In this episode of Addicted2Salsa, we go back to the basics to help you learn how to do a 180° Cross-Body Lead with a Turn (*a few others call this the ‘Coca-Cola’ move). We first start off refreshing you what a Cross-Body Lead with a Turn looks like and from there add-on the extra dance steps required to do a half-revolution. Getting the 180 degree cross body lead will help build the salsa framework for you to execute the 360 cross body lead - which will show you in a future episode. If you have any questions, feel free to post them at http://social.addicted2salsa.com .

The song used in this video is ‘Manias’ by Tito Nieves.

Another quick episode of addicted2salsa podcast. Today we show you how to perform the famous “Salsa Disco” dance move using different amounts of spin. A lot of dancers get caught up in the fact about knowing very little moves, but in reality, by adding doubles and triples in their current salsa dance combination - they become almost new.

There is a little known fact to most salsa dance beginners that when follows learn to spin well, they’ll fall in love with it. Follows love a challenge, and if you can start leading double and triple spins well - you should do so. They will find you more fun to dance with because you make it more challenging. For ladies who would like to improve their spinning, you may want to check out these salsa tip articles on spinning.

Note: pointing optional like John Travolta is optional.

Song: Consolacion by Roberto Roena

In salsa dancing, there is more than meets the eye. There are a lot of simple hand-tricks that help you perform a simple move, but still make it complicated to the average viewer.

Here is just a simple step (mainly for beginners) on how to perform the basic hand juggle at the night club. For best effect, make sure you add separation of the hands, and practice it making it fast but smooth.

Well, after getting great feedback from all of you, here it is - a more complicated salsa pattern. It is a very long pattern, so take it in strides and small bites. We have named the individual moves to help you piece the entire salsa combination together. Now, because it is Valentine’s Day (soon) - you can have something to practice with that special someone :-) .Enjoy and if you have questions, please ask it at our forums http://www.addicted2salsa.com/forums/ !

The song used in the episode is “Philadelphia Mambo” by Los Gatos (originally by Tito Puente)

Last, but not least - the third version of the ’salsa track’ that I made with Garageband is with a Flute Solo. Using a flute as the main part of the melody is common, but it is usually not heard of enough.

If you missed the first two salsa track solos, you can find the trumpet one here and the violin one here.

I’m sure there are many of you musicians out there that can do a much better job than I can - and we’d like to hear from you. If you can create an instrumental latin tracks, whether it be salsa, cha-cha or bachata, and would like to share that with the community - send it our way and we’ll post it up with a link to your site/profile. Who knows, it could start your record career. :-)

So, here we are again with something short and simple just for you to mix it in to your other moves. Remember, it is not about having multiple long combos, but about putting smaller ones together in different orders. That will keep your moves fresh and keep the ladies guessing what you will do next. Additionally, for those who are thinking about on2, I make a small note for you to pay attention to the counting rhythm when performing the move. Enjoy!

And now back to your regularly scheduled programming! After such a long time we are back with a new season of the addicted2salsa.com video dance podcast!

First, we’d like to go on record that we are the first salsa podcast to be shot in High-Definition (hope it shows up on Wikipedia), so you can clearly see our footwork either on your iPhone/iPod or big screen TV. Second, this is our first podcast that we dance On2 as well as On1. Last, but not least - I’d like to introduce you to our new co-host Julie Merrill.

Today we will go over a few options on how to get out of a salsa titanic move. Enjoy!

The song used in the episode is “Philadelphia Mambo” by Los Gatos (originally by Tito Puente)

This is the second version of the simple salsa track that I posted earlier. This time, I chose to go with a more ‘Salsa Celtica‘ kind of sound with a Violin salsa solo. I also used the Cajon as the background drum beat (instead of the regular Cowbell and Congas).

After you get a Mac, a lot of fun things happen. I decided to put my compusic (computer+music) skills to some more good use an make a few interesting Salsa tracks with a program called GarageBand. While I was at it, I made three different versions of this salsa dance soundtrack. Here is the first one: an interesting salsa trumpet solo with some mixed in jazzy piano, cowbell and congas. Let me know what you think and of course - enjoy!

