Dance Cuban

September 2009

Mundesley Afro-Cuban weekender has come and now passed leaving a whole new generation with their first taste of a Cuban weekend. So what next most of them from Dance Cuban classes are on there way to the Havana Nights Cuban Congress in Wales. It’s only 300 miles but with again three nights of parties and two full days of the best workshops it’s just has got to be done.

The Keir Hardie in Norwich has a plan and a big plan at that to bring up the best teachers and DJ’s to Norfolk on a regular basis. This has been done in the past but now even on a larger scale so lets hope it works and work it will if the people turn up.

At Dance Cuban we have Jose coming to do a drumming workshop, details soon.

Mark your diary for the Thursday 17th Dec for the Christmas Party including meal and all the things from last year and more.  

There will be more and we will let you know soon.

Ariel at Mundesley Afro-Cuban weekender

One to One lessons in Cuban Salsa

Just a reminder that we are doing half price one to one lessons for all those guys that come to our classes that feel they need a little help to push themselves in the right direction. We all know its difficult for a beginner who has to lead the dance, keep the timing, as well as structuring the dance. Not to mention looking good while he does it.

So help is at hand for September we will give you 1hrs tuition for £ 10.00 this will include Sharon to dance with and me to pick up on the areas that need the work.

This also applies to guys that need a boost in confidence as they feel they have hit a flat spot in there learning and don’t know how to go forward.

We want you guys to improve and the girls need you to dance with.

Call us on 07711286047 or let us know at the next class

The normal cost for one to one tuition is £ 20/hr for a single person or couple.

This can include Cuban Salsa, Styling, Reggaeton etc

Keir Hardie Hall the Dates 2009

DJ Flecha

The new dates are out for the Keir Hardie Hall in Norwich and the line up is looking very good even by London standards. Lets hope the int/adv Cuban dancers turn up and don’t miss out on this opportunity to move their dancing forward. This is an expensive gamble for the Friday night at the Keir if it works it will start bringing up the standards of Cuban Salsa in Norwich by leaps and bounds. By any standards these are some of the best teachers of Cuban dance and styling in the World and they are coming to Norwich.

This night is now run by Chilli con Salsa and Salsa Viva of Norwich. We don’t know what the music will be like on the nights that the teachers come to Norfolk but time will tell.

September 
18th – Dj Fadi
25th – Damaris Farres & Rafael del Busto ( intermd./adv. partners workshop)
 
October 
 2nd – Dj Flecha
 9th – Damarys Farres & Rafael del Busto (Intermd/adv partners workshop)
16th – Tbc – don’t worries some one  good is coming!
23rd – Damarys Farres & Rafael del Busto (intermd/adv partners workshop)
30th – Iris de Brito (intermd/adv styling)
 
November
 6th – A warm up for Saturday’s black tie night
 7th-  Black tie night @ the talk with Palanke Latino & Dj flecha + Guests
14th - Tbc
20th – Moe Flex – Reggaeton
27th – Iris de Brito – (intermd/adv styling)
 
December
 4th – Dj Flecha
11th – Iris de Brito (intermd/adv styling)
18th- Christmas special with Dj & entertainer Rohan Brown

Getting Men to Dance

I have just been looking at the pictures in past posts and have noticed that men feature almost as much as the ladies. The involvment in taking part in say Reggaeton class and line ups is equal if not more than the ladies in terms of percentage of men present. I all comes down to encouraging a little pushing and most of all giving the night the right atmosphere.

At our class at Acle last week we had too many men this has happened about 10% of the time.

At Sutton it has happened three times so far this year.

We all know that the man has a tough time of starting to dance as it’s lead by him the lady looks to him for the timing and he has to structure the dance and think of the moves. On top of this he has to learn to move. A lot to ask any beginner. On top of this he has to come through the British ethos that dancing is for girls, sic.

We find that when they do get to one of our classes they are as just as likely to stay as the girls. It’s just we are not getting the numbers of men thought the door in the first place.

One thing we have been doing is offering half price one to one classes for the men to help them get started.

£ 10/hr for both of us, Sharon to dance with and me to try to pick up on what is going right and what is going wrong.  This is seems to be working. The cost if they come as a couple or normally one to one is £ 20/hr.

We also unashamedly targeting males with flyer’s.

Men at Sharon's Reggaeton Class

Mundesley weekender

is upon us and it’s time to give up the rest of the world for 4 days and three nights. Afro-Cuban have been working hard to give us the opportunity to go to that place. Where the bar is always open, everyone is there for the same reason and you don’t have to work at having a great time. You know the band will be good the dancing and DJ’s excellent.

