Despite the sizzling summer season soon coming to an end, it seems that the series of dance conventions and festivals isn’t slowing down. Following the slew of summer salsa and bachata festivals, many of which stretched from San Francisco, to Las Vegas, and from Palm Springs all throughout the LA area. Still relatively new on the scene (in this part of the world), the very first ZNL (Zouk Night Love) festival will debut in Rosarito, Mexico from August 27-August 30, 2015.
For those who aren’t quite sure what Zouk is. It’s a style of music first originating in the Caribbean isles of Guadeloupe and Martinique and popularized by the French Antilles. By the 1990’s it evolved into a completely new dance when Brazilian lambada dancers began adapting their changing dance style to the rhythmic Caribbean music. True to its Lambada roots, Brazilian Zouk maintains its close body contact and is a sensual partner dance relying heavily on connection and musicality. Since the 1990’s other styles such as Neo Zouk and R&B Zouk have hit the scene and risen in popularity with their fusion of moves from other dance styles and popular music. Basically, Zouk can be danced to a wide variety of music genres, which makes it appealing to a wide cross section of dancers and music lovers.
While many of these festivals take place in exotic, far off destination locations, despite the appeal, these are not always an option for everyone. A nice compromise is a location that allows you to getaway without having to invest in a lengthy, costly trip that could require extensive vacation time and planning. Just 30 miles south of the U.S/Mexico border in Baja, California, Rosarito is just a short drive south of San Diego, and allows one to leave the country without essentially leaving their own backyard. Patrons get to have a mini vacation and a marathon of dance training all in one!
For those who are not completely sold on Zouk, have no fear, there will also be salsa, bachata and kizomba music and dance to suit
other tastes. Like other dance festivals, ZNL will have back to back dance workshops throughout the day, followed by all night dance socials, with performances, contests, live music, pool parties and more!
