La Bodeguita Heats Up!

La Bodeguita Del Medio heated up this week with the first ever ‘ A Ver Quien Te Toca?’ contest. This is Vallarta’s version of a popular dance contest in the U.S. and England called Jack and Jill in which the basis is you have no idea who you will be paired with to compete, no idea what song and no idea if you will ‘connect’ as a dancing couple.

The contest began on Sunday, May 8th with approximately 20 contestants competing for prize packages ranging from yoga classes, bikinis and dinners from local sponsors: La Bodeguita Del Medio, Pop Diner and Cupocity.com. The contest was open to any level so long as they felt comfortable with the basics of any of the many styles of salsa. The improvisation contest began with a warm-up from the contestants followed by the female participants picking their partners from an oversized margarita glass. Once the partners knew who they would be dancing with, they were asked to go to the center of the dance floor and improvise with their partner to a randomly picked song from the DJ. The result was nothing short of interesting and captivating as the dancers tried to figure out how they were going to meld their individual and sometimes different styles together. Some dancers were very familiar with ‘On 1’ or ‘On 2’ and others enjoy dancing Cuban style or Casino Rueda. The competing couples were judged by public applause that evening and at times became a bit difficult to differentiate who the applause was for. However, the end result was that five couples were picked to go to the finals which took place Wednesday, May 11 and everyone had a blast!

The day of the finals, La Bode which is what we call this famous Cuban joint for short offered an open bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and a 15% discount thereafter to celebrate what they called, ‘La Gran Fiesta Pata Salada’. The place began to fill up fast after 9:30 with dance supporters and VIP guests showing up to take part in the event.

The kickoff for the contest was a performance by Israel Andalon of Shanti Studio’s Casino Rueda, followed by a warm-up for the contest participants, a performance by dancing couple Ana Laura Cabrera and Jaime Monteil. What followed were the finales with the contest finalists once again drawing names and dancing to randomly picked songs and doing their best to connect and move rhythmically. The contest concluded with a captivating, awe-inspiring performance by Edwin Rodriguez Ovalle of the Latin Brothers.

This time the contestants were to be individually judged by a panel of judges. Everyone present was out to have a great time and drink, eat, dance and be merry! The Cupocity staff brought their crew to film and photograph – Alejandro Ponce and Brendan Harris respectively. The final event and all footage and photos will be posted on Cupocity.com’s website and facebook page by this Monday. The entire event was organized by La Bodeguita Del Medio, Luigi Zenni, and Latin Motion PV. Participating schools included the Latin Brothers, Shanti Studio, students from Academia Salsa Class, and many others. Congratulations to the winners: 1st place: Edwin Rodriguez Ovalle and Cecilia De Leon, 2nd place: Israel Andalon and Laura Brown, and 3rd place: Jorge Abraham Meza Cruz and Laura Nayeli Jimenez Meza!

Marcella Castellanos teaches salsa at Yoga Vallarta. You can contact her via Facebook or Twitter at Latin Motion PV or at www.latinmotionpv.com or visit her blog at http://latinmotionpv.blogspot.com/.

Salsa Etiquette

When you’re out salsa dancing etiquette is something dancers should be aware of. Just like in yoga class you shouldn’t wear fragrances, arrive late to avoid disruption and not look at your fellow yoga buddies class too much, there are unspoken rules to follow on the dance floor.

Here are the top 6:
#6- Say NO to B.O. - No one likes to get stuck smelling a stinky dance partner. It’s torture through a 3 -5 minute song. I know we live in hot, humid, sweaty Vallarta but please, be bathed and wear normal deodorant. Not the crystal, hippy kind that has no cancer-causing chemicals but does nothing. Take a chance, at least that night.

#5- No Jealous Territorial Boyfriends- Salsa is a social dance and you’re expected to dance with different partners. It’s just a dance! No need to get freaked out every time your significant other dances with someone else. That’s what they’re supposed to do. A lot of times that passion you see is just a ‘dance connection ‘not necessarily a physical connection. Well, but sometimes it‘s not. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is… really, there’s no need for great concern. After your night of dancing, you are going home with your boyfriend/girlfriend. Everything is copasetic.

#4- No Caveman Behavior- Gentlemen, be gentlemen. Just because you spot a girl that you want to dance with doesn’t mean you can just grab her hand and pull her on the dance floor like you just clubbed her over the head. If she’s with a man, show some manners and first ask her partner/friend if you may dance with her. And if she’s by herself, politely put out your hand and ask for hers.

#3- Keep your Eyes to Yourself- Yes, it important to have eye contact that lends itself to a good connection with your partner. But please Don’t Stare! Looking down isn’t attractive either and neither is staring at your partners chest, so a good rule of thumb is to keep good posture, look up and always look at something at eye level including your partner, but just don’t stare.

#2-Flying Elbows- You’re an awesome dancer. Congratulations. But please be aware that this is a social dance which means that others will also be occupying the same dance floor. Therefore, keep your flips in the air for your times of choreography. And watch your elbows or you might get a knuckle sandwich.

