I’m looking for a practice CD. My teacher keeps telling me she’s gonna give me a copy of hers, but still hasn’t. No one knows where it comes from. It’s a good clean salsa beat with this guy speaking 1,2,3 5,6,7. The steps are strong. It’s very good for practicing hard moves. Anyone have a clue what I’m talking about?
Latest Updates: salsa RSS
-
Don Vaillancourt
-
Nayan
Hi everyone! Hope you all are doing well.
I need help – need the name of this song -> http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1298515153668&ref=nf
The song clip starts at 02:01. Any comments?
Thanks in advance!adejes01
Hey, I think this is the song…
Ruben Blades – El Padre Antonio Y Su Monaguillo Andres
Happy Dancing!Nayan
Sorry for my previous message and mistake! The song name is correct. :-/
-
dmaister
Hello! If anyone is in the Miami area, just wanted to inform you all that SalsaCraze classes are once again starting for the new year. First class if free!
SalsaCraze
We teach group based Casino Rueda Salsa; extremely fun environment!
First class is free, after that, $25 for the entire semester (13 weeks).
Wednesdays: 7 PM Beginners, 8 PM Intermediate
Fridays: 6 PM Beginners, 7 PM Intermediate, 8 PM Advanced
University of Miami – Coral Gables Campus, 2nd floor I-lounge. Check site for directions.
E-mail: SalsaCraze@gmail.com
Website: http://www.salsacraze.orgSee you there!
-
Don Vaillancourt
Anyone know of any salsa songs with the eurodance feel? Most of the eurodance songs are either too fast or too slow depending on which beats you use. Yet a lot of them have a very strong 1 and 3.
For example:
-
Don Vaillancourt
Went to Denver two weeks ago and had a chance to go to a La Rumba on a Thursday night and was a little disappointed that the dancers weren’t that great. I’m hoping that it was just a bad night, but the place was packed, so I don’t know.
Everyone says that Montreal is one of the top dance cities in North America, so maybe I’m just spoiled.
-
cater
Hi,
I’m hoping someone can give me a recommendation. I’m a strong salsa dancer and have been dancing for years, but I do not have enough time to social dance regularly and I do not have a regular partner. I am planning to take three months off this winter and I would like to take intensive salsa lessons somewhere. I would really like to move my dancing up a couple of notches. I have no interest in competing, just in dancing really, really well. I work for a non-profit and do not have a lot of money, so I’m looking to go somewhere affordable. I speak Spanish and would like to go to Latin America. Can anyone recommend the best spot to take a couple of months of intensive lessons and not break the bank? Country preference? City preference? School or teacher recommendation?
Thank you!
michael21
Hi, I hope it isn’t too late. I took salsa lessons while being in Lima, Peru. take a look to this link: http://www.expatperu.com/expatforums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=6494
-
cutesalsadoll
Tickets On Sale Now! Revamped Website! I need YOUR help!
Today at 12:58amWednesday, August 19, 2009 at 8:00pm – 2:00am
The Highlands Hollywood NightclubTickets are on sale now: Pre-sale: $15 per person and if you buy 7 tickets online you get the 8th one free! Pre-sale will end, at the door they will be $25! Available online.
The website is revamped – check it out!
Interview with international dancer and arealist and world champion: Ruby Karen!
I need your help getting the word out about the event. Please tell all your friends! Post it on your facebook and myspace pages! Show your support for a good cause! If you would like to pass out flyers let me know!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH IN ADVANCE!
Event Information:
A dance benefit for a Mexico Mission providing food, shelter, medical attention & schooling
Su Misericordia is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity – Tax ID 2090072
CONFIRMED:
Angel Lebron y Su Sabor Latinohttp://www.nycdreamenterprises.com
Freddie Muñoz
DJ Frank, Mr. Swing
Super DJ RobbyDJ Kenny
Liz Lira
Crisitian Oviedo
http://www.myspace.com/cristian_oviedo
Stevenson Sisters
http://www.stevensonsisters.com
Esteban Conde
Sakara Dance Company
Tropicalieza
Alejandro Rey and Paso De Oro
http://www.stepsofgolddance.com
Luis & Shirley with Tropical Rhythm
Doors Open at 8:00 p.m.
