01-05-2006 2:38 pm - Salsa Chat - Something a bit different
Hi folks.
Why don't we do something a bit different? I'll explain.
This site is about 4 months old and I am planning to implement a lot of things in the future. One of the things I am thinking about is a Forum but not yet. However we can still interact via these Salsa News Updates and Blogs. And here is how.
After you read a Salsa News Update you may have noticed a link at the bottom of the post which asks for your comments. You can add your comments to anything I post. So lets start a discussion Forum on this Blog.
What I am aiming to do is to discuss one topic at a time (You can make suggestions about what you want us to discuss) in the Salsa World and ask for your participation. You can talk about whatever you want (within reason) and I will make this the topic of conversation. But first I have to make sure there are enough participants. So what I would like you to do is to write in the comment box at the bottom of this post 'I'm interested'. This of course can be completely anonymous.
You can also reply via my web site Salsa Dance With Passion and go to the bottom of any page (apart from the Home Page) and fill in the Suggestions Box. I need to have enough participants before I decide to go ahead with this. So please if you are interested please fill in the Comments link or Suggestions box on my site. I will still as usual continue with the Salsa News on a daily basis.
So come on Frances, Angela (Bruce) and Taveld@hotmail.com. Let's get the ball rolling.
See you later with more news.
Aubrey
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02-05-2006 6:25 am - More Salsa Events around the world.
Hi folks. Now for some more Salsa news and events around the world.
1. Palm Springs, California, USA .
Will you be in Palm Springs, California around the end of July 2006? Well between 27th - 30th July 2006 there will be a Salsa/Mambo Festival. This is being promoted by Bernard and Sonyo Martinez of DanceSport California. Bernard Martinez is a teacher of salsa/mambo and other styles of dance and also a choreographer, coach and performer. He is also the founder and director of "MamboCaliente Nights" held since 1999. Sonyo has been in corporate management for over 13 years.
Bernard and Sonyo have successfully managed and organized salsa/mambo events throughout the US. On November 2005, they opened their first dance school, DanceSport California in the city of Garden Grove.
Performers and instructors at the festival will include: Edie the Salsa Freak, Alex Da Silva, Ruby Karen, Salsa Dance Squad, Abel Pena and Ziomara Torres, Paladium Legends - Cuban Pete and Barbara Craddock and many more. The schedule will take on the same format as the average Salsa Congress. Registrations in the day, then shows and dancing until the early hours of the morning will be on Thursday 27th July.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday - 28th - 30th July, there will be workshops in the day, and shows and partying until the early hours in evening. There will also be a competition on Sunday evening.
The location of the event is:Doral Desert Princess Resort Palm Springs, 67-967 Vista Chino, Cathedral City, CA 92234.
I will give more information about this event nearer the time.
2. Essex , UK
Salsa Chillout. - I will be reporting on the events being organised by Terry and Yolanda of Salsa Chillout in the Essex in the coming weeks.
3. London, UK
Go Salsa.
I will also report on Club evenings by Go Salsa in Greenford area of London area.
See You later.
Aubrey
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03-05-2006 8:24 am - 2nd Annual Salsa Congress in Croatia.
Hi folks. More Salsa Congress News.
The 2nd Annual Croatian Summer Salsa Festival will take place in Rovinj, Croatia between 22nd - 25th June 2006. Salsa has not been around very long in Croatia but it obviously is making a very big impact with a group of dancers called Mamberos, run by Vladimir and Daniela, taking on the daunting task of organising a Salsa Congress.
The Instructors that have been confirmed to appear so far are: Orville Small & Sabrina Buis from Canada, Angel Ortiz from New York, Super Mario from London and Rita Bindare, Manuel Mascarell & Barbara Cano from Valencia, and Neeraj Mascara from India & Ania Chagowska from Poland. Cubismo, a top Cuban Band whose members are from Croatia, Slovenia, Cuba and Ecuador, will be the live band in attendance with their energetic dance music based on afro-Cuban rhythms.
Los Mamberos are planning to organise the workshops to have four levels of classes taking into account different dancing skills: beginners, improvers, intermediate and advanced, concentrating on On1 and Cuban style. However they will still cover all aspects of Salsa dancing including body movement, footwork, partnering classes, styling with different styles and dances: Casino, LA, NY, European and Rumba.
Learning from their first Salsa Congress they aim to make this event even better with a larger wooden floor on the main city Plaza, more adequate transportation from the accommodation to the events location, longer parties and relevant standard of classes.
So all in all Los Mamberos aim to make this a much better event.
For more on Vladimir, Daniela, Los Mamberos and the 2nd Croation Summer Salsa Festival please see: Vladimir and Daniela
See you later.
Aubrey
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04-05-2006 7:44 am - UK Salsa Club Events!!!
Hi there. Some news about UK Club events.
1. Essex , UK
Salsa Chillout. - Run by Terry and Yolanda Salsa Chillout runs club nights Monday through Saturday at different venues with special performances and shows on a Friday and Saturday. Tomorrow Friday 5th May 2006, Joe and Sinead will be performing.
Both Joe and Sinead have been performing and teaching for over 3 years, running Salsa dance classes in the Gloucestershire and Hertfordshire areas. They incorporate a lot of fun into their shows with mischievous costumes and cheeky moves.
This will be at Marks Tey Parish Hall, Old London Road, Marks Tey,Colchester, CO6 1EN. Time: 8:30 pm -12:00 midnight. So if you are in that part of Essex tomorrow night why not check this out by looking at the details and web site of Terry and Yolanda.
