Search Results for: Festival

Steps Dance Studio Inc.

North America / Canada /  Toronto

Steps Dance Studio

Steps offers a complete curriculum of Salsa, Bachata, Hustle and Latin Dance for all skill levels. Working from a comprehensive dance syllabus designed by Jennifer Aucoin and refined by 20 years of Salsa teaching experience, their professionally trained instructors are patient, dedicated and passionate about their craft. Want you to leave your class and the dancefloor feeling great. The program is designed to allow students to begin anytime! Start any week, even absolute beginners. And come as often as your schedule allows. Steps Dance Studio has classes every night and on weekends, and most levels are offered twice a week or more.

Located just a few minutes walk from Bloor & Wellesley subway stations. 819 Yonge St. 3rd floor. Toronto, ON M4W 2G9 SE corner of Yonge St. & Davenport, north of Bloor St.

Meet Jennifer Aucoin, Founder, Executive Director and Instructor.

A full-time salsa instructor, choreographer and event organizer. She is co-artistic director for Steps Dance Company & co-founder of the Women’s Salsa Retreat. As a trained adjudicator, Jennifer has judged competitions in Puerto Rico, Ecuador, New York, Las Vegas, Orlando, Miami, Detroit, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto. She has also represented Canada on the judging panel for the World Salsa Championships televised on ESPN.

She is on the judging panel for the prestigious Global Salsa Championships at the World Salsa Summit. Jennifer was also the first instructor in Canada to be certified to teach Latin Hustle by the IHDA. Jennifer is the founder and organizer of the annual Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress, an international salsa festival that takes place in Toronto every October.

This 4-day extravaganza, now in its thirteenth year, is the largest salsa event in Canada and features nightly performances by over 60 dance companies from all over the world and daily salsa workshops given by worldrenowned instructors. The Canadian Salsa Championships, part of the Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress weekend, is the largest and most widely recognized Salsa & Bachata competition in Canada.

Classes offered in Steps Dance Studio

Salsa

Salsa Level 1: No previous dance (or salsa) experience required. Start this class at any time. Each class starts with an explanation and review of the basic Salsa step and the timing and rhythm of Salsa music, followed by a new beginner level turn.
Salsa Level 2: Geared to those who are comfortable with the basic Salsa step, basic right and left turns and Cross Body Lead. Build on Level 1 material and learn new turns and combinations, add footwork (i.e. Salsa shines) and reinforce your timing and partnering skills. Learn proper posture, frame, weight transfer and connection.
Salsa Level 3: Cross body lead patterns, traveling turns, back breaks, checks and different hand hold variations will be linked into fun turn pattern combinations. Start developing a flow of motion between the moves that will make you feel good and look good on the dancefloor.
Salsa Level 4: This course will focus on high intermediate level turns and turn pattern combinations, how to maintain balance and connection with your partner while incorporating directional changes & intricate moves, improving musicality, how to remember shines and turn patterns and use them in different combinations, tips on how to be a better leader and follower, adding styling to your dancing – in short, how to be a more complete dancer!
Salsa Level 5: This course focuses on taking your dancing to the next level. Advanced level turn patterns, technique and skill development. Execute double spins, multiple turns and variations, intricate choreography, advanced level syncopations and sexy styling. Adapt and combine your moves to suit the level of your partner.

Bachata

Bachata Level 1: Bachata is a seductive and flirtatious dance that originated in the Dominican Republic and is played in all Salsa nightclubs. Learn the basic Bachata footwork and how to lead and follow some fun and simple Bachata turns and turn pattern combinations.
Bachata Level 2: Learn new turns and turn pattern combinations while focusing on the correct connection, tension and movement of Bachata dancing. Learn body isolation exercises and drills to help make this dance look smooth and sexy.
Bachata Level 3: Learn more intricate and complex Bachata turn pattern combinations. Learn how to execute syncopated Dominican style footwork. Learn body isolation exercises and drills to help you to incorporate the sensuous Bachata body movement needed to make this dance look effortless.
Bachata Level 4: Learn more intricate and sexy Bachata turn patterns. Add syncopated Dominican style footwork into your partner dancing. Learn how to incorporate the sensuous Bachata body movement needed to make this dance look effortless. Refine your leading & following technique in order to build a connection with each dance partner. And much more… For more information about schedules, classes, lessons, workshops and contacts, visit

https://www.stepsdance studio.com/

John Erban

Europe/ Suiza / Ginebra

John Erban. The International sensation of the Tango Scene

At International Salsa Magazine, we believe that what makes someone special is their passion and love for what they do and bring to others. This is the case with John Erban, the Venezuelan tango dancer and instructor that we had the pleasure to meet this month.