Dance Lesson at 8:30 p.m.
Spectacular Showcase at 10:30 p.m.
Dancing with live music and world renown DJs until 2:00 a.m.$15 pre-sale
$25 at event
21 & over w/ID
dress code is upscale casualDress code of upscale-casual is strictly enforced.
No videotaping allowed.
No Refunds, Non-Transferable.
Purchase of your ticket is a donation to our mission.Visit our sponsor:
-
Don Vaillancourt
Here are two good videos of one of Salsa’s dance couples, Oliver y Luda, of Australia. Someone posted a video a while back on their 720 move. Good inside stuff on choreo and making a life of salsa.
I like: 2:15; it’s funny.
Marco
Even though I’ve seen this a couple of times it still stays fresh somehow.
My favorite part is on Part 2 @ 4:40-4:47.
IncaPie
In my mind, Oliver and Luda have been and continue to be the best dance couple out there. Oliver’s moves are done with such precision, but not at the expense of their smoothness. Also he has a great mix of intermediate and advanced patterns throughout his dances.
Wil
Don-
thanks for the videos!!!!…these two are amazing!
Don Vaillancourt
Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap. I just checked out the website to Summer Salsa Festival in Laval (http://www.summer-salsafestival.com); two islands over; and Oliver y Luda will be there. Gotta get tickets!!! Gotta go see them.
-
Don Vaillancourt
In the past couple of months hustle has made a big appearance in Montreal. It seems that every school and a few night clubs are giving hustle lessons for salsa dancers.
Also On2 has really taken off lately. I think next year Montreal is going to be a big On2 spot.
Has anyone else noticed a similar trend in their area.
-
Don Vaillancourt
How many of you have taken workshops with any popular or foreign salsa dancers?
This weekend at the Montreal Salsa Convention I have a whole Saturday of workshops. There’s a one hour workshop for On2 with Eddie Torres and another, dance patterns I think, with Albert Torres. And I’m taking one with this Portuguese couple on sensual dancing that I’m looking forward to.
What are your experiences like?
hooknc
I took a workshop class that David Huo taught. It might be the best class I ever attended. Which is saying a lot since David did not speak much English or Spanish. But, he was able to quickly and cleanly break down his style and move into understandable chunks. I’ve been thinking about traveling to China just to take classes from him. He’s that good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBQGoSShv54&fmt=18
I can’t quite seem to find his website anymore, but my experience was quite positive.
Don Vaillancourt
One thing I have always wondered about non-western countries; are their salsa style different.
For example, would indians infuse some indian dancing in to their salsa.
The video above, I think I saw some Jackie Chan in there, maybe from same chinese manerisms.
tommrod
i think that’s the beauty of salsa, you can make it your own to the point where it shows all your sides… your chinese side, your agresive side, your romantic side.
Don Vaillancourt
Well I gotta say I really enjoyed my salsa workshops.
I had one with these guys; it was fun and funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzXZmQ9pYmc
And has a beginner workshop with Montreal’s own Caroline Paré:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0nb_NRXMT8
I have to say that On2 is a lot easier to learn that I thought. I was going to wait a year, but I may start them this fall.
tommrod
i like that flow. really nice
Martin
Anyone know what the song in the first video is? Love this one …
Martin
Found it by Googling the lyrics – Playa No More, Crystal Sierra
Don Vaillancourt
Cool, thanks.
D-C
I went to the Montreal Salsa Convention as well and ended my day blown away by what I experienced. I have been dancing for less than a year so don’t have much experience but being able to take classes from all these famous people was an amazing thing.
Did 5 different workshops and with these groups/people: Rumba y Timbal, Ana & Joel, 2 hours of shine with Eddie Torres himself, Santo Rico and Nuno y Vanda.
Finished these back to back workshops completely tired out (didn’t mind because I unfortunately couldn’t go to the social dance later that night) but with a new enthusiasm to keep dancing and improving.
