I don't think the DC Salsa scene is in a downward spiral but what I will say is there is a different type of dancer out there now then when I first started dancing. Different in that the dancers that go out now go out to socialize and meet friends and just hang out which is real cool, they really don't care to limprove their dancing skills as far as dancing salsa thus the lack of support for workshosp and classes. They just wan t o have fun which in the end isn't what this is all about anyway having fun.

When I started out there was a core of 70 to 100 of us that always wanted to get better, we would travel to all the Congresses and workshops and classes and always tried and wanted to get better, but that was us and this is them and that was then and this is now

I dance for both reasons.

I want to get better, so I do attend congresses and workshops etc. One of the things I really like about dancing is that there is always room to improve and something new to learn. I would get bored if all you needed to know was the basic step and a cross body lead (although even learning to do that REALLY well isn't necessarily simple).

On the other hand, I also really enjoy the social aspect of going out and meeting with friends who also enjoy dancing. Some nights I'm just not feeling "on" for dancing, but it's still fun to go out.

Just my 2 cents.

I think the people have changed not the scene, its still strong, but now adays people want the whole package, they don't just want to dance, the want to socialize, eat, drink, and do it all for a low price. That can put a strain on clubs and promoters. But thats the scene.