Photo 1: John Erban - Tango — Photo 1: John Erban – Tango

John Erban is based in Geneva, Switzerland. He is preparing his next European tour in order to give Tango classes, shows, festivals and more. With an interesting beginning, this Venezuelan left an engineering career to follow a passion that was growing inside of him:

Dance. The Colombian influence in his family was very important to him to take that step into dance. His beginning was centered in a more Latin/Caribbean style, starting with salsa and Venezuelan folklore.

Photo 2: John Erban - Tango — Photo 2: John Erban – Tango

After many years of mastering these styles, giving shows and performances, John met the style that changed his life, Tango. Thanks to the Tango Caracas Company, this dancer started a career in the Tango scene and in 2006, after only three months of practicing with his partner in that moment, John went to the worldwide Tango Championship in Argentina and the couple could passed to the semi- final, something remarkable for a Venezuelan contestants couple.

Later, in 2007, they made it to the finals and in 2008 the couple took part again of the contest and won the 3rd place.

Photo 3: John Erban - Tango — Photo 3: John Erban – Tango

After that, many doors opened for John in the Tango scene around the world, making a dance tour in TokyoJapan, and different countries of Asia. This was a learning process for John in so many ways, because he had the opportunity to meet so many different cultures, languages, perspectives and, overall, dances.

He returned to Argentina in 2009, this time with the amazing dancer Clarissa Sanchez as his new dancing partner, but it was just until 2011, the year of victory, where they were tied in the first place with a Colombian couple After this, John’s career just got off the ground, working and dancing a lot in Argentina, having tours in United States and Europe.

Photo 4: John Erban - Tango — Photo 4: John Erban – Tango

Currently, John is working by himself in Switzerland, organizing a big Milonga once a month in Geneva, and being invited to jury, perform, Dj and teach in Festivals and other cultural events around the world. In November begins his next European tour, with confirmed countries as France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and the U.K.

Some of his awards

Representative of Venezuela in the 8th. World Tango Summit in Bariloche, Argentina 2009.
Finalist of the 7th World Tango Championship held in Buenos Aires in 2009 in the category of Salon Tango.
3rd place of the 1st World Tango Championship held in Medellín, Colombia in 2011 in the Tango Salon category.
7th place of the 1st World Tango Championship held in Medellín, Colombia in 2011 in the category of Stage Tango.
2nd place of the IX World Tango Championship held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2011 in the Tango Salon category.
5th place of the IX World Tango Championship held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2011 in the Stage Tango category.
BEST FOREIGN COUPLE OF 2011, in the IX World Tango Championship held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2011

But having a lifestyle where you have to travel worldwide makes difficult being near to your family and the ones you love and that is a lesson that John has learned after many years of working hard. “When you travel like this, you have to internalize a state of separation, and it has been very hard for me, but I’m still working on that”.

Nevertheless, John is making all to have his son with him, and being close with his family as much as he can. Future goals for John are continue traveling, working and dancing. He is also working for next year in developing his own clothing line, videoclip production and online tango lessons through his new website.

Photo 5: John Erban - Tango — Photo 5: John Erban – Tango

Travel gives him a great opportunity to learn and see all types of languages and cultures. He also wants to create a dance academy and dance company, in order to make festivals, workshops and more.

John talks about Venezuela, its current situation, Europe, the people he’s helping and more, but the most remarkable and beautiful thing is how passionate he is talking about Tango and dance in general. When you talk with him, the desire of learn to dance starts growing, he’s just inspiring.

When we asked him what is the thing that he loves the most about Tango, he says that is the energy that you want to give and show to others, the energy that you want your partner feel, the sensations, the moves…

He knows that Tango is a very strict style with specific rules and it requires a lot of discipline, but he is innovating the style, giving it his signature and personality, and that is what he wants to develop, a new way of Tango style that could captivate anyone.

Finally he gives us tips for beginners in Tango and in dance in general. “Stay humble, always. Ego is an obstacle that every dancer has to defeat. Also you need to have discipline, learning Tango and every dance is like to learn a new language, you have to practice a lot and put all you effort to achieve your goal”. The best advice from a professional.

