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Gerson Aranda “La Tabla de Caracas”.

Restarting again our usual reviews, this time we return with a special guest, the virtuous and spectacular Venezuelan percussionist Gerson Aranda, who kindly gave us this interview from the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he is currently based.

Gerson Aranda Rodil was born on March 8, 1973, in the Concepción Palacios maternity hospital in the parish of San Juan, Caracas.

He is the son of Pedro Aranda and Ana Teresa Rodil. Gerson, welcome to the salsa column that is currently at the forefront of Afro-Caribbean music worldwide and in which our Venezuelan musicians make themselves known, project themselves and share their artistic life with our regular readers.

To begin with, we want to know how did you get started in music and who were your mentors? -Thank you Professor Carlos Colmenárez for this opportunity that you give me to share with my dear brothers from my country and other countries around the world. Well, I have been a musician since I can remember, thanks to my parents, brothers, cousins and uncles.

Since I was very young, my father Pedro Aranda, was the founder of the Sonero Clasico del Caribe, who recorded the first two productions of this famous group, which celebrated my birthday, since my father always brought them to my house.

I was raised in the parish of Catia, in Cútira and well, the whole neighborhood would come into my home to listen to the famous Sonero Clásico, and they would listen to the songs: Carmelina, Papá Montero, El enterrador and many more.

Well, since I was a child I had an interest in music, because at home they used to play those rumbas and I had the desire to play the congas and bongo.

Gerson Aranda Rodil was born on March 8, 1973, at the Concepción Palacios maternity hospital in the parish of San Juan, Caracas. — Gerson Aranda “La Tabla de Caracas”

But there was a tres player, a great friend of the family, who met a lot with my father, who was also a tres player, bassist and guitarist; then he saw my interest in percussion and took me to the Sarría school of the maestro Orlando Poleo, who saw me playing despite my young age, he told the tres player René Zambrano, let him always come, because he has interest and conditions and that’s when things started.

At that time those greats like Gerardo Rosales, José Martínez Viruta, Willian Troconis, Wladimir Rivero, Miguelito Urbina were studying and well in that concern I began to study theory and solfeggio with Professor Carlos Ramírez, in the “Tucosan” school and then I studied percussion with Professor Jesús Blanco, known as “El Totoño”. From there my musical career practically began and at the age of 13 I started playing professionally with “El Trabuco Venezolano”, Swing y Color, Magia Caribeña, Hildemaro, Trina Medina, Grupo Repicao, Los Incorregibles, Pasión Juvenil, Grupo Mango and many more orchestras.

Gerson, I understand that you accompanied Soledad Bravo musically and performed advertising jingles? Indeed Professor Carlos, I had the joy of playing with her and toured the world and let me tell you that at that time I did advertising jingles for products on television and radio.

-Gerson, you are known as “La Tabla”, referring also to your hard hands to play the tumbadoras with very accurate hits.

I was raised in the parish of Catia, in Cútira, and well, the whole neighborhood would come into my home to listen to the famous Sonero Clásico, and they would listen to the songs: Carmelina, Papá Montero, El enterrador and many others. — Gerson, you are known as “La Tabla”, referring also to your hard hands to execute the tumbadoras with very accurate blows.

Now then, tell us, which international artists have you accompanied? Well my friend Carlos, I had the honor of accompanying Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, Luigi Texidor, Junior González, Larry Harlow, Marvin Santiago, Willie Colón; among many; thanks to the fact that Naty and his Orchestra and Magia Caribeña, were the base orchestras for those artists.

I also played with Silva and Guerra, of Mauricio and Manuel. Hey Carlos, I also accompanied Justo Betancourt, Adalberto Santiago, Ismael Miranda, Andy Montañez, Jhonny Pacheco y Casanova, Pete Conde Rodríguez and others.

Gerson, what are your current projects in Argentina? -Carlitos, in Argentina I am well thank God, because I have a big band called “La Salsa Brava”, I play a lot and now with the problems with the COVID-19, everything is paralyzed, but I have been very active for three years in all the “boliches”, name given to the night clubs and I have accompanied Los Adolescentes, Rey Ruiz, Charlie Sepúlveda, Jimmy El León, Charlie Aponte, among many others.

