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This page has links to photographs taken at the Congreso Mundial de la Salsa at the
Copacabana nightclub in New York City on May 17, 1999, and, (as it is now known),
the Congreso Bacardi de la Salsa. Events held in San Juan Puerto Rico (July 2000 and 1999),
Denver Colorado (October 1999), New York (May 2000) and Los Angeles (May 2000) are covered.
Follow the links by place and date to see many photographs and movies of the events listed.
Index of Photos of Dancers, VIP's, and Guests:
- San Juan, Puerto Rico 2000
- San Juan, Puerto Rico 1999
justsalsa.com will be
attending the some of the
future Congreso Bacardi
de la Salsa events so check back for photographs and MPEG movies which will be
posted to this page. These events are a real mixing point for people, and dancers
from all over the world. The crew from
justsalsa.com has been
covering these events
for over two years. We have seen the Congreso grow from a loosely organized event into the
greatest spectacle of Latin dance in the World - The 4th Annual
Congreso Bacardi de la Salsa in Puerto Rico 2000.
The dance performances
were divided amongst two stages one at a free Expo-Feria held at 4:00 PM. On
this stage danced most of the newer groups mixed in with some of the Congreso
dancers in various combinations, and other teams as well. A team of three video
cameramen were recording the shows. The other stage was in the auditorium of the
Caribe Hilton, the
air-conditioning was on full blast and for the most part worked
to keep the 2000 plus seats cool. Everyone seated had a good view. The spectacle
would start each night at approximately 9:30PM and lasted till about 11:30 PM. A
top-notch crew of video professionals, which at the same time transmitted coverage
over the Internet, recorded the shows each night. Around twenty still photographers
were at hand taking pictures for various magazines and newspapers. The lighting was
well produced and the sound was impeccable. There did occur the regular mistakes in
music, but only two or three times in over 10 hours of dance performance.
The producers of the Congreso Bacardi, All Star Entertainment Inc.
of Puerto Rico made it a point to try to accommodate the all the
participants needs in a flexible and efficient manner. There was a
press tent with telephones, Internet access, printers, food and
drink, and four young Puerto Ricans with the energy, wherewithal,
and desire to meet any of the press’ special needs.
Dance teams from all over the world were in attendance.
New York was represented by its top professionals, including
Palladium Legend -
Freddie Rios, "el maestros de los maestros" -
Eddie Torres,
4 times Latin Ballroom Champions -
Tony and Melanie,
Maria Torres and her partner Carlos from the Broadway musical "Swing",
and
Jayson Molina and Brenda Bird,
Tormenta Tropical,
Mario Diaz y Marisol Rodriguez, and
Angel Ortiz and Rebecca Sweet. Hey ...If the shoe fits wear it!
Some of the
New York dance group did not attend.
This had an overall effect of
filtering out the New York "street-feeling" from the Puerto Rico Congreso this year.
After the show the top
Puerto Rican and
New York bands, including
Papo Luca y la
Sonora Ponceña,
Roberto Roena,
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico,
Jose Alberto "El Canario",
Tito Nieves, and
Victor Manuelle, played in the ballroom
across the hall. Social dancers
and the performers began dancing immediately after the dance
performances. Many people stood around and watched or video taped
the unfolding madness as the musician’s clave possessed the dancers and
drove them into a frenzy that would continue until 4:00 AM. There
were four different dance floors laid over the carpet of the ballroom
and none were very slippery. Outside the ballroom there was a large space
without air-conditioning, but with tropical breeze blowing, that provided
a slippery floor for those that wished. On this floor, as well as inside the ballroom,
I saw some of the best free-style partner dancing I have every seen. At
the edges of the ballroom there were water stations where ice water & plastic
cups were available for self-service.
At the Congreso you will see many Salsa dance styles represented,
as well as an opportunity to meet people from all over the world -
joined together by their common love for Salsa Music and Dance.
Salsa/Mambo enthusiast, world-class musicians and dancers celebrate
their Salsa and play their music or demonstrate their best routines.
(Or if you are like
Roberto Roena or
DJ Henry Knowles you'll do both).
The workshops, taught by professionals, "break-down" the different
dance styles into understandable steps.
Learn to dance Salsa while you make new friends and enjoy yourself at the Congreso Bacardi de la
Salsa. We'll see You at the Congreso!
The Congreso Bacardi de la Salsa is produced by All Star Entertainment,
Inc. in conjunction with Bacardi, the makers of fine rums and spirits
since 1862.
The photographs are presented here for your enjoyment. Please contact
the offices of justsalsa.com if you
intend to use the photos and give
proper photo credit. It is our intention to get the photos up as soon
as possible. Whenever practical, photos are "up-loaded" to this site
daily and from various locations around the world.
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