Youtube video from feature film “Salsa Lessons” and also the trailer.
Film is now available on indieflix.com
Updates from October, 2009
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salsalessons2009
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Anthony Persaud
Here is an awesome video from the special that aired a few days ago. It is amazing to see him young singing with Willie. Ruben Blades has such clear vocals and eloquent lyrics.
Marco
Hell Willie looks like a kid too. It was neat to hear a bit of background stories on the All Stars. Ruben being a lawyer explained a lot regarding eloquent lyrics.
The one drawback to using poeticism for songs is that my gradeschool equivalant spanish can’t keep up with the cantantes :2s Ah well time to brush up anyways.
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Manuel
I am currently switching from On1 to On2 style. Is there any video, article out there that explains the “subtle” differences between the two styles. I guess that I am trying to get that feel that the followers say they feel when On2…they say that they have “more time” to do their turns. As a Lead, it would be great if I could “feel” like I have more time to do a pattern, you know. Any tips from any one that did the “switch” would be greatly appreciated.
Felicia
Hi Manuel,
On1 is better for performance, it’s sharper, more dramatic, and tighter. On2 is more for body movement, softer, and emphasizes the slow and fast better, with more flow.
The reason why people say they have “more time to do their spins” On2 is because they don’t know how to spin properly. Timing solely depends on how fast the beat is in the music that is being played at the moment. You have to be careful to listen to the music because there are songs that emphasize the 6 & 7 more, which is primarily for On2. On1 songs emphasize the 1 & 5 more. The numbers I am referring to are the eight counts in the song. Hope that helps!
Manuel
Hi Felicia,
Thank you for your input. It kind of makes feel good to hear this comment from a “follower”. Because I have been practicing On2 for a few months, now, and I swear that I can’t find/feel this “extra time” that people keep talking about. And I like to think that I keep “good” time with the music.
I agree with what you said about “timing” solely depending on how fast the beat of a song is.
David
Hey Manuel,
I would have to disagree with Felicia on some points. Most salsa songs, at least well-composed songs featuring an actual band, emphasize the 2 & 6. I say “band” because what you have in the 80’s with the birth of salsa romantica, is a music that is focused around the main singer (sonero), and since his vocals will usually come in on the 1, the music is more centered around that. Besides for a few exceptions, salsa/mambo is focused on the 2. You will always hear people say that Cha Cha can only be danced on 2, but salsa on1 or on2; this doesn’t make sense, because percussively, cha cha and salsa are exactly the same. The ‘Tumbao” rhythm, which is played on the Congas, which are the actual Cha Cha sounds in the music, is identical to the rhythm played in Salsa, only faster.
On1 is neither sharper or tighter, that totally depends on the dancer. Look at the footwork of on2 dancers such as Frankie Martinez, Juan Matos, Angelo Rito, Seaon Stylist etc. compare that to the Vasquez bros. or most other famous on1 dancers. On1 dancers, especially LA style, are definitely more dramatic though, and a lot wider, taking up much more space on the dance floor. On1 dancing is usually performance oriented, not because it works better for the stage – because to be honest, the best performance teams in the world – Santo Rico, Yamulee, Abakua, Fogarate – are all on2. But on1 dancing lends itself less to social dancing than it does to the stage. Why? Being that I learned to dance both on1 and on2, from personal experience, there is a lot more you can do with the music dancing on2. Again, this is because of the different instruments you can play with while dancing on2 – Tumbao, Clave, Piano, Vibes, etc. On1 dancers usually just dance to the 8 counts, thats why the ‘feel’ is different. Not to say that there arent some exceptions, but form my experience (dancing on the east and west coasts), that is what I have found. – Just my opinion
Lastly, there is more time, it is not a myth. The 4 and the 8 are in the air (passing steps) in on2 dancing, while they are on the ground (slight pause) in on1. Regarding turning in on1 dancing, many times the lead will turn the girl on 5,6,7, this comes after that pause after the 3. In on2, the lead will usually turn the girl anywhere from 1 until 5 because she doesn’t have to break back until 6, and she can prep for her spin starting on 7. It sounds a little complex, but once you dance on2 more, you’ll know what I mean. The stop after the 3 in on1 dancing makes all the difference. Hope this helped.
