Posted: 5th April 2016 09:17
Salsa dancing originates from Colombia, Cuba and Puerto Rico, and was brought to the masses by a developing New York scene in the 1970s. Adapting Cuban dance styles to fit multi-ethnic Caribbean, Latin American and Latino culture, led to the development of what is now called Salsa dancing. The original ‘Cuban style’ featuring more circular movements between partners has remained, but the ‘on1’ and ‘on2’ offshoots developed in LA and New York respectively are now the more popular, internationally practised styles.
These styles were popularised by dancers like Eddie Torres and musicians like Hector Lavoe and Tito Puente, who passed on their enthusiasm to European salsa students, and the movement initially began to spread across France and Spain. In 2016, a salsa enthusiast can visit almost any large city in Europe and find a salsa club open at least two or three nights a week. As well as enthusiastic experienced dancers, there is a blossoming mass commercial appeal also, and every year thousands of new students begin to learn to dance salsa.
With more than 250 major events internationally every year, the salsa festival scene spans over 50 countries across just under 200 cities. These festivals attract keen salsa dancers, DJ’s and big name performers from all over the world, and a surprising number of people now organise their work lives around ensuring they can attend all their favourite festivals. These festivals are more than just a collection of parties; they are a real community of like-minded people, who share a hobby, a passion and a lifestyle – and provide the perfect opportunity to combine your passion with a European vacation.
Paris Salsa Congress – France
19-24 April
Some festivals are purely about the performers, the dancing and the event, but there are others that also incorporate a sense of the culture and the personality of the location into their festival as well. Paris is certainly one of these, and the festival is hosted in a hotel that is connected to the Palais de Congres, with 3,000sqm of dance floors. The hotel is only a few minutes from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées.
The festival begins on a Tuesday, and then crescendos on the Saturday and Sunday party nights where revellers dance on until dawn. 50 different workshops across five levels will offer something new for all levels of experience, and the 35 shows will inspire, amaze and thrill every visitor to this cultural festival. This will be the fifth annual outing for the Paris Salsa Congress, with each year more efficiently organised, popular and fun than the last. Organiser Mouaze Konate has realised his dream of creating a truly Parisian salsa experience, saying: “I am very lucky to have together with me a trusted and talented team of salsa addicts, who put all their heart and passion, to help me in this adventure”.
http://www.parissalsacongress.com/
Vilnius Salsa Festival – Lithuania
19-23 May
This festival is an ideal mid-year trip, extending across a long weekend rather than a midweek experience. Everything about this festival is convenient and practical for the working salsa dancer. That’s not to say anything is missing from a trip to Vilnius, as the top name international performers and dancers can still be found here, as well as over 100 hours of dancing and parties. For the 2016 festival, two huge dance floors will host the hundreds of dancers coming here. As well as performers from the United States, Italy, Sweden and the UK, the festival features some excellent Lithuanian and Latvian artists and DJ’s too.
A trip here is an excellent opportunity to explore some of the not so often visited parts of Europe, which are packed with culture, history and friendly people. The festival is hosted mainly at the Polish House of Culture venue, only 10-15 minutes from Vilnius International Airport and main train stations. Visitors here will get a sense of the talent evident in Lithuania, as well as the growing international presence this festival is building.
https://www.salsafestival.lt/
Tumba Y Tumbao – Spain
9 June – 12 June 2016
A Spanish salsa trip is guaranteed to offer energy and excitement like no other, and the Tumba Y Tumbao salsa and bachata festival in June is certainly no exception. Hosted in the southern city of Seville, this is a sun-soaked festival that celebrates some of the best dancers from all over Europe, as well as being a great opportunity to experience some of the famed food and drinks found in Andalucía. Seville is known for its excellent nightlife, and every evening here will be full on, and packed with happy, smiling people. The festival itself extends across three days, and features several master classes that give dancers an opportunity to learn from and interact with the biggest names.
If dancers feel like taking a break from the non-stop dancing, then there are some incredible sights to see in Seville. The Maria Luisa Park has beautiful lakes and gardens, full of 19th and 20th Century pavilions, monuments and statues. The Museum of Fine Arts is equally spectacular, and visitors will be able to see Seville’s finest collection of art in the 16th Century building. Tumba Y Tumbao salsa festival gathers together everyone and anyone who is passionate about Spanish dance and culture.
http://www.tumbaytumbao.com/
Berlin Salsa Festival – Germany
29 September – 3 October 2016
Berlin is known for its busy, often completely inimitable party scene, with experimental and expressive forms of culture all joining vibrantly together. The Berlin Salsa Festival is no different, with participants coming together from over 60 countries, with 70% of dancers coming from abroad. This is one of the largest salsa festivals in the world, and it matches the sheer numbers with an international and professional organising team as well as a packed schedule. A lot of salsa travellers will recommend that if there is one festival not to miss in the calendar, it’s Berlin.
This was the founding festival of the Latin Dance World Series (14 events around the world now), and prides itself on being connected with performers, dancers and DJ’s from all over the world. Dancers can social dance in the 1800sqm dance floor until 9am, as well as watch an incredible range of shows in the 3000 seat arena. This is a salsa festival on a scale almost unheard of in the world of Latin dancing, and incorporates ideas like seminars, discussions and panel Q&A’s with the non-stop dancing. This exhilarating, mass of dancing, partying and meeting new people sets the bar for salsa festivals around the globe.
https://www.berlinsalsacongress.co/
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