Salsa Date For Next Friday

Friday 11th December is a special Session, with workshops followed by a Graduation Night!

This just an excuse to have a bit of a party- with nibbles and finger food provided.

You can bring along a bottle of bubbles if you like!

Workshops 7:30pm - 8:30pm Social Dancing from 8:30pm to 11:00pm

Workshops are in two levels:
Beginners - Smooth Salsa Moves
&
Intermediate+ - Zouk Shines

Everyone is welcome!

Workshop and social dancing is only $10 for SLG students and $15 for guests.

Entry after 8:30pm is only $5 for SLG students and $10 for guests.

Get along, get dancing, learn something new, have fun, make friends and, if you need assistance, your teachers are there to help!

While workshops will vary from session to session each includes a social in Salsa, Zouk and Gafieira Samba with a dash of Cha Cha Cha & Bachata.

Greenacres Gets Ready For Salsa

It's that time of year, when things get a little spicy in Greenacres!

Salsa fest takes place this Saturday at the Greenacres Community Park, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

More than 12,000 people are expected to show up for live salsa music, the best of salsa dancing, and tasty ethnic foods.

Salsa Fest's main stage will be the center of entertainment.

Three international musical artists, a battle of the bands, solo artist, as well as the local radio station Mia 92.1 will all be on hand to keep the party going.

This year's performing artists will be be Rey Ruiz, Anthony Cruz and two time Grammy Award winner Lalo Rodriguez.

But the fun doesn't end with the music!  If you don't feel like showing off your dance moves, try your hand at the domino tournament.

Players will compete to see who is the area's best domino player, as well as for a $250 cash prize.

Salsa Fest will also bring back the ever popular chihuahua race this year, where the tiny pups line up to show everyone that just because they are small, doesn't mean they're not fast!

And finally a salsa dance contest, salsa cooking contest, and amusement rides will round out the fun.

Admission is $10, but a family four pack is only $30.

And for those little salsa lovers under the age of 7, admission is free.

 

Zumba and Salsa Can Be a Potent Thigh Blaster

The music is rocking to an infectious Latin beat. The sweat is pouring as the crowd shimmies and shakes. Are they dancing the salsa in Havana, Cuba or Cali, Columbia? They could be, but they are not! They are students in a Zumba With Pam Fitness class. Zumba Fitness is the dance fitness craze that has taken the world by storm and is now poised to take over.

Zumba started in the 90’s when Colombian born, fitness instructor, Beto Perez, forgot his usual aerobics music. He quickly grabbed his cassette tape from his car and for the next hour played traditional Latin rhythms—salsa and merengue. The class was a huge success and Perez realized he was onto something by merging aerobics with dance to a thumping Latin beat. Now, there are over 40,000 instructors worldwide teaching Zumba in over 40 countries.

“The principle behind Zumba is incredibly simple,” explains Pam Andrews, Licensed Zumba Instructor and owner of Zumba With Pam in Bear, Delaware. “There are no complicated moves to learn and you don’t need the coordination of a traditional aerobics class. or a dance partner. Best of all, the music is so infectious that you barely even notice you’re exercising.”

A one-hour Zumba With Pam class uses the four basic rhythms of Zumba based on simplified versions of salsa, merengue, cumbia and reggaeton. You will also experience a bit of calypso, African, tango, belly dance, flamenco and other international dances. Participants are constantly engaged and entertained with the variety of rhythms. It breaks away from the typical 32-count aerobic format and uses the passion of the music as it was meant to be experiences. Even those with two left feet are successful in a Zumba With Pam class because of the natural flow of the simple steps that radiate through the body in synch with the music.

Latino Festivals Gain Ground

Dressed in the Colombian national dress, Ruby Stover and her nephew were among thousands who attended the fourth annual Festival Latino on Saturday at Bayview Park.

"I'm here representing my country," Stover said. "I want to show how beautiful it is."

Stover had a booth at the festival, showcasing food, clothing, instruments and photographs of flowers native to her country.

"So many people have misconceptions about Colombia," Stover said. "There is so much culture that few know about."

RELATED

• Latino Festival

For those at the festival Saturday, there was plenty of culture to experience.

"Our culture is to celebrate life, family, friends and food," said Grace Resendez McCaffery, organizer and founder of the event. "Festivals like this is what most of us are used to."

To celebrate food, venders provided numerous authentic Latin-American dishes, from tamales to boiled green bananas.

"This is my grandmother's cooking on a plate," said festival attendee Evelyn Keith, whose plate included pernil, a pork dish; batata, which is Spanish sweet potatoes; and Puerto Rican rice and beans.

Not only was there plenty of food, but live entertainment from Alabama, Atlanta and Florida delighted the crowd with salsa, zumba and mambo dancing. Many of the groups were high-school Latin clubs that travel to Latin events and festivals to perform.

"There is so much creativity in the Latin community, and clubs like these provide the perfect outlet," said Alissa Murpher, sponsor of Club Latinos at Foley (Ala.) High School.

Other entertainment included a local zumba fitness group who led a group dance; a professional Aztec dancer; and a disc jockey from Fort Walton Beach.

Along with booths representing various Latin American countries, numerous organizations, such as the U.S. Census Bureau, had booths to provide information to the local Latino community.

"We want to educate and inform people about the 2010 Census to ensure that the minority is counted so that they may have a voice," said Tina M. Joshua, partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau. Her booth provided information about the census in Spanish and English.

Other information booths included the Foster Home Development of Lakeview Center, Healthy Start, the Special Olympics and various Spanish-speaking organizations and churches.

"This festival is an opportunity for businesses to market to the Hispanic community and to provide them with important information in their language," McCaffery said.

Los Premios MTV gala honors best Latin pop

 

Mexican bands, reggaeton artists were big winners at Los Premios TV in Los Angeles, where the political leanings of the host, Calle 13’s Residente, also had some time in the spotlight Thursday.

Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin and Yandel won for best artist of the year and best video for “Abusadora,” at the celebration of the best of the year’s pop, rock and reggaeton from Latin America at Universal City’s Gibson Amphitheater.

Pop diva Paulina Rubio won for best soloist and sang a duet with Cobra Starship’s lead singer Gabe Saporta.

“So early, I wasn’t expecting this,” she said, clutching her “lengua,” as the lurid pink tongue statuettes are called. “I want to thank my fans who have been voting day and night for (the song) ‘Causa y efecto.’ I’m the cause — you are the effect.”

Panda, an alternative group from Monterrey, won three “lenguas,” including best group or duo and best alternative act.

“With the explosion of reggaeton, we thought the winner would be, I don’t know, Calle 13,” lead singer Jose Madero said.

Calle 13 did win, for best urban artist. But best pop artist went to Reik, a trio from Mexicali, and alt-psychedelic band Zoe won for best rock artist.

For the first time, MTV held awards shows in Mexico City, Bogota and Buenos Aires, Argentina, and rebroadcast performances as part of the Los Angeles show, including songs by Spanish balladeer Alejandro Sanz and hip-shaking crossover star Shakira from Bogota.

The six regional awards went to Panda, Colombian alt-rockers Don Tetto, Peruvian pop group Adammo, Mexican singer-songwriter Paty Cantu, Argentine electropop band Miranda! and singer Loli Molina.

Fashion-forward dance artist Lady Gaga won song of the year for “Poker Face” and best new international artist. Best breakthrough artist went to the Italian duo Sonohra.

Host Nelly Furtado opened the show Thursday with “Manos al Aire,” a song from her Spanish-language album “Mi Plan.”

Then she got a little crazy. The Canadian-Portuguese singer challenged her co-host to throw down a few lines and rapped while two male body builders in tiny Speedos gyrated next to her.

Residente, whose given name is Rene Perez, called for Boriquen independence, and he called the governor of Puerto Rico a nasty name that’s not printable in Spanish or English to express his support for a one-day strike in San Juan over unemployment and public employee layoffs.

Residente, who talked a lot more than his co-host, also changed his shirt several times during the show to get his political message across.

One shirt said “Chavez for best pop artist” in Spanish, possibly a reference to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Another honored Argentine singer-songwriter Mercedes Sosa, who died Oct. 4. Another protested the current Honduran president and another referred to the Tlatelolco student massacre in 1968.

Eduardo Cabra — Perez’s brother and the other half of Calle 13 — jokingly said that Perez took lessons from Don Francisco, the buffoonish host of “Sabado Gigante,” Univision’s long-running variety show.

“Kidding, kidding,” he said.

Seattle Has The Hots For Salsa Dancing

The chilly nights of Autumn have arrived, so keep your dancing feet warm by learning some salsa, cha cha, bachata, and merengue dance in Seattle! There is a surprising number of options for Latin dancing in the Northwest, and Latin dance is one of the most accessible partner dances around. The gold standard for Seattle salsa dance is set by the Century Ballroom in Capitol Hill where Seattleites can take classes in salsa, tango, and swing dance. Beginning to advanced salsa dancers strap on their shoes and fill the Century every Thursday and Saturday night. Go to centuryballroom.com for details and class schedules.

Praise for a site with a difference

This is a site full of content.

in reference to: 113Tidbits - Social Feeds and Daring Commentary For You To Enjoy (view on Google Sidewiki)

Be Much More Frugal

Have you ever noticed that the things you buy every week at the grocery and hardware stores go up a few cents between shopping trips? Not by much…just by a little each week but they continue to creep up and up.

All it takes for the price to jump up by a lot is a little hiccup in the world wide market, note the price of gasoline as it relates to world affairs.

There is a way that we can keep these price increases from impacting our personal finances so much and that is by buying in quantity and finding the best possible prices for the things we use and will continue to use everyday… things that will keep just as well on the shelves in our homes as it does on the shelves at the grocery store or hardware store.

For instance, dog food and cat food costs about 10% less when bought by the case than it does when bought at the single can price and if you wait for close out prices you save a lot more than that.

Set aside some space in your home and make a list of things that you use regularly which will not spoil. Any grain or grain products will need to be stored in airtight containers that rats can’t get into so keep that in mind.

Then set out to find the best prices you can get on quantity purchases of such things as bathroom items and dry and canned food.

You will be surprised at how much you can save by buying a twenty pound bag of rice as opposed to a one pound bag but don’t forget that it must be kept in a rat proof container.

You can buy some clothing items such as men’s socks and underwear because those styles don’t change, avoid buying children’s and women’s clothing, those styles change and sizes change too drastically.

Try to acquire and keep a two year supply of these items and you can save hundreds of dollars.

Rebates: Reward Or Ripoff?

Rebates have become increasingly popular in the last few years on a lot of items and certainly on electronic items and computers. Rebates of $20, $50 or $100 are not uncommon.

I’ve even seen items advertised as “free after rebate”. Do these rebates come under the heading of “too good to be true”? Some of them do and there are “catches” to watch out for but if you are careful, rebates can help you get some really good deals.

The way a rebate works is that you pay the listed price for an item then mail in a form and the bar code to the manufacturer and they send you a refund thus reducing the price of what you paid for the item except with a time delay of several weeks.

Rule #1. Rebates from reputable companies are usually just fine.

You can be pretty sure you will get the promised rebate from Best Buy, Amazon or Dell but you should probably not count on getting one from a company you’ve never heard of. If you really want the product and are OK with paying the price listed then buy it but don’t count on actually getting the refund.

Rule #2. Check rebate expiration dates.

Many times products will stay on the shelf of a retailer after the date for sending in the rebate offer has expired so check that date carefully.

Rule #3. Be sure you have all the forms required to file for the rebate before you leave the store.

Rebates will almost always require a form to be filled out, a receipt for the purchase and a bar code.

Rule #4. Back up your rebate claim.

