I have taken some time to reflect on things, about us, and what we mean to each other. I’ve thought about the time we have spent together in the past, the music, the performances, the amazing dances. Yet this year something happened, you forgot our anniversary – the one weekend a year where I am supposed to be your one and only. Last year I asked “Are You Ready?” and you answered overwhelmingly “Yes!” However, this year when I asked you “Want Some More?” you fell silent. Even when I promised to reveal my big mystery you hesitated.

Lucky for you I believe in second chances. Do you? In 360 days you have an opportunity to make things right. It will be our 4th Anniversary, let’s call it VIS ’13. To be sure there are no misunderstandings, I will tell you where I will be, the time, the date, in fact here’s our favorite website with all the info you need to make sure you see me next year. I guess there is only one thing left to ask…

Will you be there?

BACHATA AT VIS12 by Steven:

After several years experiencing many International Bachata Festivals, I am finally going to get to experience it at home. Vancouver is about to have its own Bachata Festival as part of the Vancouver International Salsafestival! On Sunday, VIS12 will have Bachata U, a whole day of bachata workshops with the best bachata instructors in the world: Troy & Jorjet, Ataca & Alemana, and Inaki Fernandez!!! They all have their own unique bachata styles and inspire us to learn and dance bachata even more. The timing could not have been better. Two years ago we were lucky to hear two or three bachata songs played all night long at a dance. Now we have weekly Bachata socials and other nights where bachata is played as much as Salsa. At VIS12, we will have our own Bachata Socials!! This could only mean one thing… Bachata-fever has arrived in Vancouver!!!

Troy & Jorjet showing off great Dominican Bachata.

BACHATA INSTRUCTORS by Felix:

With their humorous teaching style and sensual dancing style, Ataca and Alemana are one of the best bachata dancers and performers in the world. They bring passion, energy, and creativity to their dance and want to infect everyone around them with it. Troy and Jorjet are the most decorated Dominican bachata dancers in the world. With over a million hits on their famous Dominican barber shop Youtube videos, they bring a new style and excitement to a traditional dance. Inaki Fernandez’s romantic dance style has won the world over. His performance’s are filled with character, charisma, and good fun. If you miss these artists this year, there will be no other opportunity to experience them all in one place, for one party-filled weekend!

MIDNIGHT BACHATA SOCIALS by Marissa:

Attention all bachateros and bachateras! This year we are super excited to present Midnight Bachata Socials at VIS12! At midnight both Friday and Saturday, come and get your bachata on in a dark and sultry room dedicated exclusively to what we love most: BACHATA! Hosted by the best bachateros in the world and fueled by the hottest bachata music around, it doesn’t matter if you prefer Dominican or Sensual style; it’s all sexy and we’ll be doing all of it, all night long at the Midnight Bachata Social! Come out and save us a dance!

BACHATA U by Sabrina:

You spoke and we listened. Combined with your feedback and the collaboration of some of the world’s best dancers, we’ve revamped our workshop schedule to maximize your learning. That’s why we’re calling it an Education. And that’s why we’ve named it Bachata U.

This year you’ll get to spend more invaluable time with top bachata instructors and also have extra time to master the moves during the classes. This means that you can take what you’ve learned during the day right onto the dance floor at night. And we can’t wait to see you all show off your new sexy moves!

Mambo kings and big band orchestras. Guests dressed to the nines, waiting to dance to music by the likes of Tito Puente and Machito. While this might sound like a scene out of a period TV series à la Mad Men or Boardwalk Empire, it was a world that was very real to the patrons of the Palladium, the birthplace of mambo and one of the most famous Latin music venues ever. And luckily for us VIS attendees, it’s a world we’ll get to revisit and re-create at the Palladium Gala on Saturday March 3.

So, what to wear to a gala dedicated to an era where dancers dressed to impress? My friends from VIS have asked me to draw on my fashion blogger expertise and give you a few tips on the subject.

Ladies

Forget Dior’s New Look or housewives wearing strings of pearls. In the 1950s, the female dancers of the Palladium sported a look that was much less fussy but still quite elegant. Their dresses reached the knee or below with A-line or fit-and-flare skirts that allowed for freedom of movement—perfect for fancy footwork. Waistlines were at or near the natural waist, not empire or dropped.

