Welcome to our Blog – ‘Conga2Clave
Posted on | January 2, 2011 | No Comments
Here you will find all things SALSA and ZUMBA including events, articles, pictures, videos and related activities. Please check back on this blog regularly to get the latest informaton on our classes, parties, events, workshops, private lessons and social events.
NEW 6-WEEK SALSA COURSES – Monday 14th & Wednesday 16th May
Posted on | May 14, 2012 | No Comments
for Level 1 (Beginners ) Level 2 (Beginners 2), and Level 3 (Improvers)
Bird Hills Golf Club,
Drift Road, Maidenhead,
Berkshire, SL6 3ST
Salsa is a fantastic, fun, social evening out, and a great opportunity to make new friends. It is great exercise and you can come along with or without a partner. You do not have to have any previous salsa or dance experience as our level 1 classes are designed for absolute beginners. Of course, we also cater for more advanced dancers with classes at 6 different levels up to Advanced 2.
Our classes are based on a structured syllabus built around a six week program. The courses are designed to take a student from Beginners (Level 1) to Advanced2 (Level 6). A number of specific steps and techniques are taught at each level.
Courses are taught and delivered to a very high standard with a major emphasis on fun, development and exercise. Classes start approximately every six weeks throughout the year on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
The courses have been validated by Basil Pinnock who is a UKA qualified instructor with the United Kingdom Alliance and a director of Dance2Salsa.
If you are unable to attend a particular class you can attend one of our other classes on a different night.
Class Times
MONDAYS – MAIDENHEAD – new courses start 14th May 2012
7.00pm – 8.00pm
Level 1 (Beginners)
Level 2 (Beginners 2)
Level 3 (Improvers)
8.00pm – 8.30pm
Practice Session
8.30pm – 9.30pm
Level 4 (Intermediate – Kathy Towersey)
Level 5 (Advanced 1 – Tom & Julie/Lucy)
Level 6 (Advanced 2 – Basil & Melissa)
9.30pm – 11.30pm
Dance & Practice
WEDNESDAYS – MAIDENHEAD – new courses start 16th May 2012
7.00pm – 8.00pm
Level 1 (Beginners)
Level 2 (Beginners 2)
Level 3 (Improvers)
8.00pm – 8.30pm
Practice Session
8.30pm – 9.30pm
Level 4 (Intermediate – Stephen Kervin & Marie/Lynn)
Level 5 (Advanced 1 – Tom & Julie/Lucy)
Level 6 (Advanced 2 – Basil & Melissa)
9.30pm – 11.30pm
Dance & Practice
Costs:
Level 1 (Beginners), Level 2 (Beginners 2), Level 3 (Improvers)
£44 for 6 week course – includes class & club social
Level 4 (Intermediate), Level 5 (Advanced 1), Level 6 (Advanced 2)
Drop-in Class and Club social – £8
Club social only – £4
NB: Should you wish to book a course of classes then this will attract a discount on the usual price of £8 per class.
For further information please contact Basil directly at info@dance2salsa.co.uk or by telephone on 07595 397184.
KIZOMBA DROP-IN CLASSES – Thursday 17th May
Posted on | May 14, 2012 | No Comments
Dance2salsa in association with Studio Afro Latino are proud to present weekly Kizomba drop-in classes + monthly Thursday party nights with guest teachers
@ Bird Hills Golf Club,
Drift Road, Maidenhead,
Berkshire, SL6 3ST
continuing Thursday 17th May
Kizomba is a partner dance native to the African country of Angola, with influences from other Lusofone countries. It was first known as “Passada” (meaning “stepping” – a reference to the movement flow) and for having a sensuous rhythm.
Although the exact origins are unknown, it is considered to be a fusion of Semba (a traditional Angolan dance and predecessor of samba) with ‘Zouk’ influences coming from the French Caribbean Islands.
In the 80′s groups like Kassav or Zouk Machine infused a fast paced and more African influenced sound into the music. In recent times the style has become slightly slower and more romantic and the influence of other dance styles like Tango are clearly visible.
