Hello Salseros,
Is this your first congress? Excited, scared, wondering what to expect? Well here are some tips that through the years of different congresses I've been to have helped me and also from friends that have given me tips.
How to pack for a Salsa Congress?
Bring all the essentials you need. Most hotels have just the basics, ladies their hair dryer is not going to be the same one at home so bring it just in case. If your sharing a room, remember those soaps and shampoos aren't always the best quality and it's limited. So bring your own shampoos and conditioners. Toothpaste, swabs, shower caps etc.
Ladies and Gentlemen
T-shirts~ You can never be short on them. The "sweat factor" is going to be CRAZY so make sure to bring enough to change into. Also there will be vendors at the congress, Mambo Fateez, and most schools that are teaching workshops usually have items to sell. It's a awesome
memorabilia and believe me the more T-shirts you have from different schools show that you really take salsa seriously. From what I know at the OSC: Pasofino Studios, SalsaFever On2, Salsa Heat, UMDA will be selling shirts there. I'm sure PLENTY of schools will be there. They usually run between $15-25 a t-shirt maybe less maybe more. It's just a guess. :)
Deodorant, Antiperspirant, body sprays ~ BRING THEM and buy the small ones to put in your shoe bag. Sometimes we need that "Spritz" of freshness on us after a 4-6min song. :)
Hand towels~ Gent's i'm sure you have seen salseros with a towel in their back pocket. That is a awesome tool for them to wipe down after each dance. It's not only the courteous thing to do but it also keeps your from feeling like someone poured a bucket of water on you. Ladies having one in your bag is also good to pat down after a dance or two. Keeps the makeup from running and cools you down.
If you deciding to wear dress shirts, dresses, dressy tops. Understand this. Cotton absorbs but if you wear a light blue top that 's cotton and when you wash the shirt does it get darker? Think about the "SWEAT FACTOR" (I will call it the SF from now on) It's inevitable but think about what will look better? A dark shirt that doesn't show the sweat? Or the shirt that shows you've been sweating and the only places dry are the undergarments? Just a thing to think about. There are dressy shirts that you can buy at the store that are nice and classy but when you sweat it doesn't show. Just know that on a Saturday night at a congress, it will be packed, the a/c is going to seem like it's BROKEN, because the body heat of hundreds to possibly thousands in there is going feel like your in a oven! The SF is going to be there regardless. SO BE PREPARED for it. :)
SF rules.
Hygiene is always important. If you know your body and there is a need for extra deodorant, or a simple wipe down in the bathroom. Do it. This goes for both. (No Pun intended just making recommendations) I have gone to the bathroom several times and taken paper towels with soap and wiped down my arms, neck, pits etc. Not only do I cool off but I refreshed my skin and putting that body spray on clean skin which will make you feel cooled off. If you go outside of the congress and sit outside to cool down, that is another way to let your body rest and cool off. You don't want to pass out because of heat exhaustion. I've seen it happen. Not fun.
These are just general things that I have done and have seen many do. They do work, try it.
H2O~
HYDRATE that body! Drink plenty of water! Too much soda, Gatorade etc, pile up in sodium, and sugar and you'll burn out quicker. So get a bottle and refill on the water it's healthier and you'll cool down quicker!
Workshops ~ Workshops are awesome if you want to expand your horizons and gain some new moves and experiences. Too much workshops can wear you down so make sure you take breaks in between and make sure your wear your dance sneakers to be comfortable. Which brings me to the next topic.
Shoes~ Ladies, at a congress heels are awesome, sexy and great but at a congress bring those jazz shoes with some arch support. The biggest thing I see that happen is ladies wear those heels to the workshops and the 1st night of the congress, they are getting down all night. Next day, footsies are KILLING you then your downstairs with the vendors buying shoes just so your feet can tolerate the rest of the congress. Unfortunately this is true. Ladies, our feet need rest and if your dancing in 2" heels for 5 workshops. Believe me from 10pm-4am dancing those "dawgs" are going to bark and tell you NO MORE! So be nice to your feet. Wear flats but good ones. If you don't have any there will be several vendors selling Jazz Sneakers, jazz boots, and shoes. Buy some, and get gel soles to help keep your feet comfy.
Gents~ same thing, you love wearing those pointy leather bottom shoes that your just bought at ALDO, or Armani Exchange but after 2 hours your feet feel like they are going to explode and once the shoes come off you can't get them back on. It's a simple fact. WEAR comfortable, broken in shoes. You too can buy awesome dance sneakers at the congress. Remember gel soles are your friends so get them and treat your feet right! If you don't know what to buy? Ask the pros they will give you their recommendations and believe me the vendors know because they experienced it too.
