This turn pattern is the more simple form of the “Complicated Turn Patterns.” The two handed turn pattern is the more difficult one. This pattern is best practiced from start to finish without hesitation or pausing. The momentum from the movements makes the ending cross body lead much smoother and easier to lead.

Make sure to leave your comments and questions and we will answer them as soon as possible and remember, practice often!

~J

This turn pattern is a very diverse combination of simple moves. This is an intermediate pattern that is 100% modular and can be broken up and reassembled to suit  your needs. Practice this move in sections, not only as as full turn pattern. This move can single handedly take your dancing to the next level.

Practice, practice, practice and leave your comments and questions and let us know what you think!

~J

This turn pattern is a combination men’s half right turn and a lady’s right turn. There are a few factors that will make this move go smoothly but aside from that, this is a fairly simple move to understand. It is very important that the guy keeps his back straight the entire time. It is also very important that the guy does not turn his shoulders too dramatically to avoid hitting the lady with his elbow.

Practice this move very slowly in the beginning to avoid potential injury. After a while this move will come as easy as the basic turns! Keep practicing and be sure to leave your comments and questions and we will be sure to get back to you! Enjoy

~J

A Samurai cutting a bb in half when shot from an airsoft gun!

So we all know what it is like to dance to the music, but we often times forget that there is a group of people standing on the stage making the music we all love. They don’t get to dance to the music that moves the rest of us, however they do have a bond to their music, in that their feelings and expressions are what make each performance unique.

This is an interview with Salsa band Bio Ritmo based out of Richmond, VA, first appeared on the MHZ network show “Strictly Global”. It includes performance of songs “Shoeshine” and “Muchacho” at the Iota Club in Arlington, VA. October 2008. It is really cool listening to them talk about their personal experience and what the salsa music means to each one of them. They all have very different influences and reasons for getting into the music. I hope you enjoy listening to it and feel free to show them some love with your comments and questions!

Casino Rueda is a really fun dance. However, it is very rare that you see it done and people who know how to do it are even more rare. This group Ritmos Latinos performed it in Ankara, Turkey. They are a pretty good example of Casino Rueda and for the most part they are together on their moves. That is probably the hardest part of Rueda is getting all the couples doing the same thing at the same time. I consider it the syncronized swimming of salsa dancing.

If you ever come across a Casino Rueda class… take it!
When it is done right it looks great!

Casino Rueda

We had a group of 30 students that all wanted to perform in a show last December and we were not exactly sure how we were going to teach 15 couples a routine that would look good. The show was called Dancing for a Cause and it benefited the Make a Wish Foundation and we wanted to make sure it was a really good performance. After a decent amount of panicking over what we were going to do with 30 students and only about a month to prepare, we remembered that Jay knew Casino Rueda quite well.

The show went so well that 7 months later we are STILL getting compliments!

-Elizabeth

It never fails to amaze me how popular Salsa dancing really is around the world.  In Burgas, Bulgaria the Black Sea Salsa Festival is going on. Here is the information from the website, www.blackseasalsafestival.com. I also posted a video of  one of the performance couples that won 2nd place last year. If anyone went to the Black Sea Salsa Festival let me know. I would love to hear how it was.

2nd BLACK SEA SALSA FESTIVAL
14-16 August, 2009
Part of Spirit of Burgas

The 2nd Black Sea Salsa Festival will be held on August 14-16 as part of the big music and dance event “Spirit of Burgas”. Bourgas, being the second largest seaside city in Bulgaria will host the Festival on its very beach. There will be a lot of dancing, live music, shows and partying.

So we ran across this video from Dancing With The Stars season 7. This was suppose to be a Mambo performed by Kim Kardashian and Mark Ballas to the old school Rap song, “Baby Got Back” buy Sir Mix a lot. Appart form this not being a mambo in any regard, it turned out to be one funny video-

This performance is the exact opposite of a latin dance but it is HILARIOUS to watch. In interview held backstage on the second night of “Dancing with the Stars” they revealed that the producers of the show actually picked the song for them and were responsible for causing this embarrassment to latin danicn. This is a really good example of why the show has no credibility amongst real dancers— it is all a show. However you look at it, this is comical to watch to say the least.

Take a look at the video and let us know what you think-

~J and Elizabeth

This is a really cool men’s turn. It isn’t very hard to learn and it looks really cool. 

A few tips that will help when doing this move.

1) Keep the hand that is behind you back as high up on your back as possible, it will make going under it easier. 
2) Stand Shoulder to shoulder with the girl, facing your partner, your right shoulder should be in front of her right shoulder.
3) End your right turn facing the lady. It is very important to turn far enough to face your partner again.

If you have any questions feel free to give me a shout and I can clear any thing up for you!

~J

This is a pretty easy salsa dance move to master, but it does take some practice. It is a normal cross body lead for the lady but added in is a left turn for they men and an added pull with the  body. The move is not all that difficult but it is really fun to do! The most important thing is to stay on top of yourself when turning and out of the girl’s way. Watch the video and let me know what you think. I will offer any clarifications if you need them, just post your questions/ comments below!

Hope you like it and there will me more coming soon!

~J