Preserving Latin American Christmas Traditions in New Homeland

She remembers as a little girl her mother singing the songs of the novena and the procession from one relative’s home to another back in her native Bogota, Colombia. Now living in Miami, 35-year-old Liliana Vanderbiest will relive one her of childhood traditions when she and friends bring the practice of the novena, daily prayers nine days before Christmas, to the United States.

“It seems like my generation is like the first generation who has grown up without these traditions and needs to really work to revisit them before they’re lost with time,” said Vanderbiest, a financial analyst in Miami. “Like a lot of people who have come from Latin American countries and have been here a long time, we either forget the traditions from back home or are just too busy to go back to them.”

Indeed, many Latin American countries have their own traditional observances around the Christmas holidays, most of them deeply rooted in Catholic traditions. And many newly immigrated Latinos have let observances like the novena or la posada, a Central American tradition where neighbors act as pilgrims and travel from home to home to sing and pray, fall by the wayside as they acculturate to North American Christmas traditions.

    Like a lot of people who have come from Latin American countries and have been here a long time, we either forget the traditions from back home or are just too busy to go back to them.

- Liliana Vanderbiest from Miami

Some, like Vanderbiest, who is making it a point this year to do the novena with a newly immigrated friend from South America, are making concerted efforts to bring those traditions to the U.S.

Of all the different Latin American Christmas-time traditions, la posada is probably the most widely recognized, especially in areas of the U.S. where there are large concentrations of Mexicanos.

In Sacramento, Calif., La Raza Galeria is holding the first large organized posada events in the city’s history this year. Executive Director Marie Acosta said the organization was focusing on Mexican traditions because of the predominant concentration of immigrants from there in that city.

She expected a few dozen to attend the first posada, which reenacts the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph from Bethlehem, but around 150 people took part.

“We discovered that there is a need and a desire and a huge gap in the community for anything that redeems cultural heritage, particularly around the religious observances this time of year,” Acosta said. “It’s definitely a sign that our culture and heritage has not received its due diligence for whatever reasons. It’s good to see such an outpouring of support and participation from the younger faces in the crowd.”

Maite Velez-Couto, 32, fondly recalls the parrandas during her childhood in Puerto Rico. Since moving to Miami though, her Christmas traditions have been limited to making cultural dishes and serving them at work.

“Back home, for the parrandas, every household had to be prepared to receive people at any time of the evening and be fully stocked with rum and music,” Velez-Couto said. “It’s a great tradition, but something that would be kind of tough to pull off here.
“I think in some form or another we do try to keep some traditions alive whether it’s in singing the songs or other religious experiences, but food and music are the easiest ways to keep the traditions going,” she said.

In Fort Collins, Colo., north of Denver, El Museo de las Tres Colonias is observing the posada for the sixth year and has seen participation growing steadily over the years. While the celebration caters to the many Mexican immigrants in the area, the museo is making special efforts to incorporate traditions from other Latin American countries because of new demands for them.

“The community is really hungry for something cultural and sadly the opportunities to celebrate the traditions they were used to back in their home countries just aren’t as easy to find here,” said Betty Aragon, director of the museo. “We do see a lot of kids from Nicaragua and Guatemala who want to incorporate what they had in their native countries, which we think is wonderful to embrace. This gives us the chance to go back to our roots, something that many forget to do when they get here because they’re so busy trying to fit into a new country.”

Manny Gonzales is a Denver-based writer and communications professional. 

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Posted in 2011 Latin Christmas , Latin America , Latin American Christmas , Latin christmas , latin culture , latin tradition , latino christmas , salsacircuit

Marisa Miller's Secret to Weight Loss: Eat Naked

Have you been dying to know the secret to Marisa Miller's cut abs and seemingly impossible sculpted figure? The former Victoria's Secret Angel (and soon to be actress) shared her number one tip to not letting holiday goodies get the best of your waistline this year.

"Eating smart is all about having an awareness of your body. The most obvious way to do that is by seeing it," The blond beauty explained, "So when you're trying to lose weight, spend more time wearing less. I don't think I could eat a plate of nachos naked—could you?"

Interesting theory, but this (shame) tactic won't exactly work for family gatherings. I'd also have to argue that if I had rock-hard abs (and the metabolism of a 5th grade boy) like Marisa, I'd probably be eating in my skivvies all day long.