Kizomba style now emphasizes a very smooth way of dancing, heavily influenced by Tango steps, one of the main differences being that the lower body, the hip, does forward/backwards and circle movements.
People dance on the tempo, as well as playing on the off beat and only sometimes using syncopated steps. Repetitive steps and patterns provide a clear platform for teaching this dance form in a skilled manner.
Kizomba means party in the Kimbundu dialect of Angola.
Dance2salsa teachers have all been trained by Iris de Brito of Studio Afro Latino and all classes are based on a structured syllabus, designed to ensure dancers progress week on week.
This performance by Iris De Brito & Kwenda Lima in August 2005 was one of the first public performances in London showcasing Kizomba to the Salsa and Lambada community.
Click here to view Youtube video
Doors open 7.30 pm
Class Times
7.45pm – 8.30pm
Level 1 (Dan & Pauline)
8.30pm – 9.30pm
Level 2 (Dan & Pauline)
9.30pm – 11.30pm
Social Dance & Practice – Kizomba, Semba, Bachata and a small dash of Salsa
Cost
1 x Class and Club Social – £6
2 x Class and Club Social – £8
Social dance only – £4
Please note there will be no bar available on class nights so please bring your own refreshments. A bar will be provided on party nights.
For further information please contact Basil directly at info@dance2salsa.co.uk or by telephone on 07595 397184.
Performance by Tiempo y Cadencia – Saturday 19th May – Bristol
Posted on | May 14, 2012 | No Comments
T
he Dance2Salsa Dance Company Advanced Performance Team ‘Tiempo y Cadencia’, is currently composed of 3 couples and is a fantastic exploration in musicality, timing, synchronicity, complex salsa figures and acrobatics. Their show performed to Los Feos Pa’ La Cocina by Augusto Enriquez y Su Mambo Band will leave you breathless and entertained.
Tiempo y Cadencia will be performing on Saturday 19th May at Abanico Salsa’s Montuno Monthly Party Night
Warmley Community Centre,
Kingswood,
Bristol, BS15 9JB
Doors Open 7:30
- Classes with Mel C from Salsa Central (Improver / Intermediate) and Vijay Patel of Abanico Salsa (Beginners)
Known for her love of body movement and footwork, Mel C is one of the most popular, and sought after female stylists in the UK. Her easy-going, relaxed teaching style ensures her styling and spinning workshops are always well attended, attracting students of all levels of ability to her growing number of appearances at congresses and weekend events across the UK and Europe
- Kizomba room with regular Kizomba DJ Tim Williams.
- DJ Torqueo, DJ Swift and DJ Eddie Hunt.
- Show by Dance2Salsa Dance Company Advanced Performance Team ‘Tiempo y Cadencia’ choreography by Basil and Melissa
ROOM 1:
7.45 – 8.45pm: Improver / Intermediate
8.45 – 12.00am: Salsa Party with Guests
ROOM 2:
7.45 – 8.45pm: Beginner / Move to Improvers class
8.45 – 11.30pm: Kizomba covered by our guest Kizomba DJ, Tim Williams
Cost:
£10 – All evening including classes
For more details contact Basil on 07595 397184 or email info@dance2salsa.co.uk
LAST FRIDAY PARTY NIGHT – Friday 25th May 2012
Posted on | May 14, 2012 | No Comments
Bird Hills Golf Club
Drift Road, Hawthorn Hill, Maidenhead,
Berkshire, SL6 3ST
Doors open 7.30pm – 1.30am
2 Levels of Kizomba with Dan & Pauline (level 1) & Prince Tevin (level 2) + 5 Levels of Salsa including Advanced Salsa Class by Lisa & Mark (Salsa Oxford) + Intermediate Salsa Class with Paul Ross + Party + Dancing + Music by DJ Basil + DJ Simon + DJ Tony ’til 1.30 am + Performance by La Gente de Mambata
Dance2Salsa has secured a fantastic venue located in the prestigious grounds of the Bird Hills Golf Club. This venue has a great wooden dance floor, massive parking, a seated area overlooking the dance floor, same area bar and is easily accessible from junction 8/9 of the M4.
