we
have only to look to lovely Terry and Yolande to warm us
all up and forget our autumnal woes. Because actually, Salsa
Chillout is a misnomer, its real registered name is Salsa-make
us all really sweaty and HOT! -out – but keep that under
your hats.. Anyway,
what have we got to look forward to this October?
A
veritable feast of salsa stuff to transport us to less colder
climes. Well, in our heads. And our feet. And our hearts…
Well,
you say potato and I say potato, you say tomato and I say
tomato, potato…potato….etc etc Lets call the whole thing
off….so we bid so long, farewell, auf weidersen, adieu…to
Salsa Chillout at Marks Tey. This Friday 5 th October will
be the last ever party, so lets make it a good one. I for
one will be tripping the light fantastic (and hopefully
dancing, too) on the lovely dance floor there one last time.
Come and join us. It'll be a laff.
Stanford
Le Hope on Friday 12 th October will be having a month off
from our salsa company, as it is the UK SALSA CONGRESS IN
BOURNEMOUTH. (Sorry, did I shout?) Terry and Yolande will
once again be teaching at this annual event, which takes
place every year. I know for sure its going to be Absolutely
Marvellous….
And
the weekend after that, well, guess what!! You'll never
guess!! Guess what!! The lovely and talented and fun and
lovely Shelley and Lee will be teaching and performing at
Marconi in Chelmsford . That's on October 20 th . If you
haven't experienced a Shelly and Lee “do”, their infectious
enthusiasm, high energy and technical partnerwork make their
classes and shows a must do and a must see! And as for the
shows – they are UK Professional Champions, European Silver
Medallists and World Semi-Finalists. So, say no more…apart
from, see you there….
Lee and
Shelley are amongst the nominees for best UK Teacher at
the UK congress, if you want to see the full list of nominees,
click here
to vote for your favourites.
And
then, get out your face paints and your fancy dress. Oh,
yes, after last years successful Halloween Fancy Dress Parties
(they were a bit scary frankly, I'd just come back from
holidays, knew nothing about it and walked into a room where
all my friends had turned into witches and zombies. I watch
too many films, to be honest, and am a bit sensitive, so
I'm just warning you in advance, that It's only people dressing
up, so don't worry; they haven't actually
turned into witches and zombies. ) the Chillouters are at
it again.
So,
dress up, come along and go BOOO! On Monday 29 th October
at Three Rivers Golf and Country Club, Tuesday 30 th October
at Marconi in Chelmsford, and Wednesday 31 st October at
the Belvedere in Billericay.
Not
a bad way to end the month at all!!!
And
looking back, over my shoulder….to the veritable smorgasbord
of salsa talent Terry and Yolande gathered together for
us on September 15 th . I HAD A GREAT TIME (sorry, did I
shout again).
A
cha cha class by Lee Hunter, a class by Leon Rose, and a
show by the Leon Rose Project. Oh, what a night, late September
back in 2007, was a very special …..(sorry, am I singing
again) A rather good night was had by all. And well, somebody
had to do it….i nabbed Lee and I nabbed Leon , in the interests
of investigative journalism, and posed them some very difficult
questions. To which they replied thus….
Leon
Rose
So,
you love to teach, why? |
I
enjoy teaching because I like standing in the
middle
of a class and making people laugh, and
giving
them a complete move that is personal to
me.
I have a slight madness because I can create
moves
any time – when I'm sleeping I can make up
a move, or when I'm sitting on a train! I do like to
make
moves personal to me – I'm very aware of
what
other people do and strive to be unique.
And
your Essex experience? Good, yes?
It's
only my second visit to Essex to teach. The level of dancing
is high here and it's been real a pleasure for me to teach
some of my more difficult moves to a very receptive group.
And
the Cha Cha performance? Tell me more…
I
finished choreographing it last summer, and we've performed
it once in the UK in Birmingham , earlier in the year, so
this is only the second performance in this country. It
has travelled the world though, we've danced it in Surinam
, Germany , France , Puerto Rico , and Ireland . We waited
till everyone had seen “Mans World” over here, then started
performing the Cha Cha.
And
as someone with two left feet on occasions, how on earth
do you remember the moves?
I
find it amazing how these actors remember a Shakespeare
play, for example, but I can remember my moves. If you do
the training and you do the work, its easy…..
Thanks
Leon , and now
Lee
Hunter
You
are known for the humour you bring to your classes – is
this a deliberate style or has it evolved?
I
make a conscious effort to ensure everybody is comfortable
and at ease. Since starting to teach 18 years ago, I realised
that people dance for pleasure. My background is Ballroom
dancing at high level competition standard, and over a period
the love of dancing faded and became quite serious. I wanted
people watching me perform or taking part in my lessons
to see how enjoyable and fun dancing can be. I think some
people think they are above having a laugh because it's
not cool. Dancing shouldn't be taken too seriously – there
should be some scope for a smile occasionally?
Why
is cha cha so very popular with the salsa crowd?
In
my humble opinion, cha cha has become popular because it's
so accessible to everybody. The rhythm is easy to understand,
the movement doesn't require a bounce action or anything
the salsa dancer is used to apart from starting on the 2.
Also the music is slightly slower enabling the dancer to
dance a smooth cha cha action. Competition cha cha stipulates
that the cha cha should be danced more sharp and precise.
I personally prefer the smoother cha cha action.
And
how did you like teaching the Essex crowd?
I
loved it. The attendees were very receptive and understood
what I was saying. I have great respect fro Terry and Yolande
and it was a pleasure working for them.
Thank
you Lee
Marvellous,
oh what a night, late September back in….
BOO!
Copyright
Chris Penhall 2007 |