I welcome your comments and feel free to download, distribute and use the file freely. Episode 34.

Well, got a chance to take a break from work and went to the Al Liquid Silver Summer Salsa Splash 2007 event in Palm Springs, California. Met lots of great people, especially Allan from Nuevotec Productions who has more videos from the event.

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, in this episode of addicted2salsa we take a further look some old salsa classics thanks to Karlos (aka ‘Z’). We provide a little more jazzy selection for your enjoyment, so you can discover a variety of different salsa artists and styles. You might not like all the songs, but hopefully you’ll find some treasures that will make you want to get to know a specific artist a little deeper.

Just as a quick shout-out to the San Diego Salsa Festival folks who are supporting our podcast! We ask that you please check them out to support: http://www.sandiegosalsafestival.com

  * El Dulcerito Llego by Cuba L.A.
  * Cuando Te Vea by Tito Puente
  * Noche de Farra by Machito & His Afro-Cubans
  * Pica, Pica by Cortijo Y Su Combo
  * Que Sabroso by Jimmy Sabater
  * Swinging at the “M” by Bobby Montez
  * Wave by Willie Rosario

Please remember that if you like a song or an artist - please support them by buying their album or music. We play these songs for you to discover these artists that otherwise will be without exposure. Support salsa music! Thanks.

This is probably the most unprofessional episode we’ve made so far… Well, in this episode of addicted2salsa we have our special guest Karlos Oregel providing us some of his preferred salsa songs from his vast collection. We also talk a little bit about the artists and go off on tangents as usual. Hopefully you’ll enjoy the song selections as well as our special guest! Enjoy and send your feedback. Our song list is as follows:

  * Soy Profesional by Justo Betancourt
  * El Mulato Rumbero by Louie Ramirez
  * Suavito by Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz
  * Noche de Salsa by Paquito D’Rivera and Louie Ramirez
  * Baho-Kende by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico
  * Jacobo Basura by Bobby Valentin
  * Las Chicas de Venezuela by Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez

After taking the rest of the video and editing it, I’m happy to start off a new series (that hopefully will continue). I had watched a DVD called On2005 A Year in Mamboland, and I decided to use it as inspiration on how to show all the nice video clips of social dancing at the 2007 West Coast Salsa Congress in Los Angeles California. I title this series: A Weekend in Salsa. I like the name because that usually when most of us go out for salsa during the week. Additionally, that is when most of the salsa congress events occur. Now, I have no real background in directing/production/editing so I did my best for my first shot. This is mainly for you guys to enjoy the dancing that goes on a salsa congresses during the night events. Again, please enjoy!

As I recover from an injury (dancing casualty) in my apartment, I decided I should sit down and talk about things. I ended up going to a club weeks ago and hearing a song that I really liked. However, finding the song took a little longer than normal (yes, even for me). So, with that information in mind, I decided to share with you some of the techniques that I use to find the salsa song I’m looking for. I tried to make this salsa music episode a little more interactive, so we’ll see how you like it. However, one note of caution - I was taking pain killers - which is never a good thing when you have me rambling on about salsa…

  1. Omelenko (Silencio) - Larry Harlow
  2. Vamonos de Rumba - Conjunto Clasico
  3. Para Ochun - Hector Lavoe
  4. Devorame Otra Vez - Lalo Rodriguez
  5. Don Anastacio - Javier Vazquez
  6. La Cartera - Larry Harlow
  7. Son Para Un Sonero - Quinto Mayor
  8. Figure it out :-) - hint, it is by Sonora Ponceña I meant it’s NOT by Sonora Ponceña even though they mention ‘Papo Lucca’.

Remember - if you ever want to find out the name of a song - you can always try our forums! Please tell people about these artists and support them by buying their music.

[Update] For those dying to find out what #8 is, it was the LIVE version of Lamento de Concepcion by Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound from the album ‘En Vivo Desde Bellas Artes‘.

