Casa de Latinos

DANCE CRUISE ASIA 2010 : (10th – 15th June 2010 - 6 days 5 nights)

Have you ever thought of traveling to exotic Japan, Korea or China but did so because you always thought it’s expensive? Well, you don’t have to think anymore. Let Dance Cruise Asia 2010 bring you to the Far East. Dance Cruise Asia 2010 will be sailing on the Legend of the Seas, a luxurious cruise liner from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, the 2nd largest cruise company in the world. We will be embarking on the cruise ship in the city of Shanghai, China … calling in the ports of Fukuoka, Japan and Busan, Korea and finally head back to Shanghai, China. The whole trip will take 6 days and 5 nights.

Legend of the Seas boast a variety of on board activities ranging from golfing to rock climbing, attending a Broadway-style show and even feasting on five fabulous courses in the fine dine restaurant. And that’s just what the cruise ship offers.

Our main program includes a variety of dance workshops by world class dance instructors, theater-style dance performances and party all night long with participants from around the world.

So how much do you think this will set you back? Well …. let’s summarize it. We bring you to all 3 countries, food included (fine dining every night if you wish), accommodation provided. Entertainment …. every night, of course!!!

ALL THAT FROM ONLY RM3,000+.
OR USD800+

Still unbelievable? Contact us now to find out more.

Email : tamie@salsacruiseasia.com
Tel : (+603)-6201-8151
or (+6012)-307-7727

Website : www.ThemeAsia.com

If you missed Salsa Cruise Asia 2009, make sure you come for Dance Cruise Asia 2010 and enjoy more exotic destinations, attend longer dance workshops and have a vacation of a lifetime !!!!

SALSA CRUISE ASIA 2009 has completed her sailing from 22nd - 27th November 2009! And what an awesome week it was…

Day One
Starting off the Grand Opening Night at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore on 22nd November 2009 with a roaring Chinese Drum Performance … audiences were treated to more than 20 dance performances and we would like to thank these artistes and dance schools for their contributions making this event a great success!

Johnny Vazquez and team (MEXICO)
Jordan Frisbee and Tatiana Mollmann (USA)
Alexistyle and Katrin (GUATEMALA / GERMANY)
Lidia McMahon and Ulysses Maclaren (AUSTRALIA)
Tony Lara and Daniela de Francesco (ITALY)
Kadu Pires and Larissa Thayanne (BRAZIL)
Kaytee Namgyal (INDIA)
Magna Gopal (USA)
Attitude Dance Studio (SINGAPORE)
Brenda and Li Bin (SINGAPORE)
ACTFA team (SINGAPORE)
Two Left Feet (SINGAPORE)
Jitterbugs (SINGAPORE)
Grupo Invicta (SINGAPORE)
Dansflava Studios (SINGAPORE)
S&A Danz X’pressio (SINGAPORE)
Dance En Motion (SINGAPORE)
NRA Crew (SINGAPORE)
Fasilito and Emma Dance Spirit (MALAYSIA)
Ritmo Latino (MALAYSIA)
SalsaJay Dance Academy (MALAYSIA)
Jaxen and Cecelia - Rhythm Identity (MALAYSIA)
Alex and Carmen - A&C Dynamic Dance Studio (MALAYSIA)

Day Two
We sailed off into the sunset on 23rd November 2009 from Singapore Cruise Centre and the party started on the Pool Deck with a Sailaway Party. People dancing next to the pool to music from Live Band “Son Latinos” as the ship sailed out of the port … the sea wind, the ship long horn …

1st night was an all-white night theme party. Gentlemen dressed in crispy, smart white shirts and ladies came in gorgeous white dresses. It was an unforgettable sight. Dinner was at the posh Romeo and Juliet fine dining restaurant. Served by a Head Waiter and an Assistant Waiter, it was first class experience. Some of the guests were treat with magic shows by some of these waiters while others chat up on their experiences working in the cruise ships. Full course dinner starting with appetizers, main course and finally ending with dessert.

After dinner, it was group photo session (gosh, wasn’t easy organizing group photos…..) but the thought of a group photo with everyone in white was just irresistible.

