SUPER MARIO - UK

BZ: Welcome Super Mario to the Congress and since you weren't here
         last year, give us your insights on the Salsa Congress
Super Mario: It's been incredible and I'm so glad I'm here. I've had an
absolute ball and I think the Organisers did a fantastic job. Its takes
a lot to organisers something like this. I would never do it; I don't have
enough energy or patience. I do want to congratulate all of them; they
put on a great show. The quality of the Shows were very high and very visual.
I hope someone's been taking pictures from the second floor looking down,
it was really amazing. And the Performances, I mean everyone that was up
on that stage, they have my respect. Not everyone can do what they did.
The difference between the Australian Congresses and others from around the world is that everyone
and I mean everyone is so friendly and pay attention to you. From the Security guy to the Organisers.
You don't really get that in London.

BZ: You seem to be a big name is the music industry and in the DJ world,
         what in your opinion is the most important thing about being a DJ.
Super Mario: Well without criticising anyone I would prefer not to mention any names
but I think the fact that I'm a "dancer" as well as a DJ is important. And I think it
takes a lot to actually understand that. So me being a dancer actually helps me
understand better what everybody wants, not playing songs that are at 100km
an hour, you gotta build the way music is played. You've gotta be able to cater
for everybody, and every nationality. I'll give you an example in New York they
never play any fast songs and what would happen is that at 3am the people are
still there. Funny that.

BZ: So how big IS the Salsa Scene in London and how different is it to Sydney for ex
Super Mario: Its' absolutely huge….I mean you look at the population alone, about
16 million so obviously bigger. And I think that everyone will try Salsa at least once.
However you can't force anyone to do anything so people come and go. Problem is
that once they start getting good, then in comes the Politics. Opportunity is part
of life and people like that. However in London everyone supports each other.
We support other clubs and other schools. You gotta be honest with people.

BZ: So what is Super Mario's advice to his and other beginner
         students and any last messages for everyone here in Australia?
Super Mario: Well the most important thing is not to be scared. It is a slow
process but it's like anything you learn. Then you want to learn more and
more turns, and patterns and then you travel to different countries to learn
more etc etc and it never stops. I mean I was 170 kg when I started Salsa
and I went in with full faith, people accept you the way you are, they don't care
about your skin colour or where you're from. And to the Committee I thank you so much for inviting me;
it's been such a pleasure. And I should have come last year as well but I broke my finger on the 1st Jan and had to cancel everything so I was very disappointed. I'm really glad I made it this time round and
I hope I can make it again next years.