That's it's for now. Hope you enjoyed reading and stay tuned for more Salsa Stories from Salsera_54. :)
Is this your first congress? Excited, scared, wondering what to expect? Well here are some tips that through the years of different congresses I've been to have helped me and also from friends that have given me tips.
How to pack for a Salsa Congress?
Bring all the essentials you need. Most hotels have just the basics, ladies their hair dryer is not going to be the same one at home so bring it just in case. If your sharing a room, remember those soaps and shampoos aren't always the best quality and it's limited. So bring your own shampoos and conditioners. Toothpaste, swabs, shower caps etc.
Ladies and Gentlemen
T-shirts~ You can never be short on them. The "sweat factor" is going to be CRAZY so make sure to bring enough to change into. Also there will be vendors at the congress, Mambo Fateez, and most schools that are teaching workshops usually have items to sell. It's a awesome
memorabilia and believe me the more T-shirts you have from different schools show that you really take salsa seriously. From what I know at the OSC: Pasofino Studios, SalsaFever On2, Salsa Heat, UMDA will be selling shirts there. I'm sure PLENTY of schools will be there. They usually run between $15-25 a t-shirt maybe less maybe more. It's just a guess. :)Deodorant, Antiperspirant, body sprays ~ BRING THEM and buy the small ones to put in your shoe bag. Sometimes we need that "Spritz" of freshness on us after a 4-6min song. :)
Hand towels~ Gent's i'm sure you have seen salseros with a towel in their back pocket. That is a awesome tool for them to wipe down after each dance. It's not only the courteous thing to do but it also keeps your from feeling like someone poured a bucket of water on you. Ladies having one in your bag is also good to pat down after a dance or two. Keeps the makeup from running and cools you down.
If you deciding to wear dress shirts, dresses, dressy tops. Understand this. Cotton absorbs but if you wear a light blue top that 's cotton and when you wash the shirt does it get darker? Think about the "SWEAT FACTOR" (I will call it the SF from now on) It's inevitable but think about what will look better? A dark shirt that doesn't show the sweat? Or the shirt that shows you've been sweating and the only places dry are the undergarments? Just a thing to think about. There are dressy shirts that you can buy at the store that are nice and classy but when you sweat it doesn't show. Just know that on a Saturday night at a congress, it will be packed, the a/c is going to seem like it's BROKEN, because the body heat of hundreds to possibly thousands in there is going feel like your in a oven! The SF is going to be there regardless. SO BE PREPARED for it. :)
SF rules.
Hygiene is always important. If you know your body and there is a need for extra deodorant, or a simple wipe down in the bathroom. Do it. This goes for both. (No Pun intended just making recommendations) I have gone to the bathroom several times and taken paper towels with soap and wiped down my arms, neck, pits etc. Not only do I cool off but I refreshed my skin and putting that body spray on clean skin which will make you feel cooled off. If you go outside of the congress and sit outside to cool down, that is another way to let your body rest and cool off. You don't want to pass out because of heat exhaustion. I've seen it happen. Not fun.
These are just general things that I have done and have seen many do. They do work, try it.
H2O~
HYDRATE that body! Drink plenty of water! Too much soda, Gatorade etc, pile up in sodium, and sugar and you'll burn out quicker. So get a bottle and refill on the water it's healthier and you'll cool down quicker!
Workshops ~ Workshops are awesome if you want to expand your horizons and gain some new moves and experiences. Too much workshops can wear you down so make sure you take breaks in between and make sure your wear your dance sneakers to be comfortable. Which brings me to the next topic.
Shoes~ Ladies, at a congress heels are awesome, sexy and great but at a congress bring those jazz shoes with some arch support. The biggest thing I see that happen is ladies wear those heels to the workshops and the 1st night of the congress, they are getting down all night. Next day, footsies are KILLING you then your downstairs with the vendors buying shoes just so your feet can tolerate the rest of the congress. Unfortunately this is true. Ladies, our feet need rest and if your dancing in 2" heels for 5 workshops. Believe me from 10pm-4am dancing those "dawgs" are going to bark and tell you NO MORE! So be nice to your feet. Wear flats but good ones. If you don't have any there will be several vendors selling Jazz Sneakers, jazz boots, and shoes. Buy some, and get gel soles to help keep your feet comfy.
Gents~ same thing, you love wearing those pointy leather bottom shoes that your just bought at ALDO, or Armani Exchange but after 2 hours your feet feel like they are going to explode and once the shoes come off you can't get them back on. It's a simple fact. WEAR comfortable, broken in shoes. You too can buy awesome dance sneakers at the congress. Remember gel soles are your friends so get them and treat your feet right! If you don't know what to buy? Ask the pros they will give you their recommendations and believe me the vendors know because they experienced it too.That's it's for now. Hope you enjoyed reading and stay tuned for more Salsa Stories from Salsera_54. :)
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