Usually, when weekends like this are over, I feel a void. Spending all that time doing something you love, bonding with other people who love the same thing; when that ends, it always feels like something is missing., 

This time, its a little different. I feel more of an afterglow because this weekend proved how many people are willing to spend 20 hours over three days dancing kizomba. 

I'm still trying to collect pictures, reset my sleep schedule (i'm staying up till about 3am now instead of 5) and wrapping up loose end from the weekend. 

i already posted this in some form on facebook but one can never stop saying thanks so here goes: 

• Thanks to Oscar and Guelas for comming to Seattle to provide a beutifaul canvas of music for us to dance to.
  
• Thanks to Maurycy and isaias,  our local DJ's, for spinning. Maurycy is one of the first DJ's in our community.
  
• Thanks to my check-in crew: Katie and Jess leading the charge (and sometimes saving my sanity) along with Brandon and Chanya.
  
• Thanks to Jay, Summer, Samir, Galine and Jess for opening up their homes to our visiting guests.
  
• Thanks to Ana and Carlette for opening their homes to our visiting DJ's
  
• Thanks to Century Ballroom, Salsa N Seattle, Salsa Con Todo, Tam Tam Productions and Waid's for hosing the different dances. 
  
• Thanks to all the dancers that came to make this such a memorable and great weekend.
  

I hope other cities start to embrace the exchange concept and that we'll be able to have exchanges all across the US. Its not always about a festival with workshops and dances. Sometimes, if just about getting together with some great people, getting to know a local scene, and just dancing to some really great music. 

Wishing you all the best holiday and see you again next yeat!!!

We're off to an awesome start!

The opening dance had 80 people, not counting the random visitors that looked in to see what the dance was about. We have dancers from Atlanra, DC, California, Victoria, Vancouver and Alaska joining our Seattle (Tacomo and TriCities) family. We even welcomes some first time dancer to our fold and celebrated a birthday!. What a blast! Wonderful music by DJ Guelas, Maurycy and Vasilli in great venues: West Hall at the Century Ballroom and Salsa Con Todo Studio in Fremont. 

and that's just the beginning!

There's still time to join us so come by and dance! Today's line up is:

Saturday 11/16:
4:00 - 7:00 pm at Belltown Dance Studio  with DJ Shiv from CA
10:00 pm - 1:00am at Waid's with DJ Guelas from Atlanta
1:30 am - 4:30 am at Salsa N Seattle with Oscar BA from Wasthington, DC

Let's Dance!!!

Ok, my to do list is more or less checked off... more to do's tomorrow but I'm ready and hope you are too.

I'm going to try some live blogging this event on the Kizomba Seattle blog, facebook and maybe even twitter  - we'll see how that goes. In the meantime, some things to help you for the weekend: 

WEEKEND ITINERARY: Here's what you have in store: 

• Friday opening dance at West Hall 9:30 - 1:00am, then head over to
  
• Salsa Con Todo 1:30am - 4:30am then 
  
• sleep....maybe eat...
  
• Sat BDS 4:00pm - 7:00pm...
  
• eat... maybe nap...
  
• Sat Waid's 10:00pm - 1:00am
  
• Salsa N Seattle 1:30 am - 4:30 am (come after Vinyl)
  
• sleep....maybe eat
  
• Sun Salsa Con Todo 4:00pm - 7:00pm
  
• eat... maybe nap
  
• Sun closing at West Hall 10:00pm - 1:00am
  

WEEKEND PASS: A weekend pass is $50 and will get you into all the dances for the weekend at a small discount. The weekend pass also goes towards paying for the event artists and organization.

If you choose to pay per dance, the cover for each dance goes directly to the local studio or host of that particular venue and does not go towards the event itself. 

For those that cannot attend all the events and are so inclined, please consider paying for the weekend pass to support the event itself. (Studios and venues are stil compenstated when you buy the weekend pass.)

You'll be supporting the Kizomba Seattle community in one form or another AND be a part of Kizomba Seattle History whatever you choose. 

BIRTHDAY DANCE: If you have a birthday this weekend, and would like a birthday dance, please email kizombaseattle@gmail.com or contact Frances Tee on faccebook or email. Pick your favorite song or leave it to DJ's choice and you'll have the floor with all the leads and/or follows for that one song. Its part of birthday dancing tradition shared with other dances here in Seattle and we already have a few or our own celebrating their Kizomba birthday dance. 

Looking forward to the weekend! HUGS

One more day till the Kizomba Seattle Exchange!

I've matched all the housing requests I've received and am expecting folks from San Franciso, Vancouver BC, Victoria, Portland, Alaska, DC and Atlanta to come and share in a weekend of kizomba. 

Volunteers have been contacted and everything looks good. There are a few things left to do and them BOOM! let the good times (and bundas) roll. 

Sleep now and get your rest - HUGS!

Its almost here - can you believe it? History in the making for sure!

Registrations are starting to come in and housing requests are being matched. (Thanks again to everyone that's offered up their homes for guests from out of town!)

We can't wait to welcome Oscar and Guelas back in Seattle.

Don't forget to spread the word about our kickstarter to help raise funds for this and more events like this moving forward, 

Registrations, housing requests and volunteers are starting to roll in. I know its about a month away and that might seem like a long time but trust me - it creeps up on you FAST!

Help spread the word and more importantly sign up as we'd love to see you dancing all weekend long with us. 

I've also started a kickstarter project to help fund the event - please spread the word to all your family and friends to get this party going by sharing this link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/528655885/kizomba-seattle-exchange-lets-get-this-party-going

Hope you're having a great start to the fall season with lots of lovely dances.

Registration is up and running! Take advantage of the Early Bird pricing at a mere $50 for the weekend. 

Interested in volunteering? Check out the opportunities listed on the Volunteer page.

Schedule is being finalized but take a sneak peak and see what's in store.

We're so excited we're also about to kick-off a Kickstarter any day now. 

Hope you can make it!!

The housing page is up and ready for people to send their request and volunteer as hosts.

We've confirmed 2 more places for the weekend: 

• Saturday's Dance will be hosted by Tam Tam Productions (location TBD)
  
• Sunday's Afternoon Dance will be at the Salsa Con Todo Studio

Not only that, we're very excited to announce that DJ Guelas from Atlanta will be joining us for the weekend Hurrah!!

Still working on other guest DJ's along with some of our local folks (they're a little shy but I think they'll come around). 

In the meantime - I hope you're keeping the time open. I'll be posting registration and detailed information very very soon. 

Happy Dancing  

We've just confirmed Century Ballroom, Salsa Con Todo and Salsa N Seattle for locations to host our dances for the weekend!

Opening and closing dances will be at the Century Ballroom and Late Night/Early Morning dances will be hosted by Salsa Con Todo on Friday 11/15 and Salsa N Seattle on Saturday 11/16.

We're working on bringing DJ Guelas and Oscar BA to provide the music for us to dance to alongside some of our homegrown DJ's. 

Things are starting to come together - whohoo!!!