2. London, UK
Go Salsa. - Run by Founder Larisa and Anuar, Go Salsa are starting Salsa classes in Greenford. Catering for all levels the classes will be run by Frank Santos, Nicholas Valiente, Larisa and guest teachers. Classes are from 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm and then there is a club until 11:00 pm. There is a fully licensed cheap bar and a parquet floor.
Called the 'Conga Room' this venue is at Glaxo SmithKline Leisure Centre, Oldfield Lane, Greenford, UB6 0NN. There is ample onsite parking. The nearest tube station is Greenford (Central Line). The classes will start 10th May 2006. Admission: £7.00 class & club.£2.00 club only.
So if you live or are around that area, give this a try or check the web site: Conga Room.
3. Bedfordshire, UK
Salsa Village - Salsa Village will be giving a 1-Day intensive Salsa Workshop from 11:00 am to 11:30 pm on Saturday 24th June 2006. (Wow!!! 12 hours. Can workshops be that long?). The workshops are for beginners, improvers and intermediates. Cost £20.00 in advance and £25:00 at the door.
Oh! I see! The actual workshop is not that long.There is some dancing after all. The workshop is from 11:30 am - 5:30 pm with breaks for refreshment and food (small buffet provided, no food), then there is dancing from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm. Phew!! I was going to recommend you book your doctor beforehand just in case of any mishaps, but after seeing that just make sure you are fit.
There will also be a show at the evening dance and performing will be Felicidade no Samba. So if you are in the Bedfordshire area and want to improve your Salsa why not try out this workshop. For more information, please see web site: SalsaVillage Workshop.
Bye for now.
Aubrey
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05-05-2006 6:53 am - Another Salsa Congress?
Hi. Yes, some more Salsa Congress News.
1. Cannes, France
The 5th Annual Festival International de Salsa will take place at the Noga Hilton Cannes Hotel from 6th - 9th July 2006.
There will be about 75 instructors and performers at this event. Included in the line up will be:Yamulee and Duplessey Walker & Andrew Cruz - USA; Leon Rose - UK; Salsa Dance Squad - Holland; Janet & Raphael Fuentes and Bomba Cubana - Cuba; Uforia Dance Company and David Lariste & Linda - France; Sosa Style Dancers, El Pueblo Dance Company and Max & Fro - Italy.
There will be dance workshops for all levels in 4 separate rooms with classes in Salsa On 1 (LA Style) and On 2 (Mambo), Cuban Salsa, Ladies Styling, Shines, Bachata and more .
The evening events will be at the Noga Hilton Cannes Beach. It consists of shows from the international performers from about 10:00 pm then the partying be until about 2:30 am (A bit early I think. Any after parties?) with DJs Aimeline, Del Sol, Gabriel, Mo and Descarga.
Contact go to the Salsoholics website of Nicky and Gormack for more details (I hope your French is better than mine).
2. Miami, Florida , USA
The 2nd Annual Miami Mambo & Salsa Project will be held from 16th - 18th June 2006 at the Intercontinental Miami Hotel which is conveniently located 5 minutes from South Beach and 10 minutes from Miami's trendy Coconut Grove and Miami Airport. This event is a Salsa Congress-like party which started last year and is being repeated this year.
Artists appearing will be: Hacha Y Machete (Boston), Salsa Karibe (Miami), Tito & Tamara (PR), Mambo Con Cache (Miami), Troy & Georgette (New Orleans), Salsa Heatwave (Miami), Johnny & Lucy (Atlanta), Latin Beat Dance Studio (S. Florida) and Universal Mambo (Orlando).
The agenda will take on the normal Salsa Congress schedules with welcome party the first night, workshops in the day, shows in the early evening followed by social dancing until 3:30 am the next morning. There will even be a Sunset Pool party on Sunday afternoon.
By all accounts everyone had a good time last year (Juan Matos was there) and it was a success. Will this eventually turn into a full blown Salsa Congress? Well if you are in the Miami area at that time why not go and judge for yourself? I would.
For more information go to web site: The Mambo Project
Bye for now.
Aubrey
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06-05-2006 8:17 pm - More Salsa News
Hi guys. Ready for more Salsa? Well this is just a taste of what is to come this summer.
The Carnival de Cuba, Europe's biggest free Cuban carnival is back. Held once a year on London's South Bank stretching from the Oxo Tower to the LWT building, this event is, and has always been one of London's hottest parties in the Summer. It will be take place on Saturday and Sunday 10th and 11th June 2006 and on show will be Roberto Pla, Osvaldo Chacon, Pedrito Calvo - lead singer and soul of Los Van Van for 26 Years, Sur Caribe and Arnaldo y su Talisman. There will also be a massive Reggaeton showcase.
Dancing on stage will be Janet & Rafael, Iris & Osbanis, Osbanis & Rafael, Lazaro & Paola, Guillermo Davis, Homero Gonzalez, Susan (Salsa Caribe) and Kerry Ribchester. There will also be lots of social dancing with the best DJs playing the most up-to-date tunes.
Other activities include a huge Conga procession, Kid's Carnival and workshops, and there will be Cocktails and Cantinas by Cubana bar-restaurant, Cuban coffee and cigars, fresh tropical smoothies and lots more.
We will be bringing you more about this event nearer the time so stay tuned. If you have not been to this fun event yet, then you are missing out. Make sure you check it out.
Bye for now.
Aubrey
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07-05-2006 9:48 pm - More Salsa Club News from Essex, UK
Hi everyone. More on the UK Salsa Club front.
