The commentary is a little bit annoying but all in all, this video is amazing. The people in this room are all world competition level dancers hanging out in a hotel room after the Washington D.C. Salsa Congress. They are competing in what they call the Spin Olympics, a moderately entertaining competition between pros for the title of best free spinner. Emily Alabi and her brother Junior are currently ranked #1 in the nation and #2 in the world. Emily is amazing… I have never seen someone spin so well…. Junior just chose to watch form the sideline. 

Check it out and tell me what you think! I get a kick out of watching their faces every time they spin… cracks me up!!

Today we had a ton of people in our beginner salsa dance class. One of the best parts about teaching dance is how many new people you get to meet, and watching them go from knowing nothing to having a vast repartoire of turn patterns and other badass dance moves.

The only difference today was that I was teaching all these people by myself! It is hard to manage a class over the size of about 40 but when you have to handle it all by yourself… it gave me a run for my money for sure! It was so much fun because it was so crazy. There were students there who had never danced before and some who had been dancing for almost 6 months. This is great practice for the 6 month dancers because they got to perfect their lead or their follow, they also get to see some of the problems that they had (and sometimes still have!). It was great, the atmosphere was fun and light. No one took themselves too seriously!

That is the right kind of beginner salsa dance class!

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We will be having a very special salsa class tomorrow night and we want you to come join us. Immediately following the lessons we will be celebrating our new partnership with Times Ten wine Cellars with a wine party located directly across from Studio B!
So come out, shake your butt and have some really good wine with your friends Jay and Elizabeth!

If you have any questions regarding directions or details, feel free to give me a call at 405-808-9489!

This is an excerpt from my friend Maritza Rodrigez with the Latin Dance Association at the University Of Oklahoma aka OU. This event is going to be huge! If you can make it to this party if you can because the mix of people at this event includes students, locals and dancers from just about every country that does Salsa. This is a great opportunity to see how many different styles of Salsa there and how cool they all are. I really enjoy dancing with all the peeps at OU, they are very friendly and they are all terrific dancers. 

So without further adieu here is the original message:

Salsa Lovers & Fans 

Spice up your life with an evening of beauty, culture, music and dance at the University of Oklahoma’s First International Salsa Ball, featuring live music by Carabali, a Dallas-based Salsa and Merengue Band, and special dance performances by Lee Rios of San Antonio, the ball promises to entertain seasoned Salsa lovers and non-dancers alike.

The event culminates efforts over the last 8 month by the university’s Latin Dance Club to expose students and the community to the colorful, vibrant art of Latin dance.

“It’s spicy, lively and sexy,” 

The ball will be 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., Friday, April 10, in the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Molly Shi Boren Ballroom located at 900 Asp Ave. Norman, Oklahoma on the University of Oklahoma Campus. 

Link to Google map here!

Free Salsa lessons by Maritza will be provided from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00p.m.
Tickets are $5.00 for OU students and $10.00 for everyone, tickets may be purchased at the door.

Fore more information call 405-474-5694

~J

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One of my favorite Salsa performers of all time, Oscar D’Leon, will be performing in Dallas Thursday, April 16th at Carson’s Live in North Dallas. The cost for this event is $30 presale and $35 at the door. It will be soooo worth it to go see the Salsa King, Oscar D’Leon, live and in concert. Carson’s is located on the North-West corner of Trinity Mills and the Tollway, show starts at 9p.m. and it is guaranteed to be packed so get there early. 

Carson Live Dallas
17727 Dallas Pkwy
Dallas, TX 75287
(972) 931-9111

I included a google maps link above so you can find the place. 

Pre-sale tickets will be available at: 

Tio Carlos Restraunt in Irving
La Joya Restraunt in Irving
Casa Vieja in Carrollton
Inca’s in Carrollton
Ritmo Latino in Oak Cliff
Carson’s Live in Dallas

Make sure you make it to this event! Everyone who is anyone in the Dallas Salsa scene will be there. Come out and hang out with the pros and see some great dancers perform. Remember to post pictures of you night on this post!

~J

I know this is a problem everybody has. It doesn’t matter how long you have been dancing or where you are, there is always a shortage of good dance shoe stores to get reasonably priced dance shoes. Well I have been doing some reasearch and found a few place you may want to check out!

Black Bay Dancewear

-They have wide shoes, good for those who need a little extra space!

Dance Shoes 4 U

-This place has a good selection of men’s and woman’s shoes, in both tall and short heels. 

Dance Shoe Store   – yes that is their name!!

-They have a good selection of black shoes but that is just about it… check it out anyway because the mens selection is pretty big. Their women’s shoes are a bit pricey and the mens are average priced.

This weekend is one of the best weekends to live in Oklahoma. It just so happens that there is a monthly Salsa party going onat The Oklahoma City Swing Club this Saturday and it is going to be awesome. A good friend of mine, Debbie Freeman, puts it on and you are going to be in for a really special treat. This is their annual Black and White party and there is going to be lots of door prizes, giveaways, black lights, and contests so be sure to wear as much white as you can! Just a heads up, I think they will be having a really cool performance if it is anything like last years’.

So if you are in that area this Saturday April 4th, you need to check this party out. And yes, it is worth the drive if you are coming from Tulsa!

Party starts at 8p.m. with a free Salsa, Merengue, Bachata and Cha Cha Cha lesson. It is BYOB so you can have an extra good time if you choose to but remember to be responsible! Cost is $10 per person at the door, or bring two first time attendees and get in free!

Fore more info visit oksalsafever.com or call Debbie Freeman at (405) 620-0372.

The Oklahoma City Swing Dance Club
361 NW 50th St # 400
Oklahoma City, OK 73112

~J

P.S.   If you go, let me know how it was! I really want to be there but can’t make it, Elizabeth and I are volunteering here in Dallas with a bunch of our LP180 group. We will be completely redoing the Dallas Magdalen house for recovering women so send out your love and support to us this weekend because we will be changing lives!

Come one come all to the most fun Salsa lessons in Dallas, TX!!

This and every Thursday from 8:30-10 P.M. join Elizabeth and myself at Studio B Dance Company for Salsa, Merengue, Bachata and Cha Cha Cha lessons.  The cost is $10 per person for a one and one half hour class and will include individual instruction with an instructor. Anyone is invited so bring a friend, family member, loved one or neighbor! 

Studio B is located  2108 Kidwell Street, Dallas, TX 75214  (link to google map included)

It is not on Abrams but on an parallel street to Abrams. Studio B is on the street just behind the 7-11 on Abrams and Richmond Ave. The easiest way to get there from US Highway 75 is to take the Mockingbird exit and go East to Abrams road. Take a right and go South on Abrams. Take a right at the third light (Richmond Ave, right before the 7-11) Take the first left and we will be on the left side of the road, you can’t miss it! As an added bonus, if you bring 4 or more people you get in free!

If you have any questions or want directions feel free to give me a call on the cell- 405-808-9489

~Jay