Make copies of everything you send in to get your rebate including the bar code. Stuff gets lost in the mail all the time and if the rebate is for $50 it’s worth the trouble to back up your claim.

Avoid Impulse Investing

Avoiding Impulse Spending

Answer these questions truthfully:

1.) Does your spouse or partner complain that you spend too much money?

2.) Are you surprised each month when your credit card bill arrives at how much more you charged than you thought you had?

3.) Do you have more shoes and clothes in your closet than you could ever possibly wear?

4.) Do you own every new gadget before it has time to collect dust on a retailer’s shelf?

5.) Do you buy things you didn’t know you wanted until you saw them on display in a store?

If you answered “yes” to any two of the above questions, you are an impulse spender and indulge yourself in retail therapy.

This is not a good thing. It will prevent you from saving for the important things like a house, a new car, a vacation or retirement. You must set some financial goals and resist spending money on items that really don’t matter in the long run.

Impulse spending will not only put a strain on your finances but your relationships, as well. To overcome the problem, the first thing to do is learn to separate your needs from your wants.

Advertisers blitz us hawking their products at us 24/7. The trick is to give yourself a cooling-off period before you buy anything that you have not planned for.

When you go shopping, make a list and take only enough cash to pay for what you have planned to buy. Leave your credit cards at home.

If you see something you think you really need, give yourself two weeks to decide if it is really something you need or something you can easily do without. By following this simple solution, you will mend your financial fences and your relationships.

Frederrick County Festival Says It’s ON

 

Those wishing to celebrate Latino culture during Hispanic Heritage Month, which kicked off Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 15, can check out Frederick’s fifth annual Latino Festival Sunday, Sept. 27, from noon to 5 p.m. at Frederick Community College.

This year’s festival, set to take place between the FCC library and the field house, will feature food, music and activities for children and adults.

Proceeds from the Latino Festival go to Progreso Latino Scholarship Fund, which is managed by the Community Foundation of Frederick County.

Over the past four years, the festival has provided about $17,000 in scholarships for high school students with financial need who show academic promise, said Beverly Hendrix. Hendrix is the director of diversity at Frederick Community College and helped organize the event.

Denver Deli - Sandwich By Day, Salsa By Night

This spring, while Zaidy's remained a deli during the day, it transformed into Zaidy's Fusion Grill at night, featuring a menu of small plates and music, including salsa. "It has been terrible," Hannes says of the late-night activities. "There have been nights I can't get to sleep until after 1:30 a.m."

Hannes says he contacted the restaurant 37 times to complain, but the noise issue was not resolved.

On one occasion, Hannes called the Denver Police Department to report loud music; the officer who responded subsequently told Hannes that offering a DJ and dancing violated Zaidy's hotel/restaurant liquor license The restaurant's response? The dancing was spontaneous, and not a result of its advertised salsa nights, Hannes recalls.

Although Zaidy's is allowed ten special events a year under its current license, it is required to inform the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses of any such bookings. On July 13, the city sent a letter to the restaurant's owners, notifying them of several complaints of "excessively high noise levels, illegal live music and illegal dancing." The letter referenced a Zaidy's postcard promoting salsa music and dancing from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and instructed the owners to "immediately cease" the music and dancing until they obtained either a standard cabaret license (which would allow a DJ) or a dance cabaret license (which would also allow dancing). The new activities were affecting nearby residents' "sense of peace," the city continued, noting that those residents were there before "Zaidy's changed its business concept and Zaidy's must accommodate the needs of the neighboring residents."

And what do the neighboring residents need? "We would like to see some diversity, such as art galleries and retail clothing stores," Hannes says. "We already have bars." Writer Square is home to the popular Front Porch and Red Square, as well as other eateries that have also been suffering through construction.

Salsa Dancing DJ’s Take It Live Across The Pond

Why not kickstart your weekend with a spot of Salsa dancing on Friday night? The highly-experienced salsa tutor / fashion designer Sheryl May will host her monthly salsa event at the Poverty Bay Club, with a 45 minute lesson to begin with. It doesn't matter if you've never tried it before, anyone is welcome so why not give it a bash? Once the lesson concludes, there will be plenty of dancing to follow and the bar will remain open. Costs $5 on the door.

Croatian sisters Maya & Vanya (pictured above) are being touted as one of the hottest DJ acts in the country at the moment and are scheduled to hit the decks at Soho on Saturday night.  They have playing at every major party in NZ over the last year but apparently you have to "see them to believe them." Maya & Vanya are also booked to play at Rhythm & Vines this year, so this will be a good chance to check them out and see what they're all about.

Learn To Salsa In LA

There are several awesome places to learn to dance in a variety of cultural flavors. For us here on SalsaBabe, we liked the ones listed below. Give them all a spin to see which ones can fill your niche.

 

 

Studio A Dance

This is the place to go if you want to learn Bollywood dance. That could be you in that colorful chorus line of Bombay beauties and gents. This Silver Lake studio also teaches modern dance, hip-hop and even the Brazilian dance/fight sport of Capoeira.

2306 Hyperion Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-661-8311

Walk in Dance Out

Like the name implies, these folks are great for beginners with big dreams of the dance. They host dance classes in styles like bolero, American tango, rumba, swing hustle, salsa, night club disco, Lindy hop and 2-step dancing. Locations are varied, spanning from Redondo Beach to W. LA. Their six-week courses usually include 18 hours of practice lessons for free.

310-373-8487
Various locations

Millennium Dance Complex

If you're considering going pro, the folks at Millennium can help you. Started by a pair of dancers--George Moro and Ruth Landis--who met during the Vaudeville era, they offer classes and workshops for adults and children in hip-hop, ballet and jazz dance, taught by working performers and choreographers.

5113 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
818-753-5081

 

New York Salsa Event

Tanora Concert

Sunday - August 16, 2009

$12 gen. - 8pm

Led by singer-songwriter
Cecilia Engelhart,
pianist Bob Karty,
and percussionist Michael Spiro,
this sextet plays a compelling blend of Latin and Brazilian jazz from their recent CD "Día Real" and new originals.