Salsa Chillout run by Terry and Yolanda will be entertaining Fritha Fallon and Jim Costello at Marks Tey. Fritha and Jim who are also part of the Mambo group Manhattan Mambo are the founders of Salsa Diva Dance Company.
They have both appeared on the TV programmes Cyber Cafe and GMTV. They were also third in the pro category of the Scalalatina Salsa Championship in 2002. They will be doing a workshop and a show. The workshop starts at 8:30 pm for an hour. The club then follows until 12:00 midnight during which Frith and Jim will perform their show.
So if you want a good night out at Salsa Chillout and want to be mesmerised by the skill and showmanship of Jim and Frith, not forgetting their workshop, why not pay Marks Teys a visit at: Marks Tey Parish Hall, Old London Road, Marks Tey,Colchester, CO6 1EN.
See you later.
Aubrey
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09-05-2006 7:59 am - More London Salsa Club News
Hi Salseros and Salseras. Welcome back for some more Salsa club news.
The Rocket is back.
One of the more popular club nights, the Rocket is back by popular demand on Saturday 13th May 2006. Over the last year it has undergone extensive renovation to give 4 superb rooms of dance with their own sound systems and over 7500sq ft wooden dance floor, 2 bars and full air-conditioning.
The Rocket is run by an organisation called the 'Latin Collective' who run a string of club nights around the country including the world famous ScalaLatina in Kings Cross and Bar Latina in Tottenham. The Rocket was not available in 2005 because of soundproofing needed due to the building of new luxury flats next door. Well now it's back completely restructured and revamped.
On Saturday 13th May starting from 9:00 pm there will be Lambazouk and Salsa Classes with the Latin Collective team then club till 3am.
In Room 1 will be SalsaMax (NY style Salsa) with Big Les.
In Room 2 will be Viva Cuba (Cuban Salsa) with Dr Jim and guests.
In Room 3 will be Brazilian Beach Bums (Lambazouk, Samba and Kizomba) with DJ Paolo.
In Room 4 will be Urban Latino (Reggaeton, Merengue & Latin Hip-Hop) with Candela Productions.
DJs on the night will be: Dr Jim, Big Les, Paolo, Jose Luis plus guests.
Location: The Rocket, 166 Holloway Rd, Islington, London N7 (opposite Holloway Rd tube stn with plenty of parking outside).
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Price £12 (non-mem), £9 (mem), £6 (NUS)
Sounds like a good night to me. If you are going, have a good time. I will.
Bye for now.
Aubrey
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10-05-2006 5:23 am - Lee and Shelly. Up and coming Salsa Dancers!
Hi everyone. Today and in future weeks we will put the spotlight on some Salsa Performers.
Let's begin with Shelly and Lee.
Shelly and Lee are widely acknowledged as rising stars on the UK salsa dance scene and have taken the UK, Europe, and perhaps the world by storm. Shelly who I know personally, told me she took up Salsa dancing when introduced to it by her father. She first thought it was for older folk (we know it's for folk of all ages) but since she started she has not looked back since.
Both are established performers. Shelley trains and performs with Iris de Brito and her Latin Soul Sisters and the Mambo group Manhattan Mambo. Lee has worked with the South of England Latin Formation Team (the British Champions) and the Diablo Dance Company. They have been invited to join the Leon Rose Project and they have already performed with this troupe around the UK and Europe.
They have entered and won many competitions including the UK national Murderous Instincts talent-spotting competition and performed their first choreography at the finals of the Tropicana Professional World Salsa Championships. They have performed at many a Salsa Congress, including the UK Salsa Congress promoted by Paul Young and the Brit Salsafest.
Shelley and Lee are available for group and individual salsa lessons, from partnerwork to shines and styling, and are able to teach both "On 1" and "On 2" styles. For more details please go to:Lee and Shelly.
See you later.
Aubrey
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11-05-2006 7:18 am - More Salsa Club News from USA
Hi everyone. More Salsa news.
From Downey in California, Al Liquid Silver and Karla Espinosa will be giving a Boot Camp for beginners and intermediate level Salsa dancers. Presented by his company Liquid Silver Production, the course will concentrate on styling, footwork and body movement.
Al Espinoza, also known as 'Liquid Silver' has choreographed Hip Hop and Pop Locking dance teams all over California. He has performed for the capital, and many cities throughout the United States. He is currently taking the world by storm with his new style of dance, which combines both Hip Hop and Salsa, creating what is now called "Pop'n Salsa". Al's style of Salsa amazes audiences with his incredible body movements and rhythm and he has done many dance performances with Edie The Salsa FREAK.
For the Ladies: Karla will teach ladies styling including head rolls, body movements, body waves, arm styling, footwork and afro Cuban movement.
For the Men: Al will be teaching several different ways to do a cross body lead, underarm turns, behind the back turns, and body waves, arm and hand bouncing which adds flavour when turning your partner.
For Men and Women: Al & Karla will teach body isolation and body waves to add to and improve your combinations, serious techniques to improve your spins (for the ladies, Karla will be giving a world class spins demonstration), and also several different ways to rotate cross body leads, including reversing and continuous cross body leads. Also taught will be basic and advanced foot work, with up to 100 shines to choose from.
Al and Karla will also demonstrate and teach how to break, pause and dance to the music, including lyrical dancing.
Cost: $45 or $55 at the door and includes a CD and DVD music compilation by Al and Karla and FREE lunch.
Time: 17th June 2006 from 10am to 6pm with 1 hour break for lunch.