Source: Have you been dying to know the secret to Marisa Miller's cut abs and seemingly impossible sculpted figure? The former Victoria's Secret Angel (and soon to be actress) shared her number one tip to not letting holiday goodies get the best of your waistline this year.

"Eating smart is all about having an awareness of your body. The most obvious way to do that is by seeing it," The blond beauty explained, "So when you're trying to lose weight, spend more time wearing less. I don't think I could eat a plate of nachos naked—could you?"

Interesting theory, but this (shame) tactic won't exactly work for family gatherings. I'd also have to argue that if I had rock-hard abs (and the metabolism of a 5th grade boy) like Marisa, I'd probably be eating in my skivvies all day long.

Source: Tany, zimbio

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Posted in 2011 marisa miller , eat naked diet , Marisa Miller naked diet , marisa miller victoria secret , salsacircuit , victoria secret model

Salsa School Educates Numerous Salsa Dance

You can be part of numerous salsa courses as a way to find out a variety of salsa flow. This flow which at first arises from Cuba may be the main topic of significantly critique and powerful commitment from its several and faithful next.

The modifications of salsa flow are wide-ranging. Some dances just use one routines. Other medication is in groups. Still others, in couples. Salsa is really a frequently changing flow this is why it’s not necessarily astonishing if someone incurs variations of belly dancing it.

Part of the explanation for this is location. The geographic the main ballerina may possibly dictate to some extent the moves or things in a very salsa flow. For example, diverse international locations or parts could have types of methods interpretation the research. The results and spins could also differ since the flow is finished inside the salsa class.

Los Angeles Salsa Party Style

Los Angeles salsa shows lots of have an impact on realplayer from the mambo and Argentine dance. Electronics equipment ? special is that often significantly stress lies on step one along with the two elements of salsa are merged forward backwards and mix-shape head. This salsa style requirements many dips, cracks, spins, operates, flicks and advances from the dancers. Specialized knowledge of salsa is really a key requirement of Are Generally style.

New York Salsa

New York Salsa has been around since the 60′s by the Cuban immigration. The form was eventually combined with mambo and The Big Apple brighten and sway.

Salsa audio frequently employs drums tools. It is renowned for its up " cadence ". The next overcom is the purpose of stress not the primary not like Are Generally salsa. The right time of moves and make use of of shape swells, shimmying and no cost style intensify the flow style. The Big Apple salsa style is usually used by download quicktime dancers seen in US east coast, South America and Puerto Rico.

Cuban Salsa Fashion or
Cuban or Internet style makes use of circle activities besides other habits of left arm and body movement. This flow is acceptable for both encouraging and downbeat tempos. Upbeat employs two, 4, six to eight sounds. Downbeat employs the random sounds or one, three, several and more effective sounds.

The key portion of these kinds of salsa flow may be the numerous alterations the dancers make to be able to perform the switch habits.

During the drums perhaps the flow, the soulmates do the one behaves. Every single spouse attempt to encourage 1 another making use of intimately billed flow moves like gyrations. No real coming in contact with is engaged. The Internet salsa hails from the combination of Cuban Daughter dane and Afro-Cuban Rhumba.

Rueda de Internet Salsa Style

Rueda de Internet alternately called Salsa Rueda or Internet projekty domow Tyre Party at first arises from Havana, Cuba. This sort of salsa belly dancing was launched between the 1950s. The primary portion of this particular salsa requires placement dancers in a very group and then they stick to the flow moves which have been dictated by one director. Soulmates are inter-changeable inside the flow. Rueda de Miami includes numerous flow moves from Rueda de Cuba and Are Generally salsa.

Cali Salsa

Cali Salsa is hailed from San diego, The philipines which happens to be respected for being the Salsa Money on the planet. Salsa is danced any place the area attend organizations or functions. San diego Salsa needs dancers to move on laterally making use of continuing research.

In San diego Salsa, the top of the body’s hard. The dancers don’t do spins. The spinning is done by a female ballerina only. These sorts of dances are learned in a very salsa class according to what one you experience.


SOURCE Sarah

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Posted in cali salsa , cuban salsa fashion , los angeles party style , new york salsa , salsa dance 2011 , Salsa School , salsacircuit , top salsa dance schools

Warning: Salsa can be dangerous to your health!

