How to Exercise to Salsa Music

Salsa music is a Latin style of fast-moving music that has become a popular exercise method. The dance for salsa music typically involves six steps for every eight beats of music, and combines abdominal and hip-strengthening movements with cardiovascular activity. Even for inexperienced dancers, salsa music can be easily transformed into a workout routine with a few easy steps and some fast-paced salsa music.

Instructions

1) Salsa music is a Latin style of fast-moving music that has become a popular exercise method. The dance for salsa music typically involves six steps for every eight beats of music, and combines abdominal and hip-strengthening movements with cardiovascular activity. Even for inexperienced dancers, salsa music can be easily transformed into a workout routine with a few easy steps and some fast-paced salsa music.

2) Watch a few beginners salsa-dancing videos either online or on instructional DVDs from professionals. Practice the back-and-forth movements shown in the videos that make the foundation of salsa music. For example, the starting position in salsa is with both feet together, and then the left foot steps back and forward, followed by the right foot in the opposite motion.


3) Enroll in a salsa dance or exercise class. Follow the instructor, and practice the basic and intermediate steps until the speed of the dance becomes normal. Try to keep up with the beat with both your head and body; salsa lessons can move quite fast. Remember to ask for specific instructions if you are having trouble keeping up with the instructor.

4) Develop an individual salsa dance, incorporating more advanced moves like hip-swinging, cross-stepping and spins. Once you can perform these moves in rhythm with the basic moves as a foundation, try out faster songs. The faster the song goes, the better exercise your body will get.


Source:Justin Davis
image credit: Olivia Santili

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Posted in salsa circuit , salsa circuit top saslsa music charts , salsa dance , salsa dance steps , salsa dancing , salsa lessons , salsa music , salsacircuit , top 2011 weekly latin music charts

Boogie Nights: Bachata is stepping into salsa's territory

If the latter seems too complex and fast, this more slower, smoother dance from the Dominican Republic might be the thing.

A couple of years ago on salsa dance floors across Los Angeles, a new trend began to emerge. Amid the frenetic, conga-driven salsa tunes, DJs started to slip in a few tracks of bachata — a romantic, guitar-based music that originated in the Dominican Republic.

Those who stayed on the floor traded the showy spins of salsa for the cheek-to-cheek embrace and fluid footwork of bachata dance. But for the majority of patrons, says Earl Miller Jr., owner of salsa spot the Granada in Alhambra, the bachata interlude was "the time to go and buy a drink or go to the restroom."

Fast forward two years, and bachata has become a phenomenon that even the most hard-core salseros can't ignore. As bachata recording artists like Aventura and Prince Royce have topped the charts on mainstream Latin radio, bachata dance has exploded at local clubs. No longer confined to just a few songs in an evening of salsa, bachata now has a dedicated night at the Granada and at Stevens Steakhouse in Commerce, both well-established salsa venues.

"I tested out bachata on our salsa night," Miller says, "and it just spread like wildfire. It became the hit, the thing. Now even the salseros, they're falling in love with the dance."

One reason for bachata's rapid rise may be its accessibility to newcomers. While the dizzying turns and patterns of salsa may cause inexperienced dancers to shy away, the basic side-to-side steps of bachata are easy to learn. Partners often dance with their chests connected, relying on swinging hips and fluttering feet to express their style rather than attention-grabbing stunts.

That ease of movement won over Vanessa Villalobos, 21, of West Covina — a self-described bachata addict and regular at the Granada. "With salsa I had to think about what I was doing," she says. "With bachata it just flowed ... the music kind of tells you how to move."

The catchy musicality and languid, steady beat are also part of bachata's appeal. "I think personally it's a great way — if you're not a rhythm person — to really learn to have rhythm," Miller says.

But even though bachata is a bit slower and less technical than salsa, that doesn't mean it's less satisfying for advanced dancers. Experienced bachateros can add flair to their footwork and body action. Starting in October, the Granada will offer an intermediate bachata class concurrently with its beginner class for those seeking more complexity.