Obanis, Rumba workshop

You just have to take the opportunity to go to the classes, remember they are being taken by the best of the best and you have already paid for them. Even thou you don’t get it right in the class take it home with you and practice. Classes such as body isolations rely on moving bits we maybe have never moved before so take it easy and practice, practice, practice at home other wise you will have wasted your time even going to the class in the first place.

Above all remember no one will manage breakfast, all the classes, out at 9pm and dancing till 5am three nights and two days in a row. Even if you go out at one in the morning it will still all be there for the next 4 to 5 hours !!

Keep Fit

So you would like to keep fit, lose weight, improve your health, clear your mind, meet people and walk about with a slight sparkle in your eye. You would also like to do all this and enjoy yourself while doing it.

Then Learn to Dance

For Just £5.00 you get all of the above and more.

This is not just a opportunity to get out of the house this is a life style change that is so easy to that you just get drawn into it.

You will soon find your self making that extra effort to look and dress good.

From 8pm until 11pm on a Thursday at Sutton Staithe Hotel which is near Stalham in Norfolk the night draws people from Wroxham, North Walsham, Norwich, Acle, Great Yarmouth and most of the surrounding Villages.

If you can’t make a Thursday try Acle Social Centre on a Tuesday, this is close for Brundell, Lingwood, Caistor and even closer for Gt Yarmouth.

We teach Cuban Salsa which is a couples dance but one in which the men have a very masculine roll and look (i.e. jeans and a tee shirt are not out of place). The Ladies will learn very soft and flowing body movements that will totally compliment the men.

You don’t need a partner but if you have got one then this will give your dancing even more attitude and connection.

Info please call us  07711286047

So dump the “keep fit classes”, “watching your weight nights” . Come and see us and enjoy yourself at the same time.

Pre weekender Club Night at Dance Cuban

Just to warm you up for the weekend we have a Dance Cuban Club Night and Class at Sutton Stithe Hotel on the Thursday 10th Sep 09 just as we have every Thursday Find Us only 9miles from Mundesley. We will be giving you some tips for dancing to fast Timba and some info about how to survive the three nights of parties and getting the most out of Classes. Plus we will turn up the Cuban Timba during the night to get your ears ready for this weekend feast of the best Cuban DJ’s I can promise you they will not be taking prisonerswith the music, Can’t wait !

Mundesley weekender just check out what happened last year.

11th – 14th September 2009

see you Friday 11th

Don’t forget deodorant, loads of changes of tops for the class, if new shoes take some old ones as well, nibbles, chocolate etc for 4am in the morning. Wine, Havana Club and soft drink to rehydrate. Face towels guys for that sweaty neck/head !

Keir Hardie

It looks as if Friday nights at the Keir Hardie Hall has a new direction at last and it’s towards that beautiful Island in the Caribbean, Cuba. The menu has a list of some of the best teachers and dancers around so ignoring the 70′s theme (why??) it’s looking as if Norwich will have a venue to dance Cuban salsa. As that famous quote Say’s”build the field and they will come”. Lets see what happens. We have had problems with the current Music and sometime bad mixers of music which have left the floor empty for hours but lets see if things will change for the better.

Please remember Keir we must start trying to bring Norwich up to the Standard of London Clubs which means getting the people listeningto the music before they get up and dance to anything. Which involves putting Cuban Classes with Cuban Music. If the teaching is a mix which it sometimes is then sure play a mix as you do but please label the night as a MIX not as Cuban.  

This Friday 4th Sep 2009  at the Keir DJ Flecha for the first time. The only times I have heard DJ Flecha it was the very very hard core Reggaeton and massive Timba numbers which shook the Wales Congress to the foundations ! If he plays that set it will be very interesting and I guess I will be there to see it.

But Why the 70′s theme  ?????????????? is it really needed  NO !

Below is the facebook post by

SalsaViva & Chilli Con Salsa

70′s Theme Night, 4th September 2009

Host:	SalsaViva
Type:	Party – Club Party
Network:	Global
Price:	£5.00 and £3.00 for students

Start Time:	Friday, September 4, 2009 at 8:00pm
End Time:	Saturday, September 5, 2009 at 1:00am
Location:	Keir Hardie Hall
Street:	9 St Gregorys Alley
City/Town:	Norwich, United Kingdom
	View Map Google MapQuest Microsoft Yahoo

Phone:	07877797023
Email:	john_solomon@lineone.net

Description

The new era of Keir Hardy Friday nights starts here and you will not be disappointed! Starting on the first Friday in September through to the New Year we’ll be taking you into 2010 with an amazing Cuban line up that will leave you gasping for more. That is not the only good news we have as we are pleased to announce that we will be at the KH EVERY Friday night in the month, that’s right even those months with five Fridays, you can count on us to help you let your hair down at the end of the week with your favourite Cuban collections. You’ll also note a 1am finish hurrah I here you cry!

