SalsaEurope.com

Raul & Shelina: Bachata

This is a good DVD, surely one of the best Bachata videos around to date. At first you may get a shock at seeing two dancers in full ballroom performance attire demonstrating Bachata, this is not the look we are used to associating with the dance, but in 2009 we are learning to be open minded and have been rewarded.

The DVD is well produced, with a voice over explaining while the dancers demonstrate the moves: this is effective and fast, and allows the inclusion of a lot of material. All elements are demonstrated to counting and then to music, both from the front and back. Also good is the organisation of the material, since you always know where you are at in the DVD; it takes you from the basic steps, to some basic turns, variation of the footwork and partner work, both explaining how to interact with the partner and a few simple combinations. As for most Bachata DVDs around this is most suitable to beginners. The dancers display a clear ballroom stance, but they surely also know how to let go when is needed and, most important, are proficient and they know how to make the dance come alive even without the usual exaggerated overdose of sensuality.

Not what you would find in the streets of Santo Domingo, but solid teaching, surely worth having a look at; hopefully we will see a volume 2.

Fabio from SalsaIsGood
DVD available through www.salsa-dvds.com

Boogalu Prod: R. Borell: Cuban Dance Instruction

This is my favourite DVD from Boogalu Production: it contains unique material, very detailed instruction (which is not always easy to find in Cuban dancing) and an implicit tour into the history of salsa which is extremely instructive; the result is a must have, in my opinion, for serious salsa dancers at least from an educational perspective.

The DVD teaches 3 dances, Danzon, Son and Cha Cha Cha, covering what has been the ‘fashion of the day’ in Cuba from early 1900 to roughly the 50s. The instructor is a senior Cuban dancer, speaking a very good English, helped by a younger female demonstrator. Each dance is taught in its genuine, original form, at least as close to it as you are likely to ever find on any video recording. For each dance you will be shown the expected posture, attitude, basic steps and basic elements, all of which is in really clear detail, with all parts broken down for both the male and female dancer.

There is no turn pattern or challenging move to learn; as a result a superficial look at the DVD may lead you to think that there is much repetition in the explanation of the 3 dances, the only difference being the basic steps.. but this would miss the core value of the product. First, a crucial difference between the dances lies in the posture, the attitude and the relationship between the dances. Second, if you believe that here there is nothing much to learn except the basic steps you would miss the importance that the right posture and attitude and the attention to the relationship between dancers and music makes in the difference between an average and a good dancer (this is the concept which gives the name to the DVD itself). Third, you would miss the ‘historic’ treasure hidden in the DVD, which shows how salsa evolved from the rigid and constrained movement of Danzon (similar to old fashioned tango), when looking at moving like a white person was basically expected, to the introduction of hip movement in Son, which implicitly meant more acceptance of being ‘black’ and which was further developed in Cha Cha Cha, (notice also how the opening and closing of the dance position in Son is a precursor of the Dile Que No we use today). Finally it would be a pity to lose sight of the fact that 2 dancers may look good and have fun even by dancing 3 different dances by doing only basic steps. The demonstration of the three dances are a pleasure to watch from this perspective.

Review by Fabio from SalsaIsGood

DVD available through www.salsa-dvds.com

Saltuya: Advanced Turnpatterns on1 and on2

There is something rustic about this DVD which I like. Randolph and Coco seem to be two down-to-earth dancers who with no frills, want to show us some advanced turn patterns. I can almost imagine the hypothetical scene: you see some fancy figures on the dance floor and you go and ask the dancers to please show you the trick. Well in this DVD it looks like Randolph and Coco decided to show us the tricks impromptu and they do so by dancing the turn patterns first on 1, then by explaining the details of lead and follow and then showing them again on 2. The dancers and the turn patterns seem to be more natural in the on 2 version perhaps because of the choice of music.

The turn patterns are tricky and will challenge an early advanced dancer: they are full of quick hand hold changes, unusual copas, many changes of directions, spins for both the lady and the guy and those typical NY style moves in which you place the hand of the lady somewhere and it appears you retrieve it from somewhere else. I am sure you will have fun trying them out.

There are 6 turn patterns fully explained plus 2 bonus ones which are only demonstrated and all together the DVD is some 30 minutes long. Maybe more material could have been fitted in but the turn patterns are fairly long, 10-12 bars of music each, so if you manage to learn them all you will get your money’s worth. A little bit more care with the camera would not have hurt: the feet are often cut off from view in the demo but thankfully some zooming in compensates for this during the explanation. Also the turn patterns are shown from one side only but if you account for the fact that this is an advanced DVD it may be expected that you know enough to fill the small gaps. As a final touch, the DVD authoring may not be high tech but it is really cute.