My band is made up of Venezuelan, Argentinean, Colombian and Cuban musicians. I have earned respect and they call me “maestro”; I am also giving classes to advanced percussionists, with techniques of different genres and rhythms, unknown to them, since here what is known is the Cuban timba and salsa brava.

Excellent Gerson, apart from the full band, do you have other smaller formats? Yes, I have a sextet called “La Crisis”, because when there is not much money, we make it available and play music by Joe Cuba, Conjunto Libre and others. With “Salsa Brava” I am about to record my production, which I suspended due to my accident before coming to Buenos Aires and the other thing is that my comadre Indira Velasquez came over there and I made a Sonora Matancera format, which is called “Sonora Consoltura” and we have made several presentations and people are very happy with that genre, since they are getting to know what a pachanga, a danzón, among others, is.

Apart from that, I am also doing advertising jingles again. What can you tell us about the Tributo Orchestra and El Guajeo? -The thing about Tributo and Cheo, is that since I was very young I had the fortune that before Tributo and Bailatino existed, we formed the group “Repicao”, which was a school band formed by: Édgar Dolor Quijada, Tuky Torres, José Soto Mortadelo, Prisco Oropeza, Manuel Barrios, Cheo Navarro, Catú Rodríguez and myself, which we played emblematic themes and from here begins the affinity with Cheo and from there, then he arms Tributo and tells me to conform his staff, which was integrated by: Alberto Crespo, José Soto Mortadelo, Jhonny Rivero, Javier Vivas, Johán Muñoz, Eliel Rivero, Osquita, Marcial Istúriz, Édgar Dolor Quijada, Gonzalo Díaz, Rónald Gómez and my substitute is Miguel Urbina and we recorded several albums. They are my friends and we are still in contact, and with “El Guajeo”, the experience was wonderful with the great Alfredo Naranjo. Professor Carlos, I tell you in all honesty that the musical level in Venezuela is very superior and out of this world, with all due respect.

a tres player, a great friend of the family, who used to meet a lot with my father, who was also a tres player, bass player and guitarist. — Gerson Aranda “La Tabla de Caracas”

-Gerson, who are the members of your band of musicians in Argentina? Professor Carlos, it is made up of A Barquisimetana named Lauremys Vanesa on trombone, Catalina Keiti (trombone), Luis Sulbarán (trumpet), Bruno Espinola (trumpet), Ángel Vargas (piano), Bernardo Vásquez (bass), Esteban Leandro “El Puca” (singer), Felipe Figueroa (singer), Deiby Bandre (bongo), Martín Barrera (congas) and me on timbales; It’s my orchestra called “La Salsa Brava”, here in Buenos Aires.

Your social networks? My social networks are: [email protected]. Instagram: Orquesta La Salsa Brava. Facebook: Gelson Aranda Musician. Cell: +54 911 36244963.

Well friend Gerson, for me it was a pleasure to have had you as the protagonist of this installment of Salsa Escrita “La Columna Salsera de Barquisimeto”, through International Salsa Magazine, www.salsagoogle.com and at the same time we wish you the greatest success and continue to represent us worthily outside our borders, giving “tabla” to percussion. Thank you professor and friend Carlos Colmenárez for this opportunity that you give to all the artists of Afro-Caribbean music to project us worldwide in your prestigious salsa column and may God bless and protect you greatly and you know that you count on your brother Gerson Aranda.

Gerson Aranda “La Tabla de Caracas” y su Sexteto

By: Professor MSc. Carlos Colmenárez Correspondent in Venezuela for International Salsa Magazine

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Why Is Rhythm & Vibes Dance Popular In London?

Dsantos Dance UK now Rhythm & Vibes Dance

Couple dancing — Rhythm & Vibes Dance Company received a donation from the Arts Council England for #CultureRecoveryFund

The majority of Europeans agree that social dancing is the most popular nightlife activity in London. In addition to that, if you bet on enjoying the astonishing movements of Afro-Latin rhythms, the connection between unknown people who have the same desire to learn dance, you keep in shape without realizing it and release endorphins that increase the state of well-being, then the joy and the passion are greater. Rhythm & Vibes Dance has this key to triumph with fun included, making this Latin and African dance academy the most popular for six years in this cosmopolitan city of the 21st century.This school recognized by the Arts Council of England in 2020 for its contribution to culture, each week (before the global pandemic) was like a festival with more than 4000 people participating in the events each year led by national and international professional instructors with years of experience that made the dance lessons unmatched.