Location: Dance Dynamics Studio, Suite 103, Woodruff Ave, Downey 12405, CA 90242
For info Tel: (310)628-6999 or (310)406-7656.
More news later.
Aubrey
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12-05-2006 7:13 am - Edie's Salsa Bootcamp Event
Hi there. More Salsa new from around the world.
Get ready for Edie the Salsa Freak's famous Bootcamp. Edie will be giving an 8 hour Salsa Bootcamp for both men and women in Downey California on 20th - 21st May 2006. This should act as a perfect warm up for the West Coast Salsa Congress taking place the following week in LA.
On the 20th May 2006 will be the Beginners' Salsa course for those who have not had the time to dance Salsa. Edie promises you that in this 8-hour course you will learn Salsa that day. This course will concentrate on the basics, body movement, partnerwork, turning and spinning technique, Cross Body Lead, Copa and arm and hip styling.
On the 21st May 2006 will be the Ladies' Styling Bootcamp. This is for all level dancers and will consist of Body Movement, Solo and Partner Styling, spins and finding your center and balance. With the help of the guys you will also be taught high speed multiple spinning techniques, styling during spinning and head rolls. You will also be taught Copa, dipping and Cross Body Lead.
After the Saturday Bootcamp you can meet for a group dinner and then a trip to the Granada Nightclub. On Sunday night there will be a trip to Steven's Steakhouse.
The Cost: $60.00 if paid in advance and $75.00 at the door. $110.00 for the whole weekend if booked in advance. The guys get in free on Sunday. Free lunch and munchies are included on both days.
Location: Dance Dynamics Studio: 12405 Woodruff Avenue - Downey, CA 90241. - ( Approx. 5 doors North of Imperial - Directly behind "Yale Engineering." Driveway to the right of Yale leads to "Dance Dynamics" Look for the Dancers on the Wall).
So why not warm up for the Salsa Congress the following week, the Edie The Salsa Freak way? Should be good.
Bye for now.
Aubrey
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13-05-2006 4:55 am - UK Salsa Congress and other news!
Hi everyone. More Salsa news!
1. UK
This Salsa Congress is not until the end of September 2006 but if you have not been there before why not try the UK Salsa Congress. Started in September 2006 by Paul Young this event is in its 5th year and it gets better every year. I have attended every year so far and am testimony to this.
The world's top teachers and performers will be there covering over 100 workshops at all levels and styles. There will be three different party rooms (NY and LA Salsa, Cuban Salsa and Latin Vibes) going on until the early hours of the morning plus 3 evenings of world class shows. About 2,500 people from all over the world attend this event which takes over the whole of the Butlins Resort in Bognor Regis and turns it into a Salsa Village.
I'm sure the event this year will be even bigger and better still and I will give more details nearer the time. So why not attend this Salsa Congress? You have been given enough warning.
Now a reminder of what's happening this weekend.
2. Bulgaria
The BG Salsa Festival presented in association with London's Paul Young and his company Salsa UK, is being held in Sofia Bulgaria as we speak, starting last night 12th May and ending on 14th May. Some of the world's top artists are there including Tropical Gem, Swing Guys, Luis & Melissa, Juan Matos, Leon Rose, Susana Montero and Super Mario.
There are workshops during the day given by the above mentioned instructors, performances by the international performers in the evening and dancing until the early hours of the morning. In the evening the new-renaissance style building of the Military Club, located in the very city centre of Sofia, is the main venue of this Salsa Congress, hosting the Welcome Party, the Gala and the Farewell Party. After-parties will be held in the contemporary design place named the End of the Universe.
Looks like a good time will be had by all. See if you can get there for at least one evening.
3. London, UK
The Rocket is back tonight.
With 4 superb rooms of dance with their own sound systems and over 7500sq ft wooden dance floor, 2 bars and full air-conditioning, this venue which has undergone extensive renovation should be back now on a regular basis. With NY Style and LA Salsa, Cuban Salsa, Brazilian music and Latino Urban Salsa played by different DJ's in the rooms, this event should be worth visiting especially as the rooms are bigger and a lot more spacious.
So if you live in, are around, or can remotely even get to London, it is worth checking this out. I will be there.
Location: The Rocket, 166 Holloway Rd, Islington, London N7 (opposite Holloway Rd tube stn with plenty of parking outside).
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Price £12 (non-mem), £9 (mem), £6 (NUS)
See you later.
Aubrey
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15-05-2006 7:40 pm - Salsa Club News from Essex, UK
Hi everyone. More on the Essex, UK Salsa Club scene.
Salsa Chillout run by Terry and Yolanda will be entertaining Manhattan Mambo at Marconi. Jason and Amanda who are the founders, directors and choreographers of Manhattan Mambo, are one of the main dance companies that teaches the NY Style On 2 style of dancing in London and the UK and they have performed at both the UK and the London Salsa Congress.
Jason and Amanda learnt Salsa in London, in fact Amanda started the same time as I did, and have travelled extensively to Cuba, LA, New York and Europe in search of perfection to this dance. They have studied with some of the world's top teachers including Nelson Flores, Eddie Torres, Frankie Martinez and are considered to be amoungst the UK's finest On 2 instructors. They will be doing a workshop and a show. The workshop starts at 8:30 pm for an hour. The club then follows until 12:00 midnight during which Manhattan Mambo will perform their show.
So if you want beginners class in On 2 dancing and want a touch of the 'High Society', the show being performed by Manhattan Mambo, why not pay Marconi a visit at: Marconi, Beehive Lane, Chelmsford, CM2 9rX, Essex, UK.
