Salsa 101 - The Aftermath by Michael Yip

I am suspecting the 101 in the Salsa 101, is representing the number of hours you'd be spending in bed trying to recover from your sore leg, after the event.

The whole event was amazing! For a person who has never attended a Salsa Festival or Latin Congress, this first time experience was a real eye-opener. Arriving KL Hilton at 5.30pm, Stephanie and I met up with the rest of the SalsaJayers at the registration counter, collected our goodie bags consisting T-shirts, pamphlets, a small bottle of sampled perfume (tried it on Rueben) and some drink coupons. The next task after registering is to find a 'camping spot' to keep our bags.

A good 15 minutes later and we heard Gupson (Attitude Dance) announcing over the sound system that the first workshop was about to begin. The first workshop taught us body isolations and styling. Boy, we got down "dirtayyy" and "naughtayyy" (Our fellow english salsaman would be delighted to show you how ...), it was a good laugh with him telling us the best way to remember the sequence ... "Just make loads of grunting sounds like these ... UHHHH... AHHHH..... OOOH.... wasn't so hard, was it?"

Patricia from Ritmo Latino KL was up next and taught us the Casino Rueda on Salsa Timba. She mentioned the word "SETEH" (not sure if I recalled it correctly) meaning Seven and Coca Cola. Unfortunately I can't really remember the sequence.

The 3rd instructor was Salsa Sam who gave us tips on 3 sexy moves and a dip called Rumba Wena. Among the 3 moves, my favorites were the 2nd and the 3rd (this also means I forgot the 1st...). In the 2nd move, you wrap your hands around the lady while the 3rd is to get the girl to caress you while both if you go around in a circle. And the last thing he shared was the Slow Dip.

At the end of the workshop, the played a movie about the birth of Salsa ... from Son to Salsa ... and eventually it was dinner time. We went to KFC ... excellent choice with excellent selection of food. Bon Appétit !

By 9.20pm we're already back at the ballroom, dancing shoes back on and hitting the dance floor to DANCE! Oh yeah ... all SalsaJayers take note. You might appear on Channel [V] as the crews were trailing us all night long .. from the workshops to the dance floor. (Eddy from Channel [V] ... thanks for your coverage).

There were also dance competitions in the mix with 3 couples performing with each performing a number with their own dance partner and another number with a different dance partner. The winning prizes were given to the best individual male and female dancers. At the party, we also managed to watch performances by Gavin and Sally as well as Gupson and Patricia. The crowds were practically cheering their heart out at the couples. Besides these couples, Fahmy and gang also performed a Casino Rueda piece which was excellent !

After 6 glasses of Mojito (double shots), 2 Perriers later and countless number of dance, we ended the night on a high at 3am by heading off to the mamak for some drinks. With this over, there's the Latin Congress and MSF coming up. For those that has attended this Salsa101 and is going for the Congress or MSF for the first time, well, imagine, you'd be doing this same thing over and over again for a few nights and yes, the next day, your legs will feel like it has run 3 ironman events back to back and you just want to stay in bed the next one week. I can't wait to do this again. :D

Salsa 101 was an eye opener for me in terms of experience (as well as a great night for me as I met up with quite a number of my ex colleagues from ASTRO as well as from my freelance TV days)

MSF 2006 Photo Link

The Malaysian Salsa Festival in Cherating has came to an end but the memory lives on through the photos. Check them out here ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/side2side/sets/72157594232401276/

MSF Event Itinenary

Latest News & Updates !

Salsa and Aerial Acrobatics specialists, Dave Paris and Zoë Klein from New York makes a total of FOURTEEN international guest instructors at the MSF 2006!!! All rooms are fully booked. Registration is officially closed. For further enquiries, please contact Lin at lin@linline.com.my

Reserved Seating for evening performances are now available for bookings at RM75/pax for all 3 nights. Limited number only! Book now through msfadmin@linline.com.my or call Lin Hamid at +6012 318-1202. [more]

Check Itinenary List below :

3 Weeks To Malaysian Salsa Festival !!!

Over 400 participants registered to date!!!