-David
Manuel
Thanks David for your great reply. I think that I will have to read your information a few times, so I can “truly” understand the points that you are making. Because I do want to get to that level, in my dancing, where I am playing with the Tumbao, Clave, Piano…you know. I have a Salsa teacher that I admire for his style and I can tell that he is just “playing” with the music while he dances, very natural, very fun.
I really like your explanation of where the steps are when On1 and when On2; it’s a very nice break down. Thanks again.-Manuel
lonbluster
Hi David, and Manuel,
I want add to what David clearly and correctly exposed.
Consider as an end that you can dance On1 like you can dance On2.
Anyway you can learn to dance this way only by learning to dance On2 because here you are forced to listen to instruments that you don’t really need On1. On2 means upbeat, which is the weaker part of the beat (2 beats per meausure – count 1234) and in salsa and chacha it is marked by the clave and the conga.
Only by listening and stepping on the clave as a clave player would do, can you match correctly the weak upbeat (2 or 6, 4 or 8).
The clave does more: it joins 2 measures of the song so you can span more confortably your listening reference to the music, expecially with fast songs!!…and with meaning!The steps On2(Eddie Torres) are more in touch with the clave, they coincide more then the On1 (even Tito Puente explained this), so you can learn better to use weaker sounds like that of the conga (which has a fast beat, 2 or 3 beats per count, giving you much more precision in your dancing), as well as all the patterns of instruments that make reference to the clave. (To this follows that even if you don’t ear the clear sound of the clave, its spirit is always present in a salsa song, so that on its 5 beats, maybe 2,3,4…..or 5 different instruments cover the clave beats.)
Once you have learned this you are no more attached to a simple following the measure beats that everyone learns while counting 123-567, and you can just move to the familiar pattern of the instruments. You can then dance On1 in this way, but still when you dance On2 you would prefer it ! That also depends on the kind of song, as Felicia mentioned, and on your musical preference. Puertorican music is more for On2, I’d say.
At last I wanna tell you that the On2 concept does not (sadly) necessarily match with On2 dancing. I can tell you this because I know people that have danced On2 for long (and even teach dancing) that have never got the wonderful On2 magic, and even if they can use it, they don’t necessarily know how to explain it… or teach it, or take advantage from it. I still think this can’t be possible,….. but experience speaks.
Enjoy, and listen only to the best Salsa, starting from Ray Barretto!
Manuel
Hi lonbluster,
Thank you for adding to this conversation. I will also try to use your tips as I am learning to better “listen” Salsa music so I can dance On2.
Much appreciated.-Manuel
Felicia
Hey Manuel,
Well, your topic sure struck a conversation! That is great! I’ll have to end it with a performance Francico and I did in Italy to truly represent LA Style ! ;} Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz6GfCChs2Y&feature=related
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Mark
If not THE best salsa SYTYCD anywhere, certainly one of the top! Mary Murphy (guest judge this week) proclaims, “It really doesn’t get any better!” And then screams (of course).
And to top it off, here is the same couple, Vincent and Tara-Jean, doing amazing contemporary choreography on the theme of madness. Brilliant! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc_sTkH1pQs
Anthony Persaud
Definitely a lot better salsa that what they have done in the US version. That was good music and more traditional street-style moves! Great job to those dancers and thank you Mark for posting it!
Oh, and by the way, that contemporary was magnificent. (Got a little teary eye as well) – don’t tell Julie!
Andrew
i used to dance with tara-jean at dancesport in nyc! so wild seeing her blowing up!!
Don Vaillancourt
Wow. I missed that episode. I actually missed most of them. But the finals are tonight.
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Rumnet
Hey Anthony! Congratz on the new site, I just saw what uve done with the place and it looks sharp. Just dropping by to say hi. I got 2 words for you buddy, Salsa and AUTO TUNE. Yeah , u know what im talkin about, its in the pipeline. “No talent? No problem!! Just AUTO TUNE IT !!” ROFL I would love to see somebody sing salsa with auto tune. As a matter of fact… the people would love to see Anthony do an instructional video using auto tune… Think about it… ur going to the top my friend, straight to the top ! SHAWTY !!
Oh and… hi to you other peoplez too…
Marco
*snif-snif* something smells like pork product in this thread.
Rumnet
i don’t get it… but seems hostile. maybe you were fed with a baby bottle full of vinegar as a baby? hmmm… maybe thats why ur so bitter.
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LBSources
Shaka Brown gettin’ down – switching partners .. Very nice..
