“Feature-Length movie filmed in Greenville, SC premieres Friday, Aug 29

Submitted by Lynne Anne Merrill • August 11, 2008

August 29, Friday, an EXTRAORDINARY experience will take place in Greenville, SC EXCLUSIVELY at Bongos Nightclub! Latin dancers of Mambo, Salsa, and the general public are invited to come WATCH the movie showing of “La Epoca – The Palladium Era” – a film about the roots behind the umbrella term “Salsa,” and its affects on the generations of musicians and dancers that have followed since its conception. Come and sit side-by-side with some of the film’s cast members – and meet, up close and personal – the producers of the film! The film uncovers who the inventor of the mambo rhythm was and how Latin music and dance have become what they are, today.
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This movie is jammed-packed with Latin dancing, original Latin music, black and white footage of the Palladium-era during the 1950’s and AMAZING information!!

“La Epoca,” a feature-length documentary-film, is about the evolution of Latin music and dance from the Palladium-era (1948-1970) to present day. The film covers in-depth detail regarding the controversy over dancing “on 1” versus dancing “on 2,” Mambo versus Salsa, and the film focuses heavily on the controversy over the the umbrella term “Salsa” and its affects on the musicians and dancers since the conception of the word’s use to describe Latin music.

The film features music and rhythms that are very rarely heard in present day. Producers welcome all walks of life to view the movie and to live INSIDE the memories and experiences of the high-profile LEGENDARY musicians and dancers who appear in the film, such as “Cuban Pete,” Charlie Rodriguez and Agustin Caraballoso and many others.

Very well-known are the names of Celia Cruz and Tito Puente – but how many times have you heard of the musicians who made THEM sound so good?

What makes this evening SO special is that a portion of the movie was ACTUALLY FILMED AT this SAME location earlier this year – and many of the dancers who were filmed – do appear in the movie – and some will be present to watch the movie! Greenville residents Erica Roldan, Mariana Rodon and Jonathan Zapata were among those filmed at Bongos in May this year for this very film.

Watch and listen to the musicians who were among the legends that USHERED IN all of the Latin music and rhythms that, in present day, have been meshed together – all under one umbrella term: “Salsa.””

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Well I am so happy to announce that Bryant Lopez from Tango Soul will be teaching our first ever Argentine Tango class in our new studio at Empress Walk. I first met Bryant when Evan surprised me last Valentine’s Day 2007 with a private Argentine Tango class – it was so much fun. Very different from salsa but just as fun and exciting. I loved Bryants passionate and intense teaching style and hoped that one day he would be able to teach a class for us. So to make things short, beginning Thursday June 12th at 9pm, Bryant will be teaching a 9 week class that will focus on the dance basics including technique, leading, following and footwork.

Just like salsa there are some discrepancies and arguments as to the history of Argentine Tango but we do know the dance originated in Buenos Aires. Here is a short history lesson for those interested from a website I found online called argentinepolo.

“Although there are many legends and stories about the origins and development of tango, I will attempt to give an outline that is broadly accepted, and I have picked up from a variety of sources. Tango is a dance and music that originated in Buenos Aires at the turn of the century, developing in the melting pot of cultures that was Buenos Aires. Immigrants from Europe – Italy, Spain, Britain, Poland, Russia, Germany and every other European country mixed with earlier generation of settlers of all races from other South American countries. They brought their native music and dances with them, and continued to assimilate new innovations from abroad. Traditional polkas, waltzes and mazurkas were mixed with the popular Habanera from Cuba to form a new dance and music, the milonga, which was popular in the 1870s . This was known as the “poor man’s Habanera”. The word tango was used at the time to describe various music and dance, for example the “tango andaluza” from Spain in the 1880s. The black population had their dances, the candombe, a mix of many different african traditions, and the place they danced and the dance itself have also been referred to as tango.”

Can’t wait to get started! Registration is open for this class so register soon by clicking here to secure your spot!

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This is the second helper party at our place and I think it is going to become tradition to move all our furniture, blast the salsa music and dance the night away. The Dance-All-Night Award would probably go to John Radke and Emely Tapar – I don’t think I saw them stop dancing which is a good thing because the food and dessert tables were overflowing.

We also surprised Alfred for his 35th birthday. Nina dropped off a huge cake and decorations the day before and all the helpers hid upstairs and shocked poor Alfred. It was Alfred’ first surprise party and hopefully we didn’t scar him for life. Happy birthday Alfred!

Our next helper get-together is on March 15th. I am treating all the helpers to a snowtubing and dinner experience at Horseshoe Resort. Should be a blast – photos to come!

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Reshma Ramjattan, a regular guest writer for my blog, went to see Feel the Noise this weekend and has written a review for you all to check out. I also went to see the movie over the weekend – my review is definitely different so I will write my thoughts tomorrow and allow you to see a couple of different reviews of the movie.

Enjoy!

Feel the Noise Review by Reshma Ramjattan

“Hey everyone,

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving long weekend. I had a chance to check out Feel The Noise on Monday and it was really good.

Jennifer Lopez produced it and Omarion from the R&B group B2K is one of the main stars. The movie is about the rise of reggaeton music in today’s society and its Puerto Rican roots. Omarion’s character Rob is an aspiring hip-hop artist and he moves from New York to San Juan to live with his estranged father. There he meets his half brother Javi, who is an online DJ. Javi introduces Rob to reggaeton and takes him out to a few clubs. Rob hadn’t heard of this type of music before because all he had known was hip-hop, being from the streets. Rob immediately falls in love with the music and he and Javi decide to collaborate their individual music styles and talent to hopefully get signed to a record deal. Along the way Rob meets Javi’s friend C.C., an aspiring dancer, and they all help each other follow their own paths and believe in their dreams.