The group adjourned to Anchors Aweigh Lounge for Salsa Party with our official DJs and after 2:00am, the party moved to Viking Crown Lounge till about 3:30am. And trust me … the party was …. indescribable.

Day Three
Ship docked in Port Klang, Malaysia at 7:00am.

The morning started off with dance workshops at SPA Deck and Anchors Aweigh Lounge. GLOW Game Show at the Anchors Aweigh Lounge, artists and participants had a great time with some dance related games and they won prizes, sponsored by GLOW Megawecare.

Lunch break at the WindJammers Cafe that serves an international range of buffet line.

Must Try Tip. Self serve ice cream on ice cream machine next to the pool deck area.

Pool Deck Party / Sailaway Party in the evening with more dancing and public dance workshop.

Dinner at Romeo and Juliet with “Purple Glow” theme. Again, the dinner hall was decorated with glittering beautiful people dressed in purple outfits.

Right after dinner, some folks attended the Cruise Show at That’s Entertainment Theater while others joined the party at Anchors Aweigh Lounge and they were treated with performances by some of the international artistes.

Day Four
Morning dance workshops at SPA Deck, Anchors Aweigh Lounge and Conference Room. Lunch break at Windjammers Cafe.

Ship docked in Phuket, Thailand at 1:00pm.

Fun day trip in Phuket. Massages, shopping, elephant rides. It was a free and easy time for all.

A&C Dance Group presented a 45 minutes dance production show at That’s Entertainment Theater in the evening, just before dinner at 8:30pm.

The theme for the night : Celebrity.

People came in Cowboy costumes, Egyptian Queens, Johnny Depps, God Fathers … you name it, it’s there.

Right after dinner …. camwhoring session at The Centrum and people were dancing to Retro music by Live Band. And it wasn’t just the Salsa Cruise Asia group. Everyone joined in. Crazy time!

More party at Anchors Aweigh Lounge and party continued at the Pool Deck …. at 2:00am. Party ended at …. I can’t remember ……

Day Five
It was the “Sea Day” i.e. ship is en route to Singapore from Phuket, Thailand. A whole day of sailing.

It was a full day of dance workshops. Again, SPA Deck, Anchors Aweigh Lounge, Conference Room and even the Pool Deck was used for dance workshops.

Pool Deck party with a dance workshop INSIDE the swimming pool.

The theme for the night : Dare Devil.

Free for all, it was up to the guest to interpret the definition of what to wear for Dare Devil theme. Most came with devils’ horn, monsters masks, it’s almost like Halloween. Of course, the most interested costume was the “FLASHER” guy. Those that joined the cruise will understand what I meant. And those who didn’t, ask around. You’ll find out soon enough.

Right after dinner, guests were ushered to That’s Entertainment Theater for the Grand Finale Performance. Again, we would like to thank these artists for putting up their best performances and closed Salsa Cruise Asia 2009 event with a BANG.

Johnny Vazquez - Mexico
Francesco - Italy
Jamie Jesus - Australia
Kat Koulizakis - Australia
Lidia McMahon - Australia
Ulysses Maclaren - Australia
Kaytee Namgyal & Sahibal - India
Alexis and Katrin - Guatemala
Kadu & Larissa - Brazil
Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollmann - USA
Magna Gopal - USA
Gupson Pierre - Singapore
Tony & Dani - Italy
Jeamie & Fai - Malaysia
Fasilito & Emma - Malaysia
A&C Dance Group - Malaysia

Right after the performances, it was party time again at Anchors Aweigh Lounge and party was moved to Pool Deck and it only ended at 6:00am when Windjammers Cafe was opened for breakfast.

Day Six
By 7:00am, most of the guests were already up busy packing and checking out of the cruise. 9:00am, everyone is already out of the cruise ship on their way to their next destination.

SALSA CRUISE ASIA TEAM WOULD LIKE TO SINCERELY THANK ALL THE PARTICIPANTS AND ARTIST ALIKE WHO HAS SUPPORTED US FULLY THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EVENT. WE COULD NEVER HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU GUYS. Please bear with us on those inconvenient moments. We learn as we organize and we highly appreciate your feedback.

