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HONOLULU, Hawaii -- With snow blanketing the 48 contiguous states on the mainland on Valentine’s and President’ s Day weekend, here in the 50th Aloha State we had the heat up full blast on the Latin dance floor. The 4th Annual Hawaii Salsa Festival (HSF) kicked-off officially on a Thursday night to a packed ballroom. Attendees came from many parts of the mainland, international destinations and, of course, our local dance aficionados. The HSF provided some much-needed “aloha relief” for those who came to visit from the frigid U.S. mainland, Canada, Japan and Australia.
through the speakers, the dancers hit the dance floor ready to do their thing. A trio of DJs provided heavy doses of Salsa, Cha Cha Cha and, of course, the occasional Bachata.
festival founder and talent organizer, said she was very pleased at the amount of out-of-town attendees, plus the kamaaina (Hawaii residents) participation. She said: “During this down turn in the state’s tourism, and the inclement weather on the mainland, the fact that so many out-of-towners came to support and participate in this event was remarkable. I was especially proud that our Salsa-ohana (family) made the visitors feel comfortable and showed them what the “Aloha Spirit” is all about. She raised the bar this year and brought in three-time ESPN World Champion Salsa dancers Oliver Pineda and Luda Kroiter to headline the event. “I want to continue to have the best talent available every year at my festival” said Angel. She didn’t disappoint as those who saw the nightly showcases, and took classes with the world champs, saw “up close” what it takes to be a world champion Salsa dancer. Not only did the champions perform their killer routines on both nights, but on the final night Oliver treated festival attendees to his solo routine, which he debuted here, and it literally brought the house down. The thing that impressed me the most was that Oliver and Luda danced with everyone who asked them, regardless of skill level. From novice to experienced dancers, and whether the partners danced on the “1” or on the “2,” the team’s willingness to share their talents truly showed why they are world champions. Back to the freezing contiguous 48 states, one New York City group got snowed in and, unfortunately, could not perform. Others, like two-time festival instructor and attendee, Elvis Rodriguez refused to stay cooped-up in the city. He took a train to Boston, changed itineraries and finally got to Paradise to get his Salsa groove on. Others made the trek with cancelled flights and delays, but nothing was going to stop them from getting to Honolulu. At last year’s festival, person after person said they would be back again this year. And they came, as promised, renewing friendships and sharing the new turns, routines and shines (dance steps) they had learned. The HSF has developed such dedicated followers because it offers what no other Salsa festival, congress or concert venue on the planet offers: Hawaii itself. This popular “brand” is universally-recognized. The warmth visitors feel from our people, in addition to our trade winds, is satisfying. Add great Salsa dancing and you have an unbeatable combination. The 2010 edition of the HSF also had some new performers. Dance groups from Osaka and Okinawa made their first appearances in Hawaii. The group from Okinawa, called Mambo’Oki, was comprised of local talent and military servicemen who making their mark across the Pacific Rim and beyond. Meanwhile, an all-girl group from Osaka, Japan, called “Pegao,” was absolutely fantastic. Their wardrobe, dance routine and music selection was excellent. The Salsa dancing skill level bar here in the islands has been raised and continues to rise thanks, in part, to Salsa Angel’s efforts to recruit excellent instructors and performers. First time participants and instructors Jake and Louise from San Francisco taught some really classy lead-and-follow techniques. Alex Lee & Chi Le, also from the Bay Area, brought the crowd to their feet with high flying tricks, often referred to as “Zero Gravity Salsa.” Champion dancers in their own right, they also won the Professional On1 Salsa Competition at the San Francisco International Salsa Congress. Lee, a fireman and paramedic, warned “Please don’t try these moves without competent supervision, preferably by a professional Salsero or a paramedic.” Those who were present at the showcase now know what he meant. As usual, Lucky Sipin from Toronto, and Hong Kwan, also from San Francisco (aka: DJ Mochi), were a hit with the ladies and returnees “by popular demand” to the 2010 festival. Hawaii’s performers and instructors were also excellent. Our local dance teams performed and taught a variety of dances including Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Bachata and Rueda. I think the level that our island Salseras are at right now might just push our island Salseros to get more involved in advanced workshops. Simply put, if you can dance Salsa here in Hawaii you will definitely be a hit with the ladies on the dance floor. Hint! Hint! Real men dance SALSA!!! A big shout out to: Emil “Salsero Loco 808” for all the great photos (see pages XX –XX); to all the volunteers, vendors, local and neighbor island instructors; Salsa Crazy for all their support and for the killer T-Shirts they gave out; and to everyone who made this year’s festival the best one so far. As people filed out on the events closing night they shared their final pictures, hugs and Alohas, before heading back to the unforgiving cold temperatures of the mainland. It was obvious everyone had enjoyed a great event and forged friendships all because of their love of dance and Salsa music. Hawaii’s, and the nation’s, tough economic times are well-documented. But with the Fourth Annual Hawaii Salsa Festival at the Pagoda Hotel clearly demonstrated that there is a light at the end of the tunnel for the isles’ growing Salsa community and the festival’s future. In speaking to many of the participants, they vowed not only to be back for the 2011 HSF, but to bring some of their friends too. This is what Hawaii so desperately needs moving forward. These folks become ambassadors to promote what the HSF and Hawaii offer that no other Salsa festival or Salsa Congress anywhere offers…Salsa with a healthy dose of Aloha. Maybe I’ll see you on the dance floor at the next year’s Fifth Annual Hawaii Salsa Festival. |
| Fourth Annual Hawaii Salsa Festival goes International |
| La Cocina What recipies are making it in some homes. |
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