The thing I loved most about this movie was the dancing and the music. The club scenes made me want to go dancing right after the movie was done. I went to see it with my cousin and we were both dancing in our seats the whole time. I’ve always loved reggaeton, but I didn’t realize how popular it was. After seeing this movie, I saw just how big of a sensation it is, not just in Puerto Rico but everywhere. And the nice thing about this genre of music is that, like salsa, you don’t have to be Latin or speak Spanish to appreciate and enjoy it. It’s all about the rhythm and how it makes you feel.

The one thing I didn’t like about this movie was that, at the beginning, it seemed a lot like other dance movies I had seen before. An underprivileged kid from the ghetto is an aspiring musician looking to be a big star; he/she gets into trouble and someone rescues them and they turn their life around etc. But I quickly realized that this movie was different; it was really about the love and passion for the music and how it impacts peoples’ lives.

The thing I love about music is that it unifies mankind. No matter what race, religion or age you are and regardless of where you come from, everyone can enjoy the same music and dance to the same song. I think that was the biggest message in the movie. At the beginning, Rob didn’t know anything outside of his own surroundings in NY. All he knew was hip-hop. But by the end of the movie, he had found a new love for reggaeton although he didn’t speak a word of Spanish.

I definitely think Feel The Noise is worth checking out and I know you’ll find yourself dancing during the movie. I really liked it and I think you will too.”

The post Reshma’s Review of Feel the Noise appeared first on Toronto Dance Salsa.

Press Release

For Immediate Publication
Contact: Blanca Lasalle
Creative Link Inc.
212.684.6001 ext. 101
blanca@creativelinkny.com

World Salsa Athletes Compete at Disney
Dancers from 40 countries will dance-off for the title of World Salsa Championship

New York, NY – September 27, 2007 – This December, athletes from over 40 countries will convene at Walt Disney World to dance-off for the title of World Salsa Champion. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, located at Walt Disney World Resort©, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., will be the host site for the Third World Salsa Championships from December 12 through 16. The competition will be broadcast by ESPN International and Transworld International, under the direction of noted producer Rob Beiner, winner of 12 EMMY awards.

“We are thrilled to be hosting an international event of this magnitude that also delivers world-class entertainment,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of Walt Disney World Minority Business Development. “Not to mention, our alliances with international organizations allow us to showcase Central Florida to multicultural businesses that will impact the region’s economy.”

Hailed as the Olympics of Salsa dancing, the World Salsa Championship gathers the winning couples and groups from different salsa competitions from Australia, Argentina, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Holland, Hong-Kong, Italy, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Peru, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, UAE, United States, Puerto Rico and Venezuela to defend their titles in their respective divisions.

The four main divisions dominating this enclave of professional athletic-dancers are those of the LA style “On 1” emphasizing the first beat of the music; the NY style “On 2” emphasizing the second beat of the music; “Cabaret” which combines Salsa dancing with tricks, cartwheels, and flips; and “Team” where 6 or more dancers, up to 20 at once, perform at the same time.

Cultivating this worldwide Salsa dance movement is Salsa connoisseur Albert Torres who has managed to create a world dance championship with a culminating event for professional and amateurs alike.

The Third Annual World Salsa Championship will pay tribute to the legendary Palladium Days including rhythms and music of The Big Three Orchestras in three consecutive evenings (playing Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez and Machito) and culminating with a tribute to the FANIA All Star. The Grand Opening will feature music by the legendary group El Gran Combo, nominated to the 2007 Latin Grammy edition.

About the World Salsa Championship and Salsa Seven Salsa Championship was organized by a group of salsa lovers under the leadership of salsa celebrity Albert Torres. The “Salsa Seven” group is committed to producing the most memorable music and dance event in the history of salsa. Salsa Seven is deeply committed to educating the public about this wonderful Latin rhythm we call salsa. Other members of the Salsa Seven Inc. include salsa promoters Leo Tizol and Willie Torres.

About Rob Beiner.
Beiner has produced or directed more than 2,000 live, cable or pay-per-view sports and entertainment broadcasts in leading television networks, such as ABC Sports, CBS, NBC Sports, USA Network and ESPN. His successful career as producer and director includes broadcasts of seven Olympic Games, important boxing championships such as the Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield match, NCAA basketball and football games, Comedy Central and the Kentucky Derby.

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Preparing For Your Private Lesson

By: Evan Carmichael

In order to get the most from your private lesson it is important to prepare in advance what you are need help with.

Most students take a private lesson for one of two reasons – either to catch up on a lesson that they missed or clean up and work on a particular part of their dancing.

In either case, before coming to your instructor you should analyze your dancing and think about the areas you want to improve in. Here are some of the factors you might want to consider:

• Was there a move in class that you had a particularly hard time learning?
• Would you like to improve your styling skills?
• Do you need help with leading / following the different moves?
• Would you like to learn a new, more advanced turn pattern?
• Can you pick up the beats in the music and dance on time?

You should go in to your private lesson with at least one thing that you would like to improve on. You can also have your instructor dance with you at the beginning of the lesson and ask for his / her opinion about what you need to improve on. Getting this objective advice from an expert will only serve to make you a better dancer.

The more you prepare for your lesson the more likely you will get the specific help you need to take your dancing to the next level!

Good luck!

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