Now in its 7th year, this event gets bigger and bigger. This year, the Grand Salsa Weekend was a total sell-out, with latecomers fixed up in nearby B&Bs. 
     A line-up of three of the UK’s most popular salsa dance instructors - Susana Montero (below with Courtney Thomas), Super Mario and Marchant Birch – is a sure fire way to pull in the punters. As the only event in the country to boast this trio of high flyers, this event has a unique appeal for dancers.

THE VIBE WAS THERE, with some 350 dancers making their annual spring migration from all points across the South East to the Grand Salsa Weekend at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone this weekend (March 8-10 2008), report filed midday, Wednesday 12th March  08 by Editor, Photographs by Miguel del Foto.

       It's not just the punters who come to chill and hang out. In between teaching sharp classes on cross body style salsa, teachers like Super Mario and Susana Montero act like an unofficial entertainment committee. This is the only time you're going to catch Super Mario at a UK salsa weekend, dolling out banter and horsing around, as well as dancing with the ladies at evening parties.

This is a double whammy – great vibe, great teachers.
On Saturday, day-time workshops were well busy – at times, almost as busy as late night parties. Marchant Birch and Davina impressed with two introductory workshops on New York Mambo, following up with a session on smooth, fluid salsa for advanced dancers. Inaki Fernandez’s Bachata class pulled a big, hip-rolling crowd while Susana Montero and Super Mario make teaching look easy and have eyes in the back of their heads. The teaching line up also featured Leon Rose, Terry and Yolande Lewis, Moe Flex, Funda Dejamal and more.

     From Friday night onwards, party animals were out in force, with dancing full on until the small hours.
     DJs Julian the Duke and Salsa Chillout’s Terry Lewis, plus singer El Barrio’s Yiame Diaz made sure their was no let up and – on Saturday night especially – it was difficult to shoehorn to your way onto the dance floor. Best advice from Folkestone regulars was to have dinner, nap until well gone midnight, then hit the dance floor.

Chilled salsa geezers: Clayton Thomas with top salsa DJ Julian “the Duke”.

               I’m guessing next year’s event is going to fill up even faster than 2008. Clay and Debbie are already taking bookings for the next one - Friday 6th- Monday 9th March 2009, £10 p/p deposit, early bird price £170, £10 single supplement. More: www.salsacalientita.co.uk www.salsapromotionsuk.co.uk email: salsacalientita@yahoo.co.uk   tel:  07973 390440
Photographs: the amazingly talented and mysterious Migue del Foto, words Lee Kinghts  salsa in Folkestone