Rhythm & Vibes Dance, formerly known as Dsantos Dance UK, is developing a program of Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, and Semba that will be safe and entertaining for everyone, to respect the rules of social distancing due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. This program of activities will be being announced on its website SOON.

LATIN DANCE CLASSES AND PARTY IN RV DANCE

English woman dancing with afroamerican man — After the fun dance lessons, the Salsa and Bachata party begins

Rhythm & Vibes Dance Company (RV Dance) was established in 2015 by director and dancer Richard Voogt. “We strive to create a festive atmosphere at each event, celebrating great music and culture in the way we know it best … Through fun yet professional classes, we create a space that brings together an eclectic mix of people to speak and socialize easily. Whether people come simply to try something new or want to build a career in dance, we welcome everyone with the same passion and enthusiasm”. Richard Said.

At RV Dance they raise the profile of social dance by promoting health, development, community unity, and cultural awareness that go beyond the joys of dance.

With their professionally designed study plan, anyone will be saying goodbye to those “two left feet” in a short time. Salsa classes are open to people of all ages and abilities at three levels (beginners, intermediate, and advanced). Each lesson lasts one hour and immediately afterward the Latin party will begin, where you can enjoy practicing your new steps with good music.

Young couple dancing — In individual classes, you will get the full benefit of focus and attention

But now, how do you identify at what level you can start? It is easy in this academy. Students in Level 1 (The most important and fun level) are beginners or those who have taken lessons for six months or less, which means they have attended less than 30 Salsa classes. At this level every week, they will work on the fundamental steps of this rhythm and the basic concepts of dance, in addition to complementing each week 10 additional, well-known, and fun movements as a couple. Also, the instructor will keep you alert weekly by making you dance freestyle with what you have learned.

Level 2 is for those who have danced for more than six consecutive months. At this level, the Salsa teachers will challenge you to put your movements of the genre in combinations; besides, they will present you with ten complex combos of work in a couple. Here, a lot of fun awaits you and you can last on this journey to the depth of Salsa for up to a year and a half approximately.

Finally, for the more advanced students is Level 3, for the lady and gentleman, who have mastered the techniques of Salsa and have taken one or more classes of this rhythm a week for more than two years. This level presents the most defiant combinations of this Afro-Caribbean genre, as well as the finer points of style and body movement.

Additionally, at RV Dance you can also have private, professional, and fun Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha, Merengue, Kizomba, Semba, Kuduro & Afrohouse classes. Each lesson style provides the time and space necessary for the nationally and internationally recognized teacher to focus on the main aspects of dance technique, skill, or understanding in which a person wishes to excel.

NORA SUZUKI

32 Years After Her Debut In Salsa

She broke paradigms in Latin and Asian music in the late ‘80s. She founded the most famous Salsa orchestra in Japan (La Orquesta De La Luz). She paved the way for new generations of artists. She is an institution of Afro-Caribbean music in oriental culture. A leading woman, dreamer, charismatic, and enthusiastic… This is how Nora Suzuki presents her story.

This famous artist originally from Nakano-ku (Tokyo) did not always want to be a singer, at first Nora was inclined towards professional dance taking ballet classes at three years old, however, by then this young singing promise already had an unmatched vocal talent that couldn’t go unnoticed years later.

Her aptitude for the arts comes from her family because her grandfather was a master of drums and singing, her parents, although they are not professionals, continue to be excellent singers, her cousin is a music teacher, her brother is a fan of the English band, The Beatles, and finally, her son León (named so in honor of Venezuelan Salsa singer, Oscar D’ León) loves Japanese popular music right now, nevertheless, Nora hopes that one day he will succeed her as Salsero. As you can see, music runs through the veins of this successful international singer.

In the last year of Takashima High School in Tokyo (Japan) Nora’s track record of success began to be carved out. She started in an amateur rock band as the lead vocalist and developed her interest in R&B music. She sang in the ATOM band during her undergraduate career at Nihon University art of college. By then, the band had a percussionist (ex-leader of the Orquesta De La Luz) who loved Salsa and suggested to Suzuki that she study that Latin musical genre.

