Fair warning: this is performance entertainment first, strict salsa second.

At SF Salsa Congress 2006, Dave Paris and Zoie delivered one of those routines that shocks the room in the first 10 seconds and then keeps escalating.

It worked because commitment was absolute. If you are going to do a character-heavy showcase, you cannot perform at 70%.

And yes, the comedic parody version from Ismael Otero and friends is part of the fun culture around congress routines.

Why routines like this are worth revisiting

They remind us that salsa events are not only technical showcases. They are also about personality, creativity, and crowd connection.

A routine can be memorable because of perfect timing, or because it commits fully to a character and entertains the room. This one clearly chose the second path and did it unapologetically.