La Pena Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Avenue,
Berkeley, CA
94705

A delectable sextet featuring some of the region’s most gifted players, [Tanaóra] offers a melodically rich sound unlike any other band around.’

Andrew Gilbert, ‘Critic’s Pick’,

San Jose Festival Draws Record Crowds

The annual gathering of the faithful was well under way Saturday as the music began at noon in downtown San Jose. We've been seeing them for 20 years now, those San Jose Jazz Festival early birds, streaming into the Plaza de Cesar Chavez with their lawn chairs and umbrellas in tow, staking out the best shady spots from which to savor the jazz wailers, the blues belters, the New Orleans rhythm kings.

Groups like the Wild Magnolias, the venerable second-line funk band from the Big Easy. They were Saturday's opening act on the main stage at the 20th annual festival, which continues today on nine stages.

The group, a number of its members extravagantly beplumed, Mardi Gras-style, was tempting the crowd Saturday with "Iko Iko," the oft-covered tune from New Orleans:

Talkin 'bout

Hey now

Hey now

Iko iko an nay

Jockomo feena ah na nay

Jockomo feena nay.

Translation: Get on your feet and dance.

Which Fred Harris, an amateur saxophonist from the East Bay who spent a year or two in New Orleans in the 1980s, was doing with half a dozen members of his extended family.

Newest Salsa Party Spot - Mad Donna's

The ¡Diablos Que Bailan! (Nashville Salsa Meetup) site has been abuzz for a while now---a year to be exact—with fans singing the praises of the Salsa Bash hosted by DJs Pablo Bodini and Jonathan Blanco. No doubt Mad Donna’s has become more than a party place where dancers gather every other Friday night. Some say they’ve found friends there, others romantic interests. But for those of us who’ve been attending since that first event, we still get excited walking up the steps to the blasting tempo of the congas and clave, the trombones and trumpets. Maybe because Bodini and Blanco know how to give more than a good party. They provide a home where regulars feel like family.

Friday, July 24th marks the first anniversary of Funtopia’s Mad Donna’s Salsa Bashes and you’re invited to celebrate. As always, they’re doing it up in style: two simultaneous dance floors; a complimentary Mexican food bar; mojitos, sangria, and caipirinha specials; and giveaways all night long. Add to that the free salsa lesson starting at 10:00 pm and the same cover price of $7.

When asked to reflect on the past year, the Party Masters said:

“We feel very excited in celebrating Funtopia's first year of existence. What started with a mere 60 people on our first event now averages 120 customers. We have remained loyal to our main mission: To provide a safe, friendly and fun environment where everybody is welcome. As a result, our crowd has included customers barely over 21 up to sixty something. Similarly, salsaholics from countries as far as Uzbekistan or Japan have joined our dance floor.

Regarding our music, we are continuously incorporating the latest tunes to keep the music mix fresh, while playing the classic tunes that everyone recognize, and many times sing along (in spite of some of their lyrical skills). Sometimes, we may even vary our mix depending on the proportion of new dancers or cultures.

Aussie Salsa Event

SATURDAY - JULY 11, 2009

Get ready for a night of dance, dance & more dance!

We are bringing together 4 of Australia's & the world's top dancers for an extravaganza of traditional Cuban Son, Salsa, Zouk & Bachata!

Eric Turro is considered the grandfather of traditional Cuban dance & along with partner Chantal, will mesmerise you with the magical spirit of Cuba!

Alex Bryan & Ebony Berell will teach & perform the slow & sensual Zouk - the sexy Brazilian dance that is taking the world by storm!

4 amazing dancers all under the one roof! Whether you love traditional Cuban dance or are a fan of the newer Latin dances, there will be something for everyone!

Fitness On Dance Floor Is Achievable

Image by CharlesFred via Flickr

Presented recently at the American College of Sports Medicine meeting in Seattle, one study found that salsa dancing could improve cardiovascular fitness, and the other found that less vigorous ballroom dances such as the fox trot or tango -- although not as much of a workout as salsa -- can add 2,000 steps or so to a person's daily walking total.

"Learning to dance can be a fun, social, local and friendly way to enjoy low-intensity physical activity and skill learning," said the author of the second study, Stephen Cobley, a senior lecturer in skill acquisition and sport/exercise psychology at Leeds Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.

Dancing, or at least watching dancing on TV, has soared in popularity recently. In the United States, "Dancing with the Stars" draws a significant audience each week, and its British counterpart, "Strictly Come Dancing," has more than 8 million viewers, according to Cobley.

Because this show was drawing so many viewers in the U.K., Cobley and his colleagues thought to capitalize on its popularity and conducted a study by offering a 12-week series of introductory ballroom dancing lessons to a group of sedentary adults.

The average age of the 27 study participants was 53, and most -- 22 -- were women. The once-a-week, two-hour classes were led by an instructor and included dances such as the tango, fox trot and cha-cha.

The classes replaced what was usually sedentary time for the participants and added about 2,000 steps to their daily total, the researchers said. Experts recommend 10,000 steps a day for good health.

Reasons Behind The Urge To Salsa

Help the needy, the poor, the handicapped, the ailing, the broken-hearted, the homeless, the lost, and the environment. The list can go on. When you help the needy - in services, monetary value, or other forms (lending a shoulder to cry on or an understanding ear to listen to other people’s problems) - the returns are ten folds over. However, don’t expect anything in return. Just the contentment you experience in your heart is an incomparably satisfying feeling. Giving something wholeheartedly without expecting anything in return is divine. Imagine yourself as the person on the receiving end. You can’t wait to return the favor once you get the opportunity to do so. Another way to enjoy life is to listen to music. Play your good old favorite songs and sing along. Sing your best. Sing carelessly or out of tune - whatever it takes to make your heart contented and whatever makes you laugh. Just hum the tune if you don’t remember the words. Sing until you laugh heartily. The idea is to cheer up. Do this in private with your close friends or relatives though. You don’t want to annoy your neighbors. The sound of nature is also music. The sound of river flowing, the gust of wind on a tree branch, waves on the seashore, and birds chirping are as natural as nature can be, and the way music should be. The sound of nature can make you optimistic because it is a beautiful and serene sound. Let’s face reality. Life has its share of troubles, disasters, and misfortunes. Bad news exists and it disturbs the mind. Totally ignoring it may not always be the answer to approach life in a realistic manner. However, you can always find ways to avoid being affected by it to maintain the dominance of life’s beauty. the power of moving the hips to the gyrating rhythms of salsa music has been an effervescent treat for me. The issue holding me back from more venues are purely logistical. I know with time that I will be out there among the beautiful people once again tearing the dance floor into shreds.