THANK YOU AGAIN AND HOPE TO SEE YOU ON OUR NEXT CRUISE IN JUNE 2010.

The largest pre-Salsa Cruise Asia party is coming soon! Book your date on 2nd October 2009 (Friday) and head to Salsa Havana KL.

Dance Performances by
- SalsaJay Ladies (SalsaJay Dance Academy - Malaysia)
- Thomaz (Inversion Crew)
- ECX Crew
- Rhythm Identity

Special Appearance : Meei Liew - Former Ms. Malaysia Fitness and current “Ms Fame Fitness - World Champion”.

Drink Choices :
Tequila
Vodka
Gin
Rum
Whiskey
Coke
Sprite

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28412842566&ref=mf#/event.php?eid=133029647035

A fellow member from the salsa community, Muna Nazri has been struggling to cope with news of cancer affecting one of the members in her family. Her father is suffering from Prostate Cancer Gleason 9-Bone Cancer which requires intensive medical treatment in order to fight it. To make matters worse she was just hospitalized for complications in the kidneys.

Salsa Cruise Asia, together with El Habanero is organizing this Salsa party to raise funds to help Muna.As a member of the community, we try to extend our assistance in any way possible to help our peers. The management of El Habanero has generously offered to contribute 50% of the cover charge to Muna. And to top it off, they will also contribute 10% of their earnings for the day to her as well.

You can help too. Please extend this invitation to your students and friends.

El Habanero Cuban Bar is located in CapSquare Kuala Lumpur. FREE PARKING is avaliable BEHIND the club. Click here for details on club and how to get there …

You’ve just recently found out about this wonderful activity called Salsa and you just can’t seem to get enough of it. Suddenly you like everything that is Latin American. El Cantante is your favorite movie. You know about Tito Puente. And somebody told you that you might be addicted to Salsa. And you begin to wonder….

Well, wonder no more. Run through the 101 signs below.

If you can relate to at least 1 sign below, you have minor Salsaholism issues.

If you can relate to at least 2 signs below, you have major Salsaholism issues.

If you can relate to 3 or more signs below, you are DEFINITELY A SALSAHOLIC!!!

1. You vividly remember your first experience with salsa and the date it happened.

2. You take naps during lunch because you went dancing last night.

3. You never listen to the radio anymore because all you listen to are salsa CDs/cassettes.

4. You cruise downtown blasting salsa music.

5. You go to a hip hop/dance club and you find yourself trying to find the beat of the clave.

6. You try your salsa moves in the hip hop/dance club with somebody that has never partner danced.

7. You dance in your dreams.

8. Salsa lessons/club cover fees are now a permanent part of your monthly expenses.

9. You say you are going shopping for a new business outfit, but you are secretly salsa shopping.

10. Your boyfriend/girlfriend does not understand the “strictly plutonic” relationship you have with your salsa partner because you simply cannot wait until you practice with him/her again.

11. You watch anything that deals with body movement (i.e. karate, gymnastics, figure skating, ballet) because you are trying to devise a new salsa move.

12. Everything you do leads back to salsa.

13. You sing songs with words you don’t even understand.

14. You are the only non-latino in the Musica Latina section.

15. You practice your turns when no one is looking.

16. You lightly dance your basic when you are waiting for something or when no one is looking.

17. People do not know you are secretly practicing your footwork when they are speaking with you on the phone.

18. You quit watching TV.

19. You convince yourself you can get by on 3-4 hours sleep per night.

20. Would rather have salsa than sex.

21. Salsa IS sex.

22. You have lost about 10 lbs. from dancing so much.

23. You have searched and found EVERY club in town.

24. You start spending more on salsa clothes than work clothes.

25. You’ve considered getting a different/easier day job to co-exist with your salsa dancing.

26. Friday nights are off limits for any events because you just CANNOT miss your salsa night.

27. You can’t buy enough salsa music/clothes/shoes.

28. All your “former” friends have now abandoned you.

29. You don’t even miss your “former” friends, as long as you have your salsa!

30. You argue about how salsa should be danced.

31. You have met all new (better and more permanent) friends.

32. Your friends and family do not understand what you are ranting and raving about.

33. You dump your boyfriend/girlfriend because he/she is getting in the way of your salsa training.

34. When you say, “I need my FIX for the week.” you are not referring to drugs.

35. You cannot convince any of your friends to come with you.

36. You start talking 100 mph just because someone shows an interest that you like to dance salsa.

37. You went to a salsa congress and had an information overload.

38. You used to be humble and shy, but now you just have to show off every chance you get.

39. You go on vacation and instead of looking forward to seeing the main attraction, you just cannot wait until you check out the local salsa clubs.

