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September 22 Colombia TripCOLOMBIA TRIP WAS AMAZING! I just returned from an amazing trip to Colombia with Albert Torres for the Festival Mundial de la Salsa in Cali and I wanted to share the trip with you. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 I left Victoria for the start of my very long trip to Cali. Cleared customs in Seattle with no problems and got on an overnight flight to Dallas. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Landed in Dallas early and took another flight to Miami to meet up with everyone else travelling with the group. After WAY too long in each airport and WAY too many flights we got into Cali and were met at the airport by Albert Torres and some of the kids from the Nueva Dimension dance school. The kids were so cute! We took pictures and talked with them for a while before getting on a bus to the hotel. After making a second trip to the airport, the bus was supposed to come back and take us to a Salsa club, but the flights were delayed so after a long wait, some people decided to chance taking a cab to the club alone. I decided going to bed seemed like a much better idea... THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 This morning we went to a press conference where the Mayor got up and danced Salsa with everyone at the end and then it was the opening of the festival, broadcast live on TV with speeches and some amazing performances. Swing Guys from Italy and Billy & Katie performed as well as some of the Colombian groups (a solo dancer, an older couple, a kids group and 2 of the couples competing in the worlds). After that we went and visited 2 dance schools- Mulato & Su Swing Latino (the current world champions) and Nueva Dimension (a kids school). We got to see them both performing. At the kids school they have 5 groups 4-6, 7-9,10-12, 13-15, 16-18. All of them performed for us and it was AMAZING. The littlest kids brought tears to my eyes. Wait until you see the video of how much they LOVE it. They are amazing performers and it is definitely coming from the heart. The oldest kids teach and choreograph for all of the younger kids and the parent support is incredible. Some of the kids don't have have dance shoes because they cant afford them and they were performing in socks!! Albert was also telling us how some of the dancers from the other school cant afford a place to live so they sleep on mats at the studio. These guys are rehearsing about 8 hours a day 6 days a week...even the tiny kids!!! We went out dancing at a club and had a great time with all the locals. They are all SO nice. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 After a great breakfast at the hotel of tamales, plantain, fruit, traditional Colombian breads and more we went over to the Cultural Centre for a workshop with Victor & Burju from Hacha y Machete in Boston. Our visits to the other dance schools got cancelled because the schools felt it might be to disruptive to their final rehearsals for the competition. I was disappointed because seeing the schools was the main reason I came on the trip, but at least we visited 2. We had free time instead so we took our bus and went to an area with some artisan's shops. Lots of jewelery, wooden boxes, hammocks, purses, blankets, woven baskets, etc... This was the first night of competition with 10 couples competing On 1 and 51 couples competing in Cabaret and only 7 from each category moving to the finals. Here is how the competition was scored: Stage presence- 5 points Visual presentation (costumes, makeup etc)- 5 points Choreography- 30 points Creativity- 10 points Technique- 20 points Partnering- 20 points Timing- 5 points Difficulty- 5 points I found it very interesting that choreography was worth so much and timing so little. It was a very different system then in Orlando where timing counts for 40%. The competition is held at an open air stadium called Los Cristales. The competition was amazing! There were thousands of people there all with noise makers and banners for their favorite couples. One of our group, Kunio Natorigawa from Japan, was asked to give a show as well and they loved him! After the competition we went back to the hotel to change quickly and then it was back to the Salsa club for some more great dancing. Every night they have one of the teams do a 3 song show too. You should see what they do in such a small space! Wish I had my camera there for that! SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 After another great breakfast we went back to the Cultural Centre for 2 workshops, beginner Colombian