The Palladium dance scene from the 1992 film The Mambo Kings shows the sort of dresses guests wore. Notice how the skirts swish and flare with movement and end at or below the knee.

To cop the look, look for dresses with fitted bodices and A-line or fit-and-flare skirts that will move and twirl with you. Avoid frocks with a waistline that’s too high or too low, or a hemline that’s too high. No skintight Herve Leger-esque bandage numbers or miniskirts either: The key is to look elegant and era-appropriate.

Websites specializing in vintage-inspired apparel like Shabby Apple and ModCloth are a good starting point. These pleated hemline fit-and-flare frocks look like something that dance legend (and Palladium regular) Millie Donay might have worn.

Shabby Apple ‘BeautyMark’ dress ($77), ‘Glacier’ dress ($94), and ‘Partner’ dress ($92).

Millie Donay dancing with Pedro “Cuban Pete” Aguilar.

From left to right: ModCloth ‘Winter Waltz’ dress ($199.99), ‘Pine All Mine’ dress ($167.99), ‘Patina at the Party’ dress ($197.99), ‘Swing Dancing Sweetheart’ dress ($99.99), ‘Awards Show Stunner’ dress ($104.99).

Finish off the look with jewel-encrusted earrings, a sparkly brooch, red lipstick or red nail polish.

Gentlemen

Zara blazer ($199), Zara shirt ($59.90), Brooks Brothers bow tie ($55), Le Chateau pocket square ($12), Brooks Brothers love knot cuff links ($125)

Leave your dance sneakers and T-shirts at home, boys. The dapper gentlemen during Palladium’s heyday never went out in anything but their best. A suit, tie and dress shirt were de rigueur. The more showy gents would wear light-coloured or pastel suits, ruffled or pleated shirts and two-toned shoes.

Luckily for most guys, their modern-day wardrobes probably already contain the basics needed for a 1950s look. Just don’t forget the details: Small touches like a pocket square, cuff links or a fun bow tie in a fun pattern can add a lot of pizzazz to your outfit.

Whatever you decide to wear at the Palladium gala, don’t forget your dancing shoes!

Editor’s Note: A big thank you goes to fashion blogger Solo Lisa for writing this article.
Make sure you follow her on Twitter.

First, full passes sold out almost 2 months ahead of the event.

This led to countless emails and calls from people who waited, forgot to buy, or had a number of other personal calamities.

We want as many people as possible to get a pass and the added income can help in many ways. Ensuring a phenomenal experience, however, is more important and we decided not to add extra passes.

Another difficult decison was turning down an unbelievable number of performance requests.

The reason for this is our continuous commitment to quality in a sleek package and your overwhelming feedback to increase dancing time.

So get this…

Friday’s going to have less than 10 shows (split evenly between the best of Vancouver and the best of the world), and Saturday’s production is 75 minutes sharp.

As in previous years, the lineup is world class. Especially after we gave it a complete makeover. Head over to the VIS 12 Artist Lineup to see what I’m on about.

Finally, we’re thinking of having a central location on-site during the VIS where you can not only get any question answered or pick up the latest stuff, but also receive that little extra loving.

We’re calling it VIS Concierge and look forward to seeing it in action. If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to see there, post a comment!

With our team spread out all over the world, new episodes are going to be rolling out a little more slowly BUT we managed to get together and re-shoot the hotel as well as capture some moments you can’t afford to miss out. What do you think?

Westin Bayshore $139 Special Rate (click here)

We’ve announced the first set of international artists and they’re the calibre you’ve come to expect. Yamulee, Swinguys, Johnny Vasquez, Troy & Jorjet, David & Paulina, Ataca y La Alemana, and best of all Jimmy Bosch Live.

I want to use this post to encourage you to look around our new site, use the features, and tell us what you like or don’t like.

Thanks!

Total Attendance = 3,100 People

Now believe it or not, we’re already planning VIS 2012 and would love to hear your thoughts on how we can take things to another level once again.

Official VIS 2011 Survey | Click here