Seattle Rueda

It’s right about now that I’d be kicking myself if I hadn’t gone to Atlanta’s funtacular! 3-day Cuban party.  If you didn’t make it, you’ll have to suffer the gushing reports from Maritza, Barbara and the rest of us when we return.

The fun actually began Thursday night with a pre-party dance bash at Havana Club, where special guest DJ Dark Rum of San Francisco took over the turntable and tossed out the timba one after the other.  (I remember someone in a vinyl dress with lots of tuille.)  Friday’s party was held at Plaka, a Greek restaurant of all places, but apparently no stranger to the SalsAtlanta crowd, who parties there every week.  Wow!  The DJs had that shack on fire.  I’d be surprised if all the rumba pounding and hard casino didn’t damage the joists holding up the floor.  On one side we had DJ Cano spinning some of my favorite Bachata and Merengue.  On the other, working side-by-side were DJs P.A. Trix and Mr. Timba.  New Mexico meets Martinique.  What a combo.  The music was seamless, the energy endless and sitting down was not an option.  Ofer and I didn’t have the stamina, but word on the street is the party didn’t end until 6 a.m.  Next day I saw a few toothpicks propping up tired eyes, but the partying must go on!  And on it went Saturday night with dance performances and, yes!DJ Meloa, DJ Dark Rum andMr. Timba.  Agua!  If there are any regrets to 2010, not making this party would be top on the list.  If I’m lyin’, I’m dyin’.

A few words about the classes, because this aspect of the event was probably my favorite…after the partying…well, I can’t decide.  It was both.  It’s often difficult to take much away from workshops at large events like these, but the size of SalsAtlanta just might be the definition of event perfection.  If you’re overwhelmed by the enormity of San Francisco’s dancefest, then Atlanta is for you.  Not too big, not too small.  It’s just right.  There aren’t so many people on the dance floor that you’re dodging elbows, and the workshops aren’t so crowded that you’re stepping on the heels of participants in front of you.  The relative intimacy of the event also means you have the time and space to interact at length with participants and instructors.  Perhaps it’s just the South and it’s easy pace, but overall, I had the energy to do a full day’s workshop and party.  All weekend!  And that’s getting harder and harder to do after 40 ; )

Let me give a special shout out to Julian Mejia, SalsAtlanta’s organizer extraordinaire .  Do I have enough superlatives for this guy?  Ich no think so.  Julian did a phenomenal job of putting SalsAtlanta 2010 together.  There were a few unexpected glitches, but he managed them in a way that participants hardly noticed or cared.  Without Julian’s careful, meticulous planning (from the regular updates and communication with event participants, the organization of the event staff, the thoughtful considerations for transportation to the glorious line-up of instructors, DJs and performers, the beautifully designed event brochure, the t-shirts, the todo, todo, todo), we wouldn’t have had the experience we had.  Did I mention he can lead a mean suelta line with mojito in hand?  Now, where’s that gold medal?

For those of you who couldn’t make it, that’s too, too bad.  I can tell you now - start saving those coins.  You won’t want to miss next year.  Atlanta has got it goin’ on.

http://www.salsatlanta10.com/

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Anyone up for another trip north? We’re having a holiday Salsa Social this Friday, December 17. Starts with Bachata lesson (covering different moves from last time) at 8:30, then dancing to the best mix of salsa, cha cha, merengue, reggaeton, timba, and son till 11pm. It was so great to have you all last time, hope you can make it back!
Belltower Studio 1430 North Garden St.
$5 per person, all ages
Heather & Antonio

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Antonio Diaz will be teaching another set of workshops this Saturday at Belltown Dance Studio.
3:30-5pm Cuban Son (First half hour will be for those who did not attend the 12/3 workshop; 4-5pm will focus on intermediate level moves. Those who attended the 12/3 workshop can attend the review period free of charge.)
5-6pm Reggaeton
$15 for Son class pre-register; $18 at door
($12 and $15 for 4-5pm only)
$12 for Reggaeton class pre-register; $15 at door
See full details and register at

http://www.dancesalsaon1.com/workshops

Look forward to seeing you! Call Antonio at 360-595-7369 with any questions.

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Reporting in again. We went to Los Van Van’s third and final show in New York City at SOBs last night. We knew we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see them again–it was the right decision. Wednesday’s show was far superior to Monday’s in my opinion and Jenny was there, which gave the band a fuller feeling. (Her visa came in late.) It also contributed to a better vibe on stage.

Jenny of Los Van Van singing "Despues de todo"

At Monday’s show there was some apparent frustrations, and arrogance on the part of Mayito who played the super-star with sunglasses, arriving last on stage and leaving first. My feelings were affirmed by the New York Times review the next day. But at last night’s show, the band was more together, happy, and Mayito toned down…a bit.