Oh and Don V, having never danced on2 either before taking the Eddie Torres and Santo Rico workshops (both on2), I think that learning patterns and/or shines on2 isn’t too hard in itself. After all it’s just pretty much the same steps you do with the same upper body movements. What is much harder is trying to suppress your on1 reflexes when social dancing. It doesn’t come naturally right away (at least for me trying to dance 1 song on2) and I found myself stepping forward a few too many times on the 1 out of pure habit for example.
Don Vaillancourt
Audibly, Salsa On2 is super easy. With all these discussions going on about On2 and syncopated, and all that, I thought I’d need super bat hearing to dance On2. But it’s the exact same beat except that you step back with the left foot on the first beat.
Looking forward to the upcoming Ottawa Salsa Festival in July.
BTW, as a side note, May 31st, the dancing floor opens up at the Old Port, now this year it’s at the Peel Basin. Dancing outside is fun.
-
Julie
Salsa Kitties!
jovi
Marco
My 5 year old boy liked the “Salsa dancing kittie kats.” He is now singing the “meow-meow” salsa song chasing our cat around the house.
-
DJDoubleC
Hi all,
I have just created a new blog on salsa musicality, including posts on following, percussion, interpretation of the basic conga patterns, differences between on 1 and on 2, etc.
Have a read and let me know what you think!
http://salsa-musicality.blogspot.com/
Gracias!
-Carl.
Anthony Persaud
Great site with awesome information. I recommended it on the front page: http://addicted2salsa.com/2009/04/12/learn-musicality-for-latin-dancing/
-
Tom
Wondering who else is on twitter. – seems useful for a dancer potentially.
Would an addicted2salsa friendfeed group be ever an option?Don Vaillancourt
donv69 – look me up.
-
xayro
i wana learn salsa….does anyone know a good school in houston tx?
Don Vaillancourt
Eh, I don’t live in Houston, but I did a quick Google search and here’s something good. The Texas salsa congress is coming up next weekend; should be a good way to learn about all the salsa schools in your area.
http://www.txsalsacongress.com/performers.php
Here’s a Salsa meetup group in Houston (http://www.meetup.com/omnisalsa/) they should be able to help for sure, schools, clubs, practice, etc.
Most schools should have an open house where you get a chance to try out salsa and the instructor.
xayro
tnks…
Alan
I’m in Houston and I take classes with Strictly Street Salsa (http://www.strictlystreetsalsa.com/). They have what I think is a very good way of breaking everything down in a way that makes sense.
laura
I live in h-town! Omni is good!! Melody Club, SSQQ, SalsaEddy, Claudia Vasquez(danceclaudia.com) and so on and so on. Claudia is a realllllly great teacher! Check out her web page. I’ve taken her group classes and lady styling.
xayro
i think i’ll go to the melody club….tnks….
laura
i’ve only taken their free class during the socials. their salsa socials are one of the best. they are held the first saturday of every month for $7. free class starts at 9:30pm-10:00pm
laura
oops 9:30-10:30pm
-
Don Vaillancourt
Well I just started taking private lessons, bought 20 hours worth, and I’m getting drilled for my “hunchback of notre damn” posture. And I thought I had salsa down solid. I’m a little disappointed that I’m not as good as I thought. But at the same time thrilled that my teacher thinks I can still improve a lot.
Marco
Yeah I suffer from the same malady. One of my class instructors said to pretend like a giant is pulling the juncture where your neck and skull meet up and out.
Kind of an abrupt and clear way to put it -I thought.
He also told me I whip my head around too much and it looks awkward. I thought I was head styling pretty well…the video tape confims his opinion. Curse that brutal video!
Don Vaillancourt
LOL!! I caught a video of myself, yesterday, dancing at a club. I wish I had never seen it. I am now ashamed to show my face at clubs.
tommrod
same here. bad posture is just horrible
and about video, i fear that when i see myself i’m just going to quit dancing that’s why i’m procrastinating about it…that and i don’t have a camera… still at least this time procrastinating migh be of some use…
jovi
maybe you guys should put the camera in a different angle? I would not judge myself based only on one single video.
Marco
Thanks for the vote of confidence Jovi (Ever been called “By Jove” as a nick name? -I digress)
You are correct to not judge too harshly. No one is a harsher critic then one’s self. You just always picture yourself as something and what you really are is something…”else.” Never as good as you think, but yet never near as bad either.
