Photos and films by Miguel del Foto; words by Lee Knights;
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Mambo City's Robert and Jean White seem to have made it their personal mission to bring a touch of glamour and style to the UK salsa scene.
     There just aren't enough big occasions any more when you can togged up and genuinely relax and enjoy yourself.
      Happily, their 6th SalsaSplash weekender at the Lakeside resort in 

        This wasn't your token fancy dress party either. People went to a lot of effort to put together stylish costumes that did justice to the occasion.
     Especially the guy who came as menancing Star Wars' villain Darth Maul. He told us he looked in the mirror after he'd made himself up and scared himself to death!
     Everybody was up for
it, there was a wholehearted, throw yourself into it and have fun attitude. With this vibe, these stylish parties were bound to hit the spot.            Among the famous faces, we spotted Mauricio Reyes giving away his secret identity as the Latino superman.
     Meanwhile, a couple of smurfs impressed by performing a salsa dance showcase on Sunday night. I hadn't realised before how gifted smurfs were in the terpsicorean arts.

Hayling Island on the south coast on 1st-4th August 2008 set out to make up for all that.
    Mambo City's SalsaSplash delivered an up-market, quality event without breaking the bank. Here, a formal sense of occasion is balanced with a chilled, laid back vibe, and a generous helping of good humour.   
    SalsaSplash's special features are its themed party nights. In fact, in my book, these are its real stars, with guests themselves taking centre stage and expectations of good fun running high. 
    On Saturday, guests got togged up to the nines for a stylish Casino Royale themed party. The big news was the men. They looked sharp and dead sexy in the 007 licensed to kill look. Check out our photo gallery to get the full effect.
Why don't guys get dressed up like this more often?         
    On Sunday, Mambo City's Robert and Jean White hosted a celebrity fancy dress night. Dancers come back year on year for this event, so these occasions have a momentum. The weekender was rammed and practically everyone came in fancy dress. 

       After their performance, they were mobbed by an outbreak of squealing and excitable smurf fans. 
    Apparently, the smurf show was really Lee and Shelley in fancy dress but I still like to think that it was the smurf dimension merging very briefly with our own and now heading off at a zillion miles an hour to a galaxy far away.          
      Making a big impression was a totally co-ordinated table of Marie Antoinettes squired by a couple of aristocratic French dudes. However, it did appear most of the ladies had forgotten their skirts. Check out our photo gallery again for the
pic!
    Mambo City's Robert and Jean White, MC Rohan Brown and the rest of their hard working team took time out to dress up. If there were any mad panics going on behind the scenes, none of it showed - they looked as cool and sharp as their alter egos from the Matrix.  

Stan the Man

    There were some inspired duos. Amanda, a purr-fect catwoman arrived with guess who - joker Pete Cooke dressed as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.         
    Mahatma Ghandi (Lloyd Dixon) seemed to get around quite a bit. At first, he was spotted hob-nobbing with Cleopatra and Morticia from the Adams' family.
Afterwards, we snapped him hitting it off with two leather-clad catwomen.
    Some celebrity aliases proved very popular - there was a litter of catwomen; a bevy of Marilyn Monroes, a cornucopia of Cleopatras a horde of St Trinians' girls and more.
    We awarded worst costume to a bloke dressed in a t-shirt with the name "Stan" scrawled in felt tipped pen on the back!   

Classy Salsa

     The Lakeside resort, part of the Warners group, is the right setting for a classy salsa weekend.
     The location is another bonus - the resort is by the beach and the weather was warm and sunny.
   Combining the comforts of a hotel with well appointed chalets, this offers dancers the chance to enjoy pleasant dining alongside good workshop and party facilities, plus the freedom and independence of chalet accommodation.  

Pure Indulgence

     A huge treat is Lakeside's on-site beauty parlour, Pure Indulgence. Offering a full range of treatments - everything from massage, to facials, manicures and pedicures through reflexology, Indian head massage and hair-dressing, this hits the spot for active dancers.

     I fitted in a back massage in between workshops - the service and facilities were spot on.
     This is the kind of treat I never have time for under normal circumstances and Pure Indulgence lived up to its name. Prices were
competitive - less expensive than my local High Street salon - so you get to feel virtuous too!

     The salon gets booked out at weekenders, it's worth booking in advance - call Liz on 02392 460333 if you want to treat yourself.              The weekender included breakfast & dinner and the dining experience was pleasant - not gourmet, but healthy fare and decent portions. Staff are friendly and helpful.

Unspoilt Hayling

    Hayling Island is one of those undiscovered, unspoilt non-touristy places. It's got a fifties, post war vibe with what seems like a genuine community spirit.
    The Hayling Island Carnival was on over our weekend and everybody on Hayling seemed to get involved. 
    The vibe spills over onto the resort - this is the place to relax and chill as well as enjoy three late night parties, dance showcases and a full on programme of salsa workshops.
    It was good to see SalsaSplash instructors like Miguel de Puerto Rico (left) dancing the night away with guests. 
    We tried to pace ourselves during the day, trying not to overdo it, so we were fresh 

enough to make the most of the late night parties.
     Highlights included dazzling shows and workshop. Highlights were sessions with France's inspirational U-tribe; plus Spain's one man fun factory Pedro with partner Ines; UK's Miguel and Mayana, Marchant and Davina, Ramark and more.
     There was an impressive debut performance from unknowns Francis and his dance partner. You will hear and see more from this couple - great musical interpretation, body movement and presence.
     Workshop highlights included rueda with Pedro; On2 Mambo with Marchant Birch and Davina; funky salsa with Robert Charlemagne and Pam Rene.
     DJs on duty were Julian "the Duke"; Mauricio Reyes, Cruz and Enrique Perez.
     My two top workshop choices were authentic Cuban rumba with Homero Gonzalez and a flawless improver level salsa workshop delivered by Miguel de Puerto Rico and Mayana. I've come to the conclusion that a well taught improver level class can offer more than an advanced class chocker with complicated, and instantly forgettable moves. 
    Mambo City's next SalsaSplash weekender takes place at Lakeside, Hayling Island on 9th-12th January 2009. Package includes Dinner, Bed Breakfast plus full weekend pass, £135.
     To Book and for more, contact: www.mambocity.co.uk
www.salsasplash.com or contact Warners Tel: 01442 236 777. To book a beauty treatment in advance, call Liz at Lakeside's Pure Indulgence salon on 02392 460333. 
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