Tanya J Smith Washington DC Salsa Mambo Bachata Latin
What a THRILL it was watching the Montgomery County PS Latin Competition for High Schools! Much love to Ricardo Amigo Loaiza for getting me a ticket at the last minute! The Competition covered Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha Cha, & Merengue. Quite a few of the routines had Cumbia elements which was a refreshing change. Full Disclosure- I was there to support Einstein High School because some of their Alumni are my dear friends from DC’s Salsa Scene AND their Director, Paula Pero, always brings her Salsa Student Performers/Competitors to Mr. Mambo’s Salsa Social to get a dose of Real Salsa on a Real Dance floor!
Although most of the teams danced ON1, Einstein High School, performed their Salsa routines ON2. But during the Cha Cha Cha competition, ALL of the teamsperformed Cha Cha Cha ON2- YESSSSS!
Of course, my fellow companions and Salsa Snobs Brandon Carretero & Valerie Hernandez and I had color commentary on everything we witnessed from Technique, Energy output, Salsa Faces, Costumes, right on down to Posture. Let me tell you that as judges, We would be TOUGH, man, lmao! A highlight of the night was watching the parent/dancer showcase. Some of the parents didn’t look old enough to have kids in high school?! The dancing -Mother/son & Father/daughter- was so sweet and very entertaining.
In the end, many teams won trophies but the crew from Einstein High School aka Titanes Salseros won First Place in Salsa- WEPA!