Bodies Built for Dancing

Image by Michael_P via Flickr

 

We've watched the rise and fall of celebrities learning to dance, often-- for the first time. As it turns out, dancing is not just for the stars.

Dik and Lynda LaPine of Superior, is spinning into the world of dance under the watchful eye of their instructor, Nik Zhelev. He teaches local hopefuls the fun-- and the art-- of moving to the music.

"There's something special about twirling a lady around and dipping. It's about just dancing and feeling the song," Zhelev says. "once you get into dancing, you can never really stop."

And that's exactly the case for the LaPines. "Both of us were a little bit scared in trying it out," Lynda says of her first experience with lessons. But the once reluctant duo of 29 years, has taken the plunge feet first into the trend of 'social dancing.' It's a throwback to society's more traditional roles-- with the man taking the lead, and the woman following.

Lynda sees it as a chance to replenish her soul-- and her relationship.

"I was one of those mom's where i was always focused on my kids and not myself," Lynda says. "But, I thought, 'oh, this would be something that would be good to build on our marriage.'"

"You become lovers again, and that's what's the magic behind all this," Dik adds.

"Once a week Dik, a mailman and Lynda, a church secretary-- set aside their daily tasks, and just dance.

"Forget about everything else, even if you're just doing the basics," Zhelev tells the couple during a lesson at Over the Top Dance Studio. "Just dance for a while."

"When you come to dance class, you cease to be your roles as mom and dad, and husband and wife," Dik says.

The two have already finished one 8-week session of the class, and are working on their second. It's called Latin Style Ballroom, where they learn the classics, such as: the Rhumba, the Tango, the Salsa, and the Cha-Cha.

It's a scene played out on other dance floors, as well. Duluth's Score Bar & Grill offers free Salsa lessons every Tuesday night between 7 and 8. For the mostly twenty-somethings, the music's a little louder and the lighting a bit more subdued. But the attraction is the same.

Instructors Byron Johnson and Juliana Bertelsen mastered the steps years ago. They say, for beginners, the biggest barrier is just getting out and giving yourself permission to try.

"It's that initial step to getting out there and doing it-- that's the hardest part," Johnson says.

"It can be really intimidating," Bertelsen agrees. "But after a while you realize, it is possible and you can learn another step and another step.

Nate Gange knows first hand about trying it and improving. At it for just one month, his ever-blossoming skill has left him optimistic. Not only will he look good on the floor, he says, but on the dating scene-- knowing how to dance is a huge bonus.

"A guy that knows how to dance, come on," Gange says. "It's like, I know how!"

So, as Nate practices his salsa steps, he also waits. Someday, he'll find his life's true dance partner, just as Dik and Lynda found their's almost

Trying Salsa As A Fitness Regimen

THE unfamiliar sound of sensuous music fills our small living room, where my partner is clutching the hip of a voluptuous woman in tight glittery black trousers and a plunging red sweater. He is sweating. She is smiling, but keeping a watchful eye on his feet. After all, it's not every day a girl gets to dance with a 6ft 4 Aussie bloke put together like a series of uncontrol-lable paperclips, whose notorious clumsiness resulted in him being banished to a corner of the room to sit still in a chair during the birth of our child. This is the man who wouldn't even dance at our wedding. Yet here he is, concentrating like his life depended on it, as he shuffles -- slinks, for God's sake -- into a sexy slow-step samba. Welcome to the world of salsa. It's a dance exercise trend that is sweeping the country and combines fitness, fun and even socialising. Most dancers are between 25-35 and single, but plenty of couples and older people are into it too. "A few couples meet at our classes -- one couple are getting married and having the reception in a tapas bar, with salsa music of course," says Hilary, our instructor. Hilary fell in love with salsa during a holiday to Italy 10 years ago, and became a qualified dance teacher. She now runs classes in Dublin five nights a week, with numbers ranging from 20, at her Salsa Fit sessions, to 100 at the traditional Thursday night gig held at the Garda Club. Although the starting level is slow, when you get skilled and confident enough to go to a club, you're likely to be dancing for up to four hours. "Now that's a good workout," says Hilary, "and fun too." She's designed a special cardio-salsa class for those signing up to improve their fitness. The format is more like an aerobics session -- we stand in line, with no partner required. But it still has the sensual body movements, great music and stimulating steps of salsa, and it's a good cardiovascular workout. And you don't need to have great Latin rhythm to take part. "The most common opening sentence I hear is: 'I've got two left feet'," says Hilary (35). But before I can lure my other half into a public class, he insists on a private lesson. Hilary instructs him to loosen his hands a little on my waist. They're white at the knuckles where we're linked in the centre between our feet, with thumbs raised. Our five-year-old hoots with laughter as Hilary instructs us in a "one, two, three, pause, five, six, seven, pause" mambo shuffle forward and back. "Do you want to join in?" she asks him. "Only if I can dance with you," he simpers. Smart kid. As for the adult male, he's starting to look like he's enjoying himself. He perked up considerably after being told he gets to lead: "This is good domestic role reversal," he mutters feelingly. By the end of the hour, we realise the dancing looks and feels better with smaller movements, instead of our start-out gambit of exaggerated clomping. To my astonishment, we are now going to group classes to try it out in public, where men often outnumber the women. "I wonder why that is," I ask my bloke. "It's got a lot going for it," he says. "Good music, simple steps, and the chance to call the shots with your wife -- and she can't answer back." We'll see about that.

