I will be in San Francisco, California next week starting Nov 15-20th, 2008. I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve spent in the bay area when I’ve attended the San Francisco Salsa Congress over the years, even though it was really in downtown Oakland. However, because I’ll be attending the Adobe MAX 2008 Conference (for my real day job), I’m excited to see a the real showcasing of the San Francisco night time salsa scene. If anyone has any suggestions to where to go dancing during those nights – I would really appreciate it! You can leave any info in the comments.
As a quick reminder, the San Francisco Salsa Congress will be the weekend after that week: Nov 20-23rd, 2008. If you have never gone to a congress, you definetaly should check out this event – one of the best in the US. While I will not able able to attend or performing at the congress this year, Julie Merrill will be performing with David Stein’s Majesty In Motion Pro Team (videos).
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.
One of my favorite things to see when I’m out social dancing or watching a performance is a woman who can lead or a guy who can follow. I think there’s a bit of pride, maybe a bit of machismo (sorry guys) and a bit of apprehension (sorry girls) when it comes to changing the traditional lead and follow roles and I think that’s really a shame. For one thing, learning to follow if you’re a lead or vice versa is so helpful improving your skills. You get insights into the job of your usual partners that you just can’t get any other way. For another, I love to see salsa that’s off the beaten path – whether it’s from fusion with another dance (Swing Guys, anyone?), themed performances, or doing a little lead/follow switcheroo.
Take a look at the next few videos. In the first Jorjet leads Jennifer Stein, in the second, David Stein leads Jayson Molina (sorry this one is rather dark), and in the third, two brothers perform a tango routine (note the repeated change of lead/follow – so subtle and so awesome).
In all of these examples, the lead and follow are the same gender, but that certainly need not be the case. I dance with a rueda group and we’ve got girls who lead and a few guys who follow and we like to mix it up. We even have a move called “ladron” (the thief) so that we can change up who leads mid-song. This keeps things interesting and audiences love it. The more options you have, the better, right?
So the next time your out at the club, ask a friend to indulge you in a salsa experiment and see how it feels to dance the way the other half does. If nothing else, you’ll get a good chuckle and who knows, you might learn something, too.
Well, last year’s Jack and Jill contest at San Francisco Salsa Congress was just simply amazing! This year was even better! These people just stole the show. You just have to watch some of the best improvised performances anywhere in the US.
The first place winners this year were Milton Cobo and Masha. Of course, I’ve talked about Milton before, and this video just shows how slick and smooth he is (unbuttoning his shirt while giving a girl multiple spins). Now, or Masha – wow – I’ve never seen such great (yet subtle) footwork styling. You will be rewinding this video a few times in order to appreciate the details. Enjoy!
With that said, most of the comments I got were: “I like your YouTube videos“. And I realized that the way I danced in those videos is way to old. So, thanks to Allan, he captured me dancing with the wonderful Jennifer Stein from Majesty In Motion Dance Co. Enjoy!
Well, I haven’t been this excited since coconut shreds started coming covered in chocolate. The 1st San Diego Salsa Festival 2007. ’nuff said. This event is going to rock and kick some serious butt. It is the first big event in partnership with Albert Torres that will be held in San Diego, CA. Home of (me) the new addicted2salsa.com guy. This event is also in conjunction with one of the most influential dance instructors in the San Diego area : Angel and Tulane Rivera
Now, while it has always been a dream of mine to teach at a salas congress, I won’t be teaching here (hopefully in the future..). However, Albert and Angel have lined up some of the best dance instructors from around the country to attend, perform and instruct. I think that while the West Coast Salsa Congress (LA Salsa Congress) for now is the biggest congress – I think San Diego has a great opportunity to leave its mark and be the second largest! If you are or aren’t coming to this event, still support the festival by checking out the event website and spread the word. If you have decided to come, let me know because we are planning to host some addicted2salsa social events – just like LA congress but now – with home court advantage!
The event is on September 21-23rd 2007 at the Four Points Sheraton. Buy you tickets, because I am getting word that this event might sell out. For more information check out the website or contact info@sandiegosalsafestival.com.
Here is a favorite video of mine of watching Angel and Pauline “Flare” dance.
I will be in San Francisco, California next week starting Nov 15-20th, 2008. I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve spent in the bay area when I’ve attended the San Francisco Salsa Congress over the years, even though it was really in downtown Oakland. However, because I’ll be attending the Adobe MAX 2008 Conference (for my real day job), I’m excited to see a the real showcasing of the San Francisco night time salsa scene. If anyone has any suggestions to where to go dancing during those nights – I would really appreciate it! You can leave any info in the comments.
Bloch is carried here as well,...
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