New York Salsa Congress 2003
getting listed...
The new york salsa congress is on Labor Day weekend (August 28-31, 2003). Here's a "pre-review" for those that haven't been to this particular congress and some accommodation and transportation tips.
The congress is in downtown manhattan and not in the Catskills as in the previous two years. That means it will be even better attended by New York's dancers, easier to get to, and overall a better congress. One disadvantage is that we won't all be sequestered in one place for three days having meals together, etc.
David Melendez, the organizer of the congress, has done a good job of taking advantage of the Manhattan location, namely by coordinating with local and overlapping events. For example on sunday, the congress will join forces with the twice monthly Jimmy Anton's social, and for those planning to stay a few more days in New York, there's a series of events organized by David and Henry Knowles that leverage different salsa nights in New York.
The congress starts on thursday with a pre-party from 9 till 3 am. The main event is on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with daytime workshops and evening social dancing, live music, dance performances, and DJs from around the world.
Wayne Gorbea y su Salsa Picante is the band on friday night and The Spanish Harlem Orchestra is on saturday night.
DJs include New York's Henry Knowles, Nelson Torres, el Rumbero, and Ray Colon plus Boston's DJ Nik.
Performing dance companies include New York's finest, groups from around the US (including Boston's Hacha y Machete, Melaza, and Salsa y Control), from Europe, and Asia.
A common shortcoming of large salsa congresses (e.g. Los Angeles) is the relatively small time available for social dancing with all the time devoted to performances. At this year's NYC congress, the number of dance groups has been limited and it looks like there will be 5 hours of social dancing to 2 hours of performances each of Friday and Saturday nights, which is very welcome.
Check here for the latest congress schedule.
Congress participation options:
The full congress pass is $200 and includes all workshops, performances, and the 3 evening parties.
If you are not interested in the workshops, $60 gets you a three nights pass (parties and performances). This is a very good value and has to be purchased in advance.
You can also buy individual $25 passes for either of the Friday, Saturday, or Sunday parties/performances, but these may sold out by the day of the event.
At this point, the best bet is to call David Melendez and see what's available (718-828-8282 / dmelendez@aol.com).
Accommodations:
The congress will be held mainly at the Roosevelt hotel (Madison and 45th St) and only one block from Grand Central station. the discounted rooms reserved for the congress are sold out, but others are available. contact the hotel directly (888-833-3969 / www.theroosevelthotel.com)
A cost effective alternative is the YMCA with two main locations in manhattan. The Vanderbilt YMCA (224 East 47th Street, between 3rd and 2nd) is only a few walkable blocks from the Roosevelt hotel. rates are now $57 for a single room with shared bath. It's a great deal as a place to sleep and shower while being at the congress. It's an excellent deal if you have time to make use of their extensive fitness facilities. contact: 917-441-8800 / www.ymcanyc.org.
Transportation:
The cheapest way to get to New York are currently the chinatown bus services departing from Boston's Chinatown. Rates are currently $10 each way. you get dropped off in New York's Chinatown (lower east side), and you take any number of the subway lines there to Grand Central station.
www.sunshineboston.com/bustours/nyc.
Peter pan/greyhound is a little more expensive but has more departure/return options. You get dropped off in New York's Port Authority terminal (42nd street) which is one cross-town shuttle stop from Grand Central. www.peterpan-bus.com.
Amtrak is more comfortable and more expensive. Penn station is one subway stop from 42nd street which is one subway shuttle from Grand Central.
www.amtrak.com.
Recommendations:
There will be some 20 Boston performers at the congress (between Hacha y Machete, Melaza, and Salsa y Control). With friends and family, maybe another 20 people from Boston. As was case with the recent bus trip, this is a good opportunity to meet and be introduced to lots of people (with the comfort of knowing some 40 others from Boston).
If you can only make it one night, go for either Saturday or Sunday (Sunday has the advantage of including the Jimmy Anton's social). Take the Chinatown bus and stay at the YMCA. Since the party continues till 5 am, you could forgo the hotel and take the first Chinatown bus back at 7 am.
If people driving are willing to offer rides or people are looking for rides, feel free to post that or other questions to salsafrenzy-boston@yahoogroups.com.
See you at the New York congress!