Plus, there are multiple styles to master. Classic Dominican bachata from the 1960s has developed into variations known as modern bachata and urban bachata, which incorporates elements of hip-hop. The urban strain is part of what attracts a comparatively younger crowd to the Granada's bachata nights. Guys show up in jeans and Vans, while many of the women sport tight dresses and treacherous stilettos.

"Because it's not so much spinning and patterns," says Brigitte Ryerson, who teaches bachata at the Granada with her partner Hector Llamas, "the girls can wear shorter skirts and higher heels."

At least for the time being. As more and more salseros embrace bachata and import their penchant for spins and tricks, Ryerson worries the dance could take, well, a turn for the worse. "Salsa's great," she says, but she'd like to see bachata maintain its uniqueness. "I hope it doesn't turn into the next salsa."

Source Rachel B. Levin

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Posted in 2011 salsa circuit music charts , 2011 salsa circuit music weekly charts , 2011 top ten salsa circuit music , bachata , bachata addict , salsa circuit music charts , salsa dance , salsa music

Salsa lovers look forward to 'voice from the mountain'

St. Paul, Minn. — Salsa singer Marc Anthony takes the stage tonight at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, a show that is a must-see for Latin music fans. It's also a big deal for Minnesota's growing Latino community.

Many people may only know Anthony for his acting and ill-fated marriage to actress Jennifer Lopez. But in the Spanish-speaking world the Puerto Rican singer is an international superstar who has sold 11 million albums.

Anthony became a phenomenon in the 1980s, first in dance music and then in salsa. He built a following with his booming voice, dramatic delivery and urban style — especially in New York's Spanish Harlem, where he was born.

The singer's music captivated young Latinos across the country, including local hip-hop artist Maria Isa. His records helped bridge the gap between the more traditional music her Puerto Rican parents enjoyed and the hip-hop and rap she listened to, such as hardcore groups like the Wu-Tang Clan.

"You know Marc Anthony would be blasting at the same time Wu Tang was blasting, so you had that vibe. That was something you could listen to in your home, without your parents saying, 'Mira quitame esa musica (Take off that music, we want to hear our stuff).' " "So he allowed our generation to keep the soul."

Isa's favorite Marc Anthony song is "Nadie Como Ella," or "No One Like Her."

"He's just talking about respecting his women as far as like, not just trying to holler at her but pouring his heart out, saying "I need to be with you," she said.

" 'Nadie Como Ella,' when I first heard him sing that I think I was twelve years old, just being like at the concert like oh my God, he's so powerful and he's got that gripping voice, Isa said. "That's a power, that's a blessing and that was passed down.

"That's 'montaña,' we call it 'la voz de la montaña,' 'the voice from the mountain.' "

Isa was at the last two Marc Anthony concerts at the Orpheum and Target Center.

"I only see this as a representation as saying things are getting better because we can go and see salsa at the State Fair, where 30 years ago you were only going to be able to maybe hear some funk and call it diversity."

Isa and other salsa lovers will be there tonight - dancing to a tropical beat.

Source Carolina Astrain

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Posted in Jennifer Lopez , Latin music fans , Latino community , Marc Anthony , Minn , Nadie Como Ella or No One Like Her , salsa lovers , salsa music , St. Paul

Janeen Puente's fiery Latin songs will heat up the Oxnard Salsa Festival

If you shake the Puente family tree, a wealth of luscious musical fruit is bound to fall.

That's a delicious treat for Latin music lovers. But, at first, it felt like a curse to singer Janeen Puente, granddaughter of legendary salsa music superstar Tito Puente.

The famed percussionist, who died in 2000, casts a large shadow, but it's one that his granddaughter managed to embrace while also finding a unique voice and place in the music world as leader of the Janeen Puente Orchestra.

The ensemble will perform Sunday in Plaza Park as part of the 18th Oxnard Salsa Festival. The event kicks off tonight with a performance by the Susie Hansen Latin Band and it will continue all weekend with music, food, a marketplace and family activities.

