It's
for Marketing Achievement for Salsa Chillout and Mwah (just
love saying that word) from Action International. There
is a picture of it on the home page, and very classy it
is too. So, well, done, hurrah, and several rounds of applause
for that!
But
resting on their laurels (trying to get the Christmas motif
in there early), mais non* minho amigo**, no butty***……What
have they got in store for you????
Well,
next up is the inaugural Friday-Salsa-For-A-Fiver-at-Marconi-Chelmsford.
That's where you dance salsa for five pounds at the Marconi
club in Chelmsford . And there's music. Salsa music. No
classes. Just dancing….so come along and Boogie on Down
Baby (whoops, slipped into another music genre there, sorry)
on Friday 30 th November from 8.30 to 12.30.
And
then!!! Country Dancing!! Cuban Style!! Yes, Kent 's Steve
Eden will be teaching us once again how to dance Rueda.
I do love Rueda, I can never remember any of the calls,
but I get more relaxed every time, so for me it's like a
very enjoyable salsa Groundhog Day. Or should I say, Dia
de Groundhog…
So,
if you want to give it a go for the first time, or hone
your already well-developed skills, then head along to The
Wooden Hut in Stanford Le Hope, on Friday 14 th December
from 8.30 to 1 a.m. And don't forget to wear red, white
or black. Or all at the same time…that's a good idea…
And
then again!!!!! When you've decided to have a break from
decking your hall with boughs of holly and roasting your
chestnuts on an open fire, then you must, you really must
enjoy the festive salsa feast on offer from Salsa Chillout
on Saturday 22 nd December at the Marconi club in Chelmsford
.. King of Bachata, Tony Lara and partner, Daniella will
be bursting through those Marconi Doors bearing these fantastic
Christmas gifts just for you: one all level Bachata class,
one salsa class, and one top notch, classy, gift wrapped
salsa show. Plus there'll be guest djs and a good old Christmas
party….now where did I put that mistletoe…? Oh, and once
again, don't forget, its Christmas, so wear something red,
white or black. What a fab excuse to go out and buy a new
frock…
And
as its Christmas why not browse through the Salsa Chillout
gift ideas – just click on the front page..and if you want
to impress your friends who, after watching Strictly Come
Dancing, are so impressed with the fact that you
dance salsa that they want to
try: Well, there's the Salsa Beginners Course starting in
January. What a good idea!
Anyway,
back to November. And once again, on your behalf, I pinned
a guest teacher to a wall and talked salsa. All for your
benefit. This time it was Sam, AKA Mr Sleek, who, with partner
Romana, gave us an excellent class and an enjoyable and
invigorating show. And, before I begin, given that Mr Sleek
has been given the name, Mr Sleek because his has the lightest
lead in salsa, I gave him a little Test Dance. And yes,
IHADALOVELYTIME! Sorry, yes, Sam does indeed have a lovely,
light lead.
So,
with my special reporter's biro and gold plated reporters
lined pad from Tesco's, I asked Sam how he'd got involved
in teaching salsa in the first place.
“I
had been asked to do teaching, but had always had excuses
– the main one being that I had joined a dance troupe, The
Diablo Dance Company, led by Laith Sami. I would always
say I work all day, and I rehearse all the time in the evenings,
so I haven't got enough time.”
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But
a minor injury put the performing on hold for a while, so
basically, Sam gave in and started to cover other people
when they were away, and in the usual salsa way, the teaching
started to take over, and has continued to do so, so now
it's his job!
Now,
I always want to know how people get started in salsa –
what got them through the door, and, more importantly, what
kept them there. Sam's introduction to salsa will ring bells
with many, but how he learned….well, read on.
“I
had arranged to go out for a meal with some friends, but
it was cancelled. So one of them suggested we go somewhere
for a drink instead, to Bar Salsa. I said, what sort of
place is that, do they serve food, or what?? Well, we went,
had a drink, and watched the dancing. I loved the vibrancy
and sociablity of it, but I didn't take a class.
“I
went back every week for a couple of months and watched,
then got bored and decided to take a class.
“But
after a couple of classes I decided I was bored, so I stopped.”
Teachers
of a nervous disposition, I advise you to look away…. NOW
“So,
I would go, watch everyone dancing, and try to remember
one move a week, and practice at home. And I bought some
salsa DVDs, and learned some moves from them.
“Then
after six months, I persuaded a friend who could dance to
practice with me, because although I knew the moves, I hadn't
learned how to lead or dance with a partner. So, she and
I practiced, then I went out social dancing, and went on
from there.”
As
easy as that!!
But
as with anyone, innate ability and drive aren't enough,
and Sam recognises the encouragement he's had from people
along the way, from everyone who asked him to teach in the
early days, to Laith Sami who saw his potential and encouraged
him, Moe Flex, and now, his dance partner Romana.
And
who gave him the name, Mr Sleek?
“It
was Miguel de Puerto Rico who first called me that,” he
said. “I was known for my light lead, and one day, Miguel
introduced me to someone, and said, this is Mr Sleek. So
it stuck”
And
here he is. Sam, Mr Sleek, and enjoying his salsa to the
full.
(*but
no (French), **my friend (Portuguese), ***no mate (Welsh
vernacular))
Copyright
Chris Penhall 2007
www.chrispenhall.co.uk
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