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Welcome to Episode 197 of the Salsa Kings LIVE podcast
We have been featured as #1 in “Top 10 Salsa Podcasts” on FeedSpot.
Hey everyone! In this episode, I sat down with Dariana Fustes Flores to talk about how the salsa world has changed from when I started dancing to now. We compared our experiences, talked about what salsa was like when I was 20, and shared some fun stories from both of our journeys.
🔑 Key Points
• Old School Salsa: Miccosukee Casino Nights
- Back in my day, we had Wednesday salsa nights at the Miccosukee Casino.
- There was a live 8-piece band, a big dance floor, and lots of people from all the schools came.
- It only cost $5 to get in, and they even had Rueda competitions with cash prizes.
- It felt like a weekly mini-congress, but more casual and community-focused.
- Everyone danced and had fun—no pressure, no fancy outfits, just vibes.
• How Salsa Started for Dariana
- Dariana started dancing salsa at 17 after recovering from a torn ACL, meniscus, and ligament.
- She had danced ballet and contemporary before, so salsa came naturally.
- Her first social was at La Mesa, and she liked to people-watch before dancing.
- She said being a woman at socials means scoping the vibe before joining the dance floor.
• New School Salsa: First Socials and Competitions
- Her first real competition was at Porqueno at Copper Blues, less than a year after she started.
- She and Pablo danced Cuban Casino style—they didn’t win, but they had a blast.
- Then came her first Congress, where she danced with a bachata team and realized how big the salsa scene really is.
- She loved seeing kids and teens dancing socially with adults at Congress, showing how welcoming it is.
• What’s Changed: Then vs. Now
- Back then, salsa had a stable structure—you knew what to expect and how to grow.
- Now, the focus is more on flavor, self-expression, and fun—but also less structure.
- Social media changed things. People dance like they’re being watched or recorded, which adds pressure and makes it feel like a performance.
- Before, there were fewer cameras and more freedom to dance from the heart.
• Why Live Music Matters
- Live music adds energy and surprise—you can feel the musicians, follow solos, and play with timing.
- Dariana shared that dancing to live salsa lets you test your musicality and feel more connected.
- But today, live music is rare—most socials use DJs, and Congresses are expensive.
- We both agreed that bringing back regular live music would be amazing for the community.
Closing Thoughts
Salsa isn’t just about steps. It’s about fun, freedom, and finding yourself through dance. Whether you started at Miccosukee in the 2000s or at Congress in 2020, the spirit is the same. We want more live music, more dancing from the heart, and less worrying about cameras. Let’s bring that energy back and keep salsa growing the right way.
Thanks for hanging out with us! And don’t forget to vote for Dariana Fustes Flores as your next salsa president—she’s bringing the live bands back! 🎺💃
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