#1- Ladies Don’t Be Hogs- We know there are more men/leaders than there are followers, but please don’t take possession of the leader once you’ve danced one song. Not only does the leader want freedom to dance with other people, often they want a little break before dancing the next song. So ladies, be courteous.

Marcella Castellanos teaches salsa at Yoga Vallarta. You can contact her via Facebook or Twitter at Latin Motion PV or at www.latinmotionpv.com or visit her blog at http://latinmotionpv.blogspot.com/.

Latin Motion

Who or What is Jack and Jill in Salsa?

Have you ever gone into a dance club
or social and sat in awe watching
different couples dancing like
professionals moving so fluidly to the
rhythm and timing of the music as they
demonstrate a close connection with
one another. You’re mesmerized and
pretty certain they have been dancing
together for years and that’s why they
look so good. Oftentimes, this is not
the case. Sometimes it is, but more
often it’s not. Salsa dancing by nature
is a social dance which means that
you are constantly switching partners
to interpret music differently, dance
to a different salsa beat-On 1 or On2,
and just plain vary your dancing.
Sometimes a dancer connects better
with a certain dancer more than another
and has almost nothing to do with how
well they know each other or how long
they have danced together.
Because salsa dancing has such an
international following, there are
times that people, strangers, just show
up at any given salsa venue and dance
with willing partners with what has
been determined to be more or less
their level of dance ability. When this
pairing happens, the result can be an
incredibly spontaneous, improvised,
awe-inspiring dance that looks like
it had been practiced for weeks or
months.
This is what Jack and Jill contests are
all about.
Jack and Jill is the term used for a
popular salsa contest in which dancers
–leaders and followers, are randomly
matched. Unlike most conventional,
professional competitions in which the
dancers are judged on choreography,
costumes, technique, timing, and
a string of many other qualifying
criteria, this type of dance is judged
based on how well you improvisesocial
dance. It is a lot more lighthearted
by nature and is spontaneous
and fun to participate in as much as it
is fun to watch.
Basically, salsa dancers are randomly
paired with each other and the new
paired couples are asked to do an
improvised salsa dance to the DJ’s
selection of the music right on the
spot. No preparation can be had and no
choreography allowed. Costumes are
often not judged and usually anything
goes in your dancing.
The term Jack and Jill commonly used
in the U.S or Dance with a Stranger as
it’s called in the UK comes from the
popular nursery rhyme, Jack and Jill
and also from Jack Carey the format
innovator who is also a Swing Dance
Hall of Fame dancer, choreographer
and judge.
Stay tuned for details. Jack and Jill just
might be appearing in Puerto Vallarta
soon and you won’t want to miss this
exciting event of spontaneity and
sensuality. They might have to change
the contest name to Jose y Juana.
Marcella Castellanos teaches Salsa
and soon Bachata at Yoga Vallarta.
You can contact her via Facebook or
Twitter at Latin Motion PV or at www.
latinmotionpv.com or visit her blog at
http://latinmotionpv.blogspot.com/.

Where can I go Latin dancing?

Sometimes local venues will give salsa socials a try at least one night a week, but unfortunately if they don’t see profits or a big draw of people in about a 4-6 week time-frame the effort will come to a halt. As a result, it’s a bit difficult to know where to go, because at times, just as you’re beginning to find out about a new place, the social night disappears. However, there are a few venues that are dedicated to this genre of music. Included is the always lively Cuban hang-out La Bodeguita del Medio located on the Malecón. The live music begins at 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday with a Cuban band playing on a yearly contract. The atmosphere is cheery and reminiscent of being in a smoky dive bar in Havana. The only drawback is that the dance floor is tiny and lends itself to lots of bumping bodies or tight squeezes dancing Bachata or Salsa. Besides that, it’s a great place and the staff is always friendly, and there is no cover.

Candela Pura is one of the newer places in PV located at the turn-off to the libramiento and across the street from Mega. On Thursdays and Fridays they’ll have a salsa band or a DJ play Latin tunes from 10 p.m. into the wee hours of the night. The dance floor is expansive, the place has a dark, nightclub atmosphere and the lounge sofas and tables are comfortable for long hours of socializing with a cocktail. I like this place mainly because they seem to like and support salseros although I generally prefer tropical-like or beachfront atmospheres when wanting to Latin dance- it’s just more inspiring.

Here the sultry Dulce Mireya Palacios Prado teaches salsa in Spanish Thurs. and Sat. from 8:30- 10:00 p.m. and the cost per class is 50 pesos. No cover here.
Then there is J&B Nightclub, one of the oldest dance venues in PV. This place looks like a 70’s disco and plays different Latin tunes almost every night.

The biggest advantage here is the hardwood dance floor, perfect for dancing and there almost always seems to be enough room for freedom of movement.

The last Friday of every month, they present what’s called Fiesta Latina when different dance schools –instructors and students alike perform on stage.

This place stays open until the early morning and is located at Francisco Medina Ascencio. It’s not one of my favorite places, simply because I would prefer to hear more salsa, Bachata and Cha Cha Cha music than Cumbia which is what they love to play, but many seem to really enjoy it.

