Latin-American rhythms have their roots in Africa. You can get the crash course of your life in the dance styles they have inspired at the second Mzansi Cape Town International Salsa Festival in November 2014. DEBBIE HATHWAY finds out more.
THE success of the inaugural Mzansi Cape Town International Salsa Festival 2013 has led to double the bookings from the global salsa community for the upcoming November event, with dance fans realising the value in coupling their favourite past-time with the opportunity to tour one of the world’s beautiful cities.
The festival incorporates over 40 workshops and more than 30 performances by 10 international acts, and also provides a platform for 25 local dance schools. “Workshops are geared to ease beginners onto the dance floor, while more advanced dancers will be challenged to develop their style and learn new combinations,” says organiser Theo Mseka. “These are followed by evening parties that give dancers the opportunity to consolidate what they’ve learned, to socialise with friends and to develop their salsa network.”
The second Mzansi Cape Town International Salsa Festival runs from November 20 to 23 at The River Club, Observatory. The programme incorporates intensive dance training in group workshop format, evening performances and parties driven by top DJs from around the world, and sightseeing to some of Cape Town’s best-known attractions. It’s an investment in fun.
Participants are incentivised by discounts for early bookings (each month you wait, the more expensive tickets become), which not only helps the dancers, but also puts cash in the bank for the organisers who aim to secure cheaper flights and accommodation for visiting performers through advance bookings.
Fundraising is ongoing and sponsors are encouraged to join the party.
“South Africa is now very much on the international salsa map. Interest has grown since the Cape Town festival last year and more of our dancers are making an effort to attend major events in Africa and on other continents. They’re our ambassadors,” says Mseka.
Another outcome of the 2013 festival was the formation of the first Island Touch bachata performance teams in South Africa. The first performance by creative directors Jorge Burgos (aka Ataca) and Tanja Kensinger (aka La Alemana) in 2008 went viral on YouTube. It fuelled a bachata sensation.
Island Touch now invites directors of performance teams around the world to teach their seasonal choreographies, wearing a prescribed wardrobe designed to suit all body types. Alisar Dance Company, led by Chilly Alisar, and his partners Maria Mvungi and Sarah Meek, took up the challenge, making Cape Town the 43rd city to join the Touch family. Johannesburg shortly followed suit with the assistance of Vicky Smith. There are now 70 Touch Teams globally.
“Dance, in general, releases endorphins that put you on a high. It's very hard to be sad while dancing,” says Burgos. “Learning to dance bachata, in particular, can increase self-confidence and encourage you to let your guard down - even just for three minutes - because it can be a very close dance.”
As in all partner dancing, bachata requires an invasion of personal space. “You have to be confident and comfortable with allowing often complete strangers into that space,” he says.
As for sexual body language, Burgos says it’s often misunderstood. People like to quote Robert Frost, who said, “Dancing is a vertical expression of a horizontal desire”, but it’s the dancers who determine what the message will be. “The dance can be sensual, but be expressed with respect. Sensuality does not equal sexuality. Because the lyrics talk about heartbreak, the music can be very sensual too.”
The South African Touch Teams debuted in April, along with over 500 of their contemporaries around the globe. Everybody learns the same routine each season and performs it in identical costumes, affording them the opportunity to join in a team performance anywhere in the world that coincides with their travels. It is hoped that there will be some foreign festival delegates joining the local Touch Teams on stage in November.” We feel that given the material of the Touch Team choreographies and the number of active members learning them, there is a positive impact on the quality and quantity of bachata dancers,” says Jorge.
The festival offers an opportunity for delegates to take the floor with the best dancers in the world. “The best way to learn is through practice. Dancers are encouraged to attend the post-performance parties every night. The performances will showcase the international artists and South Africa's finest across various dance genres,” says Mseka.
The festival offers training in several Latin-American styles, including salsa on 1, salsa on 2, Cuban-style, cha cha cha, samba, bachata, kizomba, pachanga, reggaeton, African dance, Cape jazz, body movement, ladies’ and gents’ styling and international Latin-American standard. There is also a Beginners on 1 salsa bootcamp during the festival.
l To book or enquire about sponsorship, see www.capetownsalsafestival.com Full-pass tickets range from R1800 in September to R2000 in November. The full pass holds the most value as it provides access to all festival activities but there are options to only attend one day or one party, or more.