Atlanta will Soon Love It's Salsa Dancing

Getting into dancing is ten times more fun with Latin Salsa dance classes Atlanta. More and more people are taking up ballroom dance lessons Atlanta because of so many reasons that will truly entice you into joining as well. Latin Salsa dance classes Atlanta come with very infectious music! The beat in Latin Salsa dance classes Atlanta is just too catchy that it really makes you want to dance. Even the shy ones find themselves tapping their feet to the music of Latin Salsa dance classes Atlanta – and after a minute or two, they are gamely on their feet trying out the moves themselves! Second, Latin Salsa dance classes Atlanta is very personal thing. It makes a lot of people feel good about themselves and serves as a motivation to get through the tasks of the day and find themselves back in the studio in the afternoon. Basically, ballroom dance lessons Atlanta is a commitment – and those who stick to it find themselves feeling better about themselves. Third, the many health benefits of ballroom dancing lessons Atlanta are just too good, Many researchers show that this type of dancing can reduce levels of stress and increase one’s energy. Ballroom dancing lessons Atlanta can also improve your overall muscle tone and body coordination. As you can see, dancing is a fun and unique way to burn those calories without getting bored! Fourth, ballroom dancing lessons Atlanta can be a good way to meet new people. Even if all of you come from highly different walks of life, your love for the music and the movement is what brings you together. In fact, one can probably say that dance is the language of peace – and there is definitely a lot of evidence of this in your studio. Fifth, ballroom dancing lessons Atlanta are a good reason to get creative and dress up a little bit. You wouldn’t want to attend your sessions dressed in baggy jeans, right? Because this is culture, you cannot help but dress up the part – so you can truly feel it and feel that you are part of the entire thing. Let us face it – we can be competitive even if it is already a friendly match. In ballroom dancing, competition just ups the excitement value of the dance so you are witnessing better moves and techniques. Ballroom forces one to be a bit competitive to show other people that you have as much right to be on the floor as them – thanks to your wicked moves and dips. At the end of the day, ballroom dancing is a really great thing to get hooked on. You have a lot of fun and in the process of dancing you learn that culture can be experienced in a different ways using your body as the vehicle for interpretation. Who knows – you could be dancing your way to success and inspiring other people in the same way that you were inspired to dance!

Cuban Salsa In A Step By Step Process

Dance has been an important part of rituals, celebrations and entertainment since before the birth of human civilization. In the beginning, before we had written language to record things, the purpose of dance was often to tell stories and to pass them down to future generations. The story of dancing in Cuba In Cuba, as in ancient times, dance tells its own story. The passion and energy of Cuban dance reveals the strength and conviction of the Cuban people, determined to enjoy life despite ‘la lucha’ (the struggle) of living in a strictly regulated country where the average monthly wage comes in at around 400 pesos - less than £10. The richness of Cuban music and dancing also tells the story of Cuba’s melting pot of cultures. From the high-stepping flamenco brought by the Spanish settlers in the 15th century to the frenzied tribal dances of the West African slaves, dancing is in the blood of the Cuban people. From the teenage girl in denim shorts to the cigar-seller on the street corner, Cubans are given to break into spontaneous dance steps. Furthermore, the people dancing on the streets of Havana are likely to be just as good as the professionals, because in Cuba dancing is simply a way of life. The variety of Cuban dances Cuba boasts a huge range of dances including classical ballet, contemporary, flamenco and folk dancing. But it is the partnered routines that appeared in Havana dancehalls between the 1920s and the 1950s - Salsa, rumba, mambo and cha-cha-cha - that can be seen in every Cuban bar, club and street. Of these, Salsa is the most popular dance internationally. Since the name ‘Salsa’ (it’s Spanish for ’sauce’) was coined, Salsa dancing has exploded in popularity in Latin America and across the world. Salsa dancing classes are now hugely popular but to really get into the swing of it a Salsa holiday in Cuba itself is a must. Tips for Cuban Salsa dancing If you do take yourself on a Cuban holiday, you’ll have the unique experience of watching Cubans Salsa dancing. It sometimes appears that by some genetic aberration they have been born with super flexible joints, defying physics to carry out all the complex manoeuvres they have integrated into the dancing. Their remarkable twisting body movements and natural sense of rhythm will dazzle you. If you have the right technique, Cuban Salsa is easier to learn than many other forms of dance. The basic footwork is a fairly simple walking motion, pausing every fourth beat, and there are some six basic steps you can follow to make sure you’re on the right tracks. 1 Relax To dance Cuban Salsa well it is important not to rush, but to relax into the steps. Movements should be precise and deliberate in addition to being flowing and smooth. 2 Walk with purpose Salsa dancing involves a continual circular motion. Couples walk around each other with an imaginary axis between them. This makes turns look smooth and effortless. Walking gives time to untangle your arms after each turn. 3 Have confidence in your lead The leader (usually the man) should have constant tension in his arms, while his hands guide his Salsa dancing partner around the floor. There is no need to clamp onto each other’s hands, only to use the right amount of tension to provide a leading signal. 4 Be flexible when following In order to follow well, ladies should try to match the tension of their partner. The exception to this is when arms need to be relaxed and flexible to complete arm-twisting Salsa moves without injury! 5 Keep balanced when you spin The key to all the spectacular spins in Salsa is not to lose your balance. One way to do it is by spotting while you spin - focusing on one spot at each turn - an age-old dance technique. 6 Use your body In Salsa dancing, ladies should make use of their body and be sensual, playful and creative. This can involve some creative arm movements, going with what feels right and basically showing off a bit. Enjoy!