Photo 6: John Erban - Tango — Photo 6: John Erban – Tango

John Erban is such and unique person, with so much talent and vibrant personality. To know more about him and his work, check his page https://www.facebook.com/Johnerbantango/ www.johnerbantango.com Instagram y Twitter: @johnerbantango Email: [email protected]

Asia / June 2025

Karina Bernales present

May 2025

FESTIVALS

Vivafest Bodrum

May 07 / 14 2025

La Blanche Island Bodrum
Meşelik, Milas, Pina Yarimadasi
Bodrum, Turkey 48450

From € 100

Directory of Asian nightclubs
HONG KONG
Graffiti LKF G/F, 17-18 Lan Kwai Fong, Central Central, Hong Kong	SOLAR LKF Central 2nd Floor, Ho Lee Commercial Building, 38-44 D’Aguilqr Street, Lang Kwai Fong Central HKI Hong Kong	Sole Mio Upper Ground Floor, 51 Elgin Street, Soho Central Hong Kong, Hong Kong
ISRAEL
	Havana Music Club Yigal Alon St 126 Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel +972 3-562-3456
JAPAN
Egoland Bar Akihabara Chiyoda City, Kanda Sakumacho, 4 7－3 2F Tokyo, Japan	Bar Mirage 5F VORT Roppongi Briller, 3-14-14 Roppongi, Minato-ku Tokyo 106-0032, Japan +03-5860-6946	Fiesta Latin Spot Bar 3F, 1 Chome-14-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City Tokyo 160-0021, Japan +81 90-1086-2878
El Cafe Latino 3 Chome-15-24 Roppongi, Minato City Tokyo 106-0032, Japan +81 3-3402-8989	Latin Club Leon 5-17-6 B1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 160-0022, Japan	La Tropi Azabu 3F Roppongi Azelea Bldf. 1-3-6 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku Tokyo1060031, Japan
THAILAND
Bafros Sugar Club Complex Sukhumvit Soi 11 Bangkok 10110, Thailand +66 63 039 8700	Havana Social 1/1 Sukhumvit Rd. Soi 11 Bangkok, Thailand +66 2 821 6111
VIETNAM
Apocalypse Now Sai Gon 2F Thi Sach Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 70000 +84 799 741 261	La Habanera Basement 81 xuân diệu Tay Ho Hanoi 100000, Vietnam +84 35 320 7220	La Pachanga Club Saigon 3rd Floor, 39A Co Bac Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam +84 93 855 79 21

Europe / June 2025

Karina Bernales present	June 2025	FESTIVALS
CROATIA		Croatian Summer Salsa Festival Jun 09 / 16 2025 Resort Villas Rubin Villas Rubin Rovinj, Croatia 52210 From € 420
DENMARK		FusionKizz Festival Vol2 Jun 20 / 22 2025 Tropica Dance Studio Damagervej 10, 8260 Viby J. Aarhus, Denmark, From Kr 1100
FRANCE		Festival Corazon Latino Jun 27 / 28 2025 Rocher de Palmer 1, rue Aristide Briand Cenon, France 33150 From € 109
		Agen Kizomba Congress Jun 06 / 09 2025 Mairie Espace Culturel François Mitterrand Avenue François Mitterrand Boe, France 47550 From € 70
		Wanted Bachata Kizomba Week-End Jun 13 / 15 2025 Western City 17 Rte de Sainte-Maure Barberey-Saint-Sulpice, France 10600 From € 80
GERMANY		KizombaInvasion Jun 06 / 09 2025 Tanzschule Piet & Müller Oscar-Walcker-Straße 32-34 Ludwigsburg, Germany 71636 From € 100
SPAIN		Barcelona Temptation Festival Jun 18 / 23 2025 Hotel Evenia Olympic Park Semyora de rossell 35 Lloret de Mar, Spain 17310 From € 104