We will have 5 levels of salsa classes for absolute beginners through to advanced dancers followed by party and dancing through to 1.30am.
At 8.00pm, there will be 2 Levels of Salsa for absolute beginners and beginners level 2, plus 2 levels of Kizomba with Dan & Pauline (level 1) and Prince Tevin (level 2)
At 9.00 there will be a salsa class for level 3 improvers taught by the D2S team, an intermediate level 4 salsa class taught by Paul Ross, and an advanced salsa class taught by guest teachers Lisa & Mark from Salsa Oxford
Lisa has been running Salsa Oxford since 1996. In 1999 she received a special award for “Services to Salsa in the UK” at the Salsa Personality Awards. In 2000 she achieved 3rd place in the professional category of the first salsa competition in the UK at the Bacardi Congress. She has performed with London-based groups in the UK and abroad and assisted some of the top teachers on the international scene at various events and congresses.
Lisa & Mark have performed at many UK and international events. They have spent time training with top international dance company Hacha Y Machete and also train the ConTambor student group, made up of students from their classes. Their aim as teachers is to educate their students to understand latin music and to express this on the dancefloor.
Lisa also is the Guinness world record holder for the most dance spins in one minute ( 125 ) with a partner which she broke with Giles Eadle, at the Great British Salsa Congress in 2008.
Classes will be followed by party & dancing to some of the freshest, funkiest afro-latin sounds around played by resident DJs Basil, Tony & Simon, and a late-night performance by La Gente de Mambata.
Mambata were founded in 2008, by Guy Lawrence and Tony Tee. They became internationally renowned for performing innovative and dynamic choreographies, including the sultry ‘ghetto’ and the elegant ‘Tito’ routines.
Now, working under Mambata’s wing and under the eye of gorgeous Mambata member Yuko Kamiya, a team of dedicated dancers from diverse dance backgrounds have jelled together, through a love of musicality and passion for rhythmic movement, to form La Gente de Mambata.
This stylish performance will bring the music to life, with passionate expression and creative interpretation. Without further ado… ‘Justo‘ by La Gente de Mambata
Doors open 7.30pm
CLASS TIMES
8.00pm – 8.50pm
Level 1 Salsa (Beginners)
Level 2 Salsa (Beginners L2)
Level 1 Kizomba – Dan & Pauline
Level 2 Kizomba – Prince Tevin
9.00pm – 10.00pm
Level 3 Salsa (Improvers)
Level 4 Salsa (Intermediate) – Paul Ross
Level 5 Salsa (Advanced) – Lisa & Mark
10.30pm – 1.30am
Club night and Dancing
Music by DJs Basil, Tony & Simon
Performance – ‘Justo’ by La Gente de Mambata
COSTS
£10 all night for all classes and/or club
Contact Basil on 07595 397184 for further info
Kizomba Party Night – Thursday 7th June
Posted on | May 14, 2012 | No Comments
Bird Hills Golf Club
Drift Road, Hawthorn Hill,
Maidenhead,
Berkshire, SL6 3ST
Doors open 7.30pm – 11.30am
3 Levels of Kizomba including Class by Sa’id Sallu (from Studio Afro Latino) + Dancing + Music by DJ Dan ’til 11.30 pm
Kizomba is a partner dance native to the African country of Angola, with influences from other Lusofone countries. It was first known as “Passada” (meaning “stepping” – a reference to the movement flow) and for having a sensuous rhythm.
Kizomba style now emphasizes a very smooth way of dancing, heavily influenced by Tango steps, one of the main differences being that the lower body, the hip, does forward/backwards and circle movements.
Kizomba means party in the Kimbundu dialect of Angola.
At 7.45pm there will be a Level 1 Kizomba class for absolute beginners with Dan & Pauline.
At 8.30pm there will be a level 1 Kizomba review class taught by Dan & Pauline, and a Level 2 Kizomba class taught by Sa’id.
Said is originally from Sierra Leone. He’s been dancing Kizomba for the last 3-4 years, and has learned with the best Kizomba teachers around. Together with Iris De Brito, he has appeared at the Paris and Warsaw International Salsa Congresses as well as other performances. He’s a charismatic dancer and dedicated teacher.