Nora Suzuki signing autographs — “Gracias Salseros” was released on the music market on August 20, 2019

“When I was 21, I visited New York for sightseeing and watched Oscar D’ Leon’s live at the Salsa Club. I was very impressed at that time and fell in love with Salsa. After that, a Salsa band called Orquesta del Sol was playing live in Tokyo, so I went to see that band. I was impressed that even Japanese people can play Salsa, so I decided to form La Orquesta De La Luz”. Nora explained in detail the idea that came up to create this famous Japanese Salsa Orchestra in 1984 and already graduated from university for that year.

For Suzuki, currently based in Tokyo, the last year (2020) was a year of changes: most of her concerts were postponed or canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but they were still able to perform live, and after the summer, they made several performances in their home city and other adjacent regions.

In the near future, the concert tour of Nora and La Orquesta de la Luz in America and Europe is a fact, as well as the fusion of modern elements such as Reggaeton inside Salsa in their new record productions.

HER PATH THROUGH SPANISH

Nora outdoors — “I have never felt discriminated while touring Latin America. I think it’s great!” Nora

For Nora, not everything was easy when she began her career in Latin music. At first, it was difficult for her to speak Spanish due to the pronunciation of the consonants “R” and “L”. Since there isn’t distinction in the phonetics of both letters in the Japanese language, however, this successful singer never occurred to sing Salsa in another language. “I tried very hard to pronounce it right… Now I have original Salsa song with Japanese lyrics”. The artist commented.

This charismatic singer-songwriter on her path through Spanish first caught the sounds in the katakana alphabet. Then, she studied Spanish grammar in courses broadcast on television and radio.

The lyrics of her songs are composed by her using words she knows, reading dictionaries, and example sentences carefully. Once the lyrics are made, they are reviewed by one of her friends of Latin descent.

Now I can understand Spanish a lot. If you speak slowly, I can understand the rough meaning”.

NORA SUZUKI & LA ORQUESTA DE LA LUZ

This prestigious artist, who has captivated millions of people with her talent on three continents, was always persevering and disciplined. She formed La Orquesta De La Luz in the early ‘80s and later made a demo for their international performance. Three years later, with her savings, Nora toured three countries on the American continent: Panama, Puerto Rico, and New York.

Panama was the first country that set foot in search of being heard by Latinos. “I was very excited because I was able to appear on the radio and TV show, and the audience was very excited about my singing”. Nora commented.

Then she visited Puerto Rico and New York. Nora adds: “At first, I went to see Ralph Mercado, but unfortunately he didn’t listen to the demo tape. I was very depressed but didn’t want to give up, so I next met Richie Bonilla, and he was able to listen to the tape and could believe my story”.

Orquesta de la Luz in concert — “Some members understand Spanish a little, but most of them don’t speak it”. Nora Suzuki

After overcoming some obstacles, in 1989, they debuted as a world-famous Salsa band with their first concert tour in New York, thanks to the promotion of Bonilla, who currently continues to be her manager and the orchestra.

Eight years of resounding success on three continents and especially in Japan made each member of the band so popular that by 1997 it was impossible to match the schedule of each member, which caused the inevitable and regrettable breakup.

Five years later, specifically on January 16, 2002, Nora organized the World Peace Music Festival benefit concert due to the 911 incident in New York and return for the immense affection and support of Latinos in the United States. This concert was the catalyst for the reunion of La Orquesta de la Luz and by the beginning of 2021, the band has 23 countries already visited.

Recently, this famous star awarded the United Nations Peace Medal in 1993, together with the Orchestra, released the album “Gracias Salseros” in commemoration of their more than 30th anniversary. (This CD can be downloaded and listened to through the different digital platforms).

In the last 10 years, La Orquesta de la Luz has toured Japan twice and has participated in consecutive years in the Billboard Live in Tokyo and Osaka. You can also see them perform at local festivals, children’s schools, and through their official Facebook page with their live-streamed rehearsal videos that have a total of 9 000 000 views.