Luckily for me my confidence in life doesn’t come from any single one thing, but rather an amalgamation of people, pursuits, and activities.
Lastly, I will try your new camera angle…perhaps while I am at it I can add “deep fog” FXs, some strobe lighting, and perhaps a director’s cut with altenate ending. Look for that to be “in the can”/post production in late 2010!
Love this thread.
Don Vaillancourt
I’m too scared…
laura
i haven’t ever seen myself on video. you guys gave me an idea to record myself tonight at home w/ my camera! i hope i don’t regret it because i thik i’m a pretty good dancer. wish me luck!
Don Vaillancourt
Ok, I am stating this right now, I will not be held responsible for a mass exodus of salsa dancers.
Andy
I’ve always wanted to see myself dance and had the chance after the filming of our rueda performance. What a horrible sight, lol. Nah I think I did okay for a 8month beginner
.hooknc
Video doesn’t lie. Unfortunately.
Luckily I’ve been able to correct several of my bad habits because I’ve watched film of myself.
It’s always painful to watch yourself, but embarrassment is a pretty good motivator.
hooknc
And 20 hours of privates? Holy cow! That is a lot of private time. I normally only recommend getting a private lesson about every 6 months for two or three hours.
Are you preparing for a performance or competition?
Don Vaillancourt
Aiming for competition; that’s what drives me. I want to be better than those other guys.
On my first private lesson this is what she pointed out:
- Stand up straight, be as tall as possible
- always be on the ball of your feet
- keep arms in framing position at all times, not dangling
- feet forward
- eyes ahead, not down.
- proper hip shift during cross body lead
- no hip movementsMind you she is undoing bad habits to prep me for proper styling.
So lot of work to do. If there is any time left, then merengue and/or bachata. Or maybe ballet since that is her background. She’s a little lovable hitler.
hooknc
All of those are EXCELLENT tips.
I would also throw in doing one finger leads every once and a while. Pick one finger from each hand (I use my middle finger) and only use those fingers to lead. Really teaches you how to lead a direct, smooth lead.
Don Vaillancourt
One finger leads I already do, but you are correct.
Yesterday she taught me proper leg work so I don’t look like a gorilla dancing. This one will take lots of practice off the dance floor.
Marco
Hmm, gorilla style eh. Her kung fu is strong!
I’d like to see what she’s up to with this one.
Don Vaillancourt
Well my problem is that I lift my feet too high and my knees go outbound.
What she taught me was to land on the ball of my feet, making sure to shift my weight onto that foot and also bending the knee. By the end of the one-hour session things were moving fairly well to a moderate beat.
tommrod
i wanna develop my own style… i’ll call it slacker style…
btw
can all you guys who’ve filmed themselves post your videos… this all makes me so curious.
Don Vaillancourt
Here ya go. I’m at 1:02 at the bottom left, both of us are dressed in black. I was dancing with a beginner, so this isn’t me in all my glory.
I like the guy at 0:26. That’s the kind of style I want to have.
Marco
What was the occasion Donny-V?
Looks like you are in a nicely talented venue.
I thought you looked good, or was is the girls in the intro???
Don Vaillancourt
No occasion. This club has schools coming regularly to do quick one song shows at midnight. Plus to compete againsts this other Thursday night salsa club, they started filming. So every week they post a new video.
The girls in the intro were really hot. This school, http://www.chilital.com, is coming back this Thursday.
Cheb Ali
anyone know the name of the song for this video please?
tommrod
pretty cool though not a long view of yourself, well if anybody else has a nice video they wanna post about themselves (salsaing of course…) … go ahead don’t be shy.
laura
Don V., I don’t think I saw you. Were you the one in :57? If not, I couldn’t see you in 1:02. It was too dark.
I actually recorded myself the other day. And, I’m working on improving my spins and hand/arm styling!Don Vaillancourt
At 1:02 you see a woman doing a spin at the bottom left. I am right above that with my partner between 1:02 until 1:10.
Marco
Well, this other couple and my wife and I had our first practice for our proposed Salsa demo. We’ve gotten only about the first 30-40 seconds mapped out.
I video recorded it….now I have to figure out how to upload the AVCHD format onto Youtube…a google-ing I will go!
