Zouk Needs You experienced by Sonia

Participants of Zouk Needs You Slovakia, Sonia in the middle being hugged

Your name: Sonia

The event name: Zouk Needs You, ZNY, bootcamp in Slovakia

Date: 30 June - 6 July 2019

Place: Slovakia

How many participated in the whole event (more or less)?: 40 people

I recommend this event: YES!!!!

How did you find out about the event? In 2017/2018 I talked to some zoukdancers if there were any bootcamps and they said that Val & Vanessa will have it in Slovakia, 5 hours/day in a whole week in 2019.

Why did you choose this event? 

Often at weekend workshops with the same instructors, you will see only a small part of their skills. The amount of participants and different levels might affect how much you can practice. So for an event of a whole week with the same instructors, they have time to create a common platform and built up the levels. Also a small group of participants gives you more time to focus on the actual move instead of getting to know the one you dance with. So for my benefit I have the opportunity to develop my skills of zouk and practicing with few participants.

Which classes did you attend and how was the level for you?

I attended ALL the workshops, wouldn´t miss a thing hahhaha….!!! I loved the level and the intensiveness! I wish there were bootcamps for two week in a row hahhahhh. I see and feel the result of my body only after one week.

How was the general atmosphere during the event? 

I was lucky to be part of this group with many dancers with positive attitudes...uh also crazy ones hahhah. Even when we were so tired, the main focus was on ourself, how to improve or how to change the lead/follow. 

What will you take with you dance wise and/or generally from this event? 

Don´t judge an instructor until you have given them a chance to show how much knowledge and pedagogical skills they have. A weekend is not enough….a week they can give you technical skills and a feeling that you can fly on the dancefloor! We had also the opportunity to have one day off, went to the mountain together and it was so relaxing, get to know each other, it was really awesome! We danced on the top of the mountain and it was so magical.

How did you get there?

I flew to Krakow, Polen, and then got a private driver who drove several of us participants directly to the venue in Slovakia. It was the organizer who arranged it. It cost extra but it was smooth!

Was it easy with transportation, housing and food?

The hotel had it all with accomodation, restaurant, workshops and social dance. Well, the food was a little bit tricky especially for vegans (they didn´t know what the hotel used in the food) but for those who were vegetarian it was often no problem. If there were a problem they solved it fast... but I wouldn´t try to eat anything without asking what it is. If you see clear soup with vegetable...it doesn´t mean it is vegetarian! 

The organizer arranged fruits at the workshop break and also one evening it was a suuurprice, .a big “birthday” cake. It was so tasteful! Yeah I´m easy to bribe...hahhaha

How was the venue?

The organizer had the hotel mostly for us. Sometimes the hotel had some guests at the restaurant for some coffee/desserts. Other than that imagine what a luxury that you have the hotel for only us, zoukdancers, and you won´t disturb anyone when you dance late at night or running back and forward between your room and the social dance. The dance floor, I highly recommend to bring some socks to put on your shoes so you can easily turn.

Was there free water available?

Yes, the water was from the tap. I usually don´t take the risk of drinking water from the tap but I thought it was so close to the mountains that the water is not polluted yet. The society is not so modern either…natural society. You can also see the nature, birds, storks, butterflies and many more animals who likes the environment. There are some supermarket nearby if you prefer to buy water but I drank at least 5-6 liter per day and you are tired after 5 h workshop/day and social dance every evening in whole week… so the tap water was fine. No illness at all.

What could have been better about the event? 

Free coffee and tea during whole day, not only at breakfast? Hahhah...I´m so spoiled. More knowledge about vegan/vegetarian food at the restaurant.

Will you come back to this event again? 

I´m just waiting for the flight ticket to be available to book for next year hahhahha!

Who would you recommend this event too? 

I would like to recommend this event to dancers who already know the foundation of zouk and have some experience of dancing. You can then easily absorb more knowledge or complex moves.