Dance2salsa teachers have been trained by Iris de Brito and all classes are based on a structured syllabus, designed to ensure dancers progress week on week.
Doors open 7.30pm
CLASS TIMES
7.45pm – 8.30pm
Level 1 Kizomba (Dan & Pauline)
8.30pm – 9.30pm
Level 1 Kizomba review (Dan & Pauline)
Level 2 Kizomba (Sa’id)
9.30pm – 11.30pm
Club night and Dancing – Kizomba, Semba, Bachata and a small dash of Salsa
Music by DJ Dan
COSTS
All Classes and Club – £8
Club only – £4
Contact Basil on 07595 397184 for further info
PERFORMANCE BY TIEMPO Y CADENCIA – Saturday 12th May – Northampton
Posted on | May 10, 2012 | No Comments
The Dance2Salsa Dance Company Advanced Performance Team ‘Tiempo y Cadencia’, is currently composed of 3 couples and is a fantastic exploration in musicality, timing, synchronicity, complex salsa figures and acrobatics. Their show performed to Los Feos Pa’ La Cocina by Augusto Enriquez y Su Mambo Band will leave you breathless and entertained.
Tiempo y Cadencia will be performing on Saturday 12th May at
Mambo Vibes Salsa Party
Cripps recreation centre
Northampton General Hospital
Cliftonville
Northampton NN1 5BD
Event Programme
7:30pm Doors Open
8:00pm – 8:25pm – Bonus Class tbc with Basil and Melissa
8:30pm – 9:30pm – Salsa classes On1 Crossbody style
Beginners – Andy
Improvers – Tony
Intermediate – David
IntermediatePlus/Advanced – Basil and Melissa
9:30pm – 1:00am – Salsa party with Mambo Vibes DJs:
Escudero, Andy & GnT
Musical delights for the evening:
Mambo – Salsa Dura – Cuban Timba – Salsa Moderna – Cha Cha Cha – Kizomba – Bachata – Merengue
Show by:
Dance2Salsa Dance Company Advanced Performance Team ‘Tiempo y Cadencia’ choreography by Basil and Melissa
Cost:
On the door
£10.00 – Before 10:30pm
£8.00 – After 10:30pm
£6.00 – students – all night
Contact Mambo Vibes (Andy) on 07964 520672 or for more details contact Basil on 07595 397184 or email info@dance2salsa.co.uk
KIZOMBA PARTY NIGHT – Launches Thursday 3rd May
Posted on | April 30, 2012 | No Comments
Bird Hills Golf Club
Drift Road, Hawthorn Hill,
Maidenhead,
Berkshire, SL6 3ST
Doors open 7.30pm – 11.30am
3 Levels of Kizomba + Advanced Kizomba Class by Iris De Brito + Dancing + Music by DJ Basil + DJ Simon + DJ Tony ’til 11.30 pm
Dance2Salsa has secured a fantastic venue located in the prestigious grounds of the Bird Hills Golf Club. This venue has a great wooden dance floor, massive parking, a seated area overlooking the dance floor, same area bar and is easily accessible from junction 8/9 of the M4.
We will have 3 levels of Kizomba classes for absolute beginners through to advanced dancers followed by party and dancing through to 11.30pm
At 7.45pm there will be a Level 1 Kizomba class for absolute beginners with Dan & Pauline.
At 8.30 there will be a Kizomba class for level 2 improvers taught by Dan & Pauline, and a Level 3 Advanced Kizomba class taught by Iris De Brito.
Iris De Brito is a 2x UK Salsa Champion (99/03), originally from Angola, a country in the south west of Africa. Trained at The London Studio Center and with the late William Louther Dance Theatre, Iris is a very diverse dancer/singer/choreographer, schooled in Jazz/Contemporary/Street Dance & Salsa Dance.
Her film and other credits include:” Evita”, “Robin Williams an audience with..”,”The Des O’Connor show”,”TOP”,”CD-UK”,”GMTV” with Henrique Iglesias, and she has worked as a Salsa coach in “Strictly Dance Fever BBC.
