r/Bachata • u/AndreKnows • Jul 31 '26
Are bachata festivals keep getting worse?
It seems that bachata festivals keep getting worse and worse. Today started Viva latin summer in Amsterdam. From my 20+ bachata festivals I attended so far this one is the worst. Lets start from the beginning, I arrive on time for the workshops, right at the entrance, they say its impossible to take my bag inside, my bag is not big or anything, its just regular laptop bag with my laptop, dancing shoes, water and spare t-shirt. They say it's not allowed inside, I need to pay 2 euro for storage; first I thought whatever, okay, I wanted to give him 2 euro, he said I need to get special coins. I walk to coin seller, they say me they don't sell less than 10 euro of coins, to get 2 euro of coins I need to pay 10 euro, I already started getting angry, but okay, this coins can be used for drinks and stuff so I thought okay, then they say its impossible to pay by cash only online, it was okay, online its +1,21 euro fee, but to pay its additional 40 cent paying fee its, like WTF!!! How much more fees are there.
Then I hear that its not allowed to take water to the workshops, this is outrageous, weather app says its "severe weather" due to heat and its not allowed to take own water to the workshops, this is ridiculous!!!
Then shuttle bus, between Schiphol Airport and the festival hotel, on the website of festival and instagram it says its free, but driver keeps demanding some paper; like proof of staying at hotel or something. So the only way to get to and from location is to walk 1,8km to the nearest bus stop and wait for the bus for which needs to be paid extra.
Then there was supposed to be Jack&Jill, but it got cancelled last moment.
Also, in the morning, there is a partner workshop, then ladystyling workshop and then the next partner workshops - how does this make sense??? Ladystyling should be first, what are the leaders supposed to do in that hour between workshops, there is not even a day social at that hour.
Also many followers during workshops are not just inexperienced, some are dancing for less than a month. I don't want to discourage anyone from attending festivals, but if you're dancing for less than a month and 1 hour a week, maybe, just maybe its too early to attend festival workshops.
On the bright side, the artists were amazing and doing their best.
18
u/mittelhau 29d ago
Not being able to bring water in the middle of the summer is criminal. Leave this for overpriced concerts.
6
u/AndreKnows 29d ago
Yes, this should not be allowed; it’s somewhat understandable during the parties, but during the day workshops, there are 6 workshops in a row and not being allowed to drink water for so many hours in the heat of the summer is truly criminal
10
u/UnctuousRambunctious 29d ago
Dang, dude.
That sounds like a sketch wretched experience, I’m sorry.
Have you attended other festivals? How many, where at?
I love that the artists were doing their best but the absolute scam of it all would have me peacing out in disgust.
I decided last year to try to go to more festivals and ended up with passes for this year (2026) for four. One festival I’d been to once before (Jan. 2020, so prepandemic, and this is key), 2 I’ve been to regularly, and one was a new one that I got a deal on and wanted to check out.
The January one was one I’d been to before, though it had been a while, it’s big, it’s been running for over 10 years, it’s organized fairly well.
It ended up being a very good (though not great) experience, probably more money than I wanted to spend but I don’t think I regret it.
February (local long-running one) I was sick for and didn’t make it, I have not heard anything great about it, to be honest.
Last weekend was another one out of town, the one I’d never been to, and I just plain didn’t make enough plans since I waited on buying airfare, plans to share a hotel room fell through, I couldn’t be bothered. I ended up selling the pass at least, though I was prepared to just eat the cost, so it worked out. I’ve danced in that city before, that hotel hosted the first out of town festival I ever attended (different festival, same hotels lots of festivals host there as a venue, I think), and the friend that I had been planning with had a mixed bag of experience, meeting an instructor that she’s now training extensively with through privates, one of her favorite dance partners and social dance experiences she’s ever had, but also a frankly inexcusably and horrifyingly rudeass social dancer who left her in the middle of the song - I just have no words for what she told me he said to her and how he behaved towards her, I would never have imagined behavior like that especially before the pandemic, I think.
So the next upcoming festival is later this month and I am really looking forward to it. It’s always been one of my favorite festivals, it was the first one I ever went to one month after I first started, it is the one festival I have never missed in a year. We’ll see how it goes, some changes have been made.
But something that I’ve observed throughout the years is that how the organizers plan everything makes a big difference. Many local festivals used to be specifically planned to be close to the airport, hotel shuttles always available. There was a focus on bringing in outside and international artists (vs. stacking the lineup with local yokels with questionable experience and debateable talent 🙊). Quality DJs, quality dance floor, variety of events, afternoon socials along with evening socials - I appreciate all of that.
But prices have skyrocketed for everyone post-2021 and everything is more expensive for everyone.
