Dance/Life: Colombian Independence Festival 7/16/23

 For some reason I am attracted to colorful things this summer. So I went to Colombian Independence Festival this past Sunday 7/16/2023.

Many Salsa and party Latin dancers are from or have connection to South American countries. Colombia has good presence in this city.

Color-wise, yes, primary colors of yellow, red and blue make Colombian flag.

The fest was held in a large event hall at a shopping center. They presented dancing in colorful ethnic clothes on the center stage. I got plenty of supply of colors to my eyes. They say colors make people feel happy, and it was correct. Loved it.

Dance: Wild Wild Westie (W3) 2023 (7/7-10/2023)

 Wild Wild Westie (W3) is a West Coast Swing Event in Dallas, annually held around July 4th, attracting hundreds of WCS dancers. 

This year is its 10th year. Contest participation grew by 25% this year, they say. Very nice.

 They said to have had well-attended college students-targeted teaching program. It was nice to hear, too. 

I am sad to say that two-year Covid break pretty much decimated WCS community in Oklahoma City. I dance WCS maybe once or twice in a month in these days, and it is rare to meet decent WCS dancers in the city. Seeing younger college-age dancers starting WCS is refreshing.

As such, it is joy to come to a decent WCS event and dance WCS once in a while. 

Although WCS and Argentine Tango are very different dances, both are my dances that allow me to listen to the music and improvise with the song and the dance partner. Compared with more formulated dances (ballroom) or simpler dances (party Latins), they are real "skilled social dancers' dances", I'd say.

WCS events come with leveled competitions, showcases, workshops and social dance that can go late night. 

For a dance event, you can assume (non-mutually-exclusive) roles like competitor, performer, spectator, staff, teacher, student, judge, social dancer, event runner and volunteer and so on. Depending on your position, how you engage the event may vary. I was attending as a social dancer-spectator, which is a great position to just relax and enjoy. 

Indeed I had a lot of fun. I met and greeted friends, for some old friends after over 10 years.

One of a few technical things I noticed about WCS dance in the event this year is that overactive frame has become quite prevalent. More than 95% of dancers on the floor were using overactive frame-style, both lead and follow.

As I recall, WCS was more composed, or standing straight, 10-15 years ago. Probably influenced by dances using hyperactive frame (advanced Zouk, advanced sensual Bachata), now I see most WCS dancers use overactive frame.

But styling is ephemeral thing. Like wide pants/slim pants, styling preference and popularity come and go in spiral.

In fact, I was most impressed by a girl dancing in "classical" style. She's got the "wow" factor in my book. It is a part of fun to watch good dancers and get inspired.

I'll discuss other notables later.

The W3 2023 was a fun weekend vacation for me. Loved it.

[wearing my vacation attire]