All rooms are fully booked. Registration is officially closed. For further enquiries, please contact Lin at lin@linline.com.my

WELCOME PARTY on 3 August 2006 with showcase by International Instructors at Salsa Havana Club, Federal Hotel.

Reserved Seating for evening performances are now available for bookings at RM75/pax for all 3 nights. Limited number only! Book now through msfadmin@linline.com or call Lin Hamid at +6012 318-1202. [more]

DJ Rodrigo from Japan and Joseph from Hong Kong joins our growing list of international DJs who will be spinning at the Event.

Ashwin Mushran and from India and June & Jackson from Singapore join our growing list of illustrious instructors.

Salsa in Shell, Cyberjaya

It was a sweltering afternoon in sun-baked Cyberjaya. Across the barren land, there were little signs of life. But within the four, air-conditioned walls of the studio room in the Shell headquarters, people were abuzz about the latest dance craze in town – salsa. Evening classes had commenced a month ago but, like all people addicted to this intoxicating dance, it was not enough. Led by the striking Latin and now Salsa competitor, James, the dozen or so folks tentatively practiced their steps in varied positions and pace. The mastermind of the session, Tim, was in the crowd, guiding a beginner salsera like the experienced pro he now is – though he will claim to be otherwise. Lurking in the corner almost unnoticed was another familiar face from the clubs – the tall, unassuming Jason.

In the background, Acuyeye was blasting through the speakers, bringing back fresh memories of sexy salsa nights in the heart of Kay-El. And spanning over ten meters space was the very wooden, very inviting floorboard.

I stared lustfully at the dance studio as the rhythm drummed into my head and turn me dizzy with an eclectic mix of feelings. There was ecstasy. There was nostalgia and there was excitement which grew as steadily as the beat of salsa.

In appearance, my body was sensibly cloaked in a loose, knitted blouse and well fitting denim suitable for the dreary office of tmnet – perfect for my practiced nonchalant attitude towards the session. But inside, a growing rumbling stronger than my sensibilities rolled through my veins up to my fingertips, and I felt my hand tighten around my tiny feet insensibly strapped in a pair of Marie Claire kitten heels. In the magnetic chorus of the track, the shoes came off.

“It’s just practice. I won’t get carried away,” I heard a faint voice telling myself.

Then I vaguely remembered my hand going up to my head and unclasping the school-like clip that kept my hair neatly in a bun. My wavy locks tumbled earthwards with my resolution.

Even as I steeled myself to act sensibly in front of this sea of strangers, I felt every fiber, every inch of my muscles weakening and giving in to the music.

And when Tim walked over with that pixie smile – so gentle yet mischievous like a schoolboy planning to pull a prank…

When Tim took my hand for a dance, I knew my three-week hiatus from the salsa scene was over.



;-P

One Workshop Rulez 'Em All ....

As promised, here's the promo poster for the workshop of the year ... brought to you especially by SALSAJAY! - The Hottest Salsa Community in ... err .... PJ State ? Anyway, read on .. and don't forget to SIGN UP for the workshop. And if you sign up fast enough, you might just be able to enjoy the EARLYBIRD discount which is like ... a. huge saving !!! Well, huge enough for you to watch the next movie blockbuster in the cinema ... such as ....Ice Age 2.

So here it is.... The Poster ! Nice ?



Do take note of the brand new SalsaJay logo which made it official appearance for the first time ever ! You would probably see this logo in all our future communication notes. What does this mean ? Ladies and gentlemen, it means SalsaJay is more than an identity now.

It is a 'Presence'

A Lifetime Opportunity !

SHE IS FROM CUBA

Judith Benitéz Almenares, a Cuban who's been living in Stuttgart, Germany since 2001. Her passion for music and dance has made her taken up dance lessons such as Son, Chachachà, Mambo, Afro-Cuban Rumba and of course, Salsa. She also studied music and percussion at Academia Calturla in Havanna. The strong influence of Latin-American culture in Germany has encourage her to pursue the passion even more through Clavisol Dance School. Although she has participated in several Salsa Congresses around the world, the height of her dance career would have to be winning the German Salsa Championship with Juan Ortiz in October 2004. She is currently focusing her mainstream in the Cuban style of Salsa.