Bye for now.
Aubrey
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16-05-2006 7:50 am - The Premier Salsa Congress is almost here!!!
Hi folks. More Salsa News.
I did mention before that the West Coast Salsa Congress is coming soon and that I was tempted to go. Well, guess what. I am going. Hoorah!!! I thought this was too good an opportunity to miss.
Just to remind you this Salsa Congress promoted by Albert Torres, is from 25th - 28th May 2006 at the Hollywood Park Casino 3883 W. Century Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90303 and attracted 25,000 people from 42 countries and 235 US cities last year. There is so much to see and enjoy that is packed into this 4-day festival and I will report on each one by one every day.
Let's start with the bands.
There will be 7 bands, yes 7 bands playing at this festival over this long weekend. These bands are:
1. The Tito Puente Original Orchestra musicians. With Special Guest: Tito Puente Jr. Four time Grammy Award Winner; featured motion picture performer; doctorate of arts & sciences and Internationally acclaimed world wide performer.
2. Tipica 73. With Special Guest Singers: Adalberto Santiago, Tito Allen, Camilo Azuquita. Tipica '73 was a popular New York Salsa band in the 1970s and early 1980s formed with a number of musicians from Ray Barretto's band.
3. The Puerto Rican Masters. Puerto Rican Masters is a group of well knowing musicians from the Salsa genre of over three decades who were instrumental in the development of the genre in Puerto Rico. This Orchestra is conducted by Luis "Perico" Ortiz, member of "Fania All Stars".
4. New Swing Sextet. This band was very popular in the sixties, being an innovative exponent of Latin jazz, salsa and pop music for nearly four decades. They have been performing with "Mambo Negro" the highly popular Latin jazz ensemble, and on special occasions the band performs as the New Swing, offering an established and respected perfectly preserved and bottled sound from another era, for this generation to enjoy.
5. Johnny Polanco y su Conjunto Amistad. One of the most sought-after bands in the U.S. today. They have toured, recorded and performed with greats in the music such as Johnny Pacheco, Cachao, Ray De La Paz, Charlie Zaa and many more.
6. Orquesta Tabaco Y Ron. Perhaps the most happening Salsa band today. With their high-energy brand of Salsa music, they are a 12 piece "Big-Band" orchestra composed of musicians from all over Latin America.
7. Chino Espinoza Y Los Duenos Del Son. Born Mirley Espinoza in Costa Rica, this Los Angeles-based salsa singer/bandleader is better known as "Chino El Salsero". His father was one of the leading percussionists in Costa Rica and his talented younger brother César Espinoza is also one of the leading percussionists in the Los Angeles Latin music scene.
What are these bands like? I have no idea, but I will certainly let you know when I listen to them.
More Salsa Congress news tomorrow.
Bye for now.
Aubrey
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17-05-2006 2:47 am - More on the West Coast Salsa Congress in LA.
Hi folks. It's the West Coast Salsa Congress again. Let's now concentrate on the artists.
1. Instructors - As you would imagine this Congress would have an impressive array of instructors. These include: Juan Matos, Thomas Guerrero, Winsome Lee, Paladium Legends - New York; Mario B, Griselle Ponce - New Jersey; Edie the "Salsa Freak, Liquid Al Espinosa, Alex D'Silva, Jose Neglia - Los Angeles; Tito and Tamara, Puerto Rico; Henry Herrera, Miami; Hacha Y Machete - Lawrence, Masschusetts; Manuel Mascarel - Spain; Swing Guys,Tony Lara - Italy; Morris and Sonia - Canada; Oliver and Luda - Australia; and many, many more. I must say these are only the artists that I have either seen live or know about, but at the end of the Congress they should all be artists that will become all too familiar to me.
I plan to go to any spin classes that are available and also some styling classes.
2. Dance Teams - There are literally hundreds. The ones that I am familiar with are: Larisa & Miguel - London, UK; Josie Neglia & Jose Valencia - Los Angeles; Salsa Frio Dancers - Tromso, Norway; Bobby & Mitsue - Tokyo, Japan; Caribbean Soul - Jersey City, New Jersey; Hacha Y Machete - Boston, MA; Henry Herrera - Miami, Florida; Jayson Molina - Puerto Rico; Oliver Pineda & Luda Kroitor - Sydney, Australia; Liquid Silver Productions - Los Angeles, CA; Los Pambos - Bulgaria; Manuel Mascarell - Valencia, Spain; Mas Salsa Brava (Luis & Melissa) - Los Angeles, CA; Swing Guys - Milan, Italy; Tito & Tamara - San Juan, Puerto Rico; Yamule - New York; Seve & Mouaze - Paris, France and many more. As you can see some of these artists will be rather busy as they are both performing and teaching. So it would be a hectic weekend for them.
With such an array of star performers plus many more to come it should be a dazzling weekend to both learn new moves and be enthralled by world class performances.
I will be back tomorrow with more info.
Aubrey
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18-05-2006 6:14 am - What to do before the West Coast Salsa Congress?
Hi folks. The West Coast Salsa Congress again.
The Salsa Congress starts on 25th May and I am arriving on the afternoon of 22nd May. So I have 3 days and 3 evenings before the Salsa Congress starts. What do I do? Well I know that LA is a great tourist destination with lots of interesting places to go. But I am here for Salsa and will only be here for one week of which 4 days will be at the Salsa Congress.
