salsa social had plenty more attendees and it went until 3 am in the morning! Surely, a salsa dancer's dream come true! The music being played by the DJs is also splendid! The range of Latin Dance competitions that were held on Thursday at the 2011 World Latin Dance Cup, goes as follows: 

- Cha Cha Cha Division- Bachata Division- The Amateur/Professional Division- Over 65 Division- Junior Division Division- Team Amateur Division- Professional On1…

THE 2ND ANNUAL WORLD LATIN DANCE CUP IS WELL UNDERWAY IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA. A SALSAHOOK CORRESPONDENT IS THERE, CAPTURING THE ACTION AND PRESENCING THE GREAT DANCING. WORLD LATIN DANCE CUP 2011 — Very soon we will know the 2011 Champions of the World Latin Dance Cup being held at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. On Wednesday, December 14, the first day came and went and the event seemed to be gaining traction with it as attendees arrive to the location from various parts of the world. The first day of any event, especially when it is done so early in the week, can be a bit slow in attendance, but we are sure (and truly hope) that as the week goes on, more attendees arrive, check-in, and start participating in the Salsa nightly socials, competition audiences, etc. Good luck to all competitors and let the best one with…

SALSA CONGRESSES ARE DYING! — If you are reading this, you are probably wondering: "let's see what this guy has to say about this." Perhaps you are one of those people killing the congresses, or perhaps you are one of those people who are hoping that the truth gets out and maybe those killing the congresses will change their ways for the sake and love of salsa. I have a friend from the UK who tells me that the top things that you want to find at Salsa congresses are the: 1) pool parties, 2) good DJs (or bands...which in his opinion are not really necessary), and 3) top teachers. Admittedly, he also tells me that what is killing congresses is pretty much one thing: TOO MANY SHOWS!!!!!!!!!!!The funny thing is, this goes precisely along the concensus amongst all my salsa friends in Los Angeles and anywhere else. So, who is addicted…

STEVENS STEAK HOUSE TOP MALE SALSA DANCER — Stevens did it again. A great event with great competitors, a great audience, great atmosphere, and the quality of entertainment that only Stevens Steak House can bring. The competitors this year were actually many more than in years past and a lot of new faces could be spotted. Controversy, as it could be expected, erupted shortly after the results were announced and the winners were crowned. This is nothing new in Los Angeles or wherever salsa competitions are organized and promoted. A sector of the crowd will always want one dancer to win, and another sector will want another dancer to win. Sometimes there are two or three dancers in the running, but most of the time it really is just between the best two. Watch all the videos below. The places in both competitions were as follows:

LA'S TOP MALE SOLO SALSA COMPETITION — On Sunday, December 4th, 2011, those willing to compete against each other in order to prove that they are the Top Male Salsa Dancer in Los Angeles, went head to head at Steven's Steak House in the now highly acclaimed: Steven's Steak House LA's Top Male Solo Salsa Competition.And then, after the winners were announced on both categories, pro and semi-pro, salsa dancers all over began voicing their deep displeasure with the results all over social networks within the court of public opinion. The problem is that while some understand that the culprits of the wildly disliked results were the judges, some opted to blame the venue and its ownership. You who are doing that got it all wrong. Do not blame the venue and its ownership. All the venue did was put an event together and sought to give out some prize money, while entertaining…

WORLD LATIN DANCE CUP, LAS VEGAS — The 2nd Annual World Dance Cup at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada is coming up from December 14 to the 17. This is certainly going to be a great event with spectacular dancing that will inspire you to become "the best you can be" in your own salsa dancing, competing, or performing. A great thing that is being done is that the organizing team is pre-approving music from local bands, artists, or music labels for the competitors to choose from and build their routines with. This will help promote the music of the musicians that we all love, and will aid them in producing future material that will be 'copyright-infringement-free' when going for sale, or being posted on youtube for promotional purposes, or simply shared with friends. Dimelo Records so far has 98 songs approved from their music label and all…

GRANADA SATURDAY SALSA DANCING — The Granada in Alhambra is still a venue that caters tremendously to Salsa dancing and is surely one of the top salsa venues in Los Angeles, CA. There are signs of a small decline in popularity according to people's opinions, stating that some Saturdays the venue is only half-full, but that's probably just a sign of the economy we are living in the United States, and how less and less people have discretionary money to spend on recreational activities like going salsa dancing. But last night, when I had the opportunity to attend after quite a while of being absent from the venue, I saw no sign of a decline! It was packed, the dancers were glowing, everyone was having fun, and it even seemed a bit too crowded at some points of the night. It's certainly a happening club!Orquesta Tabaco y Ron was playing live at…