Directory of European nightclubs
CZECHIA
	La Macumba Štefánikova 230/7 150 00 Prague, Czech Republic
FRANCE
Canela Club Latino Paris 77 Rue du Faubourg du temple 75010 Paris, France	Cuba Compagnie Café 48 BD Beaumarchais 75011 Paris, France	Cubana Café 47 rue Vavin 75006 Paris, France
La Pachanga Officiel 8, rue vandamme 75014 Paris, France	La Peña Saint Germain 3 passage de la Petite Boucherie 75006 Paris, France	Le Balajo 9 rue de Lappe 75011 Paris, France
Pachamama PARIS 46 rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine 75012 Paris, France	Salseroparis 9 Rue du Petit Pont, 75005 Paris, France
GERMANY
Cascadas Ferdinandstr. 12 20095 Hamburg-Mitte, Germany	Havanna Berlin Hauptstr. 30 10827 Berlin-Schöneberg, Germany	La Macumba – The Real Latin Club in Hamburgs Adenauerallee 3 20097 Hamburg, Germany
Latin Palace Changó Münchener Strasse 57 60329 Frankfurt, Germany	Soda Club Berlin Schönhauser Allee 36 10435 Berlin, Germany
MALTA
	Barrio Latino Malta Ghar il Lembi Street SLM1562 Sliema Central Region, Malta
POLAND
	Teatro Cubano Warsaw ul. Aleksandra Fredry 6 00-097 /> Warsaw, Poland
SPAIN
ACM CitY Carrer Can Pallarès 2, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08290 Barcelona, Spain	Antilla Barcelona C/ d’Aragó, 141 08015 Barcelona, Spain	Azúcar SalsaDisco Calle de Atocha, 107 28012 Madrid, Spain
Cuba Live Ramón y cajal número 2 07011 Palma de Mallorca, Spain	Discoteca El Son C. de la Victoria, 6 28012 Madrid, Spain	Discoteca Prisma C. de Alcalá, 192 28028 Madrid, Spain
El Edén Boliviano Carrer Gremi de Tintorers, 49A 07009 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain	Mojito Club Rosselló, 217 08008 Barcelona, Spain	Morena Barcelona calle 11 num.29 08860 Castelldefels, Spain

Qué Chimba Av. del Vallès, 117 08223 Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain	Sala Olvido C/ Olvido 15 28026 Madrid, Spain	Seven Dance (Dio Club) Carrer del Perill 10 08012 Barcelona, Spain
	The Host C/ Ferraz nº 38 28008 Madrid, Spain +34 918 05 36 48
UNITED KINGDOM
Bar Salsa Soho 96 Charing Cross Rd WC2H 0JG London, UK	Bar Salsa Temple Victoria Embankment, Temple WC2R 2PH London, UK	JUJU’s Bar & Stage Ely’s Yard 15 Hanbury Street E1 6QR London, UK
Revolucion de Cuba Leeds 64-68 Call Lane LS1 6DT Leeds, UK	The LightHouse Bar & Club 62 Rivington Street EC2A 3AY London, UK

Claudia Acuña She is mainly known for singing jazz standards, ballads, and bossa nova

Claudia Acuña (Santiago de Chile, July 31, 1971) is a Chilean jazz singer considered the most successful Chilean jazz artist of all time. Since 1995 she has lived in New York, USA.

Photo by Hollis King dress by Anthony Manfredonia back stage at Carnegie Hall

She is known mainly for singing jazz standards, ballads, and bossa nova, as well as for developing and promoting Chilean folklore in the United States and the jazz world.

Abandoning the traditional jazz standards she covered in her two works for Verve, Chilean vocalist Claudia Acuña reveals a more contemporary Latin sound, with R&B influences, in her Maxjazz debut.

Undoubtedly Acuña’s most personal work to date, Luna once again displays her immense gift for delicately passionate vocals and interesting arrangements. While still using the smooth, sensitive Fender Rhodes keyboards of longtime collaborator Jason Lindner, Acuña sings more in Spanish on his third disc only Lindner’s “Yesterday You and I” is sung in English and eschews any straight-ahead jazz style for an almost fusion approach.

This is not to say it is jazz-pop, but the delicate melodies are reminiscent of 1970s Airto Moreira and the best Al Jarreau.

Claudia Acuña Se destaca principalmente por cantar jazz standards, baladas, y bossa nova

Although there are few jazz improvisations (most tracks are less than five minutes long), the music remains complex, cultured and sophisticated, with deep harmonies that should please jazz lovers and Latin music enthusiasts alike. Matt Collar.

Claudia Acuña, born in 1971 in Santiago, Chile, is one of the most representative voices of contemporary Latin American singing.

Her music, which fuses elements of jazz and Chilean folk music, has captured the attention of audiences both nationally and internationally.