-
Don Vaillancourt
What kind of non-latin dance styles have people integrated into salsa. Like hip hop or ballet.
Anthony Persaud
Hip-Hop and Swing. For footwork stuff, I like to take a few moves from my hip-hop classes and for a few different styled partnerwork, I take it from Lindyhop.
donv69
I’m waiting on this girl to get back to me on Raggaeton lessons. I took some already. I use some of it for styling, very subtle though.
Julie
A couple Jazz classes (that also covered some ballet basics) helped me quite a bit with posture and spinning, and African and Afro-Cuban with the spirit (symbolism) of dance and body movement, respectively.
donv69
Jazz; I need to look that up on YouTube to see what it’s about.
Leif
Thanks for a great service. Keep up the good work!
Leif from NorwayDaniel Ellis
Baila Society (NY) has a lot of ballroom and ballet in their routines.
Masacote (Boston) has a routine (called Afterlife if you want to see it on youtube) that is a very integrated mix of salsa with modern/contemporary.
As far as the social dance scene, I’m with Anthony…swing influence is most common in partnerwork, and hip hop and jazz are most common in footwork.
donv69
I remember that one of the moves that we were taught in class was the jazz pointed star or pointed tip. That move where the guy is on stage, props himself up against a cane and tip-toes from left to right.
tommrod
hola a to’s
i’m probbly gonna sound like a prick but… i don’t know i think is my o/c disturbed ego.
i think that one of the core building blocks of salsa dancing is a non latin one (of course i’m speaking latin as in the word’s real meaning)
and that mainstream would be african dances, but of course not really african . instead afro-caribbean.
after that it’s been mentioned, jazz, hip hop lately, even some travolta-esque (reminds me of certain anthony’s video) disco, there’s a youtube video about a guy that seems pretty much inspired but flamenco dancers (but of course that WOULD BE latin)… but i can’t find it
good luck
Don Vaillancourt
My private lessons teacher’s background is Ballet. She is big on posture. I think it’s good to not have a latin background. That way you are more aware of the differences between the dances.
-
Don Vaillancourt
How big is salsa in your city? I keep getting impressed at how big the salsa scene in Montreal is when compared to the population. Here are the dance schools in the Montreal downtown core teaching salsa for anyone interested.
- Caroline Paré
- San Tropez
- Saltimambo
- 2 Step Productions
- Tapie Rouge
- Salsa Etc.
- Salsa Xtaze
- Chilital Latin Dance Company
- Comomango
- Ritmo Picante
- SalsaOnclave
- Dance Conmigo
- Baila ProductionsI’m sure there’s some I’m missing. But these are the ones I know of. My school San Tropez has sent troupes to L.A. and all over to compete.
Julie
San Diego has:
- Majesty in Motion
- Mamboleo
- Amicitia
- Son y Pasos
- Deseo
- Sakara
- Cosabellas
- Hot Tamales
- Positive Energy
- Salsa Divas
- Alma Latina (from Tijuana, but also have a San Diego branch)I know I am forgetting a couple… someone help me out
-
wmdzign
This message is really focused towards all the Leads out there…Obviously when starting to learn salsa we all have the tough task of remembering all the turn patterns. I recall in one of Anthony’s video seeing something about the lead should know the next 16 patterns he’s going to do? How is this possible..? Do you combine simple turn patterns with complicated ones? Or are you guys really just improvising?
donv69
I’m fairly sure Anthony had said you should be thinking 16 steps ahead. There are patterns that I do that are 12 steps.
wmdzign
ah…16 steps….can you give an example? I’m just trying to figure out the difference between patterns and steps….Is a cross body lead with an inside turn consider a pattern or a step? Man this salsa stuff is hard
.donv69
A step is when you put your foot down. Which is usually the same as the song’s beat.
1-2-3-4 5-6-7-8
A cross body lead is 4 steps. A cross body lead with turn is 8 steps.
But don’t forget that in salsa the fourth step is actually a pause.
Anthony Persaud
I’m not sure if I said the next 16 patterns, but the next 16 counts (which is about two patterns). Knowing 16 patterns in advance is called choreography.