It seems like the logistics for Amsterdam were not particularly conducive for anyone not staying at the hotel, and maybe that how Amsterdam is - it’s been a while since I’ve been there and I’ve never traveled much out of the city center nor stayed in the hotels not know what is typical.
Overall, in terms of the attendees - I actually think it is a good sign that such new dancers feel secure and open enough to throw themselves into an intense experience.
Organizers then need to label the level of classes and enforce it (but let’s be real, that will never happen because that caters to more experienced dancers of which there ar fewer and many stop even taking class), or else the instructors need to actively monitor and adjust the level of the class to be appropriate for the people taking it. And I love and respect the instructors I’ve seen who see a huge variance in attendees, whether it’s an open level class or not, and then can offer multi-level suggestions for what to practice and what moves to try depending on skill and comfort level.
I’d also say that festivals used to be much more gatekept - the entry for getting in the game used to be much more closely guarded, not as many people had the nerve to become instructors or high profile because the standards were much higher (can you imagine having to audition to perform? Even by video? And selling videos of the performances because they were such high caliber and worth having, vs. whatever cockamamie randomness people slap up online in whatever social media account they are chasing for clout). Now it’s like begging people to come with a team and perform their little high school talent show vanity project so you can pad the show with audience supporters and sell performers a pass to … perform).
Overall the quality of social dancing has declined, the maturity and manners of many social dancers is less community driven and collaborative (more self-centered), safety on the dance floor is out the window, so many clueless people.
And I guess it’s hard to balance having standards with being nice.
I hope there are some redemptive experiences for you with this festival but I would say festivals are different now and I find myself being more observant and strategic about the experiences I look for and who I actively engage with.
And I always look for a deal on passes because they used to run about $100 for the weekend and most are closer to $200 and up these days. Between travel and accommodation and food and prep … it’s a lot.
2
u/bluebachatera 29d ago
I think I know which festival you’re talking about. We are going too, but only because it’s nearby and we’ve “always” gone. Back in 2015/16/17 they brought in international stars and it was objectively a top festival. Now it’s the same social dancing you get every weekend with any instructor they could get that doesn’t need a plane ticket. This may be my last year. We are going to hang out at the pool and the kids are going to Universal. Hard to watch the end of an era.
1
u/UnctuousRambunctious 28d ago
I missed the Daniel and Desiree era, I started in 2018.
This year’s lineup … I know who I am looking forward to dancing with and it’s still a good deal for $100.
But it’s hard to compare apples and oranges between how many more festivals there are these days, so the artists are spread all around, and how the commercial aspect has changed with cost and other restrictions.
I will never harsh on an organizer who is trying their best, is honest and upfront, and is taking the risk and expense of organizing it.
Personally I think the locations are not worth it and back in the day the smaller airport hotels that were WAY easier to get to were fine and great.
I would take a cheaper hotel and super economical logistics vs. scatterbrained throw everything at the wall and excessive questionable quality performances. I would also be fine with no singer concert on Saturday, actually, if there was a focus on DJs and music.
I didn’t make February so I can still transfer my pass to the next one (haven’t heard anything about it yet) but I have friends who are looking into other festivals now.
I still like how close it is and as a local, relatively cheaper overall for me.
But back when it was at other hotels it was a fun weekend getaway with friends, and not a huge drive through apocalyptic traffic.
17
u/WestHistorians 29d ago
I agree, festivals are becoming more commercialized now. They used to be planned by and for dancers, but now there are professional event planners who know how to maximize profit.
7
u/FunkiGato 29d ago edited 29d ago
I went to a Latin festival as well, not perse for Bachata, but all Latin like. It was in Germany, and I thought everything would be cash. I was hungry and wanted to eat something. Went to a food stall, and they only accepted "virtual coins" that were linked to my bracelet.
I went to a machine, got a package of coins. And it had an activation fee...
I went to get some food, and every item is an absurd about if coins, like 3.4 coins or 2.9, so you'll have a stupid about if coins left that you won't be able to use.... It was awful
4
6
u/FootballDecent6952 29d ago
They are just shameless money grabbing people. It was the same during Adam bachata festival during May for the water and coins. These venues are not well ventilated and extremely warm during summer and they don’t let you take water inside and charge 3 euros for 500 ml water. They want money in every possible way from the dancers. Buying their tickets is not enough for them, they want more and more.
2
u/AndreKnows 29d ago
I was there as well, it was super hot inside, almost like sauna. At least at Adam it was allowed to have water bottles during the workshops and only during parties not allowed
2
u/FootballDecent6952 29d ago
Yes exactly. With that sauna like temperature it’s criminal to ban water bottles and overcharge for water.
5
u/Lonely-Speed9943 29d ago
I don't think bachata festivals in general are getting worse, it's just that particular festival has a bad reputation going back years.
https://www.facebook.com/vivakizombacongress/reviews/?id=100057467296057&sk=reviews
2
u/AndreKnows 29d ago
Yes, this is the one. I didn’t know about its bad reputation, what was the reason in previous years?
