2nd Swiss Addie-Tour Diary: 
Zurich's 1st Salsa Kongress
-compiled by Manny Siverio, Brett McNichols & Louis Tirado
-photos by Manny Siverio

It was early in 2002 (February to be exact) that Addie Diaz and members of her Addie-Tude Dance Company traveled to Zurich Switzerland for the 1^st Annual “Zurich Salsa Kongress”. This was the company’s 2^nd Addie-tour to that lovely European Country (their 1^st was back in 1999). Addie had a blast the first time around and looked forward to repeating the experience once again. For this 2^nd trip the team consisted of Addie Diaz, Manny Siverio, Brett McNichols and Louis Tirado.

Addie Diaz (L), Louis Tirado (C) and Brett McNichols were part of the Addie-tude Dance Company’s 2^nd Swiss tour. The team felt that this was the best Congress they’ve attended to date and will be judging all future Salsa Congress by this one.

Zurich Kongress In A Nutshell
To sum things up in a nut-shell we all agree that the Zurich Salsa Kongress is to our experience THE BEST European Congress any of us have ever been to this day. By the same token it will be the congress that we plan to use as a measuring stick for all other future congresses. This should come as no surprise when you realize that the event was done in association with Albert Torres (promoter of the highly popular U.S. West Coast Salsa Congress). Considering the Swiss reputation for timing and precision, everything ran like clock work. The dancers were all well taken care of (food & transportation), the events all ran on time & the shows weren’t too long (a recurring problem at many recent Salsa Congresses). We find that little time is actually enjoyed by dancers after performing at these events since promoters usually let shows drag on late into the night. The end result is that not enough time remains for actual social dancing. Though we’re happy to say that this was not the case in Zurich in 2002. It gave us an opportunity to truly appreciate the friendly and lively dance environment that sprang to life after each show. – Addie-tude Dance Member Manny Siverio

Pre-Kongress Party (Arrival Day)

Addie mixing it up on the dance floor with fellow NY dancer and director of Santo Rico Dance Company Thomas Guerrero.

After flying into Zurich Airport on a Swiss Air flight and being met by our old friend Stefan, the team settled into their Novotel Hotel rooms in Zurich City. But as usual there was no rest for the weary since we were expected to perform on the very same night of our arrival (at their Pre-Kongress party). The team kicked off our first night in Switzerland by performing Fuego and the Medley. When we were ushered onto the stage Louis and I were surprised to be greeted by what seemed to be a club full of spectator faces eagerly waiting for our performance. And if this weren’t enough, our New York Mambo brothers & sisters from Santo Rico were front stage and center whistling and cheering their heads off for us. What a great way to start off a trip! – Addie-tude Dance Member Manny Siverio

”When I first arrived in Zurich, full of jet lag and (post-8 hour flight discomfort) we had no idea what to expect.” ……… “My feelings of being in an unknown land full of strangers were quickly demolished as we bumped into members of the Santo Rico Dance Company from New York at the hotel lobby. I instantly felt at home!! After a much needed 4 hour nap, the team hurried over to rehearse at the club where we were scheduled to perform that evening. Following our rehearsal we enjoyed an excellent meal with the members of Zurich's own "Salsa Freestyle" Dance company, and members of Santo Rico. The performance that evening at the Pre-Kongress party went well. We had our fellow NY dancers cheering us on in the front row, which again helped us feel right at home!! – Addie-tude Dance Member Brett McNichols

Kongress – Day 1

Addie Kicked off her first day of the Kongress with a Workshop on Ladies Styling which went over very well with both the out of town Kongress participants and local Swiss Salseros. Louis and I on the other hand had decided to explore the city (or in my case re-explore). The remaining portion of the day was spent checking out other workshops, eating at the hotel, reconnecting with old dance friends or bonding with new ones. Later that night at the Zurich Kongress Hause, the team performed their knife fighting West Side Story-ish number: Hustler during the 2^nd set. Between shows we ran out to the front of the stage to cheer on NY’s Santo Rico and LA’s Salsa Brava during their performances. After the shows were over, we quickly got dressed and jumped out to the dance floor to enjoy the night’s dancing festivities. The night was highlighted with the musical presentation of Alfredo De La Fé y su Orquesta (the official band of Celia Cruz in Europe) featuring Azuquita (and take it from us these guys are awesome). – Addie-tude Dance Member Manny Siverio

Addie-tude sharing dinner table at Novotel Hotel with members of West Coast Salsa Brava Dance Company

The following day after sleeping until 4 pm (you know Addie and I
needed our beauty sleep!) we were chauffeured over to the Kongresshaus the location of the actual Congress. We were truly impressed by the grandeur of
the ballroom, stage and adjoining areas of the facility. Everything was meticulously decorated and prepared for the upcoming event. The remaining 2 days and nights of rehearsing, performing, sightseeing, (wrestling! –inside joke), eating, laughing and of course... dancing!! We were truly spoiled by the generosity of our hosts, and the methodical planning and organization of the entire event. This undoubtedly was the best congress I have ever attended and will continue to be the model congress that future congresses will be compared and will have to live up to!! – Addie-tude Dance Member Brett McNichols

Kongress – Day 2
Addie (Center) posing after dance performances with fellow New York dancers and Mambo Instructors Thomas Guerrero (Right) and Osmar Perrones (Left). Both of whom are members of Santo Rico Dance Company.

Kongress Day 2 started out early for Addie who was asked to teach another Ladies Styling workshop early that Sunday morning; followed by a partnering workshop with me (Manny) later that same the afternoon. We all returned to the hotel to rest, eat and prepare for the Kongress’s final night. The event was packed with dancers from all around Europe, all of whom were eagerly waiting to see the performances. NY gave a good representation with Santo Rico’s butt-kicking “Gangsta” number while we were fortunate enough to close the official event with what was Addie’s newest dance number at that time: MUNECA

Muneca - Our truly unique and theatrical performance was well received by those attending and was the closing number at the 2002 1^st Annual Zurich Salsa Kongress.

Quote from Edie The Salsa Freak regarding the Muneca number:
The "darling" of all the shows came from the Addie-Tude dance company. They performed as Toy soldiers, complete with Raggedie-Anne and a Fairytale Tinkerbell.

Addie (R) posing with fellow Salsera and friend Edie “The Salsa Freak” before breakfast at the Novotel Hotel Lobby in Zurich Switzerland.

Addie-Tude Workshops
   
Addie teaching one of her Ladies Styling workshops. Few can breakdown styling the way Addie can. Participants loved her attention to detail and her willingness in sharing styling techniques. Workshop goers quickly fell in love with her down to earth approach to teaching. During the Zurich Kongress Addie a total of three different workshops (2 Ladies Styling and 1 Mambo Partnering Workshop).
   

Addie-Tude would like to thank the promoters of the 1^st Annual Salsa Kongress for being so professional and taking such good care of the dancers at their event.

Zurich Salsa Kongress Promoters:

To learn more about next year’s Zurich Kongress surf on over to their website at: www.salsakongress.ch/indexenglish.htm