Song of the Week Update (sorry for the delay)

Sorry for the delay in Song of the Week section. I've been working on a new music player and new method for posting songs for you to listen to. (No its not ready) but I decided to take some time and change the salsa song – so check it out if you haven't noticed the update already.

The Evil DJ by Evil DJ Sal S. Amambo (Really Funny)

This article is one of the best ways to learn how not to be an EVIL DJ. Great job Mr. Will Pagan. 

"The Evil DJ" By Evil DJ Sal S. Amambo (Written by Will Pagán)

Source and Full Article: http://www.williefuego.com/evildj.html

DISCLAIMER The following article is entirely fictional. No particular real-life DJ was considered in writing this work. Any resemblance to a DJ, club owner, social organizer or party manager known to you is completely coincidental. The evil DJ Sal S. Amambo is a fictional character comprised of many of the worst qualities in DJ-ing I have born witness to throughout my salsa career and throughout my many salsa travels (e.g. NC, NY, DC, LA, ATL, etc.). The name Sal S. Amambo, in it's many forms (e.g. Dr. Sal S. Amambo, DJ Sal S. Amambo, etc.) is a ficticious name that I use to represent all that is evil and bad about salsa and the salsa scene worldwide.

INTRODUCTION I am the evil salsa DJ, Sal S. Amambo… Tremble before my wrath. The villainy of my DJ'ing knoweth no bounds. So proud am I of my talents at ruining salsa parties and events that I am compelled to share with you my methods, such that you can truly appreciate the genius of my contemptuousness. I come in many forms. I could be spinning the records at your local club, at your social, at your private party… I could also be several places at once. The destructive might of my many salsa event tactics are only matched by the omnipresence thereof….

 

 READ THE REST HERE

 

Review: Flava Invasion 2007

My  perspective

I've been dancing salsa for almost a year now. I was a very slow learner at first, but the last few months I have gotten a lot better and I would consider myself an intermediate dancer, at least before this weekend. I usually dance LA on1…I have a few weeks experience with casino rueda, and a few workshops worth of experience with NY on2.

Performances

The performances started late both nights (90 minutes and 60 minutes or so for each night). That was understandable since this was the first event ever of this magnitude in Atlanta, but it was especially disappointing on Saturday night because it only left time for the band to play 1 set.  The quality of the performances was amazing. Juan Matos did an *amazing* footwork performance along with Marco Ferrigno. While all the performances were great, my personal favorites were the two by the Masacote dance company. The first night they did an amazing routine to Mambo Gallego by Tito Puente, and on Saturday they performed "5 Beat Mambo", a routine danced to original mambo music written by Joel Masacote in 5/4 time. Overall, these were some of the most original and exciting performances I have ever seen.  I'll post a link to video of the performances in the forums as soon as I have them.

The performance above is titled "The Cipher", by La Oscuridad – Gordon Neil, Shaka Brown, Sekou McMiller, Leon Rose, and PsyonMaurico Scott. The song is "The Hustler" by Willie Colon.

Workshops

Flava invasion had a very good selection of workshops. My personal favorite was Milton Cobo's workshop. We learned a very good pattern that I was mostly able to pick up, despite my lack of on2 experience, and at the end, he gave some very good general tips that explained his smooth style. I also got a lot out of Magna's spinning workshop, I was actually quite surprised at how in depth she was in an hour workshop. There was a lot of explanation, and a lot of drills that will be very useful in developing spinning technique.

Juan Matos had an amazing footwork workshop with a lot of afro cuban influence as well. The only on1 workshop I attended by Leon Rose was also very useful and entertaining.  Anna and Joel Massicot also gave a very good workshop on musicality and choreography. While most of the information wasn't new to me as a former musician, I think it was explained very well and is knowledge that every dancer should have. To end Saturday, there was a workshop by Bachata Greg that was very popular. I have no idea how the Sunday workshops went since I was so exhausted from Fri/Sat that I slept all day Sunday…

Parties

Although the parties started late due to the previously mentioned delays in the performances, they were the best dance parties Atlanta has ever seen. The quality of dancing was so amazing that I really started to feel like a beginner again. There were 4 different dance floors, and the selection of music was great, although I personally prefer DJs who have breaks in between songs, which wasn't the case for these DJs. The band was fantastic, I have seen them several times before and they always put on a good show. However, they only played for about an hour since everything got started so late.

Other

There were a few vendors on hand at the event, but I was upset that the only shoe vendor sold only women's shoes. Beside that shoe vendor, there were a few groups selling dance DVDs.

 
Although I am a big fan of Gordon Neil and I usually find him very entertaining, the MCing in this event tended to go on a lot longer then necessary. For example, it took them about half an hour on Saturday night to hand out two simple awards, one of which I could not see the relevance for, as it was given to a dancer that has no ties to Atlanta that I know about, even if she is really amazing.

 
Overall

There were quite a few organizational issues, but it was not enough to ruin the event, and I expect it all to be fixed for next year's version. With the amazing performances, social dancing, and workshops, Flava Invasion was a great success!

 

Salsa Vintage : Roberto Roena in Noche De Gala!

Now, I love old salsa clips and videos. Again, for those who don't know me, its mainly because I sort of re-live my childhood (and also get to see what I missed out when I wasn't into salsa). I feel that my salsa passion came later on in life even though the existence was always in my life. (kind of like a religious experience, on how you finally realize that God exists and just something changes you personally – please no hate mail). Anyways, this is from the old show called Noche De Gala which they used to air in Puerto Rico on channel 2 (now known as Telemundo own by NBC). This clip is from the 70s that guest stars the master Roberto Roena! (Sorry for the audio quality, but still enjoy it – relive the moment)!

