Search Results for: Latin dance world

Habana Style. Dance Company “Where dancing is a pleasure”

North America / USA / Las Vegas

Habana Style

Founded by a professional dancer and choreographer, Yody Iznaga in 2001, to offer people who are passionate about latincaribbean and cuban music a place where they could learn such exotic dance styles and express themselves in dance body movements as its main objective. Habana Style Dance Company is one of the very few dance schools in LAS VEGAS which offer its public a complete portfolio with about 15 different latin-caribbean dance styles with an objective to enable the students to feel identified with what they are looking for in specific.

Yody Iznaga professional dancer and choreographer born in Cuba and educated through the authentic Cuban technique of modern dance created by the professor Eduardo Rivero Walker at a professional company Teatro de la Danza del Caribe (Theater of Caribbean Dance). Yody Iznaga knows to perfection about 15 different dance styles. He dances on TV channels and big and famous stages known in the world of salsa. Yody has choreographed and danced for artists like Marc Anthony, Victor Manuelle, La India, Maelo Ruiz, and others. https://habana.style

Habana Style - Social Photo 1 — Habana Style – Social Photo 1

Dance Classes at Habana Style Dance Company

Private lessons Private lessons represent the most accurate, effective and the fastest way to learn or master any dance style of your choice; since you can choose exactly what you would like to learn and the areas you need to improve. The dance studio is reserved only and exclusively for you and the instructor for the time of your scheduled session. This is also why you can fully enjoy and exploit the most out of the instructor’s time and attention which are completely yours during the private lesson.

Workshops Workshops are special dance classes taught by certified professionals with the main objective to develop and improve special dance abilities and to acquire original movements of a specific dance style. Members of Habana Style Dance Company learn through an authentic technique created by the dancer & choreographer Yody Iznaga. This authentic method focuses also on clean movements while it is easy to understand and acquire due to the high and professional level of teaching methodology typical for Habana Style.

Group Classes Group classes are designed for people who want to learn in an entertaining way how to dance and at the same time to meet people and to connect to people who have the same dance objective.

The classes are structured so that also people without a partner can participate in and enjoy the group classes. Students keep on rotating which allows them to improve their commands necessary for social dance. The group classes are designed to create a friendly environment and increase trust among participant; students are greatly encouraged to practice and demonstrate the knowledge acquired in the group classes on the dance floor at our social dance nights.

Habana Style - Social Photo 2 — Habana Style – Social Photo 2

Benefits of Dancing with Habana Style Dance Company

Habana Style Dance Company offers various benefits to its members while dancing Latin-Caribbean dances at the dance studio. Preparing and encouraging students to enjoy social dances anywhere in the world. On their way toward this goal, students have loads of fun, relieve stress, exercise, meet people with the same dance objective, and have constant participation in social events.

Members of Habana Style Dance School learn through an authentic technique created by the dancer & choreographer Yody Iznaga. This authentic method focuses also on clean movements while it is easy to understand and acquire due to the high and professional level of teaching methodology typical for Habana Style Dance Company.

Last but not least, Habana Style Dance School offers its members to join teams where they reach a very high level of dance including exotic movements within the social and professional dance through a long path of practices. What could be more beautiful and uniquely identifying than the exotic mixture of Salsa with Afro-Cuban rhythms and Cuban rumba within popular and social dances?

Amore Dance

North America / USA / New York

Provide quality teaching at affordable prices, allowing anyone that has a love for movement, dance and fitness to partake, ensure that clients have fun while promoting good health. Personal gains, such as improved self-esteem and self-motivation, combined with measurable benefits are only some of the proven benefits of a fun dance and fitness program. And serve as a source of quality dance instruction, fitness instruction and performances are the mission in Amore Dance.

Tony & Jessica Witt, owners of Amoré Dance, are both ZUMBA® International Presenters and ZUMBA Education Specialists. They are 2 of the original 13 that helped introduce ZUMBA to the world as ZUMBA went global.