Style and one with the Swing Guys from Italy. We had more free time after the workshops so our bus took us into downtown Cali where we went shopping at the market. For me, this was another highlight of the trip...we found a place selling old Salsa LPs and I got some really great ones. Tommy Olivencia, Tito Puente, Beny More, Celia Cruz, Fania All-Stars, Hector Lavoe, El Gran Combo, Sonora Poncena and more! I wish we had more time because there were a lot we didn't get the chance to go through. Make sure you listen to Salsa Del Barrio and come to Casablanca this Saturday to hear all of the great music!! Tonight's competition was the team semi-finals with 19 teams going for the 7 places in the finals. The teams are my favorite! You have to come and see the videos! I can't even begin to explain to you what it is they do. There were also performances by Hacha y Machete, Tito & Tamara from Puerto Rico, the Swing Guys, more local groups, and some of our group! Aki & Yasue Watanabe from Japan and Jake Brosevear from New Zealand got to get up and show their stuff!! After the competition, it was back to the Salsa club for more great dancing and another show. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 After yet another great breakfast it was back to the Cultural Centre for an advanced Cali Style Salsa workshop with Mulato from Swing Latino (World Champions) and then a lecture with Billy Fajardo from Miami about the importance of training, and using proper techniques for lifts. We had more free time, so we took the bus and did a quick tour before heading to a traditional restaurant of an old farm for lunch. This was the night of the finals with about 20,000 people turning us to cheer on their favorite dancers. There were even people in the trees around the stadium. We were really lucky to have VIP seats throughout the competition...in front of the judges. Can't beat that! 7 couples On 1, 7 couples in Cabaret and 7 teams. Prizes for the couples worked out to approx. $3000 for 1st , $1000 for 2nd and $750 for 3rd and for the teams about $7500 for 1st, $2500 for 2nd and $1500 for 3rd. The winners in each category also qualify to compete in the ESPN World Salsa Championships in Orlando in December. The On 1 winners were Jhon Lucumi & Lina Montoya, Cabaret was Montenegro Cristian & Eliana K. Feijoo and the Team division was won by Swing Latino Tigo with the kids school the we visited, Nueva Dimension placing second. There were also performances by Tito & Tamara, Billy Fajardo & Katie Marlow from Miami, Hacha y Machete and some local kids groups including Nueva Dimension..the school we visited. I'm really glad we got to see the competition and all of the support everyone there gives their dancers. It was a really great experience and I hope that some of you get to come with me next year to see for yourselves. After the competition was over, we went to a different club. We went to the famous club Chango in Juanchito. So many famous groups have played there and it is mentioned in so many Salsa songs. It was a lot of fun and we stayed until we only had enough time left to pack quickly before the airport. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Didn't get any sleep at all. Ordered room service to stay awake while we packed and then we went straight to the airport. After having our luggage searched a TON of times, we left Colombia without any problems. Transferred home through Miami where we all said goodbye and then flew the long way home through Dallas & Seattle. Finally arrived home in Victoria around midnight. It was an amazing trip and if Albert Torres organizes it again next year, I hope that I can be a part of it and that you will come along for the experience. If we go, I'd like to do some fundraising in advance to see if we can get some new dance shoes and some money for the kids schools. If you think you would like to be a part of a future trip, email me so I can start a list and let's go to Colombia together for the 2009 Festival Mundial de la Salsa! September 08 Colombia TripCHRISTINA ON HER WAY TO COLOMBIA! Christina is leaving tomorrow for a trip to Colombia with Albert Torres and other dancers from around the world to go to the World Festival of Salsa in Cali Colombia! All classes will run as scheduled with dancers from the Touring Team teaching until she gets back on the 15th. Check out the itinerary below and stay tuned for trip details when she returns! TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 6:55pm Depart Victoria. Change planes in Seattle for an overnight flight. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Change planes in Dallas and Miami. 