At some point, we all may become biased on whether we like cha-cha or not. I remember when I first started dancing, I learned ballroom cha-cha, and thats why I ended up saying how I disliked it. But, after learning salsa really well, and actually going to the clubs and listening to the real un-ballroomized cha-cha music (guajira) - its a totally different experience.

Additionally, Cha-Cha can be used to help with your salsa dancing skills. In this episode, I outline a couple of suggestions that should help you use Cha-Cha music to your advantage in becoming a better salsa dancer, and a better dancer that can feel and understand the motions of music.

Song List:

1. Que Rico Boogaloo - La 33
2. Catalina “La O” - Irazu
3. Besame Mama - Poncho Sanchez
4. Mi Negrita Me Espera - Gabino Pampini (org. Ismael Rivera)
5. Escucha El Ritmo - Spanish Harlem Orchestra
6. Adios, Adios - Salsa Celtica

Well, this episode has long been coming. One of the hardest things I ever went through in my salsa ‘life’ was to find the beat in the music. We all go through this problem, and with this part 1 (of a multiple part series) - I will try to do my best to help you practice on how to find the beat. I will play some songs, do some counting and hopefully give you some tips on how to train your ear to listen and feel the clave of the salsa music.

Now, you might notice that when I’m slow in writing articles - its probably because I’m doing something else on the website (like making a podcast - remember, I do have a day job :-) ). Anyways, I’m pretty happy with this episode because I’m a big fan of listening to live music.

In this episode of Addicted2Salsa podcast, we take a look at some songs performed live during various events, and I’ll give you some tips how to survive dances that are at live events (with a live band). This is because live songs tend to be much longer and different than the songs you practice with.

In this Episode, here is the song list:

  * [Intro] Roberto Roena and Ray Barretto Medely
  * Sonora Ponceña - Ahora Si (with Andy Montanez) - a 16+ minute song.
  * Frankie Ruiz - La Cura (live)
  * Gran Combo de Puerto Rico (with Gilberto Santarosa) - 40th Anniversary Live - Maldito Callo/A Ti Te Pasa Algo/…(its a medely)
  * [Ending] Gran Combo de Puerto Rico- 40th Anniversary Live - Bogallo/Mazucamba/Pata Pata..(another medley).

Well, there are a lot of Latin dance songs out there. Most of them are in Spanish, no doubt. However, there are a lot of examples of mixing other styles of music, lyrics and languages into a good salsa rhythm and beat. In this salsa music episode I’ll give you a taste of how different regular songs have been combined with Latin rhythms to produce some great sounds that break the mold of the traditional/stereotypical salsa music that you may hear on your next cruise.Thanks to Daniel from GTSalsa for helping out!.

Since the San Francisco salsa congress is coming up (and I’ll be there) I decided to make a special salsa congress tips episode to help get through the initial ‘mistakes’ or issues that happen for first-timers. This way, you can get the most out of a salsa congress and enjoy it even more.In this episode, I give you my personal (IMHO) tips that help me the most during a salsa congress. I will also play lots of good old regular salsa songs that are usually played at these types of salsa congresses. Hope you enjoy! http://www.addicted2salsa.com

I call this episode Salsa is Universal, because I want to showcase some of the salsa artists that are overseas (relatively speaking, I’m in the US). So, this episode is dedicated to our friends over the atlantic (or over the Pacific depending on how you look at it). Listen, dance and enjoy!

Artist - [Song Name] (Background Song)

  * Intro: [Luna Celosa] - Salsa Celtica
  * Salsa Celtica - [ Pa’l Rumberos ] (Background: Ya Llego )
  * Fatal Mambo - [ Probleme ] (Background: Mi Hombre )
  * Orquesta de la Luz - La Salsa es Mi Energia (Background: Este Ritmo Sabroso)
  * Answer to Email Question 2: El Negro Bembon by Hijos de Celebres (song I use in my video podcasts)
  * Ending: Sol De La Noche by Salsa Celtica