Claudia has managed to position herself as a key figure in the diffusion of Chilean culture through her art.

Early years and formation

From a very young age, Acuña showed interest in music. She grew up in an environment where Chilean musical traditions were part of everyday life. In her childhood, she began to learn about the guitar and piano, which led her to develop her vocal talent. Claudia Acuña trained in the musical field in various institutions, where she cultivated her love for jazz, a genre that would profoundly influence her throughout her career.

Successes and trajectory

Claudia Acuña’s debut in the music world was well received, which opened the doors to a series of presentations in festivals and concerts in Chile and other Latin American countries.

Her debut album, which includes a fusion of traditional Chilean rhythms and rhythms from other cultures, was acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, propelling her career to new heights.

Throughout her career, Claudia has collaborated with leading musicians and participated in important international festivals. Her ability to perform not only Latin American music, but also jazz standards, has made her versatility recognized by her peers and followers.

The albums she has released throughout her career reflect her love for music and her commitment to creating a unique sound that represents her cultural identity.

Cultural Impact

Claudia Acuña is not only a talented singer, but also a fervent advocate of Chilean culture. Through her music, she seeks to preserve and promote the traditions of her country, and often incorporates elements of folklore in her interpretations.

Her presence on international stages has allowed many people to discover and appreciate the richness of Chilean music.

In addition, she is known for her charisma and energy on stage, which makes her a memorable performer in each of her presentations.

Claudia has inspired generations of young musicians in Chile and abroad, encouraging others to explore their cultural roots and express themselves through music.

Recognitions and awards

Throughout her career, Claudia Acuña has been honored with several awards and recognitions, both nationally and internationally. These awards not only highlight her artistic ability, but also her impact on the music community. Claudia continues to work actively in the industry, collaborating with new artists and participating in musical projects that promote Chilean talent abroad.

Conclusions

Claudia Acuña is a Chilean singer who has left an indelible mark on Latin American music. Her music and her commitment to her country’s culture have established her as a unique artist in the contemporary music scene. As she continues her career, her influence is likely to continue to grow, bringing Chile’s rich musical heritage to new audiences around the world.

Claudia Acuna – Luna (2004)

Temas:

Esta Tarde Vi Llover (Armando Manzanero)
Yesterday You and I (Jason Lindner)
Tu, Mi Delirio (Cesar Portillo de la Luz)
Arrimate Mi Amor (Pedro Green & Jorge Diaz)
Historias (Claudia Acuña & Jason Lindner)
Chorado (Guinga)
A Meditation On Two Chords (Jason Lindner)
Oceano (Djavan)
Yo No Llevo La Razon (Antonio Restucci)
Lilas (Djavan)
Carita De Luna (Claudia Acuña & Jason Lindner)

Musicians:

Claudia Acuña (Vocals)

Jason Lindner (Acoustic Piano and Fender Rhodes)

John Benítez (Double Bass and Electric Bass)

Gene Jackson (Drums)

Luisito Quintero (Percussion)

Jimmy Greene (Soprano Sax)

By:

Dayhist

Dj. Augusto Felibertt

L’Òstia Latin Jazz

Also Read: From Chile Nairoby and La Casa del Ritmo with their project “Vinyl Plater Productions”

Search Results for: Festival

Steps Dance Studio

Meet Jennifer Aucoin, Founder, Executive Director and Instructor.

Classes offered in Steps Dance Studio

Salsa

Bachata

John Erban. The International sensation of the Tango Scene

May 2025

FESTIVALS

Vivafest Bodrum

Directory of Asian nightclubs

June 2025

FESTIVALS

Croatian Summer Salsa Festival

FusionKizz Festival Vol2

Festival Corazon Latino

Agen Kizomba Congress

Wanted Bachata Kizomba Week-End

KizombaInvasion

Barcelona Temptation Festival

Directory of European nightclubs

Claudia Acuña (Santiago de Chile, July 31, 1971) is a Chilean jazz singer considered the most successful Chilean jazz artist of all time. Since 1995 she has lived in New York, USA.

Claudia has managed to position herself as a key figure in the diffusion of Chilean culture through her art.

Claudia Acuña is not only a talented singer, but also a fervent advocate of Chilean culture. Through her music, she seeks to preserve and promote the traditions of her country, and often incorporates elements of folklore in her interpretations.

Wanted Bachata Kizomba
Week-End