THE WAREHOUSE FRIDAY NIGHTS — Anthony Long, promoter of The Warehouse Friday Salsa Nights in Marina Del Rey, CA, should be thanked by some type of salsa commission in Los Angeles for providing over 3 years now, of such a great salsa dancing venue in the city! Seriously, where else would we go to? Indeed, the Warehouse continues to be a top Salsa dancing spot in Los Angeles that attracts some of the best salsa dancers and the happiest crowd in the city. After months of not being privileged to visit this spot due my recent hiatus from salsa (going out and stuff), I was finally able to go last night and I must say, what an amazing time I time! The music by DJ Charlie is just great (he is still singing on the mic to depressing-this-girl-left-me salsa song lyrics--a must see for all!), the floor isactually longer and wider than…

BELASCO THURSDAY SALSA NIGHT — So, last night was my first time at the Belasco nightclub in Downtown Los Angeles. Right off the top, driving up to Hill St. made me feel as if I was going to the Mayan on a Thursday night, which didn't feel right. But as soon as you park and get there, you KNOW this place is happening and it is sure to be a good time!There was a line outside for people wanting to get in. As you get in, you start realizing what a classic type of building this really is. It is completely restored and has state of the art sound, lighting systems, and just a great and classy environment that you won't find anywhere else in LA. There is truly no comparison to the Mayan next door...which is an ancient venue that has capitalized for years without any competition in the…

SALSA SCREAM 2011 — Salsa Scream is a multiple-day Halloween salsa event being planned for the dates between October 27 and October 30. This Halloween salsa event will be the place to be for Halloween this year!!BUY PRE-SALE TICKETS HERE & SAVE MONEY!!! Click!(Pre-Sale ends Wed., Oct., 26 at midnight)

The event will be held at the IRVINE HYATT REGENCY HOTEL (see exact location and get driving directions) and it promises to be one event that will have you screaming, literally, of salsa joy and happiness! Salsa Scream will have salsa and bachata dance workshops, performances, and open dancing to some of the best music by some of the very best DJs in the city. (see complete event info here) The open dancing goes all the way until 4 A.M.!There will be an open Dance Competition with a total of $2,000 in prizes and a Best Costume Contest with…

LABOR DAY STEVENS STEAK HOUSE — Each year, Labor Day weekend madness is long awaited by Salseros/as everywhere, just to be able to attend the already world famous, Stevens Steak House Labor Day Celebration! 

This year, September 4th, will be filled with lots of dancing at Stevens Steak House! -- Like never before!

Chino Espinoza will be playing live in the ballroom, Angel Lebron will be playing live in the lounge, and even a Bachata Room will be open upstairs, through the ballroom area. 

Best of all, it is only $10 all night long to enjoy such a great Latin dance festivity like only Stevens Steak House can bring! 

Plus, Stevens Steak House is giving away new Salsa and Bachata shirts throughout the night! DO NOT MISS IT!!

There is no work the next day, so plenty of dancing until the last song ends will be just enough…

THE WAREHOUSE FRIDAY SALSA — It does not feel like it was three years ago that Anthony D. Long first began passing out simple made-at-home invitational business cards to friends and acquaintaces for what he simply called: "Salsa at the Marina" at The Warehouse Restaurant. The promotion was low-key and low-budget, but it was very personal and with Anthony's wide network of friends, many quickly planned to attend. 

See Event Listing: The Warehouse Friday Nights

Anthony is an avid musician who had played jazz at The Warehouse in the past, so he knew the management and had a good relationship with the owners. So, when he proposed a 'try-out' salsa night on Fridays (which needed clientele), they agreed only because it was him. 

That first Friday night, nobody could have imagined how many people would show up to see this new salsa venue on the west…

BATTLE OF THE BANDS, STEVENS STEAK HOUSE — Los Angeles will face-off against San Francisco on August 21, 2011, with CHINO ESPINOZA going against GRUPO BAKKAN. 

EVENT INFO: Sunday Nights at Stevens Steak House

Chino Espinoza y los Dueños del Son are veterans of the world famous Stevens Steak House "Battle of the Bands" events, and they've faced off against some of the very best talents in our Latin music community. They are some of the best live acts that L.A. has seen in years, and they have been for long one of the most popular salsa bands in the city. 

Grupo Bakkan of San Francisco are coming down to prove that their talent is at the heights of some of the very best that L.A. has to offer. They have been together since 2000 and their members are from Central America. They offer a new musical…

WHITTIER RADISSON SALSA 2011 — Every Friday during the summer starting at 6:30 PM, a mini-festival of summer and poolside Live Salsa music and dancing takes place at the Radisson Hotel in Whittier, CA. 

It isn't Cancún or Cabo, but it surely comes close in that the atmosphere is tropical, festive, and resort-like. 

[ See Event Details: WHITTIER RADISSON SALSA ]

Known as the Summer Live Salsa Series and commonly organized by C201 Entertainment, the weekly events take place every year from around the beginning of May until the end of September. There is NO COVER CHARGE and parking is easy to find around the area, if the hotel is full by the time you arrive. 

From 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM, Live Salsa Music and dancing takes place right at the poolside of the hotel, and the lounge is also open in case you'd rather…