7:20pm Arrive in Cali, Colombia and transfer to the hotel to get ready Midnight- 4:00am Welcome party at a nightclub THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 9:00- 10:00am Breakfast at the hotel 10:00- 11:00am Press conference 12:00- 2:00pm Visit to 2 dance schools 3:30- 5:00pm Workshops and lectures 5:00pm Exhibitions 11:00pm- ?? Party at a nightclub FRIDAY, SPETEMBER 12 9:00- 10:00am Breakfast at the hotel 10:30- 11:30am Workshop 12:00- 3:00pm Visit to 3 dance schools 3:00- 4:00pm Lunch ??? Eliminations & shows 11:00pm- ??? Party at a nightclub SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 9:00- 10:00am Breakfast at the hotel 10:00- 11:00am Cali Style Salsa Workshop Level 1 11:00am- 12:00pm Workshop 12:30- 2:00pm Visit to 1 dance school ?? Eliminations & shows 11:00pm- ?? Party & a nightclub SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 9:00- 10:00am Breakfast at the hotel 10:00- 11:00am Cali Style Salsa Workshop Advanced 11:00- 12:00pm Lifts Workshop 12:00- 1:00pm Lunch ??? Finals & Exhibitions ??? Performances 10:00pm- sunrise Farewell party at a Salsa club MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 5:30am Depart for the airport. Change planes in Miami, Dallas, Seattle 11:40pm Arrive in Victoria. Performance Training Class¡SALSA CALIENTE! DATE: Wednesdays, Sept 17- Nov 19 TIME: 8:00pm- 10:00pm LOCATION: Club Phoenix, 2122A Government St, Victoria, BC COST: $150.00 for 10 weeks Class includes footwork, partnerwork, social dancing, stage presence, choreography and a practice audition. 2008 was a really exciting season for ¡SALSA CALIENTE! We traveled to the Puerto Rico Salsa Congress in July, the New York Salsa Congress in August and we are on our way to Italy in November. For the 2009 season we are already officially confirmed to return to Puerto Rico and are also working on New York and China. In the past we have also toured to Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, the Bahamas, and Italy. Requirements: A passion for dance, a willingness to learn & work hard, a positive attitude, the ability to work as part of a close group, a strong sense of commitment, good style, and stage presence. For more info, or to register, call 250-881-6141 or email calientedance@gmail.com August 31 2008 NY Congress- part 2Saturday, August 30
5:00- 8:00pm Social Dance in V Lounge 5:30pm Doors open for afternoon shows 6:00- 8:00pm Youth Afternoon Performances (Dancers Dreamzzz Teen- NY, Freddy Salsa Flavor-CT, Fuego en 106-NY, Jr Dream Team- NY, Latin Fever Dynasty-NY, Latin Moves- CT, Latin Rythms- CT, Lorenz Jr- NY, Latin Kids- CT, Ondara & Bruno-PR, Raiza & Fransisco- PR, Salseros Del Barrio- CT, Santo Rico Take 2- NY, Santo Rico kids- NY, Santoriquitas- NY, Simply Salsa Dancers- NY, Unified- NY,Widalys & Shaquille- PR, Young Ambition- NY) 8:30pm Doors open for evening shows 9:00- 10:30pm Evening Performance (Al Liquid Sliver & Karla- LA, Carmen Lorente- ES, Combination Perfecta- NY, Dave Paris & Yoli- NY, Delile “Mambo D” Thomas & Glenda- NY, Descarga Latina- NY, Eddie Torres- NY, Heartbreak Boys- NY, Hustle & Flo- NY, Kelvin Roche & Lori Ann Greenhouse- NY, Karisma- NY, Lorenz Latin Dancers- NY, Mykel Fonts & Candy Mena- IT, Micah & Kathy- IL, Plan B- NY, Rompe Cabeza- PR, Rumba Brava- PR, Santo Rico- NY) 10:30pm- 4:00am Dance to live bands- Ray Rodriguez & Sabroso Swing Sunday, August 31
5:00- 8:00pm Social Dance in V Lounge 5:30pm Doors open for afternoon shows 6:00- 7:00pm Afternoon Performances (Azucar Moreno- DC, Dance in Time- DC, Hacha Semi Pro- MA, Hooked On 2- FL, Hurricane Tumbao- OR, NYSC All Stars- NY, Joie de Vivre Salseras- DC, Lisa & Mark Con Tambor- GB, Reflejo Con Lorenz- NY, Salsa Divettes- SD, Solo Salsa- QC, Somos El Son- WA,Tsubaki- JP, Yemashun- MD, Yoruba Latino- MX) 7:00- 8:00pm NYSC Salsa Competition 8:30pm Doors open for evening shows 9:00- 10:30pm Evening Performances (Adolfo & Sheila- NY & PR, Eddie Torres- NY, Hacha y Machete- MA, Henry Herrera- FL, Juan Matos & Candy Mena- NY, Mambo Dream Team- ON, Mambo Inn- JP, Maykel Fonts- IT, Mouaze- FR, Piel Canela- NY, Projecta Descarga- NY, Rompe Cabeza- PR, Rumba Brava- PR, Sabor Latino- PR, Victor & Gaby- MX, Yamulee- NY, Young Blood- PR) 10:00pm- 4:00am Dance to live bands- Orchesta Dicupe, Adalberto Santiago & Tito Allen Monday, September 01 Day at leisure to enjoy New York. For those of you interested, I will be taking people on a morning walking tour of New York and then we will be going on a Salsa cruise from 1:30pm to 6:00pm. There will also be an after party for those 21+ probably at Taj Lounge. Details and costs TBA.
