The year of 2009 started heavy as the global economic crisis got underway and economists were forecasting of prolonged recessions, while employers dished out pay cuts and retrenchments. But the good news is as we near the end of the year, the doom-and-gloom was really not as bad as expected, with forecasters now declaring we are more or less out of the woods. Well well, along with that, say hello to positive economic growths, rising stockmarkets, and new integrated resorts and casinos. Now, does it not feel like exciting times are not so far ahead?
Perhaps it was because of the dreary 2009 economy, salsa events this year were subdued relative to the number we saw in past years. But that is not to say within the quiet year, we did not see some good parties. The Caderas Latinas-organised Bailamos Para Siempre was chockfull of performances by tertiary students while En Motion Dance School kept the bachata spirit alive with its second En La Pasion competition. NTUC held its first U Dance competition, where we witnessed a dance extravaganza of various genres, while the Singapore River Festival got us dancing outdoors at Clarke Quay and by the Singapore River while swigging mojitos.
This year Union Square also organised more themed parties like the celebration of Colombia’s Independence Day, Union Square’s birthday and Halloween. Jitterbugs Swingapore got a new pad at The Cathay while JJSalsaRengue returned to Far East Pavilion for its birthday celebration with Party@8. Movida at St James Powerstation also launched Lazy Sundays, giving us a new swanky salsa venue for Sunday nights. And we probably cannot get by without mentioning the two biggies of this year: Singapore International Salsa Festival and Salsa Cruise Asia. Both events brought in international salsa artistes to impart us with new moves and thrill us with world-class performances, and had us impressed and panting for more.
With things tentatively looking promising in the new year, here is hoping that 2010 will bring more pleasant surprises and wonderful salsa parties. SalsaSingapore wishes all salseros and salseras a happy, healthy and hearty 2010!
And here is a recap of some of those great dancing moments of 2009.
| -> No sweat. Salseros beat the heat and danced to live bands at Mojito Fiesta's Salsa Extravaganza, part of the Singapore River Festival, at Clarke Quay. |  |
 | <- Drama mamas. The foursome from Venezuela’s Imagen Latina had us mesmerised at SISF with their flashy dips and tricks, impeccable shines, stunning finishes and costumes that can rival those of Lady Gaga's. |
| ->Take a bow, strike a pose. The lovely salseras of Caderas Latinas strike poses at the closing of Bailamos Para Siempre. |  |
 | <-Glitzy night. Magna Gopal and Zee are one of the thrilling opening acts for Salsa Cruise Asia at the Ritz Carlton. |
| -> Hello MJ. Philbert Poh does his best Michael Jackson impersonation at Union Square's White & Black Party. |  |
Photos: Gerald Koo
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We carried out the SalsaSingapore Survey in October to see what you think of salsa in Singapore. With that we conclude that Singapore salseros and salseras are generally a well-traveled genial bunch who are also versatile in dance genres and reckon dancing salsa in Singapore is really not too bad. And here are the details:
 THE SALSASINGAPORE SURVEY 2009
About the Singapore salsero/salsera -
We took up salsa mostly because we wanted to learn something new: 42% wanted to learn a new dance and 35% wanted a new hobby. Only 5% were “forced to”. Good to know!
I took up salsa because:
42% - I wanted to learn a new dance
35% - I wanted a new hobby
5% - My significant other/friends forced me to
3% - I wanted to know more friends
15% - Other reasons
Most of us can do more than the salsa. 32% of us can bachata, with Cha Cha Cha being the next most popular with 26% of salsa dancers being apt in it. Interesting to note that Zouk could soon be catching up.
Other than salsa, I can also dance:
32% - bachata
26% - Cha cha cha
24% - Merengue
8% - Other Latin/ballroom dance
7% - Zouk
3% - Nothing else
We still make it a point to dance regularly, with 51% of us hitting the dance floor at least once or twice a week, and 18% even more frequently with three or more times a week.
On average I dance salsa:
51% - Once or twice a week
18% - Three or more times a week
15% - Very irregularly
9% - Once a fortnight
7% - Once a month
Our passion for salsa does not diminish when overseas, with 65% having attended overseas salsa festivals or visited overseas salsa clubs.
I have attended overseas salsa festivals/congresses of danced at overseas salsa clubs:
65% - Yes
35% - No
Majority of us will support the Singapore International Salsa Festival, with 88% having or intending to attend the event. (Survey was conducted before SISF 2009)
I have attended or intend to attend the Singapore International Salsa Festival:
88% - Yes
12% - No
What you think about the Singapore salsa scene -
The quality of instructors is the most crucial factor when picking a salsa dance school. An overwhelming 72% agrees.
What is the most important factor when choosing a salsa dance school:
72% - Quality of instructors
13% - Location/class timings
8% - Friends at the school, or who have signed up for the same course
5% - School’s history or how established
2% - Fees
We reckon our standard of salsa is pretty good, with half of voters thinking so, and only 6% saying we are not good. Phew.
The standard of salsa in Singapore is generally:
50% - Good
36% - Average
8% - Excellent
6% - Not good
42% of us think dancing salsa in Singapore is alright, well, meaning average. But 28% says it is somewhat exciting, with only 1% thinking that it is boring.
Dancing salsa in Singapore is generally:
42% - Alright
28% - Somewhat exciting
17% - Exciting
12% - Somewhat boring
1% - boring
We are quite nice and friendly people. 49% thinks so, with only 1% saying we are not nice and are unfriendly. Phew again.
Salseros/salseras in Singapore are generally:
49% - Quite nice and friendly
19% - I have neither good nor bad things to say
16% - Very nice and friendly
15% - Not the friendliest but they are probably just shy
1% - Not nice and are unfriendly
The SISF is still the most anticipated event in Singapore’s salsa scene with 35% saying it would be the most happening event of the year. And right after that is a tie at 11% between Salsa Cruise Asia and the Singapore River Festival/Mojito Fiesta. (Survey was conducted before SISF 2009 and Salsa Cruise Asia).
The most exciting thing to happen in Singapore’s scene this year is:
35% - I think it would be SISF
11% - I think it would be Salsa Cruise Asia
11% - Singapore River Festival/Mojito Fiesta
8% - Union Square Anniversary Party
8% - En La Pasion 2009
7% - Hotness in Bachata Competition
7% - Bailamos Para Siempre
4% - Jitterbugs relocating to The Cathay
4% - Lazy Sundays at Movida
5% - Others
Good DJs and music are still the most important draw when deciding if you should visit a salsa club, with 41% voting so. This is followed by 19% and 14% who says a good live band and huge dance floor respectively are important factors.
What is the most important factor when deciding to visit a salsa club:
41% - Good DJ/music
19% - Good live band
14% - Huge dance floor
12% - Friends are going as well
7% - Reasonable cover charge/prices of drinks
5% - Convenient location
2% - Appealing décor
It is a rather close fight for this. 57% says it would be good to have just one or two salsa-focused clubs in Singapore that opens nightly versus 43% that prefers salsa nights at different dance clubs in Singapore.
I would prefer:
57% - One or two salsa-focused clubs in Singapore that opens nightly
43% - Salsa nights at different dance clubs in Singapore throughout the week
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