Tony & Jessica Witt are a certified ACE/AFAA instructors / presenters & Zumba Education Specialist, based in Kansas City . They are also professional dancers trained in International Latin and Standard Ballroom, Salsa & Swing. In 2004, Jessica & Tony’s passions for Latin Ballroom dancing and for Zumba leadComm them to open their very own dance studio, Amore Dance.

Tony and Jessica have been featured in the commercial zumba videos, created choreography for zumba training videos, helped write & develop zumba programs: Zumba Basic 1, Zumba Basic 2, Aqua Zumba and Zumba Kids, and education materials, launched the zumba program in Taiwan, China, Japan and Canada. They have been featured in Zumba Conventions 2008-2013 and currently teach and perform at worldwide dance and tness conventions including, Idea Fitness, Chicago Salsa Congress, New York Salsa Congress, SCW Fitness, Can Fit Pro, DCAC, AFAA Japan Conventions, AFAA Taiwan Conventions, and much more. With all this experience, Tony & Jessica have established Amore Dance, the dance academy able to provide and teach the best of ZUMBA and all its exciting movements.

You can contact them or find all the information you’re looking for at http://amoredance.com/

How To Be A Successful Social Dancer

North America / USA / New York

Social dancing is one of my favorite things about the Latin dance world. There’s something magical about going to any social, but especially one in New York City. As I step out of the elevator and into the social, New York’s busy streets fade away and transported to an entirely different time and place. Music vibrates through the room. The air hangs heavy with sweat. Here I am free to feel, to create, to imagine. Here I am safe.

But it didn’t always feel this way. There was a time when the idea of going to any social left me anxious and uncomfortable. I felt nervous asking leaders to dance. I dreaded the part in the dance when he would let me go and leave me on my own for shines––what would I do?! Surely I’d run out of steps and embarrass myself.

The biggest thing that has changed since then and now is my ability to follow. As I’ve become a better follower, I’m able to devote more energy to creating actual movement while I’m social dancing, and spend less time thinking about which foot I step with or which hand I take.

For me, a lot of the magic of social dancing comes from the movement itself. That dancer’s high comes from the physical exertion itself, the endorphins your body creates as it bends and twists, contracts and lengthens.

Practicing the very fundamentals of leadand-follow will help you get to this state in your own social dancing. Take classes and private lessons too, but don’t forget to spend time practicing on your own. Without dedicated practice, you’ll waste all of the time and money you spend on classes. It doesn’t matter if you practice in a studio space or in your living room, just devote time to practicing.

It’s also helpful to set a goal for yourself each time you go out social dancing and focus on that one particular thing all night. For example, if you just learned a new pattern in class, try to use it at least once during each dance. If you’re working on transferring your weight, pay special attention to your six/seven or your two/three during every dance.

Actively creating a community is another large part of being a successful social dancer. While the salsa scene is an incredibly diverse community, it still has a strong Latin influence, and there are certain Latin cultural norms present throughout any salsa community regardless of city, state, or country. Perhaps the one that took me the longest to figure out is the idea that it’s your responsibility to go around and say hello and goodbye to everyone in the room, whether you know them well or not.

Growing up I was taught that it is rude to ask questions or insert yourself into a conversation with people you don’t know that well. It took me a while to learn and understand that at a salsa social, it’s considered rude not to. Be the person who walks into the room and says hello to everyone with a kiss on the cheek. Say hello to them even if you don’t know their name, or don’t quite recognize their face. Even if doing so feels a bit uncomfortable. Make sure to make the rounds and say goodbye before you leave the event too.

Successful social dancers also ask others to dance. Followers, this applies to you as much as it does to leaders! Ask the person you really want to dance with to dance, even if you’re scared to do it. Ask the person you’re not excited about dancing with too. It will make their night. Ask the regulars in the community you see all the time, the newcomers, and out of town visitors.

Finally, a huge part of creating any community is showing up. You don’t have to go out social dancing every weekend, but do make an effort to go out regularly. Show up and show your support for recurring socials, as well as those special events and anniversary parties. The social dancing community only flourishes as much as the people in it and for this global community to grow, we all have to devote energy and time to it.

The best Salsa-Latin bands in London! Are you in London?

