Past Parties
Thank you to everyone who made the first annual TBF2010 such a great success!
Tell us why you think a bachata congress is friendlier than a salsa congresses!
Draw for a Chocolate Salsa Party ticket (May 29) for all those who answer!
Draw date to be announced.
TBF2010 Highlights:
Friday night was rocking at Acrobat Lounge. The owners said they hadn't seen so many people in a while! All 3 US teams arrived, including the local instructors Estelle & JJ of City Dance Corps, adding buzz to the room. Immediately, they started dancing with the guests. That's why they're so accessible and friendly and why I chose them to represent the first annual Toronto Bachata Festival.
I was so impressed by the U of T dancers-the first show to kick off the night. Jackson and Anita choreographed this bachata routine (students!) and they totally rocked. It was sexy, fun, loose, playful. They reminded everyone that taking oneself too seriously is not sexy...
Thanks to Tania Wong who brought her student group Enarmorarse Dancers. Classy and elegant!
After demo-ing the instructors being featured at the TBF, I was swept up by all 5 bachata boys: Darlin, Jorge, Troy, JJ and no wait! The 5th was a girl! Jorjet!! Hahaha. Can she lead! I knew I was going to have a lot of fun right there. OMG, I almost felt like I could go home for the year, after those dances. Steamy and sexy!
You have to see the pics on facebook here:
Saturday, the workshops were well attended and everyone commented how they liked the short afternoon workshop series, as opposed to a full morning and afternoon like at a salsa congess. The instructors were AMAZING! Troy and Jorjet, Darlin & Liz and of course the lively and talented Jorge & Leslie! People said how much they were accessible, friendly and easy going.
I felt really supported by all the salsaseros who became bachateros on Saturday night at the Lithuanian house. It was a packed house, and like Sophia I said, 'It was like a big house party!" Troy mentioned on stage (what a great MC!) that at salsa congresses dancers tend to dance at each other, instead of with each other. What I love about bachata is that it's for the people, it's democratic, and it's very warm (literally:) This creates a very different atmosphere. The great Bachata Festival Djs created the atmosphere of course, and took us on a journey. Jimmy Suave opened with the most up to date bachata tunes, and DJ Mr B took us on a buzzing salsa tour, also with modern bachatas, and finished off the night with some Al Greene and R&B greats. (For those of you who thought it was all bachata...you missed a great salsa/bachata party. Til next year, ay!). Then Troy got up on stage and started singing, everyone got in tight, and then the lap dance started...haha
You shoulda bin there.
Having a great MC who gets the crowd involved really changes everything. Gets everyone on the same page so the whole night is an experience.
Thank you to the performers! The audience loved the variety of genres and I can't thank you enough for being a part of this festival. I hope that more and more people will take bachata over the next year, and join the student groups in order to really understand the music and the dance to the fullest. We're planning a bachata competition for next year!
The bar in bachata was definitely raised this weekend Toronto! Keep your bachata alive and see you next year at the TBF2011 February 18-20 (family day is on the 21st).
Tell your friends in Montreal, Ottawa, and all around the Great Lakes to book their TBF ticket now! Check out specials on facebook and here for discounted pass rates from March 15th til November 15...You just never know what crazy kind of sale will pop up.
Testimonials coming soon! So many are on facebook!
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