HE HAILS FROM GERMANY

Founded Clavisol Dance School with his wife, Judith in year 2002, Volker Mann was able to pursue his lifelong passion for dance while maintaining his engineering career at the same time. Volker claimed that the Salsa virus struck him in the year 2001 when he was in Cuba. Seeing the Cubans integrate their joy of life with music and dance really inspired him greatly.

With the establishment of Clavisol, Volker hopes to spread his Cuban inspiration to the people around him. While his professional career requires his presence in Shanghai, his heart and soul continues to support Clavisol through Judith. Together, this husband and wife team has visualised the passionate Cuban Salsa to hundreds of students in German and Shanghai.

In addition to Judith’s versatility in Cuban Salsa, both Volker and Judith, are very experienced Rueda teachers. Together, they have founded one of the fastest growing Rueda communities in Stuttgart/Germany, and Shanghai/ China. The German/ Cuban duo has also taught at Salsa Congresses in Germany, Poland and Australia. With a unique, systematic, but entertaining approach, Casino Rueda would be an eye opener and fun experience for all the uninitiated and experienced salsa dancers.

On 15th April 2006 ( Saturday), SalsaJay is privileged to have Volker Mann and Judith Benitéz Almenares to bring us the Cuban Salsa Workshop.

Details as follows

Venue : Salsajay Studio ( depending on number of attendees)

Workshops :
1. Cuban Salsa Time : 3 pm – 4.30 pm
2. Casino Rueda Time : 4.45pm – 6.15

Pre requisite – must know basic mambo steps and cross body lead

FEES :
Early Bird Package
RM 55 for 1 workshop
RM 100 for 2 workshops !

WALK IN PRICE – RM 60 for 1 workshop, RM 120 for both

PLS RSVP your attendance by 3 APRIL 2006, by replying to this email with your name, mode of payment, contact details, and choice of classes
Payment in advance via cash or Maybank transfer.

more details coming soon. watch this space...

"Fake It Till You Make It"

Candice Leong finally came and went. The workshop was wonderful, however short it was... Here are some photos from the workshop and what we did after the workshop. More photos are available at the SalsaJay Online Album

Candice has a great sense of humor, a nice personality to add to that. That helps a lot in the workshop. Her workshop was great but the pressure is there, for me to keep up ... let's just say I am not really a fast learner like the rest in the class and I don't really want to be slowing down the class. But I guess everyone felt the same that day. But with jokes like "guys, if we were in prison, you'd all be my bitches !!!" the workshop was smooth sailing. She teaches in a very structured manner, breaking it down into individual steps thus enabling us to remember the steps instead of the whole sequence. Something that only a very experience instructor such as Candice Leong can come up with. 2 thumbs up, Candice .. no.. make that 5 thumbs !!!

Well, I am sure I had lot's of fun, but what about the rest of the students ? Boy, they sure did enjoy themselves.

Nim is seen here showing some .. weird Salsa move which I am pretty sure Candice didn't teach !!!! Or was she trying to imitate Jacques ... Nevertheless, Jeamie looks on with sense of curiosity ....

And what do we have here ? We can all see Jeamie has a stool with her ... and trying to pull a "cute" one. Well, I suppose we should give her a "Kawa-ii" response for that look. That's one look you don't see often !!! Yes ? Yes ? Agree ?

What about Mr. Fai here. Hmmm .. I know ! It's the duck dance ...! No ? Ummm ... King Kong Lives ??? Wrong again ? I give up .... Fai. Just do what you do best ... be yourself. You'll never get a girl with that gorilla look, although I might sense some "macho"ness in it.


Ha ha .. whatever it is ... I just can't wait to attend the Malaysian 4th Annual East Coast Salsa Festival which is happening this August in .... Cherating ... Yeah !

More details on the Salsa Festival in next posting. Keep watch !