Mambo Tribe is one of Toronto's most represented salsa schools on the international salsa scene. Lead by Stephanie & Mark-Anthony, they have been travelling since 1999. This year, their travels turned global as Mambo Tribe's summer tour included Paris, Marseille, Philadelphia, Bermuda & New York City, and perhaps more.

Paris Congress June 4-6, 2004

Six out of the eight Mambo Tribe dancers (Okello, Joanne, Young, Magna, Mark-Anthony and Stephanie) went to Paris to perform their 'What you see is what you get' routine and to teach a workshop which was very well received! It's too bad that the shows were soooo long however, as people tended to get distracted after sitting for three hours. As for the workshop, we were in the same time slot as the King of Mambo Eddie Torres, but even though we were overshadowed, people acknowledged that Eddie only addresses the men and doesn't teach the women - which we do.

Congress guest artists were Eddie Torres, Frankie Martinez & Descarga Latina from NYC, Leon Rose & Susanna Montero (London), Espasso Latino (Portugal), Sacuye (Sweden), Johnny Vasquez & Ramon (LA), Uforia Dance (Paris). The Salsabor Dance School lead by Valerie & Clifford hosted this congress, and danced a 45-minute cabaret on top of it! It was too long and not very outrageous as one may expect it to be. I think performances should be short and sweet.

The French and Dutch are great performers and social dancers. In fact, I thought that they have raised the bar in creative turn patterns, body movement and spontaneous interpretation of the music. Watch out New York! Watch out LA!

After a weekend of shopping and visiting the Louvre, the Quartier Latin, the Eiffel Tower and more, the group returned to Canada while Mark-Anthony & Stephanie stayed on for an extra 10 days experiencing the wonders of Paris and the incredible salsa nights at les Guinguettes, La Coupole and Les Etoiles. We were happy to hear DJ Gabriel, Mambo Tribe's favourite vintage salsa DJ do his 'thang' while in Paris!

On to Marseilles

Chris & Gwen of Salsabroso Dance School invited Mambo Tribe for the 2nd time to teach workshops for three days. Set in a beautiful golf club, it was a real pleasure to teach! There were about 50-60 people coming from different areas of South France attending.

Some people had already been introduced to what is called the Puerto Rican style of dancing as opposed to the Cuban Casino style salsa, which is more circular and has distinct turn patterns. Usually we teach On 2. However, we taught a New York Style or a cross body lead slot dancing style On 1, including turn patterns, shines and musicality.

Everywhere we go, even in the smallest of towns, there are always a handful of die-hard amazing salsa dancers with tremendous artistry and skill. The learning never stops! The teeniest place we went to was a salsa bar on the 'Corniche' of Marseille along the rocky waterfront. There were the regular jovial drinkers and a handful of salsa stars. It's so great to know that salsa is in every nook and cranny!

Philadelphia Congress July 4, 2004

A week later we headed off to Philly with Young, Trionne, Joanne, Okello, Mark & Stephanie. It was an ambitious congress for its first time, with a lot of artists and a lot of great bands. An official 'Salsa Day' was inaugurated in Philly by the organizer Willy Torres! Wow!

The largest casino was danced in history, breaking the world record with 4000 people dancing salsa at one time. La India, Huey Dunbar, Willie Colon, the Lebron Brothers played indoors at the Loews Hotel & outside, in a neighboring park. Mambo Tribe did their exciting workshops, danced the nights away and had a great performance! Lots of American salsa groups were here, including Jason Molina, Griselle and her dancers, some great Puerto Rican groups, Gabby and his partner, and of course, the amazing Caribbean Soul who showcased their new routine with creativity, spunk, and inspiring flair.

Bermuda Hot Summer Nights July 22, 2004

For three months, the Bermuda Salsa organzers, Travis, Angela, Kenrick, Marshall under the name of Salsamania worked to bring three Canadian guest artists; Latin Energy (Oscar & Vanessa), San Tropez (Sonia & Maurice) and Mambo Tribe (Mark-Anthony & Stephanie to Bermuda. We were to do a workshop, two shows and enjoy a boat cruise which we definitely did!

Mambo Tribe did their fun 'Disco Time' routine at the Oasis Nightclub, and a requested freestyle dance at Champions Lounge to see how we could spontaneously interpret the music! Bermy style salsa is quite different, so I think it was intriguing for them to see how much body movement is added to salsa. Generally speaking, they are presently more into turn patterns, yet are just around the corner from raising their salsa to a new level.

The energy was so fantastic, Mambo Tribe and Salsamania are talking about organizing a New Year's Party in Bermuda. Visit www.mambotribe.com for updates.

New York City NYC Congress

It used to be that the NYC congress was held at the original Copa in Manhattan, which re-located to the Catskills and two years later found its way back to the big Apple in 2003 at the Roosevelt Hotel. The attendance was great and I remember the Saturday night shows were sold out. I also recall a great stage and dance floor, however there were no seats for the guests to watch the shows.

This year Dave Melendez held the 2004 congress at the Hilton Hotel near Times Square. Hoping to remedy last year's discrepancies, the dancing was in a huge ballroom and the shows were held in another room with seating. That would seem like the right solution to have an even bigger and better congress, especially when the whole salsa world looks to NYC for the latest in style and creativity. The problem was, there still wasn't enough seating and since the shows were in an 'L' shape storage room, hardly anyone could see the actual shows. Meanwhile, the huge ballroom was empty. Go figure!

I'd say there about 500 people turned out. It was disappointing that a lot of the performers were not social dancing, not accessible. That's why people come from far, to catch the stars in action!

Why do organizers not learn from their past mistakes? Why can't they get corporate sponsors to help them out? If salsa is to be taken seriously as an art and a money making business, then salsa events need to be run professionally and artists need to be treated as such.

It was great to see such NYC artists as Frankie Martinez, Eddie Torres, Karisma dancers, Santo Rico, Griselle Ponce, Winsome, Caribbean Soul, Juan Calderon (but where was Jesus & Maribel?), as well as a lot of other groups from the States. I could have done without some amateur groups and would have liked to see either more NYC groups or some international groups from France, Portugal, Sweden, Manchester (ya Moshe). But that's just me.

Hopefully next year the attendance will increase not decrease. All I can say is, I've got my fingers crossed!

Mambo Tribe was the only Canadian group performing, which was disappointing. If Toronto hosts as many NYC performers, then there should be more Canadians at the NYC congress.

The great thing about having the congress near Times Square is that you can walk around and enjoy the heart of the Big Apple. Spending time with our group, walking, eating, shopping, are memories that will stay in my mind. I also happened to have kick-ass dances with every person I danced with, so of course that made it all worth it!

Editor's Note: A version of this article appears on www.mambotribe.com.