As the Reno Winter Bachata 2012 festival approaches and I prepare to attend and present, I thought it would be good to write a post with tips on how to attend bachata festivals, thrive and have a great time. Festivals can truly be endurance events, filled with tons to do and lots of people to meet. Classes, old and new friends, exploring the town, romance, pool parties and events, performances at night, concerts, dancing until 5 or 6 in the morning, after parties, and then back at it again the next day. wheeww!! It can be a lot but Do not fear, with a little bit of prep you can do it and not only survive but have a great time.
Now as I mentioned in previous posts I was introduced to bachata festivals when I began showing my documentary "The Duke of Bachata" about bachatero Joan Soriano in 2009. That lead to teaching and presenting on bachata as well. For me bachata festivals were a very different cultural experience compared to the way I experienced bachata in the Dominican Republic. When I first attended fests I would imagine what Joan Soriano's dad "Cande" would think if he attended the fest. He truly embodies the love of bachata and dance and grew up rooted in bachata in the Dominican countryside. Certainly the fact that hundreds of people from all over the world were gathered in a luxury hotel to enjoy bachata would surprise him, but I think he would enjoy it. I imagine that he would smile his mischievous smile seeing everybody dancing to it and that he would join in, dancing with all the beautiful women he could. So festivals are great but It's important to realize that to get an authentic understanding of bachata and tap into its essence you will need to continue your search to places where it is rooted. Little clubs, corner stores, people's homes etc. Bachata festivals are fairly new and its important to experience people and places that have been embracing bachata for a long time.
So here are a few hints for doing bachata festivals right (Not in order of importance)
1. Get SERIOUS about food! I learned this one from the great bachata teacher Carlos Cinta. now I've known for a long time he LOVES to eat but it was sent home to me at the 2011 DC bachata festival when he would wake me up every morning at 8 a.m. after 2 hours of sleep to chow down on the hotels breakfast buffet and then head back up to the room to sleep some more. This is extreme but Carlos has iT right. You need to eat to keep your energy, health and spirits up. With everything going on its easy to skip meals but I would not recommend it. Carry snacks as well and stock you room. Try and eat healthy. Also having meals with friends at the fest is a great way to get away from the buzz and relax and catch up on a deeper level. So invite someone to eat. It might also help soak up some of the alcohol you might be drinking later.
2. Stock up your room! Having a stocked room will make for a more enjoyable fest and help you save money. Have food handy. Bring alcohol, beer or wine if you like to drink. think about bringing a small music device so you can listen to music in your room and keep the party going after the last song is played downstairs. Water is all a must. Some of this stuff you can carry on the plane but don't over do it. Often times it pays to go out and scout around and find a little grocery store where you can stock up.
3. Take advantage of the activities but don't try and do it all. You can't have it all, you have to chose. This is true in life and in bachata festivals. There is so much going on and you've paid your money so you are tempted to do it all. I recommend relaxing and going with the flow. Do tons and have fun but don't create a schedule that has you running around, tired out, with no time to engage with people. Remember what bachata, music and dance is all about.
4. Open dance at night. For me this is where so much of the learning actually takes place. You may be tired after a long day of classes but save enough for the evenings. Dancing to this much bachata multiple evenings in a row WILL make you a better dancer. By the third night of dancing I feel so much more in the flow and this comes from just being around the music and dancing with lots of people.
5. Dance with everybody and all levels of dancers. This is a community event and when you make it a point to be kind to everyone and share this experience with them you make it better for yourself and everyone else. Everybody wants to dance with the greats like Troy, Jorjet, Ataca, La Alemana etc. but to a beginner attending the fest you may be the star they are waiting to dance with. So make someone's night!
6. Make friends and exchange info. This is a given I suppose but don't forget to make time to meet people and friends. Also don't forget to exchange info. Who knows maybe you will end up going dancing next time your in each others towns?
7. Sleep when you can. This goes back to the point that you cannot do it all. Catch naps when you can.
8. Get outside and explore! I realized this after the first Reno fest I attended when I literally did not leave the hotel and see the sun for 3 days! This is easy to do in a casino but no matter how much fun you are having you have to get out. Get some sun and see some of the sites. DC fest makes it easy by being in a great location between Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan. The Alburquerque Latin Fest also does a great job incorporating the community so you get around.
9. Try something new. This may be a new teacher, a new style of bachata or a new dance altogether. It might be something such as a film, presentation or musicality discussion.
Some of my most memorable class at bachata fests were not bachata. Cumbia with Zeke, Cha cha cha with Angel Rivera, Pachanga with Jorjet. Also, remember all of the well known teachers had their starts so it might be fun to try someone starting off on occasion. You will also have the advantage of a smaller class size.
10. Don't over pack! I know you 3 outfits for each day but just remember you have to carry that suitcase back with you at the end of 3 days with little sleep.
11. Find the after parties. When its your first fest there will come points in the night when you will wonder, 'where did people go?' 'did they get tired so soon?' Well just keep in mind that there are pre and post parties in peoples rooms so if your into that you may want to try to get word as to where they will be.
12. Support vendors and teachers. Don't spend money you don't have but keep in mind that the dance teachers support themselves by selling dvds, music, and other things as well as teaching. And many of these items all well worth it.
13. Have Fun! Don't worry about learning too much. Participate, enjoy, and dance! You will learn. You may wonder what you retained after it all but your dancing body will sort that out in the weeks after the fest. Your job is to participate, experience and enjoy. Remember what its all really about. Connect. (And if you really need to remember what you were taught keep a little notebook and record dance elements with your phone or camera.)
15. Finally, Say "thank you!" to the volunteers and festival organizers. They worked hard to put this all together and appreciate kind words. Say goodbye to those you met at the festival and if you lose them in the crowd you can send them a "nice to meet you" e-mail when you return home.
So I hope this advice helps! Enjoy the fests!