MAMBO on2 – SALSA New York Style on2 – Shaka Brown
Richard Lobo
What’s the song’s name and who sing it
LBSources
New Jazz Spectrum Volume 3
Davi
Yooo where is this club located at new york/address
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salsa novice
Advice:
I have being dancing and loving salsa for the past 3/4 months and so far have being steadily improving along apart from the subject matter. The turns and basic footwork but am having difficulties with how to prep the lady for turns,
Any advice would be gladly welcomed -
DizzyAni
Hey Everyone,
Been enjoying this site for quite a while and finally decided to join in on the forum. I was wondering if anyone might know the title of as well as who sings the song that Van and Arelis dance to at the 2007 Philly Salsa Congress. Here is a link:
http://www.nuevotec.com/index.php?option=com_zoom&Itemid=38&page=view&catid=93&PageNo=&key=13&hit=1
Thanks ahead of time.
LBSources
Dont know the song, but daamn that was some great dancing..
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dngsalsa
Im a uk dancer who has been dancing for over 8 years and in that time ive noticed very few dancers with disabilities. Im disabled myself following a road traffic accident, and ive had to addapt my style and teaching following this. Basically im just asking the salsa community on this forum, are there other danciers out there who dance with a disability and how they have coped with social dancing.
Thanks Gary
Anthony Persaud
Just to let you know, you’ve had several replies on our facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=146358864409&ref=mf .
cold.salsero
I know a semi-professional dancer in my scene who’s actually deaf, so she can’t hear the music of course, yet she still follows like a pro. I’ve noticed that while we’re doing shines, she’ll peek at my feet to make sure she’s on time (at least, that’s what I think she’s been doing, I’ve never asked her about it).
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taserswitch
I’ve seen this a few times and was wondering if anyone can explain how to do it. 1 couple dancing and then suddenly another guy swoops in off the sidelines and starts dancing with her. He seems to intercept her and keep on dancing. I’ve seen it with one girl and several guys and I’m not talking Salsa Rueda where switching partners is part of a move. I’m talking L.A. Style.
I was wondering has anyone done this? How do you do it? Are there rules of ettiqute about who you can do it with or when? Where can I learn to do this properly?
It looks really smooth and cool and the guys and girls always seem to think of it as a bit of fun but I could see how doing this at the wrong time would be dangerous or could lead to some serious confrontations.
I’ve been to several dance schools and looked at several DVDs and can’t find anything that covers this topic.
jovi
do you mean something like this?
http://social.addicted2salsa.com/steve/salsa-congress-question/#comment-1631
Marco
Man, I love watching that vid.
Usually the chain dancing isn’t done unless everyone agrees ahead of time. I wouldn’t want to try it otherwise.
taserswitch
The first video is exactly what I mean. I have seen it done for birthdays too but it’s usually a little bit more organised than that. Notice how in the first video one all the cut-ins are much sharper. Like the guys seem to come from no-where and suddenly “steal the girl” from the other guy rather than the other guy backing off.
I agree that they must all know each other and be friends. So that leads me to the question, how do people do it once they are happy to do it?
Is the next guy actually “stealing” the girl in a friendly manner when he gets a chance or is it an illusion where the first guy will signal to the next guy he can take her but doesn’t back off?
If anyone has done this I’d really like to know how it’s done because it looks like a lot of fun and is an almost comical competition like one might expect to see on a stage show because it seems to catch people off guard.
But
jovi
I don’t know. I’ve never tried, just remembered the earlier discusion.
Antoine A.
Yeah, no particular rules other than knowing the other guy and ideally the girl. You can steal a girl in many different ways, often stepping right in the middle of the couple when they break on1, or simply by coming behind the girl and pulling her back on 1 (if your dancing on1, otherwise on 6 if you’re dancing on2). Thousands of other ways.
You can do it without any signal from the guy, or sometimes your buddy will look at you and make it easy to switch. We always do that in the club when it’s a girls birthday. She’s in the middle of the floor, all guys form a circle around her, and she gets constantly “stolen”.
Anthony Persaud 11:26 pm on October 25, 2009Permalink |
Thats a lot better. Thanks!
DanAshley 5:37 pm on October 31, 2009Permalink |
Thank you so much, Anthony. I’m ordering a copy from indieflix tomorrow.
- Dan
antonio De La cruz 8:57 pm on October 31, 2009Permalink |
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it! Let me know your comments. I have a blog for the film at (salsalessons2009.wordpress.com)