Trop's Philly block Is Saying Alot For Everyone With Salsa In Mind

THE TROPICANA Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, in bankruptcy and looking for a buyer, has been in the news recently more for its financial woes than big casino payouts or top-flight entertainment. However, that didn't stop crowds from attending the Philly Block Party during a blustery March weekend. The hotel's popular Quarter features 60 stores, entertainment venues, the bluemercury spa and restaurants as diverse as the upscale Palm, P.F. Chang's China Bistro and Corky's Ribs & BBQ. When the Quarter opened in 2004, it was heralded as a welcome addition as Atlantic City casinos sought to lure younger visitors, non-gamblers and others seeking excitement beyond the casino floor. Restaurants can open and shut quicker than a cooler of cold drinks on a hot day. But the restaurants here seem to have done well, brimming with customers undeterred by (or perhaps drawn to!) the $10 vodka shots from the ice bar at Red Square restaurant, or the premium-brand mojitos at Cuba Libre Restaurant. The Quarter looks and functions in the true spirit of a Latin piazza. Grandparents watch children play near the fountain. Palm trees soar two stories up toward a ceiling painted to look like a tropical daytime sky 24/7. During our recent visit, young, energetic travelers carrying their own coolers, couples eager for a weekend alone, and seniors raring to play the slot machines all lined up at the check-in desk of the Havana Tower, Tropicana's newest hotel addition, located in the heart of the Quarter. There are three additional hotel towers that make up the Trop. The North and South Towers sit atop the casino floor and recently were refurbished with gorgeous linens. The West Tower is part of the Tropicana complex but not connected directly to the casino. No matter which room you choose, an ocean view room won't cost you extra since they are provided on request, availability permitting. My husband, Weller, and I hadn't been to Atlantic City in quite a while. In fact, we'd never spent the night there. We had arrived early, beating check-in crowds that at one point backed up in a line that snaked around the hallway. Our guest room was rather simple, not at all what was expected, and the flowered bedspread had us wishing we had perhaps stayed in one of the towers with the luxurious new bedding. But the room had an unexpected southern view that displayed Atlantic City from a different perspective. Turning off the lights and leaving the draperies open, one could fall asleep in the moonlit, neon glow. Waking to a morning view of the ocean, I thought, "Who needs the nightlife of Manhattan to have a good time?" Marylanders pride themselves on their crab cake recipes. But I defy anyone to find a more delicious crab cake than the sandwiches at Cuba Libre. However, we made two mistakes. First, we ate waaaay too much at Cuba Libre, considering we were dining at Carmine's that evening. Second, by eating too much at Carmine's as well, we went upstairs to sleep rather than hit the dance floor at Cuba Libre for a late night of salsa dancing. With its heaping, family-sized portions, Carmine's solidly reinforced Italians' legendary love of food. Smart guests know to avoid eating at least six hours before their dinner reservation there - and to bring friends and family who are not bashful about eating like every day is Thanksgiving dinner. First, bread arrived, fresh and warm, with little dishes of herb-seasoned olive oil for dipping. Pace yourself - there's a lot more to come! Salad came - a bowl the size you would hurriedly prepare after a workday to feed the entire family. Next was a beautifully presented antipasto platter of Italian meats, cheeses, olives, pickles and vinegar peppers, followed by heaping bowls of country-style rigatoni, beans, sausage and broccoli. Then the servers arrived with platters of honey-brown, oven-roasted chicken and sizzling sausages and porterhouse steaks - the latter plate so heavily laden the server needed both hands to place it on our table. It was the Lenten season and I was abstaining from meat, so it required serious willpower to keep from sampling even a tiny piece, especially while listening to the appreciative murmurs of other diners. Finally, dessert arrived. There's just one way to describe a foot-long platter of ice cream topped with hot fudge, caramelized fruit and whipped cream sitting on a chocolate torte. Sinful. Carmine's, however, has labeled this signature dessert "The Titanic." At the end of our family-style meal, the waiter wrapped doggie bags for our party of about 10. Whew! Bless the woman who cooks like this on Sundays. *

Students Get Involved In Salsa Dancing Contest

About 150 youngsters from Indio, La Quinta and Palm Desert will take to the floor in the Desert Sands Unified School District's first ballroom-dancing competition later this month. Advertisement On May 16, students will tango, fox-trot, salsa, East Coast swing, or cha-cha their ways through the competition, said Bob Horn, who is co-organizing the event. Each dance will have its own competition with participants engaging in two dance-offs. Judges will select three couples to remain on the floor to compete for first-, second- and third-place medallions, Horn said. All competitors will receive a participation ribbon. The schools with the entrants who win first place in the competitions will also receive a trophy that will be displayed for a year, Horn said. Horn and his wife, Nancy, who are professional dancers, held free dance lessons for after-school-program teachers at schools in the district. Those teachers then taught children in their programs.

