Attending Tri-State for the First Time? Here's What You Need to Know
If you’ve never been to a Congress before, you are in for an experience like no other! With performances and opportunities to learn from top Dance artists around the world, Congress weekends are incredibly inspiring. You’re sure to return home with new knowledge and motivation to help you reach your dance goals and take your own journey to the next level.
At the same time, with so much to do in such a short period of time (it’s just a weekend after all!) Congresses can be a little overwhelming and tiring. That’s one of the reasons we wanted to put together this guide and highlight some of the aspects of the Tri-State Dance Festival we feel make our event so special and unique. If you’re attending our event for the first time and have other questions, leave them in the comments so we can respond! You can also send us a DM on Instagram, or comment on one of our posts, and we will be sure to get back to you.
We are so excited for this year’s event and can’t wait to see you at the Stamford Hilton!
Familiarize yourself with the workshop schedule
Workshops are one-off group classes or master classes from different professionals and artists from all over the country and even sometimes across the world; often they specialize in different styles like Salsa, Bachata, and Hustle, or different subtopics such as spinning, body movement, footwork, or partnerwork. Taking workshops from different instructors and Dance artists is one of the many benefits of attending a Congress. It’s a great way to learn from celebrity instructors you might otherwise never get to learn from (last year Tri-State had the pleasure of hosting Karen and Ricardo from World of Dance!), or discover a new teacher or style in your area.
Dance Congresses often offer a variety of workshops simultaneously so that attendees can choose the sessions that align with their interests and skill levels. The Workshop Schedule will tell you the class title, style, experience level (beginner, intermediate/advanced, or open level), instructor, and location. The schedule is usually located on a big sign near the centralized hub of check-in tables, vendors, and water fountains near the collection of ballroom spaces, and you’ll often see dancers crowding around it, trying to figure out how to fit all the classes they want to go to into their schedules.
Pro tip! Snap a photo of the schedule on your phone, or check it out on the Congress website, where it is usually listed as well. That way you can access it easily all day, all weekend long, and more easily strategize how to plan your schedule to make sure you get to learn that one skill you’ve been dying to try out, or take a class with your favorite celebrity dancer.
Come downstairs to watch the performances
After a packed day of workshops and classes, it’s pretty customary to grab some dinner or takeout and hang out for a bit before coming back to watch the performances and social dance. The Performance Schedule (usually posted on the Congress website or displayed somewhere in the lobby, just like the Workshop Schedule) generally happens around 8 or 9pm. Seats often fill up, so if you want to get a good seat it’s a good idea to be in the ballroom as soon as the doors open.
Pro tip! Wear a comfortable outfit, grab a jacket (it can get cold inside the ballroom), and maybe bring a drink with you if you’d like. Most performances at congresses and festivals last around 2 hours. Usually the last performances to cap off the night are some of the best in the lineup, so make sure you stay through to the end!
If you have trouble finding the ballroom, follow the loud eruptions of applause and percussive music!
Social dance with Dancers from around the world
After the performances finish, social dancing will begin, and will run all night long. However, it’s pretty customary that most people head back up to their hotel rooms to change, hang out, or enjoy a drink or two for a bit before coming back down to dance, typically somewhere around midnight.
Don’t feel discouraged or inclined to leave if you end up at the social earlier than everyone else, just remember it’s common for people to come down closer to midnight after partying or relaxing a bit with friends.
You’ll meet so many people as you social dance, including people from across the country, or even who are visiting internationally. This is an amazing opportunity to practice what you learned from the workshops earlier in the day, or try out what it feels like to dance with someone who learned to dance in Italy or in Mexico versus dancing from your hometown.
Stock your hotel room with snacks and drinks
Stocking your hotel room with snacks and drinks is a tip we cannot stress enough! You will be burning a ton of energy all weekend, from workshops during the day, to social dancing all night. You WILL be hungry! We promise, when you return to your hotel room at 3 in the morning after a few hours on the dance floor and hanging with new friends, you’ll be glad to have that box of donuts, bag of chips and queso, or handful of fruit to help restore you after a busy and active day.
Check out our favorite local Stamford restaurants
Downtown Stamford is a hub for great bars and restaurants, and we have a few recommendations from the Tri-State family!
Sally’s APizza: Known as a world-famous and hometown Connecticut treasure, New Haven-style pizza is a MUST. The Stamford location is open on 66 Summer Street, where you can order pizza to-go, or sit down family-style with your friends or teammates.
Elm Street Diner: As featured on the Food Network for its “Titanic Treats,” this popular spot has everything and anything: Milkshakes. Donuts. Waffles. Brunch. You name it. They don’t take reservations—it’s first-come, first-served, so get over there ASAP!
Bartaco: Also located on the walkable and beautiful Summer Street, where you can enjoy tacos and “upscale street food” as well as delicious cocktails. They make all their margaritas with freshly squeezed lime juice!
Third Place by Half Full Brewery: Located on Pacific Street, you’ll get a mix of a tasting room, event space, and coffee shop! Their breakfast and lunch menus are delicious, in a chill and spacious area where you can catch a little break in between workshops.
Don’t miss the afterparty with DJ Abel
If you like staying up late and dancing your heart out, and partying with friends until the sun comes up, the Tri-State afterparty with DJ Abel is for you. Especially since the hotel is already in-house, we always recommend booking a room for the night so that you enjoy yourself safely and responsibly.
Keep an open mind and be prepared to meet people from diverse backgrounds
The word Congress literally means “the act of coming together.” People from all over, who speak different languages, and come from different dance disciplines, are convening together to share their one universal love language: Dance. Get ready to embrace the energy, enthusiasm, and contagious joy that permeate the event and enjoy immersing yourself into the captivating world of Salsa, Bachata, and Hustle dancing!
We hope to see you at Tri-State Dance Fest this summer, and especially if this is your first-ever Congress, we hope you feel prepared to have a special weekend coming together with us all.