Portland Thanks You

In Portland this last weekend June 11-14th, marked the 5th year of the Largest Northwest International Gemini Salsa Competition, now known as The Portland Salsa Congress. We are pleased to announce that this year the number of attendees out numbered last years. Javier and Holly are thrilled to say thanks to Portland and all the out side states and countries for their support in helping Portland further the education and funding of the arts to all communities throughout the greater northwest. The Portland Salsa Congress would like to give great thanks to World-Recognized MC Promoter Albert Torres for his sponsorship four years in a row, Katya Virshilas for letting us represent her on her first ever Salsa tour, Ricardo & Viviana for sharing their talent from Cali Colombia, Emily & Junior for not letting Portland down even through rough times and Mr. Edwin Rivera for helping out Emily after Junior’s accident. We are all thinking about you Junior and would like you to know that our thoughts are with you and hope to see you back in Portland some time soon. Thanks to DJ Edgar “El Travieso” from Seattle for running the DJs, Sound, Electricity and Lighting as well as taking on all the little jobs that needed a helping hand, DJ Armando from Portland, and DJ Rumbero from New York for their help in bringing old and new Salsa mixes to The Portland Salsa Congress. Special thanks to our one and only Live Salsa Orquesta from Seattle/Miami “Lain Expression”. Your music was great. This is to the following individuals for their knowledge and fairness in taking on the job of judging at the Portland Salsa Congress Katya Virshilas, Emily, Remos Reynosa, George Caceres, Sarah Riddle & Askan Jabarian for judging and teaching the free Salsa Class, Christina Morrison for judging and hosting qualifying Round in Victoria B.C., Victoria Tolonen, Viviana, and Holly Carmickle. Thanks to the wonderful dancing talent of the following companies: Caliente Dance Co. from Canada, Salvaje Dance Co., and E. Mayimbe Dance Co. from Seattle, Gemini Salsa Dancers, Hurricane Tumbao Dancers, Sabor Latino, Rumba y Cache, and Satin Latin Dancers from Portland. Congratulations to the following on their victory of winning 1st place in the: Professional Division Enrique Jarquin & Elly Guadarrama from San Francisco Amateur Division Jesse Jarvis & Lindsay Wells from Portland You all did a fantastic job and hope to have you back next year to defend your title!! Javier and Holly would like to give thanks for the tremendous support that the following media sponsors and venues have contributed here at The Portland Salsa Congress: ESPN International, The 4th Annual World Salsa Championships, Albert Torres Productions, Univision, Azteca America, La Gran D 1520am, La Pantera 940am, Latin Media Northwest, La X 1040am, KE Buena 1150am, and ESPN Deportes 1230am, Cita Con Nelli, Jupiter Hotel, DJ Armando, Aztec Willies, Seattle Rumba, Viscount Studios, El Gallo, Auto Latino, Noches Alegres, Idea Secret, Tiffany Center, ENVY, Andrea’s Cha Cha Club, Mambo Lounge, Limo, New Jersey Salsa Congress, San Francisco Salsa Congress and Paulina Bravin. We would like to give a hand to Eddy & Rene and their little one from the Texas Salsa Classic for coming to Portland for the first time to support our event, Ran Ben Nissim all the way from Vancouver BC, as well as Carly for coordinating the entrance to the Congress and to all the Vendors at the Portland Salsa Congress: The Leotard, The Glass Slipper, Hot Salsa Tees and the New Jersey Salsa Congress. Thanks to all our visitor and volunteers. With out all of you, we wouldn’t have had the Congress we all enjoyed this last weekend. To register to our Monthly Newsletter or for more information please visit our websites at www.GeminiSalsa.com www.PortlandSalsaCongress.com Thanks Again to Everyone. Portland is very lucky to have you all!!!