My friend Arlyn and I attended the Latino Festival Under the Stars at Fullerton Hotel last 14th of March.
Before we got there, it rained heavily, so we had to wait a long time before the rain let up a little and we could run to the hotel.
I was worried that the event would be ruined because of the rain, but it turns out the “under the stars” part was misleading. The event was held inside one of the hotel rooms. I did not mind, because at least we would stay dry!
At the door, we were asked for our names, then strapped with wristbands and shown the tables. The room was pretty big and there were a lot of small tables with bar stools, tables which were mostly occupied already.
A waiter asked us what drinks we wanted, and we asked for white wine. I asked where I could sit, and he gestured towards the full tables.
I had not had any dinner because I had ran out of time and besides, the event promised free flow drinks and bar bites. So I was wet and hungry and when I couldn’t find any tables and food, I was pretty pissed off. When the waiter was no help, I stalked off in annoyance. I paid $35 for this?!?!
Luckily, a table was vacated, so I quickly took a seat. A waitress came by and put a plate of chicken bites and nachos in front of me, and as the food filled my tummy, my anger dissipated, and I suddenly felt very silly for how I reacted earlier. #hanger
There was a live band who played latin dance songs, and people took to the dance floor with their salsa moves.
Arlyn and I both don’t know salsa. Why on earth did we come here?
I finished my plate of chicken and nachos with my second glass of wine, and when I overheard the waitress tell the women behind me that they could order beer, wine, or mojito, I ordered mojitos for me and Arlyn.
“Here’s to liquid courage!” I toasted. When we had finished our mojitos, I pulled Arlyn to the dance floor.
After we finished our first song, a guy asked if he could have this dance.
I obliged.
I did mention that I don’t know how to salsa, right?
I let him take a lead and I tried my best to follow him. Oh boy, was it difficult. It’s pretty easy to follow cha-cha and waltz and tango and foxtrot even if you don’t know it, but salsa is a whole different ballroom game. By the middle of the dance I was ashamed of myself and felt bad for wasting the guy’s time, but he still ended the dance with a hug and kiss – the latin way.
Then he went and danced with other women who knew what they were doing.
“We need to take salsa lessons before going to these things,” I groaned to Arlyn.
But we kept dancing anyway.
Then we left, but the night was still young and it had stopped raining, so we walked to Clarke Quay and looked for an after party. We couldn’t find a bar we liked. So we ended up having milkshakes in TCC instead.
Would we go back? Probably not. The event is only worth it if you know how to salsa. If not, you’d be better off in other bars.
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