Review by Fabio from SalsaIsGood
DVD available through www.salsa-dvds.com

Yvonne Goldsmith & Krin Bajough: Spin

What a pleasant surprise I got from watching this DVD! I have seen many spinning DVDs, from very famous instructors and schools, including dancers world-renown for their very spinning; some are good some less so, but I did not expect to find basically all I wished to see in a spinning DVD collected so nicely in this work, plus more.

In this DVD there are no frills, no showing off; instead it is packed with content (plenty of it), all of which is top quality and taught and demonstrated very precisely and efficiently.

There is all you ever wanted to know about spinning and you may have dared or not dared to ask: single and double spins for guys and ladies, spins on the forward and back foot, travelling and spot turns, basic suggestions for leading and following, the fundamentals of spotting and holding the correct posture paying attention to legs, core muscles and shoulders, the concept of developing momentum for the spins with shoulder, hands and feet and so on. It is really the A-Z of spinning. There are even a couple of tricks for unusual spins I have seen people execute but never teach. At the end some Pilates like exercises show you how to strengthen your core muscles if you are into serious dancing.

This must be one of the best spinning salsa DVDs in the market, if not the best, congratulations to Yvonne and Krin

review by Fabio from SalsaIsGood
DVD available through www.salsa-dvds.com

Haarlem Salsa Congress 2008 October 24, 25, 26.

Come and join us for the biggest Salsa event in the Netherlands!

Let the beautiful city of Haarlem be the host of this great annual Salsa Event organised by the Alma Latina foundation and Salsamotion Club Así in Haarlem.

In the medieval City-center of Haarlem, the salsa festival will be a 3 day event, full of fun and excitement, where salsa dancers from all over the world can meet, learn, dance and get inspired.
Enjoy high quality workshops taught by the best international teachers and be amazed by outstanding performances and excellent dj´s, who will keep your feet moving all night on the exclusive dance floor of the congress location the Philharmonie.

More info on:

Haarlem Salsa Congress 2008

Salsamotion.nl

DJ Andres.nl

Sonderkonzert zum 18. TFF.Rudolstadt 2008
TFF-Salsa-Nacht am 03. Juli: Oscar D’Leon für Willie Colón
Auch Maraca (Cuba) gastieren auf der Heidecksburg

Ursprünglich, war Willie Colón die Star-Rolle der TFF-Salsa-Nacht am 03. Juli 08 zugedacht. Doch als der kurzfristig seine Europatournee absagen musste, ergab sich für die Organisatoren die Gelegenheit, Oscar D’Leon zu verpflichten. Ein Großer fällt aus, ein noch Größerer, wird mancher sagen, springt in die Bresche.
Während Colón vor allem als Posaunist, Komponist, Band-Leader und Produzent reüssiert, ist D’Leon zweifellos die alles überragende Stimme der New York Salsa.
Die Herzen, nicht nur der Latinos hat der Meister mit seiner spektakulären Art erobert, zum eigenen Kontrabassspiel nicht nur zu singen, sondern auch noch zu tanzen. Darüber hinaus gilt er der spanischen Welt als El Sonero del Mundo, als der große Improvisator der Welt!
Oscar D’León, der sein Publikum live zu allen Zeiten euphorisiert hat, gelangen auch im neuen Jahrhundert eine Reihe überzeugender Alben – das jüngste, Fuzionando von 2006, wurde erneut mit einem Latin Grammy ausgezeichnet.

Weit mehr als ein Support-Act für Oscar D’Leon verspricht die Afro-Cuban Salsa-Band Maraca. Der 41jährige Flötist Orlando „Maraca“ Valle gehört seit Jahren zu den wichtigsten kubanischen Musikern. Seine 10köpfige Band formierte er 1999, nach erfolgreicher Solokarriere. Die Chicago Tribune nannte ihn „den einflussreichsten afro-kubanischen Musiker des beginnenden Jahrhunderts“, während sich die Oakland Tribune nach einem Live-Auftritt Maracas beeindruckt zeigte: „Was abging, war eine große Party. Der Anführer war der berühmte Flötist, der nach einem Perkussionsinstrument benannt ist. Und er war hier, um uns zu zeigen, was Sache ist.“
Wer ebenfalls erleben will, „was Sache ist“, hat diese Gelegenheit zur TFF-Salsa-Nacht am 03. Juli 08, ab 21 Uhr, im Hof von Schloss Heidecksburg.

www.oscardleon.com
www.maraca.cult.cu
www.myspace.com/maracavalle

www.tff-rudolstadt.de

SwinGuys: SalsaSwing vol 1

Salsa is a fairly conservative world, especially today with the trend of rediscovering old style mambo and afro-cuban roots. So, how come that a group of 4 Italian guys dancing swing could suddenly because so popular in the salsa world? The answer is refreshingly simple, because they are extraordinary dancers. If you have seen any of their shows you have probably stood amazed at their technique and at the same time laughing at the entertaining joke they intersperse throughout their shows.