Tuesday, September 02 Go to the airport for the flight home. Arrive in Seattle and drive back to the ferry. We should hopefully be back in Victoria on the 7:00pm ferry or the 9:00pm at the latest.
2008 NEW YORK SALSA CONGRESS2008 New York Salsa Congress Itinerary for Adeesha Wickremasinghe, Carmela Rodriguez, Charles Murison, Christina Morrison, Dominique Lacerte, Erica Horsfield, Holly Harris, Jasen Laveau, Julie Roberts, Karis Fisher, Liam Anderson & Tyler Lozowchuk
Wednesday, August 27Carpool to the Seattle airport for the flight to New york.
Thursday, August 28Arrive at 7:00am and transfer to the hotel.We won’t be able to check in yet so we’ll drop our bags at the hotel and then have free time to explore a bit around the hotel. We’ll go to the famous Carnegie Deli for lunch. Make sure you have your walking shoes and some sightseeing clothes handy. TBA Salsa Caliente Rehearsal 6:30pm Congress Registration
8:30pm Doors Open 9:00- 10:00pm Evening Performances (Bean Town Flavor- MA, Bilongo Loco- PA, Dulce Bembe- NY, Elixe- NY, Mambo to Cha Cha- NY, Masaki & Manako- JP, Mythical Mambo-ES, Revelation Dancers- NY, Salsa Tito- IT, Shanghai Mambo- CN, Son y Pasos- SD, Tropical Image-NY, Xibicion-NY) 10:00pm- 3:00am Dance to live band- Nelson Gonzalez Friday, August 29 TBA Salsa Caliente Rehearsal 12:00- 2:10pm Tech Rehearsal for both teams
4:00pm Girls Hair & Makeup for Break the Mambo 5:00pm Backstage Call for Break the Mambo 5:30pm Doors open for afternoon shows 6:00- 7:00pm Afternoon Performances (Dance Revolution-IL, Diamond Dancers-PR, Gabriela & Jose- PR, IFreestyle-TO, Emmanuel & Jessica- PR, Latin Motion- DC, Lizaydee & Heriberto- PR, Salseros Calientes-PA, Mambo Flower- AR, Mambo En2- AR, Muevete Dancers- PA, Onda Latina- NY, Pasamda Dance- IL, Rythmic Fire- CA, Rumba Buena- NY, Salsa Caliente Training-CA,) 7:00- 8:00pm NYSC Dance Championship Preliminary Round 7:00pm Girls Hair & Makeup for Ven Ven 8:00pm Backstage Call for Ven Ven 8:30pm Doors open for evening shows 9:00- 10:00pm Evening Performances (Art in Motion- PA, Baila Society- NY, Bayari- NY, Caribbean Soul- NJ, Eddie Torres- NY, Fuerza Gigante- NY, Jorge Elizonda- SD, Latin Beat- FL, Laura & Leo- IT, mambo Classico- NY, Maykel Fonts & Davide- IT, Nouhan- NY, Sabor Latino- PR, Salsa Caliente- CA, Salsa Divas-SD, Salseras with Attitude- SG, San Tropez- CA, Sweethearts- NY) 10:00pm- 4:00am Dance to live bands- La Excelencia & Ocho y Mas **RED NIGHT**- Dress in red for social dancing
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