2012 Capital Congress

General Questions

1. What is the Capital Congress?

The Capital Congress is an annual event held for passionate Salseros (Salsa lovers), Bachateros (Bachata lovers), and other genres of Latin music. Originally named the Washington DC Salsa Congress, we have grown to cover the entire DC,Maryland, & Virginia area, known affectionately as the "DMV". We have also expanded to provide opportunity for all fans of Latin music to have a home. Latin dance workshops that cater to everyone from the raw beginner to the seasoned professional, performance opportunities for all dancers, professional quality shows, and of course PARTIES!

2. Where will the workshops/performances/party be held?

Everything is held in the Westin Alexandria Hotel. All workshops, all performances, all social dancing, takes place at the hotel. Once you check in there's no need to leave the building!

3. What ages are welcome?

All ages are welcome at the Capital Congress. Workshops are open to dancers of all ages. We do not provide childcare services however, and if your child is causing a disturbance during the performances, you may be asked to step outside in order for others to be able to enjoy the performances.

4. I am a new Salsa/Bachata/Kizomba dancer. Will I be able to enjoy the Capital Congress?

Absolutely! With our Salsa/Bachata bootcamp you can take classes with other new dancers, and have ample opportunity to practice, socialize, and party with everyone. We welcome all levels, and you will find that the Latin dance community s very welcoming to everyone.

Workshop Questions

Can I purchase a pass for individual workshops?

Your workshop pass will allow you to travel freely between all workshops. We do not sell passes for individual workshops.

Can I record the workshops?

Recording during the workshops is not allowed, however most instructors will allow time at the end of the workshop to record the material taught. However this is at the instructor's discretion, and not a requirement.

What are the workshop levels?

The level of the workshops is specified on the workshops schedule, however here is a general guide as to the levels:

Beginner - Salsa? Is that for chips? Kizomba? Is that like zumba? - If this is you then you are just getting started, and probably don't know the difference between a CBL and a BLT. Don't worry, we got you. Less than 1 year of experience.

Intermediate - Cross Body Leads (CBL), right and left turns, at least one year of experience in a style of dance, be it On1, On2, Casino, LA Style, NY Style.

Advanced - Bring it on. You may dance multiple styles, and are experienced following patterns, leading patterns, or even both.

Will the instructors rotate lines, change partners during the workshops?

Instructors are encouraged to rotate partners, and change the lines while instructing, in order to give everyone oportunity to get the best view.

Evening Performance Questions

What time do the performances start?

The performances begin at 9PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Doors open for general seating at 8:30PM.

But what time do the performances REALLY start?

The performances really begin at 9PM. Don't assume that we will begin late. In the past 8 years we have been delayed from our 9PM kickoff time exactly once (due to a power failure). Get there early, get your seats, and be ready to enjoy some of the hottest performances from around the world!

Can we record the performances?

Absolutely! Hoever your recording device must not interrupt with the view of other patrons, or provide a danger to those passing in the aisles. We encourage you to record, share, and let people know what they can do with practice!

Is there assigned seating during the performances?

There is no assigned seating during the performances. There is a VIP seating area for VIP pass holders. We also do not allow seats to be reserved for more than 1 person. This means that one person cannot hold 2 seats. If you want to hold 6 seats, there need to be at least 3 people.

Is flash photography allowed during the performances?

Flash photography is allowed during the shows, however we ask that you do not use a modeling flash. If you don't know what a modeling flash is, then you probably don't have one.

Ticket Questions

Can I buy my tickets at the door?

Certainly. You can purchase tickets at the door via Cash (USD), Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, and Discover. No Checks please.

When will I receive my tickets in the mail?

Don't wait by the mailbox. We do not send any tickets in the mail. Our ticketing system is entirely electronic. There are no tickets to wait for, lose, or damage. Once you place your order your ticket is reserved, and you only need to show up with proper ID, though you can print your email confirmation if you wish to.

I lost my email confirmation! What can I do?

Bring your ID, we will get you taken care of.

Do I have to wear the wristband?

Yes. Your wristband is your ticket, and must be worn as it was attached to you. It is not to be kept in your pocket. Your wrist band must stay attached for the entirety of the event. The 3-night pass should stay on for all three nights (You will not get 3 different passes). The Full pass must stay on until the end of the event (which terminates in the wee hours of Sunday night/Monday morning.

What happens if I lose/damage my wristband?

There is a $25 charge for wristband replacement. If you lose your wristband, think very carefully about where you might have replaced it, since it will probably be easier to find it than it will be to convince us to give you another one. If you damage your wristband, bring us the damaged wristband and your ID, we will reissue your wristband.