The festival originated in 1994 to showcase Oxnard's multicultural heritage and agricultural roots, according to Ruth Ballin, the festival's executive director.

"About 12 or so years ago, as the popularity of salsa music and dancing was reignited, the festival became a celebration of all things salsa," Ballin said. "It has grown from a one-day event in the park with just a few hundred attendees to Oxnard's largest free community festival, with a weekend attendance of close to 50,000 people. It has become a signature event for downtown Oxnard."

Two years ago, Puente attended the festival to support other performers. A New York native, she grew up listening both to Latin music, including Celia Cruz, La India and her grandfather, as well as to pop stars like Mariah Carey and Madonna.

She blended her grandfather's Latin style with American pop and found a musical voice that suited her. After moving to California, she met percussionist Eddie Del Rios and they formed a band.

"It has morphed over the years as we have added and changed musicians," Puente said. "I think we have the right sound now, with musicians who have great timing and strong melodic abilities."

Ballin concurred. "Janeen has the Latin rhythm in her genes," she said. "For the Salsa Festival, she has the stage presence, great vocals and amazing band members to wow the audience. She performed last year for the first time and the crowd loved her. So she was on our list to invite back again."

Puente has developed a new set for the festival. She will mix songs from their 2010 "Mi Camino" CD with new originals and a few traditional hits.

"We'll be doing an homage to Celia Cruz, which will include 'Carnaval,' and people love that," Puente said. "Latin music is so full of life. Even if you don't understand the lyrics, and even if you can't dance, you can't help but clap your hands and tap your toes because the music is alive. It's a living organism."

Puente occasionally performs some of her grandfather's hits, but for the most part she leaves that up to her uncle, Tito Puente Jr., and to her father, Ron Puente, both skilled musicians.

"I play percussion, but you won't see me doing that in public," she said. "That was what he did, and this is what I do. What I did get from my grandfather, though, is a passion for the music. Initially I did think of my lineage as a curse, but now I know it's a blessing."

Source Jeff Favre

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Posted in Janeen Puente , latin dance steps , latin music , latina , Oxnard Salsa Festival , salsa dance , salsa dance steps , salsa music

Warning: Latin music cruise may cause baby boom (in our house too!)

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EMC Lifestyle - My husband and I are close to being creepy super fans.

It's one thing for Deadheads to follow the Grateful Dead around North America and another for Parrotheads to trail Jimmy Buffet. But when a middle-aged couple (that would be me and hubby) start to follow a Kingston salsa musician around to different restaurants, showing up at every gig, you start to feel a tad bit silly.

We're Mario Franco groupies.

A few years ago, there was a great little Latin restaurant called Sol Latino on the corner of Princess and Barrie streets. On weekends, amazing salsa bands would overtake the restaurant and people would dance the night away. There are some incredible salsa dancers in Kingston who look like they learned their moves in a sweltering Santiago club - and then there's my husband and me. We try our best, but even after taking salsa dance classes at the YMCA and the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area, we're still pretty much step-and-clap dancers. We're bad. But we love it.

One of my favourite nights in Kingston was seeing Septeto Variedades, a sizzling band from Santiago de Cuba. The party spilled out from the restaurant onto the patio. We drank mojitos, ate chicken flautas and guzzled guacamole.

Once Sol Latino vanished, the salsa music vanished from our lives until one day, we were downtown having dinner at King Street Sizzle and, somewhere around our second glass of wine, the live entertainment started: The Mario Franco Band.

We grabbed a business card and pledged we'd see him again.

A few weeks later, it was Valentine's Day. I awoke to my husband gently rubbing my back, telling me I had to get up and have a shower since we were having company for brunch. With my eyes still closed, I groggily stumbled into the bathroom to have a shower. Awake, and dressed in nothing but a towel, I stepped out of the bathroom.

What was that in my kitchen? Were those maracas? Why were their bongos in my kitchen? Congos? Crazy?

Oh. My. Lord.

