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Saturday Night Party in Keswick, Lake District, UK. |
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Written by Catherine Jex
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Thursday, 31 January 2008 |
Report by event organiser Diane Cannon, on behalf of Salsa Central User: BigAndi (26/01/08)
Upstairs in the Keswick Labour Club’s ballroom you used to catch a true dark salsa experience - low ceiling, 80’s wallpaper, thick smoke and dim lighting. It's now in the process of being upgraded and what a difference awaited: Smooth cream walls, sparkling lights, the largest shining dance floor in the area and bargain basement priced bar – it’s a great venue for over one hundred dancers.
With a lot of ingredients for a good night out, the buffet laid out was big enough to survive wave upon wave of dancing locusts. Whilst the doors opened at 7.30 few were there - up north, it seems to be the style to turn up just as the lesson is starting, usually an hour later and this was the case tonight.
As people flooded Salsa Silhouette’s pacey warm up (“Vete Ya” by Latinos En La Casa) the night was set for a salsa cracker. John and Amanda from “Salsa Silhouette” based in Penrith, then put us through our paces with a routine in three parts; easy and stylish but increasing difficulty in each third. This was a great routine which allowed beginners to join in and stretched the old-hands a little – just what you want from a party night.
With a fantastic atmosphere developing, up stepped DJ Big Andy to take things through til the early hours; and what a combination of tracks. He kept the floor full with modern classics such as “Show Me” by Alex Wilson and Andy Montanez’ “En Mi Puertorro;” Relented to requests for the now over-played “La Pantera Mambo” from LA33; introduced many to the delights of Reggaeton with baseball swinging “Pitchea” and brake screechi ng “Chillando Goma.” We bachataed to Te Extrano’s “Xtreme,” speed dated with Juega Billar’s pacey “Torro Mata” and bounced to Mark Anthony top-tracks such as “Valio La Pena.” Added in were new tracks, “hot off the press” such as Yerba Buena’s “Bilingual Girl” (a fantastic floor filler) and the likes of Victor Manuelle’s new release, “Lechon, Lechon, Lechon.” Whilst not a great fan of Meringue, six and a half foot “Big” Andy did entertain us with a very slow “El Tiburon” which got faster and faster…then faster. The balance of fast and slow, shifting styles and new and old made for a brilliant party kept the floor full and smiles on everyone’s faces throughout.
The projected show behind the DJ saw slides from parties all over the north including world Champion’s Jason and Shamayne and European Champion Phil Kaila; and interspersed adverts for up-and-coming parties you can’t afford to miss such as, Salsa Northwest (16th Feb), The Tower Inferno (29th Feb), Salsa Silhouette (23rd Feb). Great venue, great lesson, great music. What more can you ask for? Well, another one! The next party is planned for 26th April – don’t miss it.
Contacts:
Lessons and events - Salsa Silhouette 01768 863853
Music - DJ Big Andy 017687 74303
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