To celebrate this great news we are holding a 70′s inspired theme party on Friday 4thSeptember to get us all in the spirit and not only that we are bringing to you an amazing night of Cuban music with thanks to the phenominal DJ skills of DJ Flecha. His passion is making people dance and inspiring them with fantastic Cuban and Latin Energy, he known for keeping the dancefloor buzzing and energised all night in any club he plays and is sure to give a kick start to the first of our revival nights. He is sure to play all our favourites and lots more. Some of you may have seen him at Cuban Congresses or at any big events around the country. There will be no classes held on this night and these will resume on the 11th but please prepare for the 18th after Mundesley for sheer delight as these hot nights kick off . Please feel free to come dressed in your favourite 70′s get up, we will. Who will be the winner of the best dressed award?

Flechatogether with Dj Fadi, DJ Shorty and other Cuban favourites will be part of our new team along with the highest callibre of professional dance teachers to take you to the next level. To name a few we have Damarys Farres, Rafael De Busto and Moe Flex and others all booked and ready to deliver to you the best quality teaching in the country. For a full list of our upcoming line up please come to our re launch party to receive this information at first hand including dates and full details.

Come and join us on this great night as we warm up for the big weekender. Please note there will be salsa as normal Friday 11th September so hope to see you there.

John Alex Laura

Salsa Party 28th Aug 2009

If the box says Cuban Salsa then that’s what it should be and that’s just what it was Cuban. Leandro Charanga danced and entertained all night not because we asked him to but becausehe loves it. Talking to him you will find he loves his roots with a passion like most Cubans. To figure out why Cubans can dance is easy, its part of there life. If 80% of the UK’s population started dancing before they could walk could you imagine and outcome, it would change this country in so many ways. People would find an inner passion, have something special in their lives that they would always be looking forward to. The posture and attitude of someone even just walking down the aisles of Tescos would make a non dancer look and think that guy/girl is alive. Cubans don’t dance on Friday nights they dance all the time. At breakfast today a beautiful Son track came on ( well what music do you think I have on my ipod ! ) and Leandro could hardly contain him self this was followed by a Manolito at which point it was to late, where’s the Reggaeton. The political position of Cuba is difficult but when you hear a Cuban talking about Cuba they are not referring to a political entity they are talking about there families their love for the spirit of their homeland and that pride they have just because they are Cuban.

In the short time we have been teaching we notice how people change. Learning to dance gives an inner energy and confidence that was not there before. Then suddenly you find a need to wear THOSE shoes and dresses that you would have never ever even considered before. Your fitness improves you start feeling a little more bounce in your step and start saying to yourself maybe the whole cake is a little toooo much.

Cultura y Cubania

 - its a week-long Cuban cultural festival from 5th-10th October, and is the first Cuban cultural event to be registered as an official Black History Month event. 

Monday 5th October 6.30-9pm – Festival Launch and Photographic Exhibition, Canning House

Tuesday 6th-Friday 9th October 2-6pm daily – Photographic Exhibition – ‘A Few Streets, A Few People – Pocas Calles, Pocas Peronsas’, Canning House

Tuesday 6th October 7-8.30pm – Afro-Cuban dance workshop with Ariel Rios and guests, Nueva Costa Dorada

Wednesday 7th October, 7-8.30pm – Rumba dance workshop with Ariel Rios, followed by the Cuban salsa party until late, Nueva Costa Dorada

Thursday 8th October, 6.30pm – Film screening ‘Los Hijos de Baragua ~ My Footsteps in Baragua’ introduced by Eva Tarr, Director of the London Latin American Film Festival, Canning House

Friday 9th October, 7pm – Film screening ‘Raza – Race’ followed by debate and seminar ‘The Symbolism of Race in Cuba Today’ by Cuban writer and journalist Pedro Perez Sarduy, Bolivar Hall

Saturday 10th October, 6.30pm-midnight – Festival Grande Finale with the debut performance of London’s new Cuban dance company CubanaDanza, plus live music from Mestizo (Ahmed Dickinson trio), Cuban Combination, and Kid Afrika.  Cuban DJ and much more!, Conway Hall

                      www.culturaycubania.com

Leandro Charanga is COMING Fri 28th Aug 09

This Friday another Party with Dance Cuban at the Sutton Staithe Hotel near Stalham Norwich.