I do not know about you but as LA is one of the Mecca's for Salsa in the USA I would check out all of the good Salsa spots around which I totally intend to do. I did a bit of research and this is what I found on the Internet or was recommended:
1. Stephens Steakhouse. City of Commerce. This venue is mentioned by everyone. The first time I enquired about dancing in LA, Stephens popped up. Edie the 'Salsa Freak' is going to this venue with her students after her workshop in Downey, California this weekend, it was mentioned in the Forums I visited. 'Do not miss Stephens' I was told. Apparently Tuesdays is the day when you can dance 'On 2' at Stephens. So I will definitely be going there on Tuesday 23rd May to see what all the fuss is about.
2. Sachi - Seaport Marina Hotel, Long Beach. This apparently is a club that has dancing on a Wednesday but they are moving to a Monday starting on Monday 22nd May the day I arrive. There is a grand opening party that night, which normally means a good crowd and atmosphere (it's is that way in London anyway). So this is my most likely Salsa venue for Monday.
3. Marriott Pre-Congress Party. Well I suppose this is where I will end up (initially anyway). As this is the main focus of my visit this is my first choice when I will get to know some people or meet up with who I know are going, check out the premises etc. etc. However if this turns out to be not that exciting there are other options which I was given.
Of course Thursday to Sunday will be spent exclusively on the Salsa Congress activities. However I was given many options to go somewhere else if I did not want to spend the whole evening at the Salsa Congress. These were:
4. Cohiba.- Long Beach - Wednesday.
5. Mama Juana's - Studio City - Thursday.
6. Tapas.- Newport Beach - Friday.
7. Granada.- Alhambra - Saturday.
8. Stephen's Steakhouse.- City of Commerce - Sunday.
Other venues mentioned (not sure of the nights) were:
9. Conga Room (Los Angeles)
10. The Mayan (Los Angeles)
11. Century Club (Century City)
12. Coco Palm (Pomona)
13. JC Fandangos (Anahiem)
14. South Village(Bellflower)
15. Vasilio's (Downey)
16. Zabumba (Culver City)
17. The Rio Lounge (Encino)
18. Marriott Hotel (Torrance)
19. El Floritida Restaurant (Hollywood)
20. Mor Bar (Santa Monica)
21. Cuban Pete's ( Anaheim)
22. Rudolpho's (Los Angeles )
23. La Strada (Los Angeles )
24. Terapia (Glendale)
25. Salsa Club 2000 (North Hollywood)
I have been to a few Salsa Congresses and the evenings seem to be enough for me (I always have a great time. There are so many people to dance with). Anyway it's good to know that I have so many choices. If I do not go to some or any of these places then at least I will know where to go when I come back to LA next time.
More Salsa Congress news for you tomorrow.
Aubrey
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19-05-2006 2:47 am - West Coast Salsa Congress Again!
Hi. More details on the West Coast Salsa Congress.
Where are all Congress activities going to be taking place? Salsaland. A bit more about this piece of history.
Salsaland is a tent city which is constructed at Hollywood Park Casino at 3883 West Century Boulevard, Inglewood, CA 90303, and is 5 miles from the Los Angeles Airport Marriott (where I will be staying and is promoted by Albert Torres) which is at 5855 West Century Boulevard. This was started in 2004 and the idea was to find accommodation for all activities that bettered the indoor facilities of a hotel. The facilities consists of a huge dance tent with six floors and a stage for the bands, a second big tent for the performances, an outside dance tent surrounded by a large sitting area in front of the food service and a perimeter of individual tents for vendors.
Some more statistics about the venue:
1. Salsaland is located in the Parking lot of the Hollywood Park Casino.
2. It is being constructed during the two weeks before the Salsa Congress starts.
3. It is 173,000 Sq feet of fenced venue space, nearly 4 football fields in size.
4. The large covered dance floor is 2000 plus sq ft in area.
5. The Dance Performance Theatre has seating for over 2600 people.
6. There is a six foot stage for the DJs.
7. The dance floor area is doubled to 12,000 sq feet, and breaks the record for the most flooring rented at any event. (some people did complain there was not enough dancing space at last year's Salsa Congress).
8. There is an increase in the size of the Performance Theatre with added cameras and lights.
By the looks of it this seems a huge undertaking and a lot of organisation. 10,000 people per day are expected so it would be some feat if things go smoothly. It's all well and good to be in one area for all the activities. However the venue is 5 miles from the main hotel.
The Congresses I have been to have always been on site (UK Salsa Congress in Butlin's Resort, Bognor Regis. Fantastic venue. Finish dancing at 5:00 am and you're in bed by 5:05 am. A bit difficult to beat that). There is bussing to and from the hotel so transportation would depend on the reliability of these. However I do have a car hired for the week but do not know if this will make any difference (parking etc). However with all these things I will let you know.
Isn't all this exciting?
See you tomorrow.
Aubrey
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19-05-2006 9:47 pm - Some More news from the West Coast Salsa Congress!
Hi. It's me again. More from the Salsa Congress in LA.
1.The Salsa Competition
As you probably know there is a Salsa Competition for some people who are taking this Salsa Congress a bit more seriously. There are 4 categories of dancers in this competition and within each category there are certain rules. These are:
On 1 - No lifts or any movement allowed whereby both feet are removed from the floor with assistance from either partner. Dips and drops are permitted as long as one foot remains on the floor. Shines are permitted.
On 2 - No lifts or any movement allowed whereby both feet are removed from the floor with assistance from either partner. Dips and drops are permitted as long as one foot remains on the floor. Shines are permitted.
