Dancing is the second-best way to let the body do the talking, just short of being born with a secondary bellybutton mouth. Elegantly express yourself with today's Groupon: for $125, you get admission to the Orlando Salsa Congress (a $250 value), held June 30–July 3 at the Orlando World Center Marriott.
The progressive salsa pros at the Orlando Salsa Congress artfully meld suave hip-swinging moves with blood-pumping exercise in a sumptuous groove-filled weekend. Over the course of the conference, world-renowned salsa dancers spend their days twirling novices around lessons and workshops before whiling away evenings wowing audiences with fancy footwork and competition-level choreography. After rubbing elbows with fellow salsa practitioners at the weekend’s opening party, delegations of dancers attend four-hour beginner salsa boot camps on Friday and Saturday, learning progressive salsa directly from professionals instead of untested amateurs or confused Tex-Mex cooks. Catch Saturday night’s dancing showcase before retreating to the evening dance party, where salsa greats such as Francisco Vasquez and Salsa Heat members mingle with audience members amid the ballroom’s swinging rhythms.
Between workshops, dancers cool their heels poolside from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., soaking in the cheery weather and bumping adrenaline with tightrope dance-offs held above the water. Beginner boot camps run on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; peruse a full list of instructors and performers here. While today’s Groupon does not include accommodations, the Orlando World Center Marriott offers a reduced rate for convention attendees.
Salsa Heat
When discussing his teaching philosophy with reporters from Central Florida Lifestyle, the owner of Salsa Heat quipped, "if you can walk, you can dance." He himself didn't know much about dancing when he took his first salsa class in the early 90's, but he caught on after just a few sessions, falling in love with the dance's energetic spins and rhythmic movements.
Today, a team of professional dance instructors teach salsa spins and footwork to students of all experience levels. Zumba and bachata classes provide tutoring in other Latin dance styles, and salsa classes for kids teach youngsters dance fundamentals that hone coordination and motor skills. Throughout the year, the staff hosts special events on their spacious dance floors, such as salsa socials, salsa Christmas parties, and salsa-infused celebrations of Robert Heinlein's birthday.
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