A Night of Cuban Salsa, Reggaeton and Mojito’s at the lowest price in the Uk with some of the best dancers from East Anglia coming.

Leandro at the Cuban Congress Bournemouth 2009

This time Leandro Charanga from Cuba will be here.

When it comes to dancing Reggaeton Leandro is currently the top guy in the UK as you will find out this Friday. Add to this the atmosphere that the Dance Cuban Party nights seems to generate at the Staithe it will be a night not to be missed.

Reggaeton workshop ( 8.00 ), Show and the whole night for just £ 8.00. 28th Aug 2009  7.30pm until 1.00 am     Find Us   at Sutton Staithe Hotel

DJ Sacha from CambridgeCubanSalsa will again be here to help me out with the latest Cuban Music.

Nads birthday

Saturday night at the Keir Hardie Hall Norwich and the Guys and Girls at Nads Salsa night get a head start in bringing them selves uptodate with a Reggaeton class by Sharon of Dance Cuban, firstly being shown how the moves work and then putting them into a simple but effective routine. Not forgetting that Reggaeton is a partner dance, the couples forgot there inhibitions and did a great job of dancing together.

Sharon teaching Reggaeton in Norwich

The music was by DJ Nad with the mix and Richard from Dance Cuban with the latest Cuban tracks. The room was full ad hot in more ways than one.

Richard from Dance Cuban

Learn to dance Cuban Salsa

Now is the time to get in on the act. Strictly Come Dancing is about to start on prime time BBC TV. The Government are waking up to the idea that the country should become more healthy through exercise (dance). Now is also the time to change the thinking and ethos of life in this country that it’s cool to dance, but this needs a big push to get it moving and keep the momentum going.

Cuban Salsa is not easy compared to dances such as Jive but the benefits that you get through the long term personal achievement in progressing are far more. Also the Cuban Salsa dancer has a heritage of a musical country and it’s people, Cuba, as inspiration.

The focus must be directed towards the male population especial in rural areas where that well know expression “but I’ve got two left feet” and the culture of football, pub with my mates and TV rules. If only they could see the lines of females around the dance floors of Cuban weekenders waiting for a guy to dance with. Then watch the best Cuban couples to see how the dance can really look like and “Wam” realize that this is a man’s dance. The guy is in control he’s there to make to women look good but at the same time he is saying through his dance look at me this is how you should treat a girl and sweep her off her feet.

Cuban Salsa has all the elements and more for doing this and at the same time making the girl look beautiful and the guy’s mucho macho !

Dance Cuban

I often wonder what the hell I am doing teaching Cuban Salsa. The first thing I realize is that it’s because I love it. I love the heritage behind the dances and that Cuban ethos of life that they can put into their dance. The story telling of the three Rumba’s the parent Son, the ancestral Orisha’s  and the up to date Reggaeton they all have their place in the Cuban Salsa.

The guy’s and girl’s we teach we want them to feel the same way as we do when they dance. We want them to get up and dance not because the next track comes on but because it’s a track they love to dance to. How can you put attitude into a dance and how can you feel the changes of energy of the music if you don’t love the music.

We started because we wanted to make clear the different between Cuban Salsa and other forms, we wanted to let people know what lays just under surface that makes Cuban Salsa very special to us. Whether it’s the arm movements of the Orisha Ochun, the slow male movement of Yambu or that magical ingredient Cuba it’s self.

Not a lot else really, that about it !  Richard  DanceCuban

Ingham Fete Aug 2009

 Dance Cuban were asked to be part of the annual Village Fete.So with the help of our classes and friends it turned into a great day out.

Ingham near Stalham in Norfolk UK is the quintessential venue for a English Country Fete next to a beautiful Hall and perfectly mown cricket ground sheltered by a band of trees. Coconut shire, second hand books and bric-a-brac, Teas and scones and bang in  the middle a Reggaeton line up to a great track by Genta de Zona.

free Style Cuban Salsa dancing

Rueda on a bright English Summers day !

Indian at Wroxham

We have been asked back next year, thank you to everyone that came.

Especially to Pat who’s training in Double glazing sales paid off in the handing out of flyers department !! just kidding, Thank you x