Articles on Salsa

Another chicken wing ON2 pattern with a separation technique during the Right Hand Turn. Thanks Junior and Emily.

Our On2 lesson @ PSU from about a month ago…. sorry for the delay. Sometimes we dance faster than videos can convert… Enjoy! (more coming in the next couple days.)

We recently had the opportunity to interview Angel Ortiz host of the 2010 New Jersey International Salsa Congress. We will be in attendance of this premiere event on April 22nd-25th.

K&I 1. How did you get started dancing Salsa?

Angel Ortiz: It was in 1989 on a Tuesday evening, I went to the famous Copacabana Nightclub in New York City. This was the hotspot for Salsa every Tuesday evening (original location). The music, watching the people dance, and the excitement of the nightclub scene caught my attention. I then kept going on Tuesday’s when I had the chance. I had not done any previous salsa dancing or taken any lessons. It was really exciting times. While there, I made new friends and was referred to Eddie Torres. I then started taking private lessons with Eddie. In early 1990, he placed me in his professional dance team. Since then, I’ve traveled to 113 cities in 27 countries teaching salsa On1 and On2 Crossbody lead style.

K&I 2. What do you enjoy most about salsa congresses?

AO: For me it starts with the traveling part of it. I love traveling, seeing new places, and re-visiting previous locations. Secondly, the gathering of friends, sharing stories, and having lots of fun is another aspect. But what really impresses me is the fact that the salsa congress can be compared and described as a “united nations” of dancers. Truly an amazing gathering of people from all walks of life.

K&I 3. What motivated you to join up with the first ever New Jersey Int Salsa Congress?

AO: Because it’s the first of its kind in New Jersey! Secondly, because with up to 21yrs in the business as a traveling guest instructor, I felt the Congress would be a great forum and avenue in which to share this knowledge base with the organizers of the event as well as with all those eventually visiting the event. It’s a unique perspective I wanted to share with the goal of encouraging and fostering more awareness to keep Salsa Congresses going for another 20yrs!

K&I 4. What can one expect from the Congress?

AO: (a) The Experience! Fun, dancing, and more dancing. Read the rest of this entry »

We are back full force with our Salsa Nights tonight at SOZO in State College – Enjoy! Sorry those of you studying for midterms – We’ll dance for you

Our lesson from last week at PSU – thanks to the iPhone!! We’re prepping our class for the New Jersey International Salsa Congress, and want to ramp up some understanding of On2 dancing. BTW, you can get 10% off your congress passes through the link above; use the coupon code ILIVESALSA10. Enjoy!