In the last few years Iris has dedicated her career to Latin dance, being 2X Salsa Champion (Open World & UK), performing and teaching in the UK and abroad and holds a Lifetime achievement award for her contribution to Salsa in the UK.
More recently she has choreographed and directed “El Barrio” a theatre production with song, salsa and live percussion, which completely sold out.
Iris is also the one who started Kizomba in the UK and together with a team of teachers that she has helped train, she founded her school Studio Afro-Latino which promotes Kizomba and other Afro-Latin Rhythms like Rumba and Afro-Cuban Dance.
Iris is booked regularly in International Salsa Congresses all over the world. Her positive spirit and class motivation together with a well structured class are the constant feedback that keeps her in great demand.
Classes will be followed by party & dancing to some of the freshest, funkiest afro-latin sounds around played by resident DJs Basil, Tony & Simon.
Doors open 7.30pm
CLASS TIMES
7.45pm – 8.30pm
Level 1 Kizomba (Dan & Pauline)
8.30pm – 9.30pm
Level 2 Kizomba (Dan & Pauline)
Level 3 Kizomba (Iris De Brito)
9.30pm – 11.30pm
Club night and Dancing – Kizomba, Semba, Bachata and a small dash of Salsa
Music by DJs Basil, Tony & Simon
COSTS
All Classes and Club – £8
Club only – £4
Contact Basil on 07595 397184 for further info
LAST FRIDAY PARTY NIGHT – Friday 20th April 2012
Posted on | April 16, 2012 | No Comments
Bird Hills Golf Club
Drift Road, Hawthorn Hill, Maidenhead,
Berkshire, SL6 3ST
Doors open 7.30pm – 1.30am
2 Levels of Bachatango + 5 Levels of Salsa including Advanced Salsa Class by Gil & Shelley + Performance by Pexava Student Team + Intermediate Salsa Class with Kathy Towersey + Party + Dancing + Music by DJ Basil + DJ Simon + DJ Tony ’til 1.30 am
Dance2Salsa has secured a fantastic venue located in the prestigious grounds of the Bird Hills Golf Club. This venue has a great wooden dance floor, massive parking, a seated area overlooking the dance floor, same area bar and is easily accessible from junction 8/9 of the M4.
We will have 5 levels of salsa classes for absolute beginners through to advanced dancers followed by party and dancing through to 1.30am.
At 8.00pm, there will be 2 Levels of Salsa for absolute beginners and beginners level 2, plus 2 levels of Bachatango with Basil and the D2S Team.
At 9.00 there will be a salsa class for level 3 improvers taught by the D2S team, an intermediate level 4 salsa class taught by Kathy Towersey, and an advanced salsa class taught by guest teachers Gil & Shelley
Together as Pexava Dance Company, husband and wife team Gil and Shelley are an explosive combination on stage and inspire students of every level in their lessons.
Gil is well-known internationally for his creative and unique turn patterns and shines which he teaches with an absolute emphasis on technique and with a sense of humour. He is a world championship level performer, having represented Mexico and Austria in numerous national and international highest-level competitions with co-member of Pexava Dance Company, Anke Obermayer. Their most notable achievements include second place in the European Championships Zurich, and third and fifth in the world in the Salsa Open, Athens 2008 and 2009 respectively, placed with the likes of Adrian and Anita, Fernando Sosa (Tropical Gem), and Oliver Pineda.
Shelley is an infectiously enthusiastic dancer who is widely acknowledged as one of the UK’s most popular teachers and performers. Together with Lee Wright, they held several national and international competition titles including European Bronze and Silver Medallists and World Semi-Finalists and Top UK Dance Act. Shelley has made numerous appearances on National TV including BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and the Kiss FM Urban Music Awards and is grateful to have worked with every top salsa name in the country..
Classes will be followed by party & dancing to some of the freshest, funkiest afro-latin sounds around played by resident DJs Basil, Tony & Simon.