My husband had brought Mario and his son Mario Jr. to our house - at 9 a.m.! - to serenade us over breakfast with his boleros, salsas and original love songs.

It was mortifying and incredibly romantic.

I was the only girl in Kingston that day with a salsa band playing in my kitchen and watching me eat scrambled eggs.

That's when the stalking really began.

A month later, we hired Mario to play at my birthday party. We had a real-life salsa band in my living room.

As my hubby whipped me around our cramped space, a glass of Shiraz went flying across the wall. Oye Como Va!

After hours of playing, our two families sat at our kitchen table, sharing stories of family, music and adventures in Cuba. He's a fascinating man. He can speak English, Spanish and Russian. He immigrated to Canada so his children could have a better life. He still has friends and family in Cuba and offered to let us visit them, stay with them, eat with them, experience true Cuban culture.

By now, my husband and I were in love - with Mario's music.

We returned to Sizzle to watch Mario and Mario Jr. play a lunchtime gig on the patio.

After that, we got a group of friends together to take in their show at the Cove in Westport.

And then, one night, on a late-night run to Wal-Mart, we bumped into Mario and his wife. No, there was no music that evening, but we did have a nice chat in the parking lot.

That was a year ago - and we haven't seen him since.

But I just discovered a bit of fantastic news - a reason to pull out my dancing shoes. Mario Franco is playing two shows next week, on July 28 on the Island Star, one of the 1000 Islands Cruises vessels.

His lunch-time show is at 12:30 p.m. A dinner cruise is at 6:30 p.m.

There's something magical about Mario: His love of life, his passion for his music, his warmth and sincerity.

And the Latin tunes? Baby-making music.

Source Sarah Crosbie

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Posted in latin music , Latin music cruise , salsa music , salsa music festivals , Sol Latino

Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs' - Week of March 27, 2011

1. Corazon sin Cara - Prince Royce



2.Sale el Sol - Shakira



3.No Me Digas Que No - Enrique Iglesias feat. Wisin and Yandel



4. Llueve El Amor - Tito 'El Bambino'



5. Tengo Tu Love - Sie7e



6.Danza Kaduro - Don Omar and Lucenzo



7.Zun Zun Rompiendo Caderas - Wisin & Yandel



8.Estoy Enamorado - Wisin & Yandel




9.Me Duele La Cabeza - Hector Acosta



10.Si No Le Contesto - Plan B

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Posted in Enrique Iglesias , latin songs , salsa circuit , salsa circuit music weekly chart. , Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs , salsa music , salsa songs , top salsa music chart , weekly music chart

Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs' - Week of March 20, 2011

1 Corazon sin Cara - Prince Royce



2 No Me Digas Que No - Enrique Iglesias feat. Wisin and Yandel




3 Llueve El Amor - Tito 'El Bambino'



4 Sale el Sol - Shakira



5 Danza Kaduro - Don Omar and Lucenzo



6 Zun Zun Rompiendo Caderas - Wisin & Yandel



7 Me Duele La Cabeza - Hector Acosta



8 Quien Te Quiere Como Yo - Carlos Baute



9 No Puedo Creer - 24 Horas



10 Tengo Tu Love - Sie7e

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Posted in enrique iglesia , latin songs , salsa circuit , salsa circuit music weekly chart. , Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs , salsa music , salsa songs , top salsa music chart , weekly music chart

Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs' - Week of March 13, 2011

1 Corazon sin Cara - Prince Royce



2 No Me Digas Que No - Enrique Iglesias feat. Wisin and Yandel



3 Sale el Sol - Shakira



4 Danza Kaduro - Don Omar and Lucenzo



5 Llueve El Amor - Tito 'El Bambino'



6 Me Duele La Cabeza - Hector Acosta



7 Si No Le Contesto - Plan B



8 Zun Zun Rompiendo Caderas - Wisin & Yandel



9 Quien Te Quiere Como Yo - Carlos Baute



10 Dominicanita - Yunel Cruz

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Posted in latin songs , salsa circuit , salsa circuit music weekly chart. , Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs , salsa music , salsa songs , top salsa music chart , weekly music chart

Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs' - Week of March 6, 2011

1     Corazon sin Cara - Prince Royce


2     No Me Digas Que No - Enrique Iglesias feat. Wisin and Yandel


3     Danza Kaduro - Don Omar and Lucenzo


4     Sale el Sol - Shakira


5     Llueve El Amor - Tito 'El Bambino'


6     Me Duele La Cabeza - Hector Acosta


7     Besame - Camilla


8     Si No Le Contesto - Plan B


9     Aprende a Ser Infiel - J Martin


10     Dandole - Gocho feat. Jowell y Omega

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Posted in latin songs , salsa circuit , salsa circuit music weekly chart. , Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs , salsa music , salsa songs , top salsa music chart , weekly music chart

Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs' - Week of February 27, 2011

1     No Me Digas Que No - Enrique Iglesias feat. Wisin and Yandel


2     Corazon sin Cara - Prince Royce


3     Danza Kaduro - Don Omar and Lucenzo


4     Sale el Sol - Shakira


5     Besame - Camilla


6     Me Duele La Cabeza - Hector Acosta


7     Quien te Quiere Como Yo - Carlos Baute


8     Dandole - Gocho feat. Jowell y Omega


9     Dominicanita - Yunel Cruz


10     A Quien Quiero Mentirle - Marc Anthony

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Posted in latin songs , salsa circuit , salsa circuit music weekly chart. , Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs , salsa music , salsa songs , top salsa music chart , weekly music chart

Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs - Week of February 20

1 Corazon sin Cara - Prince Royce



2 Danza Kaduro - Don Omar and Lucenzo



3 No Me Digas Que No - Enrique Iglesias feat. Wisin and Yandel



4 Besame - Camilla


5 Necesito Mas de Ti - Charlie Cruz



6 Me Duele La Cabeza - Hector Acosta


7 A Quien Quiro Mentirle - Marc Anthony


8 Loca - Shakira



9 Dandole - Gocho feat. Jowell y Omega


10 Dominicanita - Yunel Cruz

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Posted in latin songs , salsa circuit , salsa circuit music weekly chart. , Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs , salsa music , salsa songs , top salsa music chart , weekly music chart

"DJ Spotlight - World Salsa Series Volume 2 released by DJ El Chino'

DJ El Chino, or Luis Felipe Valero Aristizabal Trujillo in real life, was born in Santiago de Cali, Colombia on October 25, 1978.  During his early years of his career, he discovered his passion as a DJ when he was fascinated with Pop and Rock music, and soon thereafter with the afro-Caribbean rhythms.  DJ El Chino is not only gifted as a DJ but he is also focus on being a cultural manager, promoter and a music producer. Today he is an all-around talent and one of the most important figures in the Salsa & Latin Jazz scene around the globe.

DJ El Chino released a brand new compilation, this time the follow-up in his 'Salsa World Series'. Check out his brand new album Salsa Series Volume 2 from Amazon World. The first release covered just one country, Venezuela, whereas this release takes us on a worldwide Salsa musical journey.


TRACK LISTING DISC 1:
 1. Cutufla Septeto - "Septeto en Montuno"
 2. Palo Yuba Orquesta - "Mais Que Nada"
3. Rikoson Orquesta - "Caina"
4. Carlitos Mojica's Sonido Criminal - "Puro y Sin Corte"
5. Canaribe - "Seductora"
6. Geo Ruiz y Los Que Somos - "Como Fue"
7. Miguel Montes en Banda - "Azuquita Pa'l Café"

DISC 2:
1. La Combinacion Salsa Band - "Que Dichoso Es"
2. Doug Beavers y Su Conjunto Rovira - "Tu Loco Loco"
3. Kevin Davis & Ban Caribe - "Time To Spend"
4. Orquesta Coimbre "Montuno de Oriente"
5. Sono-lux "Asi No"
6. Bailatino - "A Donde Estará Margoth"
 7. Sounare Orquesta - "Quiero Café"
 8. Agrupacion Proyecto K-Libre - "Me Queda Un Guaguanco"

In listening to DJ El Chino’s compilation,  it will definitely get you in that mood to hit that Salsa dance floor.

