The fun actually began Thursday night with a pre-party dance bash at Havana Club, where special guest DJ Dark Rum of San Francisco took over the turntable and tossed out the timba one after the other.  (I remember someone in a vinyl dress with lots of tuille.)  Friday’s party was held at Plaka, a Greek restaurant of all places, but apparently no stranger to the SalsAtlanta crowd, who parties there every week.  Wow!  The DJs had that shack on fire.  I’d be surprised if all the rumba pounding and hard casino didn’t damage the joists holding up the floor.  On one side we had DJ Cano spinning some of my favorite Bachata and Merengue.  On the other, working side-by-side were DJs P.A. Trix and Mr. Timba.  New Mexico meets Martinique.  What a combo.  The music was seamless, the energy endless and sitting down was not an option.  Ofer and I didn’t have the stamina, but word on the street is the party didn’t end until 6 a.m.  Next day I saw a few toothpicks propping up tired eyes, but the partying must go on!  And on it went Saturday night with dance performances and, yes!DJ Meloa, DJ Dark Rum andMr. Timba.  Agua!  If there are any regrets to 2010, not making this party would be top on the list.  If I’m lyin’, I’m dyin’.

A few words about the classes, because this aspect of the event was probably my favorite…after the partying…well, I can’t decide.  It was both.  It’s often difficult to take much away from workshops at large events like these, but the size of SalsAtlanta just might be the definition of event perfection.  If you’re overwhelmed by the enormity of San Francisco’s dancefest, then Atlanta is for you.  Not too big, not too small.  It’s just right.  There aren’t so many people on the dance floor that you’re dodging elbows, and the workshops aren’t so crowded that you’re stepping on the heels of participants in front of you.  The relative intimacy of the event also means you have the time and space to interact at length with participants and instructors.  Perhaps it’s just the South and it’s easy pace, but overall, I had the energy to do a full day’s workshop and party.  All weekend!  And that’s getting harder and harder to do after 40 ; )

Let me give a special shout out to Julian Mejia, SalsAtlanta’s organizer extraordinaire .  Do I have enough superlatives for this guy?  Ich no think so.  Julian did a phenomenal job of putting SalsAtlanta 2010 together.  There were a few unexpected glitches, but he managed them in a way that participants hardly noticed or cared.  Without Julian’s careful, meticulous planning (from the regular updates and communication with event participants, the organization of the event staff, the thoughtful considerations for transportation to the glorious line-up of instructors, DJs and performers, the beautifully designed event brochure, the t-shirts, the todo, todo, todo), we wouldn’t have had the experience we had.  Did I mention he can lead a mean suelta line with mojito in hand?  Now, where’s that gold medal?

For those of you who couldn’t make it, that’s too, too bad.  I can tell you now - start saving those coins.  You won’t want to miss next year.  Atlanta has got it goin’ on.

http://www.salsatlanta10.com/

Jennifer

Andre gets his pretzel on and Cindy and Burt nearly burn a hole in our dance floor.  I’m still working on the edit, but you can view a few of the snaps from last night’s smokin‘ Alki session in the gallery section.  Check back for additions over the next few days.

Ciao for now ; )

Jennifer