At 11.00pm we will have a performance by the Pexava Student Performance Team
Doors open 7.30pm
CLASS TIMES
8.00pm – 8.50pm
Level 1 Salsa (Beginners)
Level 2 Salsa (Beginners L2)
Level 1 Bachatango
Level 2 Bachatango - Basil
9.00pm – 10.00pm
Level 3 Salsa (Improvers)
Level 4 Salsa (Intermediate) – Kathy Towersey
Level 5 Salsa (Advanced) – Gil & Shelley
10.30pm – 1.30am
Club night and Dancing
Music by DJs Basil, Tony & Simon
11.00pm performance by Pexava Student Team
COSTS
£10 all night for all classes and/or club
Contact Basil on 07595 397184 for further info
Dance2Salsa Performance Teams – Information for Promoters and Dancers
Posted on | April 9, 2012 | No Comments
The remainder of this year is going to be a very busy year for Dance2Salsa with lots of plans in the pipeline. One of our major steps forward is the development of high quality performance teams at 3 different levels: Student level (Fuego), Advanced level (Tiempo y Cadencia) and Principal level (Bailar en Clave).
In addition to providing an excellent educational dance experience through well-structured classes, Dance2Salsa is also one of the few dance companies providing an opportunity for it’s members to take part in performance teams at some of the most prestigious venues and events around the country.
These teams spend a significant amount of time rehearsing and performing at some of the country’s top salsa venues. Booking one of our teams to perform at your event will not only raise the profile of your event, but will bring a value added attraction for dancers in attendance.
If you would like to participate as a dancer in one of our teams, we can guarantee that this experience will raise the standard of your dancing both as a performer and on the social dance floor.
For further information about booking one of our teams to perform at your event or joining one of our performance teams, please contact and speak to Basil directly on 07595 397184 or email info@dance2salsa.co.uk
Dance2Salsa Dance Company
Dance2Salsa Dance Company Advanced Performance Team ‘Tiempo y Cadencia’ – Performance Dates
Posted on | April 3, 2012 | No Comments
Dance2Salsa is one of the premier dance companies in Berkshire and the South of England and has been established for just over 5 years. In addition to providing an excellent educational dance experience through well-structured classes, Dance2Salsa is also one of the few dance companies providing an opportunity for it’s students to take part in performance teams at a student (Fuego) and semi-professional (Tiempo y Cadencia) level. These teams spend a significant amount of time over the course of 6 months rehearsing and performing at some of the country’s top salsa venues.
Dance2Salsa Dance Company Advanced Performance Team ‘Tiempo y Cadencia’
The Dance2Salsa Dance Company Advanced Performance Team ‘Tiempo y Cadencia’, is currently composed of 3 couples and is a fantastic exploration in musicality, timing, synchronicity, complex salsa figures and acrobatics. This show performed to Los Feos Pa’ La Cocina by Augusto Enriquez y Su Mambo Band will leave you breathless and entertained.
Tiempo y Candencia Performance Dates
Wednesday 18th April @ Bird Hills Golf Club
Drift Road, Hawthorn Hill
Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3ST
tel Basil on 07595 397184.
email info@dance2salsa.co.uk
Saturday 21 April @ Pexava Saturday Social and Showcase Night
Navasartian Centre,
223 Northfields Avenue
W13 9QU
www.facebook.com/events/318760044842459/
tel Gil & Shelley +44 7702 272884
email: info@pexava.com
Sunday 22nd April @ Salsa Geeks Sunday Salsa Social
The Royal British Legion,
Queensmead Road, Loudwater,
High Wycombe, Bucks HP10 9TZ
tel 07831 715 368
email jeff.mambo@gmail.com
Saturday 12th May @ Mambo Vibes Salsa Party
Cripps Recreation Centre
Northampton General Hospital
Cliftonville Northampton NN1 5BD
tel 07964 520672
email info@mambovibes.co.uk
Saturday 26th May @ Latin Motion Midlands Salsa Special
The Colliery Club
57a Bennetts Road North
Keresley
Coventry
West Midlands CV7 8HY
tel 07973 402911
email info@latinmotion.co.uk