40. You extend your vacation a few days, just so you can check out a local club.

41. You watch the MTV music awards and you don’t recognize any of the new groups/singers because you never listen to that music anymore.

42. You are on the web all day long visiting salsa web sites.

43. You started working out again because you have to be in shape to wear those salsa outfits.

44. Your shoes are worn out from spinning so much.

45. You start clearing space in your room so you can dance salsa there.

46. You listen to Marc Anthony and start crying.

47. You cannot imagine life without salsa.

48. You start changing your screen names to “Salsa-this” or “Salsa-that”.

49. You are pondering getting a license plate with “Salsa” somehow in it.

50. You sneak to your car during working hours just so you can listen to a few salsa tunes.

51. You are a writer/columnist and all you think about is writing about salsa.

52. You pray at night and thank God for creating salsa.

53. You install wooden floors in your house because you prefer them over carpet (Yeah right!).

54. You get stopped (at work, in a grocery store, in the mall, etc.) by random people telling you that they have seen you dance.

55. The only time you rest in the club is during the merengue breaks.

56. You can only stand merengue for a few songs.

57. You are on that eternal search for those perfect shoes.

58. Nobody wants to go shopping with you because all you talk about is how that would look so good in the salsa club.

59. You are in church listening to the sermon, but secretly you are dancing in your head.

60. You get desperate to practice and you dance with an “imaginary” partner.

61. You realize that the only thing you have done for the past few months is go salsa dancing every weekend and you feel you still haven’t gotten enough.

62. You realize that the only thing you have done for the past few YEARS is go salsa dancing every weekend and you feel you still haven’t gotten enough.

63. For your birthday, you ask for something related to salsa (i.e. lessons, new shoes, new outfit).

64. For your birthday, your friends buy you something related to salsa.

65. You get a few friends together and the first thing that comes to mind is casino rueda.

66. You are looking for a wedding dress that you can dance salsa in.

67. You use to have other hobbies.

68. You have chronic knee and back problems from all the dips, flips, and tricks.

69. You start wearing tight t-shirts.

70. You try to pass your addiction onto your other friends.

71. You walk into the club and everyone there is like family to you.

72. You have experienced at least one time when you overexerted yourself on the dance floor.

73. Your idea of a good first date is to go salsa dancing.

74. Heaven is having lots of space on the dance floor.

75. You take something that has no relevance to salsa dancing, but somehow you manipulate the conversation to end with salsa.

76. Your skirt keeps getting shorter and shorter.

77. Hell is a place where there is no salsa.

78. Your password is SALSAFREAK.

79. You have engaged in fisticuffs with another dancer over the “one” and the “two”.

80. You decide that going out salsa dancing is more important than studying for that big exam.

81. You lie to your boss and tell him/her the reason you have to fly to Los Angeles /New York/ Miami or Puerto Rico is strictly for business.

82. You get caught by your boss surfing SALSAWEB during working hours.

83. You did the “death-drop” move and never came back up.

84. You leave the club at 3 a.m., completely tired from dancing all night, and you get stopped by the cops because you were swerving on the road. When the cop asks you to perform the “walk”, you start busting out your salsa.

85. You decide the only man/woman you will marry has to be a salsa dancer.

86. One of your pet peeves are cumbia dancers.

87. Your family coat-of-arms features a couple salsa dancing.

88. Club owners hate you because you go to the club and all you do is drink the free water.

89. (Salseras only)You practice day/night with your partner and when you go to the clubs together, he goes dancing with all the different women and you never get asked.