They played again a mix of songs from the new album but a bunch of great hits. The highlights were “Despues de todo” sung by Jenny, “Que sorpresa” (aka ‘voy a publicar tu foto a prensa’) sung by Mayito, and “Anda ven y quiereme” (aka ‘el toque del an~o’) sung by Lele. The crowd was high off these songs, hands waving, camera/phones flashing, singing the coros, etc.

Los Van Van, Dec 8, 2010 at SOBS in New York City

Unfortunately, Juan Formell wasn’t there again last night…but as far as I understand his visa has arrived and he is in Miami and will be at the San Francisco shows. This news, coupled with the fact that the band is well warmed up in the US, the shows in San Francisco might well be the highlight of the tour, next to what might be the biggest show in Miami on the 17th. Those going to San Francisco this weekend are in for a big treat! Don’t miss it! ‘El tren’ is heading in your direction!

PS: Remember to look past the singers: don’t miss watching the violin player, Pedro Fajardo, who is a ton of fun, dancing and smiling while playing. And note some of the horn players have been with the band for years.

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Greetings Everyone

(I’m posting for Maritza)  Barbara and I are working on a Tshirt design for SeattleRueda. Here is the design, and the back side has UNA BULLA! THe black box around the art represents how it will look on a black shirt.

We found a great t-shirt printer here in Seattle called Snap Custom Clothing. They have good prices and can do small runs. If you want a shirt, please visit their website and choose a style, and size. The color should be black for all. You also have the option of bringing in your own shirt and having the design printed on that. Black please and no flamable material. You will still need to pay for the cost of the printing on your own shirt. (@$8 + tax)

The cost of each shirt with the printing on both sides (if you buy theirs) will be @ $20 – or less if you get a basic man’s T. Women can get tanks or  short sleeved.

Here are some styles to look at that we think are nice http://www.snapcustomclothing.com/

Womens

DT245 scoop neck    DT210  tank top   DT235  tank top

Mens

DT144  (has some style)  5170  Basic Hanes shirt  PC50 org  (organic cotton)

Please send your order to Maritza  sbdiva32@yahoo.com with which style using the codes above, or ones you want from their website, and SIZE you need. We will need to collect money at Rueda practice or Selean’s before we get the shirts. We want to order these soon so we can have them in time for the SanFrancisco Rueda Festival!

Maritza

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Greetings Everyone
I am working with Barbara on a T-shirt design for SeattleRueda. So Here is the T-Shirt design. In the back of it, It will say “Una Bulla!”
Barbara found a great T-shirt company in Westlake Center called Snap Custom Printing that have really good prices for T-shirts. You can decide what style you want. We picked a few. The T-shirt color must be black.  The cost of silkscreening is $2 per color, no extra set up fee.  So, the printing will be $8 which includes the back.  We can figure @ $20 per shirt if we purchase one with the print, plus tax.

Here are the styles to choose from:

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Returning Saturday December 11th for the holidays @ Selenas in Wallingford we are PROUD TO PRESENT —-
TUMBAO With CARLOS CASCANTE – El GRUPO COMPLETO – THE FULL BAND !!!
Carlos y Su Tumbao will play two long sets with DJ Baracoa spinning before, between and after that will make a great night for dancing. Tell your friends. It’s going to be packed !!
SALSA<SON<TIMBA<BACHATA<Y MAS
Free dance lesson @ 10PM!!!!! W/Carlos Lazo de Havana Cuba
The place is
Selenas Guadalajara
1715 N 45th ST Seattle WA ( next to Babalu’s)
Saturday Night 10PM – 2AM
21 w/ID $ 8 cover

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Picoso and DE CAJóN will be peforming at Nectar this Saturday, 12/11.   DE CAJóN is an Afro-Peruvian music/dance group, and will likely be joined by some special guests from Peru too:  decajonproject.blogspot.com  and picoso.net

DJ Thomas in between the sets spinning dance music: Timba, Reggaeton, Merengue, Salsa, Kompa, and more.

Starts 9pm, $8 adv. (21+)

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Hello Friends.

Los Van Van at SOBS in NYC, 6 Dec 2010

Yes, it happened after 14 years–Los Van Van played New York City last night. If you haven’t been following the tour–they were to begin in LA but due to visa issues that has been rescheduled so they began in Texas over the weekend and now in NYC will play tomorrow and Wednesday nights as well having played last night, and then head to San Francisco for shows there this weekend.

It was a great show, sold-out. They played songs from their newest album “Arrasando”, as well as a handful of oldies which we loved. (Juan Formell and Jenny were not present, we don’t know why, perhaps they will appear for other shows?)

Lele of Los Van Van

Roberton of Los Van Van

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