Cabaret - Lifts, Cartwheels Or Any Similar Lift Or Tricks are permitted. Lifts are defined as any assisted movement whereby any partner is carried off the floor. Whether the feet are 2 inches off the floor or 10 feet, this type of assisted movement will still be considered a lift or trick. Shines are permitted. No props are allowed (includes chairs, capes, whips, or any other item that is not a part of the body costume).
Teams - No Less Than 6 Performers And No More Than 20 Performers. Lifts, Cartwheels Or Any Similar Lift Or Tricks are permitted. Lifts are defined as any assisted movement whereby any partner is carried off the floor. Whether the feet are 2 inches off the floor or 10 feet, this type of assisted movement will still be considered a lift or trick. Shines are permitted. No props are allowed (includes chairs, capes, whips, or any other item that is not a part of the body costume).
2. The Beach Party
As you probably know there is a Beach Party as well. Rules? Yes. There are Rules here too.
Beach Party Rule 1. Lifts or any movement whereby both feet are removed from the floor with assistance from either partner are allowed. So you can lift your partner whilst dancing and then perhaps throw her/him if the lady is strong enough) preferably in the sea for a softer landing.
Beach Party Rule 2. Dips and drops are permitted. So you can either dip your partner or drop her/him into the sea (again for a soft landing). If he/she (who is now looking at you with a wary eye) asks you why you did it, just refer them to this Rule.
Beach Party Rule 3. Lifts, Cartwheels or Any Similar Lift or Tricks are permitted. All props are allowed (includes chairs, capes, whips, or any other item that is not a part of the body costume). So after doing some cartwheels, you can stand on a chair wearing a cape and whip your partner to your heart's content. When she/he asks you (in total exasperation) what the hell you are doing, you again refer to the Beach Party Rule No.3
Beach Party Rule No 4. Shines are permitted. You are laughing your head off at your partner's expense and then turn around only to see someone's fist into your face (It turns out to be your partner). You end up with a black eye. You turn to him/her and say 'What was that for?' Then she refers you to Beach Party Rule No. 4 - Shine(r)s are permitted.
Well trust you to choose a myopic partner.
So it looks like the competition which starts on Friday and ends on Sunday and the Beach Party which is at Santa Monica Beach on Wednesday 24th May between 1:00 - 5:00 pm will be fun. However I hope no one takes the Beach Party rules too seriously (on 2nd thoughts, why not? Those Beach Party Rules looks like it could be a lot of fun). But do not tell anyone it was recommended by Salsa Dance With Passion
Bye for now.
Aubrey
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21-05-2006 4:25 am - And finally the West Coast Salsa Congress again!
Hi everyone.
I leave for LA early tomorrow morning Monday 22nd May and will be back in London on Tuesday afternoon 30th May. This will be the last blog for about 9 days but when I come back this blog will continue as usual with all news Salsawise especially everything that went on in LA over the next week. However I will endeavour to update you with all the new Salsa clubs that I discover in LA and you can see these updates by either accessing Salsa Clubs in LA or subscribing to my web site update blog. See how to subscribe here.
This is my schedule for the whole of the Salsa Congress in LA.
Wednesday 24th May - Welcome party at the Marriott hotel with band Orquesta Son Mayor from 9:00 pm. I will be at the Beach Party in Santa Monica Beach from 1:00 pm t0 5:00 pm the same day.
Thursday 25th May - 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm. Watching dance competition and shows (Four hours??!! Not sure I will last that long just watching!). 12:00 am - 4:00 am. Dancing to New York Band New Swing Sextet and international DJs (Now you're talking).
Friday 26th May - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. I will be doing 2 workshops. One is a spinning workshop (I could not spin properly to save my life) and the other is one that involves mambo body movements. 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Either watching afternoon dance performances and the competition or sleeping for 2 - 3 hours, sleeping taking priority. (Did you know I only sleep 5 hours a day? About 2.5 hours in the afternoon and 2.5 hours in the morning? Come on. Don't look at me like that. How do you think you get these Salsa news updates day after day after day?) 9:00 pm- 4:00 am. Watching shows and dancing to bands Orquesta Tabaco Y Ron and The Tito Puente original orchestra musicians with Tito Puente Jr. This time there is a more bearable interval between the shows, with the first show being from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm (I will probably miss that one) and the second being from 10:30 pm - 12:00 pm. The rest of the time is dancing, dancing, dancing time.
Saturday 27th May - 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Two workshops for me: One a spinning class again and the other teaching you how to mix Tango, Flamenco and Latin to my Salsa styling (sounds interesting and fun). The rest of the time just mingling and savouring the atmosphere. 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Either watching afternoon dance performances and the competition or sleeping for 2 - 3 hours, sleeping taking priority. 9:30 pm - 11:00 pm - Dancing to band Johnny Polanco Y Su Conjunto Amistad. 11:00 pm to 12:30 pm - Watching the show no: 2. 12:30 am - 4:00 am. Dancing to band Tipica 73 and international DJs.
Sunday 28th May - 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Two more workshops for me: One with Swing Guys at 11:00 am (I used to do Lindy Hop plus this is a fun class as I have taken their classes before at two previous Congresses) plus another spinning class at 2:00 pm. Rest of time will be mingling until about 4:00 pm. 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Either watching afternoon dance performances and the competition or sleeping for 2 - 3 hours, sleeping taking priority (This will have to be the norm since I think it is not that easy to pop back to your hotel room in a whim as it is 5 miles away, even though I have a car for the week). 9:30 pm - 11:00 pm - Chino Espinoza Y Los Duenos Del Son. 11:00 pm to 12:30 pm - Watching the show no: 2. 12:45 am - 4:00 am. Dancing to band The Puerto Rican Masters and international DJs.
