The Salsa India Party every sunday at C’est La Vie in bandra on hill road was something I wanted to check out since a very long time, So one sunday I was in bandra and decided to drop in to the venue around 10.30 pm. (Incidentally I was also carrying my Salsa shoes).

The venue is one of the best venue I have seen for Salsa, much more better and spacious than zenzi. The bar area is separated by a glass partition to the dance floor which kind of gives the serious dancer great dance floor space. I saw kaytee and the santosh on their smoke break outside the door. The dashing Kaytee is looking much cooler with a sporty haircut and enquired whether I have lost weight.

The floor was sparse with a few people dancing, I could see I am not the only one who didn’t have a partner, there were a few other guys out there looking out for girls who they could ask out. After about 20 minutes of observing the dancing scene, i realised all of them were Salsa India students and it would be rather difficult to get a partner, and none of the guys were interesting enough to hangout with. So I beat it.

The problem with the Salsa party at C’est La Vie is that it is not really promoted in any general media and people who are outside the Salsa India classes/community might feel inhibited and unwelcome. The whole meaning of a Salsa social becomes boring if there are not enough ladies(beginners) to dance with.

Would it be a good idea if Kaytee and other dance instructors who organise these Salsa Parties encourage new comers and outsiders to attend? How about promoting on other forums, bombay times perhaps? Do drop in your ideas and urge kaytee to promote these parties more aggressively so more newcomers are encouraged to check out the Salsa scene.

The Salsa India scene to be on a very low key, with them no longer organising the Salsa Festival and bigger events, which they used to earleir. They certainly need to look at the India scene with a fresher perspective instead of diversifying into other dance forms.

I plan to check the other parties soon and write about it too, till then. Viva La Salsa. If any dance instructor Salsa DJ can support Mumbai Salsa we can organise a general party and get the community scene rolling?

Salsa scene in 2003/2004.

I got introduced to the Salsa scene in 2004, when I first went to a place called Trafalgar Chowk in Bandra on a thursday evening researching about the Salsa scene in Mumbai, as I had recently taken over a group called Mumbai Salsa Meetup and I had no fucking clue what Salsa was!

When I reached Trafalghar Chowk and was ushered in to a small dance floor space with glass walls. I was shocked, surprised and overwhelmed to see people dancing so sensuously, and this was not cheesy it was really really sensual. I was completely out of the place, at that moment I felt I had slipped into a rabbit hole to discover a obscure and hidden place in bandra where people were having a sort of dance ORGY with the clothes on of-course. I wondered these guys are so damn lucky, they get another girl after every song.

The scene was too hot for me and i decided to beat a hasty retreat, but not before I mustered enough courage to walk to a guy called Ashwin Mushran who seemed to be person who was stage managing this. Ashwin was nice and friendly, he even introduced me to some people there, but I was too uncomfortable with boys and girls dancing so erotically and sensually with each other, so i left Trafalgar chowk. Life was never the same again, as my mind had witnessed something it never thought had existed.

Now fast forward to 2012

Now any brother with a Television set knows what the fuck Salsa is! Salsa is something what people get to see on mass media and that also the kind of Salsa which is highly adulterated, commercialised & mostly danced on Bollywood songs. Also Salsa Stars like Kaytee have uploaded numerous video’s of erotic and sensual dance on the Youtube.

The Point Is

Salsa is a niche dance form, it was popular as long as it was dark, underground and grungy. My fear is the very people who went on TV thinking they are popularising Salsa are indirectly responsible for Killing the Salsa scene.

When an art form attracts the masses, it doesn’t stay art anymore. An art is an art cause it is rare, it is special. Lets keep it that way, Shall we?

Note: The idea of the blogpost came when Vineet and Sahiba both agreed that the Salsa enthusiasm in Mumbai has reach a plateau.

Check out this almost 30 minutes of Podcast interview/talk I had them this noon. 

Vineet and Sahiba founded The Dance Factory with a vision to create an institute that nurtures quality artists whose talent and skill is their own certificate in dance. Vineet is an engineer by qualification and a dancer by passion. His partner in crime, Sahiba has successfully found a way to merge her love for dance and her training in fashion designing. While Vineet handles all business aspects of the Company, Sahiba is the creative edge. Together the duo aims to provide a platform to all talented dancers in the country to make a career of this art form. In their own words… “If you have the passion we will show you the way.”
The Dance Factory has separate faculties for each dance form ensuring all instructors are masters of their respective genres. The duo themselves are heading the Latin department with over a decade of dancing and teaching Salsa together. They have taught and performed at various events in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Goa, Pune and Surat and in festivals across the globe including Istanbul, Antalya, Greece, Cyprus, Germany, Paris, Malaysia, Bangkok, Bali, Sydney, Dubai, Slovenia, Croatia to name a few. Their website : http://www.thedancefactory.co.in/

In the words of Vineet Bangera Founder of The Dance Factory –

What is it?

• 3 nights and 4 days of non-stop partying – sleepless weekend guaranteed!
• Shows and workshops from the world’s most celebrated dance stars
• Participants from over 30 countries around the world
• The best Latin DJs mixing your favourite music from dusk till dawn
• Your only chance to enjoy the true spirit of Latin America in India
• A chance for you to dance your way to the most popular touristic sites in India
• 5 star accommodation at affordable prices – luxury spa and resort setting
• Venue: Sports complex with all facilities and amenities
• You just DON’T want to miss out!

Programme:

April 12th – Thursday

Pre-party in New Delhi

April 13th – Friday
16:00 onwards – Registrations and collection of passes
21:00 – 23:00 – Shows
23:00 – 03:00 – Party

April 14th – Saturday
11:00 – 18:00 – Workshops (5 halls)
18:00 – 20:00 – Dinner
21:00 – 23:00 – Shows
23:00 – 03:00 – Party

April 15th – Sunday
11:00 – 18:00 – Workshops (5 halls)
18:00 – 20:00 – Dinner
21:00 – 23:00 – Shows
23:00 – 03:00 – Party (Special theme night called U-VIP. Details coming soon!!)

April 16th – Monday*
10:00 – Departure to Agra and site seeing tour inc Taj Mahal
20:00 onwards – Farewell Party@Taj (Theme Bollywood/India)
(Check the ‘Party@Taj’ page for more details)

LVDS
Presents
The 3rd GOA SALSA FESTIVAL 2012: March 16th-18th
Sun, Sea, Sand & Salsaaaaaa…