Do
you know, I'm having difficulty keeping up with the Salsa
Chillout whirlwind at the moment…I mean, just when you think
its safe to write a column….Terry and Yolande add something
else to the Chillout stable, and I have to make more notes…
Not
that I mind. My salsa social life is absolutely fabulous
at the moment, dahhling, and I don't have to spend much
money on petrol to enjoy it, either…
I
just tripped off down to the Belvedere in Billericay to
appear on TV. Like you do….. Sky were filming a Fly on the
Wall documentary about Dexter and Haley, whose love blossomed
across a crowded dance floor and are now happy and loved
up and all that…and In the spirit of complete nosiness I
went down to do some research. The conclusion I have come
to is that if you are me, the presence of a film crew –
even a discreet film crew – at a dance venue turns can turn
you from a competent to good dancer into Nellie the Elephant.
So you won't be seeing me in it then….but they did interview
our Terry and our Sharon, and filmed some rather excellent
turns and spins from our regulars, which did Salsa Chillout
and their team full justice, so watch this space – we'll
let you know when you can see the completed article.
So,
then, did you know that there is Yet Another new Chillout
club opening in Essex . Oh, yes, at rather a posh venue,
I'm told – Lords. (Not The Lords – although given the ever
evolving nature of salsa, salsa at the stumps surely can't
be far off). It's at Lords Golf and Country Club in Hullbridge,
commencing on Thursday 13 th September. Be there or be square,
but don't wear those checked golfing trousers – because
that's just wrong.
A
mere two days after this event its Terry's Birthday Party!!!
And he's got Lee Hunter, Leon Rose, and Leon Rose's Project
– Frank Santos and Inaki Fernandez. Lee and Leon to teach
and the Project to dance. What a fab present. I want one.!
What
you'll have is this….a Cha Cha workshop from Lee Hunter
–so looking forward to that. Then you'll have advanced salsa
from Leon Rose – so looking forward to that as well. Then
you'll have a show from the project – so looking forward
to that also. Need a lie down…..
Actually,
I have it on good authority that the Project will be performing
a hitherto almost unseen Cha Cha Routine….in fact, it has
only been seen once in the UK . And that was in Birmingham
. A few months ago now. So this is ALMOST A PREMIER. It
is if you look at the other one as a preview. So this is
A PREMIER….!
That's
quite a birthday party for Terry. He deserves it - he's
packed so much into his 23 years, who knows what the next
23 will produce….
And
there's more….don't forget Salsa and Food!!! Two of my favourite
things. All available in one evening at the Posh Salsa Chillout
Dinner Dance at the Marconi Club in Chelmsford . That's
on Friday 29 th September, and is really exclusive – only
140 tickets on sale. So book now and don't forget to wear
something with an elasticated waist.
That's
September done I think…..then there's October, and Lee and
Shelly at Marconi…..and there's bound to be more…I'll save
all that for next time, I think. Do tune in.
But
before I go, a little look back at the hugely successful
Alldayer held in Chelmsford with special guest teachers
and performers, Ramark from France . I did some thorough
research – i.e. I asked my friends – and the feedback was
excellent for all the classes.
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A
couple of tricks and dips as taught by Tery and Yolande
were demonstrated during the evening, and I was very impressed
– thank you Pete and Natalie for that…but I definitely won't
be trying that one at home…
And
as for the show – fast, fresh, fun, creative and sexy. A
real treat – Ohh La La…
And
as I take my duties as a journalist very very seriously,
I nabbed two members of the four piece for a brief chat
before they left.
So,
here it is:
RAMARK
– the brief chat
I
managed to nab Marion and Dom whilst Helene and Julien were
chilling out on the dance floor, just to find out a bit
more about the group and what they are all about, how, why,
when where, whence…..
So,
how did they find eachother.
“At
a party,” said Marion. “I had already been studying dance,
and I was a teacher, but when I used to go to parties they
played all techno stuff. Salsa is quieter and you really
get to dance.”
“I
chose salsa because you don't dance alone,” said Dom, “I'm
too shy to dance alone…”
So,
how do you get from dancing to performing?
For
Dom it was simple, “I saw someone performing and I was inspired
to do the same. First you try, and after you like…..I want
to grow in salsa, to perform.”
And
for him, it isn't just about the performing and the salsa,
“ I don't like to just dance, I like to fun dance. I like
to touch all people, not just ones who dance salsa.”
The
group have been together a mere year and a half, and actually,
getting together is harder than you might think. Dom, Helene
and Julien live in Paris , and Marion lives in Nice, so
every weekend the group meets up somewhere in order to perform,
practice and come up with ideas.
And
the ideas….the routine Ramark performed in Chelmsford was
based on a French ad for aftershave – think Lynx – and as
well as provoking admiration, put a smile on my face for
the duration of the dance.
Said
Marion, “We all put our ideas forward and work our routine
out. We see ideas everywhere.”
And
as Dom explained, “The salsa is quick, everything else takes
more time – the music for instance. This routine took about
four months to get ready from the idea to the performance.”
“This
routine is our third one. Our fourth is coming in two months,”
And
the appeal of performing and teaching?
“I
like salsa people,” said Narion, “and its lovely to travel
and to dance.”
For
Dom, “Everytime just for fun when we dance.”
Copyright
Chris Penhall 2007
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