Well, we're all dancers now, aren't we – we know exactly how they feel -except for the performing live to millions of viewers on Saturday nights, being pulled apart by judges and throwing ourselves at the mercy of the voting public - but apart from that, we know exactly how they feel, because we are all learning to dance, and we are all completely and utterly besotted with it. We all trip over our own feet, we all get frustrated, and every single one of us has experienced the exhilaration of having that one dance that totally takes you out of your own skin and onto cloud nine. And once you've experienced it, you seek it out, week after week – sometimes getting it, sometimes not, and when you do, you want an even better one after that…..only we don't stop doing that after Christmas when the series ends like the celebrities do.

So, when we go over and over the salsa, picking it to bits and giving our expert opinion on it to anyone and everyone (go on, admit it, you do, don't you….), remember, you can now do that with the Argentine Tango AS WELL . Because if you go to Caro's Last Friday of the Month Tango lessons at Marconi , you are now officially an Argentine Tango dancer and as qualified as Arlene, Craig, Bruno and Len to give the dancers marks out of ten. That's the dancers on TV, not the dancers at Marconi – if you start waving score cards around in a salsa club, I cannot guarantee your safety.

And there was an unexpected bit of reality on It Takes Two, when Brendan accidentally whacked Lisa Snowden in the face during rehearsal for the group dance. Yes, it can happen in salsa club – I've whacked people – they've whacked me – after a while the room stops spinning and you continue to dance. As did Brendan and Lisa, although Brendan was very embarrassed – well, you would wouldn't you, after whacking a model in the face. I mean, a model…

Anyway, as we are talking stars, what about PLANETS!!!! Always prepared to take things further into the Stratosphere, Salsa Chillout and Kent 's Salsa Sensation present the second Planet Salsa Event!! Even bigger than the first very successful event held last year. This one is a whole weekend, and the cast list will blow you away!

So, step aboard the Star Ship Enterprise, set your fazers to stun, and set the speed for warp factor 10. which means you should get to Lowestoft about…last week, if my maths is correct. Or you could go by car next May, when the event is actually held.

To find out more about Planet Salsa, click on the link on the home page. You know it makes sense. In a salsa kind of way, anyway.

Miguel Rico and Mayana who make a return visit to Marconi in Chelmsford on Saturday 18 th October. On their last visit, their class was pitched just right – achievable, but different enough to be challenging, and the show – classy, sharp and energetic. Enough to make me come back for more.

And talking about coming back for more….

Iris de Brito and Miguel Monteiro touched down at our Saturday night “do” in Chelmsford in September, and delivered an enjoyable advanced class that pushed our limits just enough, and a sassy, vibrant, energetic show that made you smile – it was fun to watch, and the pair smiled throughout. It was that kind of night!

So, as an admirer of Iris – having seen her perform many times, and having been blown away by the dancing in her musical, El Barrio – I was very keen to have a chat.

So I took Iris and Miguel to my office – the foyer, actually – sharpened my special gold-plated salsa reporters pencil – and fired away, thus….

In the world we inhabit, there are many different salsa teachers and dancers with many different styles, so I wanted to know what Iris felt made her different.

“What makes me different? I never try to emulate. I get influenced, but I try to make the style and moves my own.”

And the choreography how does that work between her and Miguel?

“My tendency is to lead because I have a lot of experience. In a partnership you have to work together and you always have your input. I some places I may lead, and he may lead, and it has to be a partnership. It needs a balance for it to click.”

So, what about the dance they were performing at Marconi?

“It's our very first number together. It takes a minimum of a year for a partnership to develop. We're in the early stages and we are experimenting.

It's got body movements relating to the song – it's just a dance and we are enjoying the music.

“In salsa I a general way, there's not much opportunity for a contemporary feel. It's the kid of dance style where you have to reflect what the musicians are doing. There is a lot more room in international congresses where more people are mixing contemporary elements into salsa.

“But in general, this style is 99% in the world people follow – the excitement is to break with the music and honour the music.”

And what of Miguel, how what and where salsa for him?

“I learnt salsa in London ten years ago – it was entirely accidental. My brother said lets go out tonight. We walked through the doors and it was paradise!

”I love music, but Latin music and salsa In particular. So imagine having music and not being able to dance to it? So I attacked it!

“Before I did Kizomba, like Iris, I grew up with Kizomba.”

“When I was introduced to salsa, it was a dream come true. I first started with Columbian style salsa. I like challenges and soon found it boring – I knew all the moves.

“Then I got introduced to Elder Sanchez. Thank you, Elder Sanchez!”

But why teach? The vast majority of us dance and dance and dance, but only the minority teach.

“I wanted to give back what I learned.”

And as for performing – that's quite a bit leap from being a social dancer and then a teacher for ten years.

“I didn't want to be a performer. I wanted to stay as a teacher – I was quite happy.

“But Iris persuaded me…..only since December last year. After a few months I am getting the hang of it.”

And salsa, what of salsa. I asked Iris what she got out of dancing the dance we all love.

“I feel it has a union of rhythms that touches me in different ways – it touches my jazzy part, my African part. There are lots of layers in it that you ca touch. And maybe because my background is mixed I can relate to it o that level.”

And Miguel?

“Taking that on, apart from enjoyment, the mixture you can get from salsa gives me a release of energy. A good release for tension is to go dancing.”

Oh yes it is….

Copyright Chris Penhall and Nikki Parker 2008
www.chrispenhall.co.uk

 
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