Puerto Rican Power @ Chicago Salsa Congress 2007

Well, for those who missed the great salsa congress in Chicago this year (2007) – and this includes me, here is a cool clip of the famous band called Puerto Rican Power that performed in one of the nights at the congress. If you are a fan of Puerto Rican Power's music, well I hope you went because its always MUCH better listening to them (and dancing) when they play their music live. Its amazing!

The Cobo Body Movement

I'd like to thank Josh for the clip. This is from the 2007 Chicago Salsa Congress. I'm a big fan of the Cobo brothers and their body movement style. It was actually Milton Cobo that got me thinking about smoothing out my salsa patterns and footwork – and as you can see, the footwork that he teaches here is very simple, but with a lot of upper body movement. Again, I recommend any chance you have to take one of their classes. Enjoy!

 

Geoffrey Spain and Limari Cora at the 2007 Chicago Salsa Congress!

Well, this might be one of those days where I cry out of happiness! I finally got to see (through video, sorry I couldn't make it Geoff) one of my best friends perform a salsa routine at a 2007 Chicago Salsa Congress. Geoffrey Spain started dancing with me in Ames, Iowa (Iowa State University) back in Feb 18th, 2000. It is funny to think back now, because at first one of the reasons we started dancing was because it was the only way to meet (cough..cough..) people since we were too young to go to the bars – but old enough to go to a Latin club called Boheme which might have played 3-4 salsa songs the whole night. It is amazing to think, how when we first started, that this thing called 'salsa' would change our lives forever. This also reminds me of the time Geoff and I went to our first salsa congress (it was Chicago Salsa Congress 2005) and talked to ourselves dreaming on someday being up on stage at a salsa congress and performing a routine! I am extremely happy for them and very proud that he made his dream come true. I only wish I had video of Geoff in his 'early stages' of salsa, so you can compare him now – so it can give everyone inspiration that you can become as good as Geoff: we all go through hard work to get where we are at. Congratulations to Geoff and Limari again – great performance! (and song choice).

If you'd like to send a message to Geoff, he's on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/gspain

More Congress Pros – Magna & Jareau

Toronto Salsa Congress

Cuban Cousins, Vive Dominica, Birth Of Bachata

It is always appropriate to discuss anything in the realm of salsa in the context of things coming together. The term ‘salsa’ is often used as a generalization referring to several specific and distinct Latin dance styles and musical forms including bachata, merengue, reggaeton and salsa. Even these individual dances have aggregate roots. For example, the bachata is characterized audibly by its especially rapid and hypnotic guitar runs. The dance it invokes is often characterized by a quick flick of the hip before changes in direction. The strong pathos of bachata lyrics is explained by the fact that it wasn’t initially viewed as danceable music and even now dancers encountering the sound of bachata for the first time are often at a loss as to how to move to it. In a different musical era (the 1960’s) when nightspots were being bombarded with all things Cuban, bachata fought to distinguish itself as a romantic music instead of just another guitar-driven dance form like the guaracha its close Cuban cousin. As it turns out guaracha has all but vanished from popular dance floors except through its unmistakable similarities to bachata. But to be accurate I must mention that bachata is also a collection of rhythms and melodic tendencies found in Mexican rancheros, Puerto Rican plena and the Dominican merengue as well. The is attributed with having spawned the music to begin with. The term Bachata translates to a variation of fun, merriment, or spree and was used as the name for parties and gatherings with family, friends and live music. Since then Bachata has endured several changes in the social climate of its homeland. Its lyrical content widened to include what some might list as the negative aspects of today’s pop, and hip-hop but there is never a lack of deeply sentimental romantic tracks to balance it out. Even musically, the bachata has changed with the times. Its most notable innovation was made popular by an artist named Blas Durán in the mid 1980’s who introduced bachata to the electro acoustic guitar and vice versa. Bachata is without a doubt the most intimate of the dances I’ll discuss. It is avidly enjoyed by endearing couples and connoisseurs of synchronized hip movement worldwide.

Some key attributes of being a great Salsa DJs / VJ

Since we've all been to a few parties by now; there are some things we begin to notice that determine how good a time we will get for our money. This post just deals with characteristics of great DJs. These are just three things that I think great DJs always do at salsa dances.

Playing Music For The Dancers

These guys know that most of the people don't come to sit. These DJs play the music that keeps the dancefloor packed.

Letting The Songs End Completely

For these types of parties, great DJs know that the songs need to have an end. It can be frustrating when one song gets mixed into another and the couples just keep dancing. Sure…. they can just stop dancing, but a lot of people I've talked to find it awkward to stop in the "middle" of a song. I think there is a fear of seeming rude. When the song ends, people can say thank you and part ways, or make a joint decision to stay on the floor. Either way, there is no miscommunication.

Giving The Dancers Variation (fast, slow, etc.)

For me this applies to the salsa selections made by the DJ. Everyone has a different mix of their favorite songs (old school, new school, fast, slow, etc.). Varying the genre and speed of salsa songs during the night gives everyone a chance to enjoy the music in their own way on the floor.

I hope that others will post their opinions about what makes a great party; whether it be DJs, dance space, lighting, etc. I think anybody organizing a latin dance event will either benefit from the feedback and/or see how things that may seem so small can make such a big difference. Thanks for reading and keep dancing.

Salsa by Burju Hurturk, Fernando, Juan Matos, etc.

You should watch this video until the very end – it has 'Golden Moments'. This is Burju Hurturk dancing at the West Coast Salsa Congress in 2004 at 4am with Fernando from Tropical Gem, another Tropical Gem dancer, Juan Matos, and Vitico. Note how they spin on asphalt with Burju wearing cowboy boots and Fernando wearing rubber-soled sandals. So, if you ever complain that you can't spin well on carpet — its not the carpet, its you.