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Posted in Dance , dance salsa , dj el chino , latin dj , latin music , music salsa , salsa circuit , salsa music

Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs' - Week of December 12, 2010

1. Danza Kaduro - Don Omar and Lucenzo



2.Loca - Shakira



3.Bon Bon - Pitbull


4.El Malo - Adventura



5.Corazon sin Cara - Prince Royce



6.Besame - Camilla



7.Y No Regresas - Juanes



8.La Despedida - Daddy Yankee



9.Cuando me Enamor - Enrique Iglesias & Juan Luis Guerra



10.Estoy Enamorado - Wisin & Yandel

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Posted in latin songs , salsa circuit , salsa circuit music weekly chart. , Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs , salsa music , salsa songs , top salsa music chart , weekly music chart

Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs' - Week of December 5, 2010

1. Danza Kaduro - Don Omar and Lucenzo



 2. Loca - Shakira



3. Bon Bon - Pitbull



4.Corazon sin Cara - Prince Royce


5. La Despedida - Daddy Yankee


6.El Malo - Adventura


7. Cuando me Enamor - Enrique Iglesias & Juan Luis Guerra





8. Besame - Camilla


9. Y No Regresas - Juanes


10. Estar Contigo - Alex, Jorge Y Lena
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxpy1CyXr6Q
 http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/estar-contigo-single/id37823129

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Posted in latin songs , salsa circuit , salsa circuit music weekly chart. , Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs , salsa music , salsa songs , top salsa music chart , weekly music chart

'Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs' - Week of November 28, 2010

1. Danza Kaduro - Don Omar and Lucenzo

2. Loca - Shakira

3. El Party - Proyecto Uno

4. Bon Bon - Pitbull

5. Corazon sin Cara - Prince Royce

6. Cuando me Enamor - Enrique Iglesias & Juan Luis Guerra

7. La Despedida - Daddy Yankee

8. Estar Contigo - Alex, Jorge Y Lena

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxpy1CyXr6Q
 http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/estar-contigo-single/id378231296

9. El Malo - Adventura

 10. Hay Amor - Kimary

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Posted in latin songs , salsa circuit , salsa circuit music weekly chart , Salsa Circuit Top 10 Latin Songs , salsa music , salsa songs , salsacircuit , top salsa music chart , weekly music chart

Feel the Rhythm of the Salsa ON1 and Salsa ON2 and Spot the Difference

I’m eagerly serious about learning how to dance salsa. I have seen some of them and hoping that one day I can learn how to dance salsa like a pro. I was fascinated with their fantastic moves and even dream that one day I can attend big events like salsa festivals or congresses.

If you are genuinely serious like me , about learning how to dance salsa . Feeling the music is important and learning to count from 1,2,3 etc. in the salsa music is even more important, especially when you just a beginner. The faster you begin to count the music the faster you will begin to learn to adept the method . Basically, have you ever heard for some aspiring dancer like me the difference between Salsa on1 and Salsa on2?

According to  Mecca Dance company, When dancing "on 2", the dancer would start by taking a step either on the spot, or slightly forwards or backwards, and following with a stronger step on the second beat. the "on 2" style of dancing is often preferred for smoother, groovier music, due to it's more continuous feel.


Both styles are equally danced around the world, and although many dancers choose to primarily dance one or the other, it is beneficial to learn both. Although the overall timing is the same, the biggest difference between the two styles is the point in the music where the dancer "breaks", or dances the rock-step.
 

There is nothing more powerful than to have some other great dancers like Joel who will  encourage you and support you on your journey to become a great dancer . Cheers!

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Posted in festivals , joel salsa , salsa circuit , Salsa Congress , salsa music , Salsa ON1 , Salsa ON2