90. You become jealous when watching your dance partner, whom you have no relations with, dance with another person.

91. You bust out some salsa solo moves when waiting in line to use the restroom.

92. You have salsa music on your answering machine.

93. You sing salsa songs in the shower.

94. You and your friend/partner dance in the oddest places (i.e. grocery store, mall, gym, work, etc.).

95. After you break up with your boyfriend/girlfriend, you go out salsa dancing.

96. Your neighbors are wondering what the hell that is you are playing.

97. You check SALSAWEB’s partner search everyday.

98. You own at least 2-3 salsa instructional videos.

99. You were already dancing salsa while in your mother’s womb.

100. You do your leg workout earlier in the week so you can have “fresh” legs for your salsa weekend.

101. “Wepa!” is now part of your vocabulary.

- Author Unknown -

Salsa in its elemental form is danced to four beats using three steps, each one beat long. The remaining beat can either be tagged onto the end of the preceding step (resulting in a quick-quick-slow count), or can contain an adorning movement, called a highlight. Steps can be traveling or on the spot; a bit like groovy walking three paces at a time with a pause thrown in. Walk like that to time and you’re dancing salsa.

Its very simplicity underlies its extreme flexibility; the sheer amount of personal choice. Just as you can walk in any direction you choose, so you can dance salsa on the spot, in straight lines, or in turning paces. The remaining beat can be highlighted with a tap, kick or pause. Note: A step is when you put your foot down and move your weight onto it (foot placement with weight transfer), a tap is when you put your foot down but don’t move your weight onto it (foot placement without weight). In many Latin countries, couples even choose which beat they would like to dance on, and it need not necessarily be the first beat.

All this might sound like rhythmic anarchy and it would be, were it not for one vital constraint. Salsa music and its progenitors has always been music for dancing. Its cooperative heritage has engendered a belief, in Latin America at least, that everyone else has an equal right to enjoyment on the dance floor. This alone prevents outbreaks of destructive mayhem. Instead this attitude (especially towards one’s partner) welds the forces of spontaneity, individuality and musicality together to form the atmosphere that Latin music is renowned for.

Just as the music has maintained its vitality by absorbing other influences, so has the dance. Apart from other Latin dances like the merengue and cumbia (which the term salsa sometimes encompasses), salsa bears some marked similarities with lindy-hop, swing and hustle. It has even proved capable of absorbing elements of ballroom Latin dance and Argentine tango. Quite astounding.

Flavours of Salsa

The way salsa is danced varies significantly depending where you’re from and how you’ve learnt it. In the main, Salseros from different backgrounds can still dance with each other, at least at a basic level. British salsa is primarily anchored around the back basic, turns are executed on the second beat after a “wind-up” movement on beat one and are biased anticlockwise. North American salsa is built around the Latin basic and many early combinations contain turns to the right. Salsa from the Caribbean and Latin America is presented more commonly as a walk, resulting in a much more circular in movement and the turns being slower. Within this are the main stereotypes of the Cuban and Colombian style, that is having an action that digs deeper into the floor or one that travels lighter above it respectively.

Before we lose our sense of perspective, these generalizations are mean to demonstrate the richness of the dance, not to typecast. Bear in mind that individual styles also vary within regions, so adopting a “definitive” style of salsa and trying to squeeze your students into it would be an amusingly futile gesture.

The Problem with Learning

People born and raised in a Latin American culture acquire salsa in a passive learning process; through constant immersion. It is my opinion that they come to understand the dance differently: as a series of walks instead of individual moves.

For those who are not fortunate enough to have this opportunity (like myself), we have to learn it instead. As mentioned before, early learning tends to occur best in a structure. To this end you will often find salsa being taught as a series of steps and moves because it is more meaningful to the student. But at some point, a different teaching angle should be used to offer the student an opportunity to look at the dance through a native dancer’s eyes, thereby offering the student the best of both worlds. Often the final process is not carried out, either because its importance is overlooked, or because it is easier for the teacher to carry on in the old manner regardless.