Now, we all have the opportunity to learn their un-usual (for salsa dancers) style: it is characterised by a mix of swing and salsa on1, LA style. They are natural performers, as it shows from the jokes which fill their instructional DVDs as well as from the choice of the figures they teach, in my opinion more suited to the stage than the dance floor.

This DVD contains 5 sections, each of 5 items. You will find turn patterns, lift and tricks and ‘free style’ or shines. The free style is where the swing influence is at its purest form, but the fact that the shines do not look very much like salsa won’t bother you that much, because they are very cool and boy… the guy can dance!

All elements are showed from 2 angles, then in slow motion, then with focus on the footwork and then with music, using a boogaloo salsa which nicely fits their style of dancing.. explanations are not given verbally, so you need to work out the details of the lead and following, as well as the acrobatics by yourself, but the visual details are there for you to sort out. An unusual DVD, but well worth it, at the very least for the talents in display.. a promo with clips of their shows is an addition to the product to look forward to.

Review by Fabio (SalsaIsGood)
DVD available through www.salsa-videos.com/videoshop

The third Salsa Congress of Luxembourg proposes a total immersion into Latin music and dances

4 Days of AMAZING shows with your favourite STARS SEAT reservation for show times.
Mega PARTIES and AFTER parties, a Harley Davidson Bike to win in a TOMBOLA
Quality WORKSHOPS by TOP Instructors, ORIGINAL and TECHNIC for BEGINNER or SKILLED dancers, MASTER classes available.

FREE ACCESS to “Green” Workshops on Friday and Saturday Gastronomic Salsa village for an extra touch of EXOTIC and flavour SALSA CRUISE on Sunday, among wine yards and castles to close the congress with a touch of class !

The Salsa Congress of Luxembourg is tailored for the pleasure of every person, that you be an active dancer or just willing to discover the Latin ambiance.

Organized by Cultura Latina Luxembourg asbl
www.salsalux.com

Bridging Culture & Fraternity among People

Salsa Congress Munich ist Europas größte Sozial Salsa Ereignis: Salsa für jeder  

Salsa Congress Munich is Europe’s biggest & unique Social Salsa Event: Salsa for everybody   

Die besten Salsa-Lehrer aus der ganzen Welt/The best Salsa Instructors from all world corners: 

Yamulee (USA) Confirmed
Francisco Vazquez & Anna (Mexico/Italy) Confirmed
Edie the Salsa Freak (USA) Confirmed
SalsaConga (France) Confirmed
Mimo (Germany) Confirmed 

Sabor Colombiano (Columbia/Italy) Confirmed 

Roi y Talia (Spain) Confirmed 

Jörg & Susi (Germany) Confirmed 

Kia (Germany) Confirmed 

LatinStyle (Italy) Confirmed 

AfricanJet (Italy) Confirmed 

Anne & Anichi (Germany) Confirmed 

Marion Morena (Germany) Confirmed 

Peter Fige (Hungary) Confirmed 

Chanel & Gino (Switzerland) Confirmed 

Chanel Nr. 5 (Switzerland) Confirmed 

Majusee (France) Confirmed 

Mouaze (France) Confirmed 

Terry et Cecile (France) Confirmed 

Matanza (Holland) Confirmed 

Rafael y Lien (Spain) Confirmed 

Fadi (Holland) Confirmed 

Israel Gutierrez (Cuba) Confirmed
Tallal (Belgium) Confirmed
Dodi (Austria) Confirmed
& much more to come as a surprise 

Expecting more than 3500 Besucher from all over the world.

Salsa with Tomaj: Latin Motion DeMystified

If you were born in the Caribbean or in Africa, you would probably wonder why anyone should need to learn the ‘Latin motion’. Similarly, if you have danced salsa for many years, you may not even remember the days when you needed to learn how to coordinate the movement of your hips to your feet and make your salsa look natural. Still, this is a common problem for beginner dancers, as well as for many experienced dancers who simply ‘try too hard’ and end up looking ridiculous by displaying a hip movement so exaggerated that it would look bizarre even to the most flamboyant of Caribbean dancers.

Also, even if you ‘just have it’ and your dancing is nice and fluid, it may not be easy to explain exactly how you do it and to break down the movement of each part of your body, beat by beat and train a beginner dancer. I used to do it in my classes and I know it is not easy. Tomaj did all this for you and compressed it into this DVD. He shows you how to move the hips, then feet, and then knees, how to coordinate all this to the beat of the music and most importantly, how all this relates to the weight shifting from one leg to the other so that the result looks natural. Tomaj explains all this very well, and his partner Susie shows it equally well. This level of detail, as well as the content, is hard to find in any other DVD, which makes this production even more useful. I would recommend it to all beginner dancers.

Review by Fabio from SalsaIsGood
DVD available through www.salsa-videos.com