Quick And Dirty Guide From a Salsa Beginner

After decompressing from a busy week, I was up for something spontaneous. Something to feel immersed, alive and in a different city. Just so happened my friend Mel called out-of-the-blue to tell me I had some lookalike on the tele. I could hear her husband Rod laughing in the background as I searched for “Jonas Brothers” on the Disney Channel. I did find the actress. And it was creepy. As we were talking, it dawned on me that I was speaking to two of the best dancers I know. They are the only two among my circles of friends who have actually taken lessons (swing, salsa, etc.) Within 15 minutes of the conversation, we talked each other into a convoluted plan that would take us to Chicago's Nacional 27: salsa dancing. We walked in, got a table by the bar and ordered one of my personal favorites, caipirinhas. The booming music, chatter and element made me feel I was somewhere in Latin America – Sao Paolo? Mexico City? Bogota perhaps? I perused the menu and noticed the amazing dishes as I walked by to check out the dancefloor. Dishes that included smoked chicken empanadas, shrimp adobado with pineapple-vanilla salsa, boniato and plantain croquetas, barbecued lamb tacos, and variations of bamboo skewers, ceviches and paellas. Oh. My. Word. After an amusing, yet in-depth chat with James the Navy pilot-turned-physician at the bar, we picked up a few more cocktails and headed to the “club.” My goal was to hold my own. The dancefloor was already packed. I sat and watched Mel and Rod show me their dance prowess. It brought a smile to my face in reminiscing of our days at UW-Madison when people would clear the floor to watch Rod dance. And here we are almost 20 years and how many kids later, starting our evening at 11pm just to dance Latin-American style. They told me of the basic dances, salsa, cha cha, merenge and mambo. Though subtle, each had a definite style of its own. I’m thinking the difference is in the hips. Those who have the coordination can sell it; those who don’t …not so much. The simultaneous smooth stepping and walking with sultry hips and shoulders to an upbeat tempo -- that takes focus. It was exhilarating for me to feel the music press against my body while simply people watching…from neophytes and laughter to polished serious dancers. Then Rod turned to me and took me out on the floor. Oy. Growing up in the disco era with four sisters who lived for dancing pretty much equated me with self-proclaimed coordination. Any confidence in that thought quickly diminished. Rod taught me his and Mel’s favorite: bachata. It involves moving to the side and ending with a hip thrust on the fourth beat. For some reason, I just couldn’t get it. What was my problem? I looked more like a Ms. Jazz Hands version of John Travolta’s 10th “Saturday Night Fever” sequel, “Stayin Alive”. My sisters would hang their heads. Mindless and freeform for him; focus and confusion for me. How embarrassing when we are surrounded by pros. The neat thing was everyone was in their own zone. After Rod made a few suggestions, I got it! Then he smoothly led with turns and spinning me behind his back, all the while, keeping the same counting and side-stepping with such finesse. Mel made a good observation. At a place like this, if someone comes up and asks you to dance, he genuinely just wants to dance. No expectations or motive necessarily. Just a polite “thank you” afterwards and heads on his merry way. With a ginger-passion sangria, strangers dancing with strangers surrounding us, it felt like I was on holiday. Nacional 27 offers salsa lessons every first and third Tuesday of the month. Guess I was a week off, though I notice it is holding its first annual Cinco de Mayo fiesta. A 2-fer.

The Ultimate Cinco De Mayo Cheat Sheet

Our list of Cinco de Mayo parties is full of $3 Corona bottles and DJs spinning salsa, so to help you figure out which of today's events is right for you, we've compiled this list of tips. Best for Free Drinks The annual blowout fiesta hosted by LatinVIP.com and a number of Hispanic professional and student groups always does something special for early arrivals. This year, the party's at the Park at 14th, and it features free beer and tequila from 5 to 6 and a free buffet from 5 to 7. In Georgetown, the Cinco de Mayo party at Mate opens with free Dos Equis beer from 8 to 9. Best for Free Food In addition to the party at the Park at 14th, Town Tavern has a free taco bar from 4 p.m. on, and Mister Days will have a taco bar to go along with the free salsa lessons and discounted Coronas and margaritas. While it's not free, it's still a great deal: for $10, McFadden's is offering an all-you-can-eat taco bar and two drinks of your choice after 8 p.m. Best for Live Music A number of places are promising live mariachi music, from a street festival in Silver Spring to a late-night bash at Lima. But for authentic mariachis, you probably won't do better than the D.C. Mariachis, a group of native Mexicans who perform in and around Mount Pleasant. They're making a special fiesta out of a regular Tuesday night gig at Haydee's; the music begins at 9. If you'd rather spend happy hour listening to a live salsa band, head for Cafe Citron, where Rudy y Su Locura performs from 6 to 9. You'll also find half-price food and drink specials. Best for People Who Want to Listen to Something Other Than Salsa DJ 2-Tone Jones and DJ RBI have been rocking the artist-versus-artist hip-hop night formula at Almaz for a hot minute, but at tonight's special Latin Quarters party, they're spinning hip-hop from artists like Fat Joe, Big Pun, Cypress Hill and the Beatnuts. Beer and tequila specials should help get the dance floor moving. Down U Street, DJs Doc Delay and D-Mac are planning a night full of Latin funk and soul, hip-hop, disco and other booty-shaking beats at the Velvet Lounge. Best for Random Weirdness Town Tavern will have a live donkey on its patio today as part of Cinco de Mayo Mayhem. Yes, you read that correctly. A live donkey. I'm guessing el burro will be more of an attraction than the free taco bar or the midnight pinata-smashing contest, but you never know. Get your picture taken with the donkey, post the hopefully-not-too-embarrassing photo to Town Tavern's Facebook page, and you could win a free happy hour for yourself and 25 friends. Best for Dressing Up Cafe Citron is offering a pair of costume contests, which begin at 8 p.m. at midnight. (Advice from the organizers: "Be original! Be Cool! Women Be Sexy!") Winners take home $100 cash. Everyone (in a costume) is a winner at Rosa Mexicano, where the first 200 people to show up in Mexican wrestling masks, sombreros or other costumes after 5 p.m. get a free shot of tequila in a souvenir glass and are eligible for prizes and giveaways all night. McFadden's is looking for the most decorative sombreros in its annual Best Sombrero contest. Winners get bar tabs and other prizes. (If you just want a sombrero of your very own, the parties at Mackey's, Town Tavern and Kitchen are all giving them away while supplies last.) Best for Networking (since this is still D.C.) Make sure you've got plenty of business cards when you arrive at the Park at 14th: the Hispanic Bar Association, the Hispanic Lobbyists Association and the National Society of Hispanic MBAs are among the groups hosting the annual Cinco de Mayo happy hour. Best for Helping Others Pinatas, food, music, and beer and tequila specials help to raise money for the Junior League of Washington's literacy programs at Kitchen in Glover Park. (A $5 donation is suggested at the door.) Meanwhile, at Chi-Cha Lounge, a happy hour with drink specials, dancing and a silent auction benefits Hope House, a charity that helps children whose parents are in jail. (A $15 donation is requested.)