How to Prepare for a Congress

Salsa Congresses are one of the best ways to grow as a dancer and be exposed to a variety of styles. This fun experience can however turn into a disaster if we don’t properly plan for it. Here are some recommendations on the preparation to maximize the fun at a Congress.

As soon as you find out about it and have decided to attend a specific congress, go ahead and reserve your plane ticket and get the early bird discounted price. Doing so can save you sometimes up to 50% of the normal cost.

Put together or purchase your day, evening and night outfits. While selecting your outfits, look for items in your closet that complement each other. Neutral colors such as black and white can pretty much go with most outfits. Bring ie. track pants & t-shirts, NO shorts. Don’t forget to also pack at least one set of practice/workshop shoes, dance shoes with suede soles (for hardwood/smooth dance floors) and another with leather soles (for carpet dance floors).

Pack light and remember not to bring to many accessories, which can get in the way of your dancing. Only bring items you are going to need and if you have to bring miscellaneous items put them in a separate bag. The last thing you want to avoid is having a misplaced luggage with all your dance stuff stuck in some airport you are not in.

Comfort items such as hand towels for gents and hand fan for ladies can go a long way in between dance. It is not pleasing or attractive to drip on your partners’ eye in the middle of a dip.

Depending on the venue at the Congress, you may need to pack the appropriate costumes, whether swim suits or theme parties, you want to make sure you are prepared to fit in. When everyone has the proper costume and one does not, it becomes an eye sore, the person can be easily identifiable and probably will not be a first choice in the official photos.

Bring a camera or video recording device to capture your favorite workshops so you won’t forget them as soon as the Congress is over. Make to bring extra cash to purchase maybe t-shirt, DVDs and remember some vendors may not take cash for that item you so desire.

Bring plenty of gum, candy and deodorant. Bad breath or kicking body odor is not so attractive and does not increase the possibilities of getting multiple dances.

Lastly, bring a positive and friendly attitude. No one wants to be associated with someone who is not nice before, during or after a dance. Attitude is contagious and if a person is in a bad mood, it will transfer to his/her partner; this may dim the lights as soon as that person walks in a room. So start preparing early, prepare smart and have lots of fun while respecting others.

More Salsa dance tips at www.want2salsa.com.