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Improve The Physical And Mental Health With SalsaBrisa In Maastricht

The dance academy located in one of the cities of the lively cultural scene of Netherlands offers a personalized system that implements the triple technique of the current educational system for quality learning

Dance couple posing — You can have personalized attention and guidance with experienced dance instructors in private lessons in the environment of your choice

The SalsaBrisa academy is oriented to direct Afro-Caribbean dance classes using the triple technique of the educational system: visual, auditory, and kinetic to help the easy learning of this Latin rhythm and achieve a happier life with physical and mental well-being.Naomi Dongelmans and her partner Khalid Lazar of Moroccan origin founded the dance school in early 2000 to help society find a new lifestyle. Since 2006, the creators of the world-renowned Limburg Salsa Bachata Kizomba Festival have enjoyed great success and rising popularity in the Netherlands.

Dongelmans, a medical professional, realized with her experience that dance helps people cope with many afflictions such as depression, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes. Working in parallel with her life partner and chef Khalid, she managed to show that through continuous dance movements that produce endorphins, people who fight against mental disorders become happier, as well as the elderly, including women and men of 90 years old enjoy a better quality of life with superior mobility, significantly younger attitudes, and interact much better with the rest of their dance friends.

For this great contribution of fun combined with quality lessons, SalsaBrisa has been recognized with the Bedrijven Awards for Excellence In Business (2012 & 2013) and Freelancer of the Year in 2014 and 2015.

Currently, in Maastricht, a university city in the far south of the Netherlands, many people enjoy the La Mulata dance school of the SalsaBrisa academy which offers a diverse schedule of lessons in different styles and levels, as well as events for everyone with an atmosphere relaxed and calm with the team of teachers composed of Khalid, Naomi, James, Marcos, Simone, and Floor, who will make sure that you shine in dance, and will teach you with the personalized learning style that brings together the combination of cognitive, affective, and psychological factors, a mayor development with which you will interact with new people, you will get in shape, and you will become healthier and happier.

ON THE DANCE FLOOR

Dance classes — In the lessons: they first warm-up with their footwork, and then they work as a team with a lot of fun

Khalid, Naomi, and their team continue to offer face-to-face Latin dance courses in Maastricht and around, but in the time of Corona, some additional security measures endorsed by the national government have been established to be implemented on the dance floor to continue the fun, learning, and fitness:

Maintaining 1.5 meters of distance between pairs is still the norm.
Must be done pre-registration for lessons (required). It is due to it can be traced if someone has Corona.
For social events and free dance nights, the registration must also be completed (name and email address or phone number). It is done on the spot unless otherwise stated.
It is advised to dance in the same group composition as much as possible. No partners are exchanged, so keep dancing as much as you can on the same day and with the same partner.
Anyone who has danced for at least 15 minutes within 1.5 meters of someone with an established COVID-19 infection must quarantine for ten days if this contact was less than 14 days ago.
Mouth masks are not recommended.
The catering section is currently closed.

NEXT EVENT

EURO SALSA GALA 2022 is a night of dance and workshops of Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba with two stages in La Mulata. The first room will have 50% Salsa & 50% Bachata, and the second area will be 100% Kizomba. Both scenes will have four national DJs, astonishing and personable artists, and impressive performances with two big free parking spaces in front and behind the building. The details of the programming will be available on its website very soon and you can reserve the tickets for this edition that unites the two most popular Latin styles of the moment now.

Date: Saturday, February 19, 2022

Place: La Mulata. Tongerseweg 346, 6215 AC Maastricht, Netherlands

Time: 09:00 UNK

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Get to know the Anacaona Museum in the Dominican Republic (April)

Did you know one of the best known cultural histories in Dominican Republic and Haiti is about the last princess of the Caribbean and protector of the Taino people known as Anacaona? She who was born in 1460 on the island of Hispaniola (now known as the Dominican Republic and Haiti). This time, we can know something more about her and the Anacaona Museum located in the village of Bayahibe, which is a beautiful Caribbean town in the Dominican Republic to the south of the island (embarkation for Saona sland in the main parking lot). https://www.museoanacaona.com/443512637 Cotubanamá National Park – Google Maps

Daniel Cacharanza is the director and owner of the museum, which is set to open about this April 15 after its opening was postponed due to COVID-19; Daniel previously had a dive school, during his time at sea and in its depths he would venture out in the island’s waters while enjoying the landscape offrered by mother nature and founding these treasures on land and sea, where you could see the history of its people many years ago.

