For 8 years – the original ! The Berlin Salsacongress every year brings together hundreds of enthusiastic Salseros from all over the world for a unique salsa event you wont find anywhere else in Europe but in Berlin ! An extraordinary Line Up of some of the best Salsa instructors worldwide, splendid shows and three partys where hundreds of salseros are dancing as if there were no tomorrow – thats what it makes unique !
That’s what says the organizers of the biggest Salsa festival of Europe. Salsa Guru Kaytee Namgyal from Salsa India has recently attended Berlin Salsa Congress and sharing what he saw there.
How do you feel representing India in the biggest Salsa festival of Europe?
It feels great to represent India in such big festivals and congresses where the best of the best from around the world are. It’s a highly competitive field out there so your stuff needs to really be good to be able to showcase yourself as a performer, Social Dancer and as a teacher where you have highly trained dancers coming to your class to learn.
How was the welcome party? You had your performance there. How was it?
- Berlin Salsa Congress
The welcome party was a theme night with Guys and Dolls from the 20’s and we were all dressed according to the theme and it felt great. And we also had to come out of a Vintage Car and walk the red carpet. lol. We were like the Stars in the Salsa World.
As for my performance people loved it and thought it was creative and energetic and a style they haven’t seen. I told them the style is Karma Salsa which off course is my own style and am promoting this style world wide.
How was the DJs, arrangement and number of Indians over there?
The DJ’s were great. My favorite is DJ Mauri. As for Indians we were in total 8 from India and about 4 from Europe.
How were the workshops? Anything special about them?
All the workshops were great. I taught Beginner’s class and made it fun rather than teaching technicalities and people loved it.
Your favorite show/performance?
My favorite performance was by the team Yambule from USA.
How you find Berlin, city and its people?
Berlin always excited me because of the whole 2nd world war history and off course the Berlin Wall which I wanted to see. I went for a tour and ventured into shopping areas and food joints. People were friendly and it was cold. The city is great with lots of history. Berlin is a great place to visit and I am definitely going back again next year with more people from India. I will take my team there to perform as many want me to get my team there. It will be a great opportunity for my team to perform on a huge platform and also dance with some of the best the world has to offer.
Kaytee
What was special in farewell party?
It was a relaxed evening with lots of time to rest and chill and interact with people. There was 4 dance floors this night with variation in Music. We were just having great fun and getting to know people more as we had the time to do so.
How was mingling with fellow dancers?
It’s always great to meet amazing dancers. We get to share tips on each others strong points and become friends. Its always great to know them and learn from each other.
Why salsa lovers and instructors should travel to International Salsa Festivals? What do they have to offer? How Berlin Salsa Festival was different from other International Salsa Festivals?
It’s important to travel to such Big Congresses as one gets to see the best of the best teachers and performers. Get and opportunity to see them perform and teach and learn so much and get to see different styles and dance forms and also get to dance with high level dancers.
Berlin Festival was different as in the atmosphere was great. People were lovely and the standard of each performer was of high level.
Your Upcoming Salsa Festival travels?
OCT: Singapore International Salsa Festival
NOV: Greece Salsa Festival and Workshop in Qatar
JAN: Sydney Salsa Congress
FEB: Hong Kong Salsa Festival
APRIL: Salsa India Festival
MAY: Paris Afro Salsa Festival
JUNE & JULY: Teaching in Europe (Switzerland, Amsterdam, Luxemburg, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Syria as of now.
Anything you like to add to this conversation?
Thanks for sharing this about Salsa India amongst people. People really don’t know what Salsa India is internationally and how much I am trying to do to bring the Salsa Level higher so we can match the International Standards. Anyways thanks for your thoughts and effort and hope people will be able to see all this.
Thanks for your time Kaytee. Hope to see more festival reviews from Salsa India in Future.
Berlin Salsa Congress Picture Gallery by Kaytee @ DanceinCity Mumbai
Official Picture gallery of Berlin Salsa Congress 2008
(Credits: All pics and information provided by Salsa India)