Europe / England / London

London: Here we bring you the best Latin bands you must check right now!

PALENKE, the Latin dance leader in London

Palenke was born in 1990 to the collective talents of Fernando Suarez – “Kinacho” and Lisandro Zapata from Colombia. Both are highly professional performers and are widely experienced in the Latin and Jazz scene.

Photo 1 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 1 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

The Band’s eclectic repertoire is passionate, dynamic and eminently danceable: from the characteristically hot blooded tempos of Cuban Salsa and Brazilian Lambada, the traditional folk rhythms of Colombian cumbia and Dominican Merengue, to the latest Caribbean Reggae and universally popular Spanish style “Gypsy Kings”. This all singing band includes the traditional latin rhythm section, piano, guitar, bass, congas, bongos and timbale. It is fronted by Adriana Santana also Colombian, who has become the “Queen of Salsa” in London captivating the audience with her magnetic voice and sensual dancing.

Over the years Palenke has toured: Switzerland (Montreaux Festival), France, Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, Ireland and Turkey. The band has performed for dignitaries such as Prince Charles, the late King Hussein of Jordan, King Juan Carlos of Spain and has become a spicy ingredient at hotels, clubs and many pop stars parties.

In the UK, the band is well known from North to South as a leading Latin band spreading the Latin fever from small to big audiences. Palenke has been invited to the Barbican Centre, the South Bank, The Edinburgh Festival and several TV shows. Palenke over the years had worked with the collaboration of great Musicians such as: Oscar Ruiz, timbale; Bill Bland, congas; Alejandro Martinez, multi-percussionist and Luis Carlos Fuentes, Drummer.

Photo 3 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 3 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

SAMBOSSA, a band playing the sounds & rhythms of Brazil

With music ranging from sultry Bossa Nova & grooving Afro-funk to blistering samba, Sambossa have everything needed to delight both the listener & the dancer.

Featuring the unique vocal talents of ELISANGELA MAHOGANY, who brings originality to some classic Brazilian tunes.

Also from Rio is hugely talented multi-instrumentalist MARCELO ANDRADE who showcases his saxophone & flute styles.

Guitarist PAUL RUMBOL leads this band as well as being band leader of the celebrated group Viramundo. He also sings & plays the cavquinho (small Brazilian guitar) & has been working alongside the most talented Brazilian performers for more than 20 years.

Completing the quartet is XAVIER OSMIR from São Paulo, Brazil who brings his wonderful percussion & vocal talents. The band is also available as a trio and duo for smaller events/budgets. SAMBOSSA, a compact but very powerful Brazilian/Latin group.

Photo 4 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 4 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

RIAMBA: the professionals of rhythm!

With flair for performing, Riamba is one of the most sought after and lively Latin music bands on the London scene today. Its flexible 3 to 7 piece line-up is led by a superb female vocalist and backed by a strong rhythm section which includes: piano, trumpet, bass and typical Latin American percussion.

With their combined musical talents, the group is perfectly suited for the many different occasions and requests that Riamba receives; from a fully blown Salsa dance band with optional dance tuition, to a more relaxed event where lively background music in the Latin style is required.

Photo 5 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 5 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

Riamba’s musicians, who are from Latin America, Europe and the UK, have had an eclectic musical training with professional experiences to match, encompassing: Latin American, jazz, pop and classical music.

As individuals this has led them to perform on tours in the UK and around the world with artists such as: Björk, Jason Rebello, The Ghana Dance Ensemble, Stewart Copeland (The Police), and at venues which include: Pizza on the Park, The 606 Club, The Royal Festival Hall, Glastonbury Festival, The Sydney Festival (Australia) and The National Theatres (London and Ghana).

Photo 2 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 2 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

Riamba has performed for many private clients and at venues which include: The National Theatre (London), The National Portrait Gallery, The Dorchester Hotel, The Cultural Olympiad, Battersea Park and Regent’s Park Festival as well as travelling abroad for European performances.

Tromboranga, the Latin soul in Europe.