So, for me a cross-body lead is 1 pattern (takes about 8 counts a). A cross-body lead with turn is also one pattern (still takes about 8 counts). Some patterns require more ’setup time’ than others.
You could consider the next 16 counts as : a basic step (8 counts) followed by a cross-body lead (8 counts). Or, more advanced, a cross-body 180 is (cross-body lead to a 180 degree rotation to an open break) would be around 16 counts as well (even though its about 2.5 moves).
hooknc
In rueda we call patterns in a circle that everyone then performs. I know about 100 patterns, but there are well over 500 documented rueda moves.
Learning and remembering moves is tough. No doubt about it.
For me, I had to take lessons 2 – 3 times a week and then danced twice a week for three months before everything finally clicked.
When you feel the click you’ll know it, it’s when the steps and the moves become one continues motion. It’s much like a singer and guitar player. The playing and singing become one motion.
Now, after that moment you’ll be able to pick up moves like wild fire, but I would really recommend writing them all down with a standard vocabulary whenever possible.
Then as you become comfortable with some of the patterns you know you’ll start to improvise with them and hopefully someday become reactive to the dance.
It all just takes time…
And lots of practice…
Wil
I think this the best explanation I’ve seen for learning how to dance salsa…
“it’s when the steps and the moves become one continuous motion. It’s much like a singer and guitar player. The playing and singing become one motion.”
donv69
Uhm, I guess cross body leads are 8 steps. Can’t believe I got that wrong.
Anthony Persaud
@donv69: Steps and counts are different. You can perform a cross-body lead with 4 steps (although it would probably be awkward). In terms of basic steps a cross-body lead utilizes 6 (1 (breaking), 2 (in place), 3 (open up)) and (5 (breaking in place), 6 (in place) and 7 (moving towards your partner) ) – when dancing on1. In terms of counts, a basic CBL takes around 8 counts that is not chained to another move.
-
lolaboriqua
okay, i guess i’m a salsa newbie, so don’t scold me please!!!
can you tell me exactly what a Congress is? a competition of some sort? how do you get access into these? do you have to be a professional?donv69
A congress, festival, convention are more or less the same thing when it comes to salsa. They usually have shows, workshops, dancing nights, etc.
The difference is that some of the bigger ones will have talent from all around the world. There is one coming up in Ottawa soon that will have Eddie the salsa freak.
The week long convention in Montreal has talent from Europe and L.A. and New York.
And they are for everyone.
tommrod
basically all you have to do is pay and go…
Quilb
The Sydney (Australia) Congress is coming up at the end of this month (29th of Jan to 1st of Feb).
Its 3 days of workshops on Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, etc. And 4 nights of parties. I’m really looking forward to it as it’s my first congress
Anthony Persaud
Congress (or Convention) is one of the best ways to push your salsa learning to the next level. While in some cases, they are expensive – if you buy a full-pass, go to all the workshops and make sure you dance with as many people as you can in the night event, you will come out (after dance recovery) a much better dancer.
-
wmdzign
Hello everyone, I was just wondering if anyone has ever seen a video of Juan Matos and Magna Gopal dancing together. These two are my favorites but I’ve searched youtube like crazy and have come up empty. Maybe someone has something in there video vaults from a congress or something…who knows…
Julie
I just searched and couldn’t find anything either…anyone else?
tommrod
nothing.. but i found out that jareau and magna are married…cool.
i wonder if they met dancing salsa…i want to find my magna then…
Next Page »
cold.salsero 8:14 pm on February 25, 2010Permalink |
Yeah, I’ve heard this song too, but no one’s been able to tell me what it is either.
Abraham 12:45 am on February 26, 2010Permalink |
Eddie Torres timing CD ?
Don Vaillancourt 6:24 am on February 26, 2010Permalink |
Maybe it’s Eddie Torres. I know there is an On1 and On2 version. And it’s not just the drums, I think there’s some other light instrumentation to it as well. But it is a full song.
Abraham 3:11 am on February 28, 2010Permalink |
Well theres also the Alex Wilson songs… Maybe you’ll find it under that name?
palinaurus 3:17 pm on March 1, 2010Permalink |
It’s Alex Wilson
Salsa con soul timing workout