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…

AFRO CUBAN DANCE CLASS — Kati Hernández is a native of Cuba and an Afro-Cuban Dance Master who teaches different levels of Afro-Cuban dance in Los Angeles. This is a treat for our Los Angeles dance scene and one that, I personally feel, should be taken advantage by all salsa and dance afficionados who wish to improve their control on body mobility, sabor, and style. 

[ AFRO CUBAN DANCE CLASSES: SEE FULL CLASS LISTINGS HERE ]

Kati teaches at Live Arts Los Angeles (LALA) near the area of Echo Park, and at Universal Dance Designs Studio near the Miracle Mile in Los Angeles, CA.

Her classes are taught with LIVE DRUMMING according to Cuban costumes and are a great experience for anyone who has never seen anything like this. I truly recommend you go if you have an interest in Afro-Cuban! 

The reason why I recommend Afro-Cuban to salsa dancers…

EDDIE SANTIAGO, CONGA ROOM — Eddie Santiago will be in concert at the Conga Room in Los Angeles at L.A. Live, on August 18, 2011. 

The Puerto Rican Salsa music legend is credited with popularizing what's referred to as "Sensual Salsa," which was coined due to the romanticism and sensuality present in the lyrics of his most popular songs. With a career that spans over 20 years with tours all over the world, Eddie has scored numerous hits on Billboard Latin music charts. 

With songs like: "Me Vuelve Loco Tu Amor", "Que Locura Enamorarme de Tí", "Celebración", "Anoche Valio La Pena", "Flor Dormida", "Loco Por Tu Amor", "Tu Me Quemas", "Lluvia", "No He Podido Olvidarla", Eddie quickly became a transcendent icon in the Salsa music community. 

The Conga Room in Los Angeles at L.A. Live is one of the most attractive nightclubs in the city, and it…

SALSAHOOK.COM — The Los Angeles Salsa Congress (also known as the West Coast Salsa Congress) has been, historically, well-attended by international performers and dancers, and has had great concerts by some of the great names in Salsa music. 

Experiencing the salsa congress is something that can be translated into words in different ways by different people. 

In my personal experience, I've always had a great time at the salsa congress, made new friendships with dancers from London, Sweeden, France, Colombia, Japan, etc., and generally always found the event to be a time of escape from my daily life in Los Angeles. Certainly, for someone who lives in the city, it can be a bit more tedious to have as much fun or be as excited as someone who traveled 2,000 miles to get here to see it for themselves. 

I must confess that my international friends, many…

LOS ANGELES SALSA DANCING — The Los Angeles salsa scene prepares for the 13th Annual Salsa Congress to be held on May 26 - 30. The event will kick-off on Thursday the 26th with a pre-party dance night at the Mayan Nightclub in Los Angeles with Dimelo! Records's #1 agroupation, "Chino Espinoza". We at SalsaHook.com like the approach! It's better to keep things within means than to be too extravagant in a business (niche: salsa) that does not offer much to be gathered. 

And if there was any questions as to how influential Bachata has been to the Los Angeles Latin dancing scene, a scene formerly heavily dominated by Salsa music and dancing all by itself, the Salsa Congress is being promoed, in hopes to attract a wider range of attendees, with a bachata concert on Sunday by Xtreme and qualifier competitions for some type of  'World Bachata Dance…

TIKRIT, IRAQ — Many of us will never know what it feels like to be in combat in Iraq, but one thing some of us who love salsa dancing do know is the feelings of joy, excitement, and true happiness that salsa dancing can give you.

Today, after randomly thinking about our U.S. Armed forces who have sacrificed so much for our freedom during so many years already, I wondered if some of them would ever use salsa as a way to cope with the stress of combat. Sure enough, I found an article on the Army website, written by Spc. Jazz Burney (3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs, 25th Infantry Division) that points precisely to how soldiers are able to cope with deployment and combat by salsa dancing. 

The article focused on Sgt. James Whorley, from Sacramento, Calif., who found that his stress was relieved and…

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LAS VEGAS, NV — In the recent years, one of the most relevant west coast salsa events to attend and be a part of has been the Las Vegas Salsa Congress, which has become an absolutely do-not-miss event! It's Vegas Baby!! Organized by the popular dance troupe Sin City Salseros, which is led by Nate Strager and Virginia Cano, in association with Albert Torres Prodcutions, the Las Vegas Salsa Congress has reached new heights as they have made a true effort to bring quality acts to their event. 

The Las Vegas Salsa Congress hype began in 2008, when it was announced that Fernando Sosa and his "Tropical Gem" (Italy), the best salsa dance team in the world, would be a part of the lineup of acts presenting in Las Vegas, it became evident that the organizers had a serious approach with…