When he discovered these important symbolic artifacts, he got a new goal in his life that was to show the culture and time many decades ago to locals and tourists. That is how the Anacaona Museum was created, its staff explain to us that each one of us will discover the history of this place and, in turn, the origins of the Dominican people, starting with this great, expressive, beautiful and important princess called Anacaona, who was the last leader and one of the main figures of Taino society and led her people when the encounter between cultures was given whith the arrival of the colonizers, especially the Spaniards.

Daniel Cacharanza Photo — Daniel Cacharanza in the coast Dominican – Photo

The term Anacaona gathers meaning as it is separated, where the term “Ana” and “Caona” result in the final conjugation “Golden Flower”. She was born in 1460 and was the sister of Bahechio, cacique of Jaragua , whom she succeeded after his death, held the position of cacique in Jaragua (one of the five chiefdom in which the island was divided) and became noted for her intelligence and mental agility, with which she was beign handled. Her husband was the Casique of El Cibao Caonabo, with whom she had a daughter named Higuemota; she also seeded poetry in her people and was the author of many of the historical romances known by the name of areitos, which were sung by the indigenous people in their popular dances.

The Taino population was characterized by its unique purity, zero vanity or evil among them, their economy was based on the exchange of goods and everything within the community that was available to everyone. They did not know the value of gold or other jewels stolen by the invaders when they arrived. The Taino indians had never seen galleons and were not familiar with swords, mirrors and firearms brought by the invaders, this being the succession of the darkest history that they could live.

At the beginning, Queen Anacaona started to feel acceptance and a positive receptivity of foreigners (the Spaniards) to their lands and then admiration as they brought a lot of knowledge and objects that they did not possess and that they Spaniards used in their daily routines, but it took serious and repeated offenses to her people for Anacaona to change her feelings towards the Spaniards and/or foreigners, where her husband fell prisoner in one of his battles with them and died far from his country on the way to Spain in 1946.
After a long conflict against the rule of Spanish fleets that had looted and enslaved the entire Taino population until they remained in misery by the greed of colonization at the time of Christopher Columbus when he reached the new world, Anacaona was arrested and sentenced to death for her courage and courageous gestures in defense of the Taino population.

Anacaona Picture — The Last Queen the Tain people – Anacaona

Caves Colash — Colash Caves – Republica Dominican

Anacaona died by hanging in 1503 at the age of 29 on the orders of Spaniard Nicolas de Ovando, a very messy way in which the Spaniards paid pack the debt of gratitude they had with a queen from whom they had only received favors, and who had forgiven them the death of her husband and other tricks, so she was able to take revenge, but she did not. For several years, many Europeans who lived a quiet life in her State, ending her era and that of her people, as they were exterminated and enslaved.

This story is well known in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, becoming a symbol and history, so the Anacaona Museum was a way to live it or appreciate it. This place is the refuge and exhibition of the culture of the inhabitants of the island for approaching its people or tourists who visit it and traveling through time with the different architectural pieces discovered, but it does not explain how many of them got there and others were simply created on the island. However, it is not known how the Taino people managed to have them, as such instruments used must have been very sophisticated to create it as was the Shard sphere and the Egyptian pyramid whose creation could not be explained it in other museums, as happens in many cultures.

Descubrimiento arqueologico — Foto de la esfera del laberinto de Chartres

Daniel Cacharanza Diving — Daniel Cacharanza diving in the coast

Caves at Repubican Dominican — Photo the Caves in the Anacaona museum

Going down the caves of Dominican Republic

For more information:In the museum, you will be able to carry you back to those times through their findings as they are unique and original pieces, dated as early as 1000 before Christ (BC) and the pre-Columbian era, You can hear and live the origins, history and life of this beautiful country through each piece and see you the caves that reveal true evidence, such as drawings, and the most reliable theory is that the entire National Park of the East was an authentic Taino settlement.

WebSite: https://www.museoanacaona.com/443501785
Social Networks: @MuseoAnacaona