Joshua Allen, the 19-year-old, untrained hip-hop dancer was crowned So You Think You Can Dancewinner on Fox’s Thursday evening two-hour finale. He was my favorite dancer as well, and I extremely happy he won. But to tell you the truth, it does not matter because this year had some of the best dancers ever to grace that stage. And each one of the top 4 finalists were just incredible, regardless of the order.
Joshua Allen SYTYCD 2008 (Courtesy of FOX)
This has probably been the most intense season on the show. Not only for the competitors themselves, but for us, the viewer. I have watched this series since the start, but not until this summer, have I ever been so emotionally invested into the outcome of the results. I connected with the dancers and their lives.
ANNOUNCEMENT! We have just been informed by Juan Carlos Hernandez, one of the best NY on2 style dancers in San Diego and co-director of Majesty in Motion, that he will be providing a FOUR HOUR Salsa Dance Workshop on1 for beginner and intermediate dancers. This event will take place in San Diego, CA- so if you live close to the area, don’t miss this event!
Juan and Erica’s salsa dance workshop is a 4-hour course for all levels of dance experience. This workshop will introduce some of their tips and techniques for how to dance the basics, how to incorporate men and ladies styling on the dance floor, how to add variety to a cross-body lead, and how to smoothly execute more advanced patterns. Juan and Erica became dance partners in 2006. Since then, they have taught and/or performed at various venues, in cities such as: Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, Santa Fe, and San Francisco.
This year, Juan and Erica have plans to perform their latest routine and teach workshops at salsa congresses in El Paso, Greece, and San Diego.
Since we have started a new routine based on Tito Puete’s Cuban Nightmare song, I decided to post a few videos of the late Tito Puente showcasing some of his live performances with his orchestra. It goes without saying he makes Puerto Rico extremely proud.
This is from a tribute show to Hernandez that El Banco Popular sponsored in 1965. Tito Puente (in the back) is playing the famous “El Cumbanchero” song.
Here is the famous Sheila with Tito.
A personal favorite (for loving cha-cha). Here he is with his band at a Club in New York City with a very chill cha-cha song (guajira).
And a fun favorite, Tito Puente on Sesame Street. Who thought Muppets couldn’t dance?
It was Ladies Night in Los Angeles last weekend, and the feeling was definitely right! There were lots of talented dancers who entered the contest for Top Female Dancer at Steven’s Steakhouse, here I give you a video with highlights of each of the finalists.
There are full videos posted on YouTube of each contestant, which I highly recommend. It is a real treat to get to see an individual competition, and especially a female dancer competition. Not only can we ladies learn from their footwork and styling, but it is a great inspiration to see them as individual dancers.
When we are learning to dance, whether as a beginner or more advanced learning a new move, it is nice to have simpler songs to dance to. For me, it is easier to dance to songs with marked percussion, and that are slightly slower. It is a great exercise even for the most advance to practice to really slow songs to ensure that you can master every movement. Here is a list of some of my favorite songs to practice to, that are also fun songs (we love our counting songs, but sometimes you just need real music :-) Enjoy!
1. Joey Pastrana- Rumbón Melón
2. Chivirico Dávila- Rico Guaguanco
3. Frankie Morales- Nieve con Sal
4. Gilberto Santa Rosa- Perdoname
5. Joe Arroyo- Yamulemau