The Latin Brothers teach salsa class in Spanish on Tues., Thur. and Fridays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Each hour class costs 50 pesos. They are a talented, well-liked brother and sister team. Sometimes there is a cover of up to 100 pesos.

Next up, the Twisted Rose in Bucerias. Now this is a tropical gem tucked about two or three blocks from the beach, it’s easy to miss if it weren’t for the vibrant sounds of the live Cuban band emanating from the inside.

The dance floor is great and the eats and drinks are inexpensive. There is usually a cover charge of about 50 pesos and the band plays Saturdays from 9ish until midnight.

This is one of my favorite places due to the outdoor, tropical atmosphere. More specifically, it’s located about two or three blocks from the central plaza.

Last, but definitely not least, is Don Pedro’s in Sayulita. Beachfront and fabulous!

Many PV peeps drive an hour there and an hour back every Monday just to get there dancing fix and hear the fantastic Cuban band. It’s a great mix of foreigners out to have a good time with salsa obsessed locals.

The oceanfront vibe here is always worth the drive and I hear the food is really good.

Sayulita is so small that you can just arrive and ask where it is so that someone will point you in the right direction.

The band starts playing at 8 p.m. until eleven. About 30 pesos gets you through the door.

Marcella Castellanos teaches salsa at Yoga Vallarta. You can contact her via Facebook or Twitter at Latin Motion PV or at www.latinmotionpv.com or visit her blog at http://latinmotionpv.blogspot.com/.

Latin Motion

Salsa Dancing – A Sensuous Addiction

Last week we discussed the various influences that created salsa music. Naturally, with the evolution and melding of different countries and rhythms has come a variation of different styles of salsa dancing. Again, the style of salsa that you dance will depend on where you live and what is most commonly danced in the area where you reside as well as what your personal preference of style is. Additionally, your heritage may come into play. Are you Colombian, Puerto Rican, Italian, Cuban, Mexican, from New York, Miami… In San Francisco or New York you might hear someone ask you, “On1 or On 2”. This does not mean what is your drug of choice. Unless of course, you’re addicted to salsa.

In Puerto Vallarta what has been most commonly danced is ‘On1’ or LA style, but you will also see quite a bit of Cuban salsa, and Colombian salsa which is also called Cumbia especially on most nights at J&B Nightclub. Colombian style salsa consists of moving your feet back or to the side. There aren’t too many fancy tricks, turns, or spins in Colombian style – except if you are competing or are a professional dancer.

It’s a more casual, calmer but lively style of social dancing. Personally, I think the music is redundant and the moves are boring, but if there is no other option, I gotta keep moving my feet. So let’s talk a little a bit about the Cuban style you might see in “La Bode.” There is often a great band from Cuba on a yearly contract playing at that fun little place on the Malecòn.

Cuban style salsa is a more male-dominated ‘macho’ dance. All salsa is really, but Cuban style is more than the Los Angeles or New York style. This is because this style of dance is restrictive to the woman. Cuban Salseros grip the women’s wrists in a way that restricts her from extending her arms, fingers or doing any sexy styling. After a while, the woman gets bored because her freedom of movement and creativity becomes limited.

There are some popular contemporary bands however, that play faster rhythms and allow for the woman to dance solo and display her beautiful, rhythmic body movements. I’m all for that! Dancing should always allow for creativity and freedom of movement. This leads me to the more popular Casino Rueda.

Casino Rueda, also known as Salsa Casino or Salsa Rueda, is Cuban style salsa danced in a circle. It incorporates Afro-Cuban elements such as Son and Rumba and combines turns patterns and intricate combinations that are inspired from the 1950’s Rock n’Roll craze. In this exciting dance, couples form a circle in which one person calls or signals the different moves. It’s a fast paced, beautifully synchronized, exciting dance. You can learn Casino Rueda at Shanti Studio here in Puerto Vallarta.

Many Salseros who have mastered On1 salsa are beginning to take up On2 rhythms. Both salsa styles are linear. The main difference between the two styles is the approach to styling, and the ebb and flow of movement which begins on different breaks in the measure of the song. On1 is very flashy incorporating many flips and dips as you advance in the dance. It uses the contemporary mambo basic but executes the step by breaking forward on count ‘1’.
 

New York style or On2 is more like Mambo. This style incorporates body waves, free style footwork, shines, rib cage movements and shimmying displaying smooth, rhythmic body movements. The counts are on ‘4’ and ‘8’ , this is also known as Eddie Torres style.

You’ll see more On1 and On2 dancers usually at Candela Pura here in PV or as far as Bucerias at the Twisted Rose or Don Pedro’s in Sayulita.

No style is any better than the other. In fact, many dancers take the time to learn different styles because soon you find that certain songs are complimented better by certain styles. The more important thing is to develop your own sense of style by taking classes, workshops, listening to music, discussing concepts with your salsa dancing friends and just having FUN!! After all, salsa dancing to many is the drug of choice.

Marcella Castellanos teaches salsa at Yoga Vallarta. You can contact her at www.latinmotionpv.com