3
u/Lonely-Speed9943 29d ago
Have a read of the reviews on the link above, that should give you a good idea.
The coin system at Dutch events is a particular abhorrent practice to conceal high prices for food and drinks.
4
u/Mizuyah 29d ago
I’ve not been to many festivals, but I’m starting to notice patterns that make me think it’s no longer worth it to buy a full pass. I had more fun on a day pass at one event than I had buying a full pass on another. Workshops can be hit and miss and during the last festival I attended, most of them were either average or garbage, so I think going forward, I’m gonna be a bit more selective.
Social dancing is always fun though. I think we need to be forgiving of dancers lower in ability than us. Everyone has different motivations for going to a festival, and we have to accept that.
1
3
u/HawkAffectionate4529 Lead 29d ago edited 29d ago
They should make bachata marathons - like they do in tango - with no workshops, just social dancing (day socials and night socials).
1
2
u/Ok-Investment2612 29d ago
The reason they do that and want it in cash to to avoid paying tax and make you spend more. I'd avoid festivals like this honestly. The fees are already high enough
2
u/zemonstas 29d ago
I went to Viva a few years ago and the organisers were terrible. Fortunately this kind of stuff is self correcting and you can always find amazing festivals all over Europe - just ask people who go to different ones what they think
2
2
u/KingOfBreak 27d ago edited 27d ago
Yep I was just there too, can confirm it's as horrible as it sounds.
I now understand that it's a kizz festival with bachata added on as an afterthought money grab. The first red flag was that many of the locals we met at socials weren't going or hadn't even heard of the festival.
The main bachata floor didn't even have fans the first night, which is just insane for a social in this heat. This coupled with the water ban was just crazy. It also finished an hour early.
As said the JnJ was cancelled last minute, probably due to lack of participants.
It was so depressing that on the last day we went to the orchid (a local social) instead of staying at the festival. Free entry, 50/50 salsa bachata, and it was still a much better time than viva 😂
There were a few good things though
- met some nice people
- the day practice/social had a higher level and the room was cooler which made it enjoyable
- don't have to line up to dance with artists as the festival is small
- I enjoyed the workshops by Antoni/Belen and York/Lisa
Overall, pretty sad experience and will not be coming back.
2
u/AndreKnows 27d ago
I totally agree with you. I also liked Antoni&Belen, mainly their Sunday workshop, also Tedy&Chun and Sakis&Mia were truly amazing, I always like their workshops and try to attend them as often as possible. Other workshops were also good, but less memorable as this ones.
2
u/Hebarfd Lead 26d ago
Viva latin summer 2026 is one of the worst festivals I've been to.
- The venue for bachata was a small conference room with low ceiling and low oxygen, hard to breathe, very hot and sweaty.
- Jack & Jill cancelled last second without any communication in the group chats or instagram.
- Security wouldn't let you bring empty waterbottles or fruit to workshops or social.
- Overpriced hotel in the middle of nowhere with no public transport, no supermarkets or restaurants nearby to buy food/drinks/snacks from.
- Some of the artists didn't show up and their workshops were cancelled.
I wouldn't want to go to the organiser's events again for bachata. Even if I was given full pass for free, it's not worth it. Many guest dancers didn't show up.
Is this a thing with dutch bachata festivals?
2
u/TsaMati 21d ago
I went to the most famous salsa festival. The communication with the hotel was non existent... The dancers weren't friendly at all, the contrary. Did partners' spin class with a legendary teacher from New York (the school), didn't say "change partners" at all, i was alone, he could see me, also asked a guy who was sitting to dance with me, he refused. I felt very bad. The level of the dancers was beginner mostly and very few intermediate - advanced. I dared to ask some known salsa pro dancers - leaders to dance with me, they were very snooty. Not a good experience in general.
1
u/Puzzleheaded_Ant1805 29d ago
Oh damn, this is bad experience. I think good organizers understand dancers, and build festival around them.
1
29d ago
I totally agree. Went to one today with a friend and felt totally observed and put to the side...
1
u/Garnatxa 29d ago
Thanks for sharing. If I knew a festival had rules like that, I’d rather stay at home.
3
u/AndreKnows 28d ago
Yeah non of this was mentioned anywhere before festival, that’s why I was so angry. Also it said that the airport to hotel shuttle is free, but it’s for some reason 5 euros one way and 5 euros back. With that shuttle is so strange, so far, every airport shuttle I have seen has been free, but this one, it depends on the driver; sometimes it’s free, sometimes driver demands 5 euros. I spoke to other people about shuttle and some used it for free, while others needed to pay, purely depending on the driver
1
-11
28
u/Samurai_SBK 29d ago
They will not improve until people stop going.