HAPPY HOLIDAYS! JANUARY 2nd at 6:30pm WE RETURN TO KENYON HALL FOR THE WINTER SEASON! FREE DANCE CLASS for the community-all ages. Come and enjoy a little waltzing, swinging and some salsa dancing. Registration will also be open for January group classes. GENERAL CLASSES BEGIN 1/9/11. See you at the Hall!
* * * * * * * * * My latest, greatest experience of 2010 was hosting a class with AfroPeruvian artist Miguel Ballumbrioso, courtesy of DE CAJON Project in Freemont. The beauty of Miguel's class was witnessing how these specific dances of the Festejo, Lando and the Zamacueca were invented, passed on and pieced together through blood memory. Before the academic and syllabus based break down of codified movement that is popular with Ballroom Dancing (I love this too!), existed an oral and physical tradition of passed down history, rhythms and inspiring community learning. Perhaps it is why I have always loved my work with kids in the schools. You can only be so overly prepared-they really are the ones that take the lead in their learning.
A big thank you to Diana Di-Tolla who expanded her Spanish unit further this year to include the cultures of the Dominican Republic. We had a blast. Thank you to Lou Magor, who has been the forever cheerleader and has made it possible for Balorico to live on in West Seattle. Thank you to the Washington Dance Center who welcomed such "non-commercial" dances in Seattle in their ballrooms with the Hustle and Latin Musicality classes. Thank you to Seattle Theater Group who continues to collaborate with Balorico through the promotion of Ballroom and Latin in their summer youth programs. we had a great Neptune Salsa night opening and community turnout. This year, the Balorico dancers and I even got to be a part of Donna Miscolta's book promo for When the De La Cruz Family Danced, again another supporter of a lesser commercial dance such as the Bolero. The BIGGEST THANK YOU to my committed and playful dance students who demanded Salsaon2 and stuck with it-YES! Ah, yes versatility. (Its so nice to have a little piece of home here in West Seattle.) Lastly thank you to all my colleagues who in one way or another have influenced yet another year of professional growth and good spirit. Here's to 2012- "BRING IT!"

Popular posts from this blog

Winter Salsa & Bachata WEST SEATTLE

Image
Amidst the way of the world, it is great to have a home for dance and movement at Viva Arts! Visit our DANCE STUDIO home of dance, art and amazing diverse instructors building community.  This Winter season is for motivational groove and musical flow as you practice dancing Salsa on2 and Bachata, two of our most favorite rhythms. Where to start? Try a beginner booster series Mondays at 7pm or jump into an intermediate class if you already have Salsa dance experience. We dance Salsa on2/New York style mambo. Into the New Year, our Wednesday night 8pm class will include Salsa on2 and Bachata for comfortable dancers. Enjoy the level II class that is open to all duets and singles. Consistent attendance recommended as all classes are progressive.  DROP IN FOR THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS OF CLASSES IN DECEMBER, $20/ dancer.    Be ready for a dancing NEW YEAR by training now. MONDAYS at Viva Arts - drop in December 7pm Beginner Salsa on2 & Bachata - Dec 4th & 11th 8pm Level II Salsa on2-
Read more

Join us for FALL classes

Image
Join us for classes.  Dance Schedule -  Sign up page BEGINNER SALSA & BACHATA  Mondays 7pm  SALSA on 2 RHYTHMS  level II Mondays 8pm  SALSA on2  level II with Styling Wednesdays 8pm (6 classes) This Fall season, Latin dance artists keep it hot and we hope you join us on the social dance floor. Save the date October 13-15th for a special weekend event!
Read more

Election Day Dance

Election Day Dance Nov. 5th November class cycle begins on the fifth. Sign up for a 4 week course! $60/4 class cycles in Bachata,Swing & Tango at 6:30pm and Salsa at 7:30pm. All are welcome. All levels. No you don't need a partner :) A highlight of this past season is definitely the Arts & Social Change Symposium hosted by our region's leading culture and arts leaders, but most prominently 4culture. The guest plenary speaker Profesor Manuel Pastor entertained Northwest ears to dazzling demographics that reveal (to some) that our world will continue to mirror the brown faces and hands that have built it up for years. The point: race matters. Lets celebrate on the dancefloor!
Read more