Europe

A band formed in Spain to share rhythm, music and soul around the world. As a part of the new generation of independent Latin orchestras around the world, Tromboranga is the pure essence of “Salsa Dura”. Tromboranga´s spicy ingredients are the trombones sound, solid and strong percussion, and they recover the essence of “soneos” (voice improvisation among the chorus). With influences from the salsa music from the 60s and 70s, maintaining a raw, strong and a very danceable sound.

Their original songs like “Humildad”, “Palo pa la campana”, “Ah Caraj”, “Mi China Colombiana”, talks about stories that can describe the life of any of us, and they have become number one in Latin radios and dance floors worldwide.

Tromboranga is made up of musicians from the Caribbean and Europe, all residents of Barcelona, Spain.

Its members are:

Joaquín Arteaga, Band leader, Timbal and composer from Venezuela, known for his long career as a percussionist and also as band leader of the orchestra “Bloque 53”.

Diego Coppinger, traditional “Sonero”, with an extensive carrer that includes “Tropicana” in Cuba, gives color and Cuban flavor, with great force and experience in his amazing soneos.

Freddy Ramos, young singer from Venezuela, also arranger with a wide impresive musical career.

Rafael “Madagascar” Arciniegas adds Colombian flavor with his piano and arrangements.

Lorenzo “El diablo” Barriendos, Venezuelan musician on bass, with tastefull tumbaos, known for his interventions with orchestras such as Trabuco Venezolano, Mango group Guaco among others.

The strong and colorful trombone section, which offers a distinctive mark on the band: Vladimir Peña (Venezuela), Josep Blanes (Spain) and Albert Costa (Catalunya), all supported by the taste and the conga afinque Oriol Martinez and the spicy bongo of Climent Campa.

Their first EP “Agua que va caer” hits the market in November 2011 in anticipation for the first official cd “Salsa Dura” (April 2012), considered by Latin music lovers, DJs, dancers and specialize salsa bloggers among the 10 best CDs of 2012. Also recorded a CD together with Bloque 53 “Tumba Puchunga” where the song “Me alborotas” and also “Tumba Puchunga” reached number one in many Latin radios listings.

In April 2013 the new cd “Al mal tiempo buena salsa”, take them to do their first world tour in Spain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, Tunisia, Germany and Colombia.

In November 2013 they release a L.P. Vinyl Special Limited Edition (only 300 copies) called “Solo para coleccionistas Vol. 1”. They are invited to do 4 concerts at one of the biggest salsa festivals in the world “La Feria de Cali” and Pereira, Colombia. The 4 concerts were filled in its entirety. Since then the followers and fans of the band call themselves “Salseros Tromborangueros”.

In 2014 visit Mexico on a tour of four dates, all concerts were sold out and the public had the opportunity to hear some songs from the 4th Album called “Salsa pa’ rato”, with 10 new original tracks.

From “Salsa pa´rato” album the track “Palo pa la campana” is already a hit among salsa dancers, been between top 10 salsa dancing songs of 2014. Also “Sentimiento Caleño”, a song dedicated to the city of Cali. Songs with social messages like “Esclavo de tu apariencia”, “No tengo pa pagar” and “Como la marea” also known for their catchy tune.

2015 arrives with new album “Golpe con Melodía” , with 8 new hard and raw salsa tunes, and great swing for dancers, with songs like “Golpe con Melodía”, son montuno “Carretera” and a cover of “La mafia”. And a extensive tour in Colombia, Ecuador and in USA for the first time in cities like New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and many more.

In 2016 the songs “Ah Caraj, aquí que pasó”, “Cambumbo”, “El rey sin corona”, “No me vuelvo a enamorar”and “Mi China Colombiana” from new album “Sangre Sudor y Salsa” are already on every salsa Dj set. Also they release amazing new videos from this songs. In 2016 they have long tour from Japan to Russia, from USA to United Kingdom and all Europe.

Other songs like “Agua que va caer”, “Humildad”, “Te provoca”, “Adios que te vaya bien”, “Mama Calunga”, “amigo el raton”, “Boogaloo Marilu”, “Rompe colchon” are danced currently on the dance floor of salsotecas, dance schools, salsa parties and salsa festivals worldwide.