A Little Comment About Leading and Following

Social dancing in couples is mainly a phenomenon of Western European culture. By social dance I mean one that has structure but is not executed in the form of routines i.e. basic rules which once understood allows two individuals to dance together and flexibly determine their choreography, even if they had never met before. This demands that each move element of the dance possess a unique identifying start signal. Initiation of the signal and compliance with it results in the coordinated execution of the move element by both partners.

When a couple takes to the dance floor, both partners cannot initiate at the same time, neither can they both comply. Therefore one partner initiates and the other complies. This is known as leading and following respectively. Traditionally the lead role has been assumed by men and the following by women, although this has begun to change: where women are forced to lead due to a dearth of men, and because the social roles of both genders are being redefined.

The lead (known as la marca meaning “the mark” in Argentine Tango) for a move can take a variety of forms, usually presenting itself as a change in pressure (increase/decrease) at the points of partner contact, or in the body position of the leader relative to the follower. The most elegant leads are clear and considerate to the follower without being obvious to the casual on-looker. The challenge to the follower, in choosing to comply with the signal, is in finding ways of self-expression whilst dancing within its constraints.

Consequently salsa demands the abilities of lead and follow of its dancers in order for it to be executed on our latter-day club floors in a social context.

This is that daunting question. You have paid your dance class fee, you can count up to eight and you have danced with 15 fellow students without their suffering a broken toe or nausea. Now the class has ended and it’s a jungle out there!!

The question “Would you like to dance?” is seen by a majority of women as one that men should ask. And, as it is men who are expected to lead the dance, it is very daunting to go from attending lessons to being confident enough to ask a stranger.

Here are some tips and observations to ease this transformation:

1) Do the lessons and learn it. If not satisfied try other teachers and see which one suits you.

2) Chat to your fellow students. They are probably as nervous as you, and will almost certainly dance with you later on.

3) If you are asking an experienced dancer, explain that you are a beginner. Some will turn their noses up - they will die bitter, sad and friendless. The majority will be sympathetic and give you tips as you dance.

4) Always thank your partner for the dance, even if it was grim.

5) If you see two or more women together, ask “Would either of you like to dance?”. If the dance is not a complete disaster, you are almost certain to get a dance with the remaining friend’s.

6) Don’t grope. Any downward sliding of your right hand from your partner’s back is likely to result in ostracism and purgatory!

7) You’re refused! The nightmare scenario! You should not feel that this is your fault. Turning down a civil request to dance is plain rudeness. Some answers are common and can be countered with a little encouragement or gentle humor:

a) “I’m only a beginner” - reply with “Weren’t we all!”

b) “I’m not very good” - reply with “I’m not inquiring about you morals!”

c) “No” - reply with “Which leg is broken?” or “Is it my shirt/flares/after shave?” Remember that you’re the one who’s making the effort here and summoning up all the courage. Occasionally I’ve been so irritated with a haughty refusal that I’ve answered back with “Why are you here then?” or “I’m sorry - this is a dance club - the Library’s round the corner!”. I’ll leave this kind of response up to your judgment.

Above all, if you smile, are well-mannered and clean, most women will tolerate a lack of dancing prowess, and if you’re a keen student and enjoy a variety of dance partners, your transformation from Salsa virgin to Juan Travolta will be rapid!

- Steve Hill

This is one of the most common questions that I hear from newcomers. All regulars know that the answer is an emphatic NO!!

You can go on your own!

One of the reasons for Salsa’s popularity is men and women can do this without worry. It’s much less partner-oriented than other types of dancing. Many women find it difficult to ask men to dance. Whilst I have no sympathy for this socially-retarded behaviour (there, that should stir things up!), I have these tips for those wanting to enjoy a level of dancing activity that could only be described as promiscuous! If you’re too shy to ask:

1) Do the lesson.

2) Chat to your fellow students. They will ask you to dance when the conversation moves from mortgage rates and the weather.

3) Stand by the dance floor, on your own, sway with the music and smile!

4) Never refuse a dance - if exhausted, arrange to do it later. Refuseniks are as popular as a sausage roll at a Bar Mitzvah and are soon boycotted!

5) Ask guys who’ve already asked you to dance earlier.

6) If anyone is too gropey (very rare), just walk away from them mid-song. It’s their problem and they should sort it out.

- Steve Hill