Monday 29th May - I leave for London in the afternoon 5:45 pm. Phew!!! Before Wednesday's Marriott Welcome Party, I will be finding out as much as possible about LA in the 2 full days I am there (not much time you must admit) as well as getting to know some of the clubs I was recommended by people in the know.
So there you have it. That's what I will be doing over the next 8 days or so but don't worry I will tell you all about it when I come back and of course will be updating my site Salsa Dance With Passion with all the things I have found out in the LA
Salsa scene.
So bye for now and I will be back with more Salsa news in 9 days time.
Aubrey
P.S. Don't forget to check for updates to my web site while I am in LA by either accessing Salsa Clubs in LA or subscribing to my web site update blog. See how to subscribe here.
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31-05-2006 1:04 am - West Coast Salsa Congress in LA- Part 1
Hi folks. Here at last is my adventure at the West Coast Salsa Congress 2006.
Day 1 - Monday 22nd May 2006.
I finally left for LA from Heathrow airport at about 10.30 am and arrived in LA (LAX International airport) at about 12.30 pm after a 10.5 hour uneventful journey (there being an 8 hour time difference). I then caught a shuttle coach to the hire company location to pick up my hire car for the week. This is when the 'fun' began.
First I could not locate my hotel on the LA Guide I had. Although I knew the address, I could not see it on any of the maps in the Guide. After asking directions from 3 different people (including the hotel personnel who I rang and who pointed me in the wrong direction), I decided to make a start, one hour after collecting my car.
Secondly in the US you drive on the right hand side (the wrong side) of the road. In the UK it's on the left hand side (the right side) of the road (Ha ha. Just joking). The last time I drove on the right hand side of the road was when I went to Corfu, a Greek island, in 1998 with my then girlfriend, and we hired a jeep. I got used to it after 2 days and it had the added complication of having a manual gearbox. The hire car in LA had an automatic gearbox so while I knew I would get used to it fairly quickly, I would have to do this while looking for my hotel in a strange city not knowing exactly where the hotel was. After driving back and forth and stopping a couple of times to ask directions I arrived at my hotel 2 hours after arriving and one hour after leaving the car hire company. I was now physically and mentally exhausted and just wanted to relax in my hotel bedroom.
I had promised myself to visit as many Salsa clubs as possible while I was in LA and had decided to go to a recommended Salsa Club, Sachi, at the Seaport Marina Hotel in Long Beach this evening. However there was another complication. I have some difficulty with night driving (one of the, hopefully temporary, after effects of laser eye surgery I had about 2.5 months ago). So with the fact that I was unfamiliar with the area and was not yet accustomed to driving on the right, I decided to give this a miss. I later found out that this club in Long Beach was about 25 miles away. So it was a wise decision.
Day 2, Tuesday 23rd May 2006.
I promised to visit as many places as possible in LA before the start of the Salsa Congress which started on Thursday 25th May 2005. I decided that day to go to Downtown LA which was a recommended place to visit if you were short of time. So I decided to drive there. Aha! Some time to get used to driving on the right. So I looked on the map. It looked pretty straightforward. However what I thought would take me 20 minutes took about 3/4 hour - 1 hour. Not because of getting lost again but because the distances between points were longer than I thought. However I was lost briefly but after asking a few directions I arrived in Downtown LA and parked at about 12:00 pm.
After stopping at a newly opened sandwich bar for a break and speaking there to an LA resident who gave me a bit of background about LA while I gave him some info on Salsa worldwide, I familiarised myself with this area by walking down Spring Street, Broadway and the Bunker Hill area, buying a video cleaning cassette for my camcorder (which had stopped showing pictures on playback just before I left London) and visiting the library to look on the net for the location of the Salsa Beach Party in Santa Monica. At about 2:00 pm I decided to leave to go to the Marriott Hotel in Century Boulevard which was my hotel address from 25th May until 29th May. The other hotel was just for the first 3 days. After looking at the map I thought it was pretty straightforward but after picking up my parked car, I could not get out of Downtown LA after driving around in circles for one hour. In desperation I stopped and asked a chauffeur driver and he pointed me in the right direction using the Freeway (I did not want to use the Freeway so soon but he assured me it was the easiest way to get to my destination, as it did turn out to be). When I got to the Marriott Hotel I made my way back to my hotel which only took about 5 - 10 minutes.
Salsa? I was again physically and mentally exhausted after my new lost and found ordeal but was determined to go to Salsa tonight. Everybody I contacted recommended Stephens Steakhouse - City of Commerce for Salsa on a Tuesday but I looked on my LA map in my Guide book and could find no sign of it. I had asked the LA resident who happened to be a lawyer where it was and he said the City of Commerce were a series of warehouses 15 miles from Downtown LA. However as I said I did look in my LA guidebook and there was no map or mention of it anywhere. Being physically and mentally exhausted I decided again to relax in my hotel room.
So. 36 hours in LA and no Salsa? What the hell is going on? This cannot continue. However this was beyond my control. I was however determined to make up for it over the next 5 days that I was here. Although I have not been to any clubs I will give a listing of all the clubs I know in LA very soon (and would have gone to, time and knowledge of the area permitting) and you will be able to see this by going to Salsa Clubs in LA, and I do apologise for not giving any information about Salsa in this blog.
Tomorrow. Salsa dancing on the Beach on Santa Monica and the Marriott Pre Congress Welcome Party.
See you tomorrow.
Aubrey
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