Anyone who has been dancing salsa for any length of time has surely experienced that painful spike heel in the foot, the elbow that smacked into your head and nearly concussed you, that unwise move or sudden dip that nearly ended up giving either you or a partner an unintended black eye or severe muscle strain and, of course, the manifold bruises that are our usual ‘evidence’ of a hot night dancing at a packed, popular club. While you may emit a sudden yelp, limp off the dancefloor briefly and/or glare/curse at the particular dancefloor villain who inflicted your injury, usually you just chalk it up to a ‘normal’ hazard of the night or shrug it all off with a ‘no pain, no gain’ attitude. But what about SERIOUS dance-related injuries? Surely they just happen to the professional performers, teachers and international salsa stars, don’t they?

Well, I hate to tell you this, but NO! They can happen to anyone – and WILL happen to any keen social salsero/a eventually, if they are not careful – I should know, as I am currently (after 12+ years of frequent social dancing, 10 of which have also involved teaching regularly) dealing with: right-knee patellar tendonitis (from a previous ligament injury but exacerbated by dancing); left-hip trochanteric bursitis (all those spin preps!) and right-arm tendonitis (commonly called ‘tennis elbow’, but I refer to it as ‘Cuban salsa elbow’), not to mention quite pronounced bunions (from years of wearing too-high heels to dance in and doing frenetic pachanga/boogaloo swivels on the ball of the foot), all of which are overuse injuries caused by an excessive addiction to salsa! So, if you love your salsa (and of course you do, or you would hardly be reading this), please pay attention to the following warnings and advice.

WHY INJURIES HAPPEN

First of all, salsa (and mambo, of course) dance, whether we think of it as such or not, is effectively an extremely competitive sport. It is also in fact one of the most highly aerobic forms of exercise we can engage in, so it is going to be an immediate challenge for anyone who is unfit, such as those new to dancing or those who haven’t danced in a while. It is also always going to be difficult NOT to sustain an injury when you are: a. tired; b. have a previous injury or pre-existing medical condition; c. dancing in a hazardous environment (or with a hazardous partner) – but more about these later; or d. trying to do something your body is not yet practically prepared for.


As with any intensive sport, salsa requires many hours of training and practice, particularly if one’s aim is either continually to become better or, especially, the best. And let’s face it, from the moment any of us began dancing salsa, we have always wanted to get better. As we get better, we perhaps begin to compare ourselves with others, or decide we want to be at least as good as so-and-so. So we attend more classes, buy more videos to practice with at home, have more one-to-one sessions with teachers we admire, and attend congresses and workshops halfway around the world. And once we get really good and are acknowledged as such, either we are in frequent demand as teachers or decide we want to try our hand at official competitions – either way, we are now constantly exercising, constantly stretching and extending our muscles, constantly on the go, constantly taxing our bodies. So what is bound to happen at some point, whether we ever make it to a professional level or not, is an injury.

TYPES OF INJURY

One-third of all sports injuries are related to overuse; 80% of these are in the ankle, foot or knee, but can also occur in the calf, hip and lower back – so that is obviously relevant, since these are the limbs and body parts we are most constantly exercising when we dance salsa. Thus, if you are as addicted to salsa as I am, and do it long enough, you are quite likely to incur an overuse injury.

Of sports injuries in general, the most common are:

1)    sprains and strains – muscles and ligaments can be overstretched or twisted, causing long-term damage if repeatedly exercised as these can result in small tears in the muscle.

2)    stress fractures – repetition and force needed for various moves, such as those involving jumping – can eventually cause small (‘hairline’) fractures in the bones of the foot and ankle.

3)    tendonitis – this is a painful inflammation of a tendon (connective soft tissue that helps anchor muscles to bones), as in the Achilles tendon in the ankle or the elbow tendon, resulting in ‘tennis elbow’.

4)    blisters – usually from ill-fitting shoes or other clothing causing chafing to skin.

5)    toenail injuries – usually caused by wearing shoes that crowd and force the toes together, causing bruising of toenails or ingrown toenails  (these are also a contributing cause of bunions, an often painful deformity of the foot that is usually hereditary).

6)      impact injuries – these are usually in the form of a bruise or impact to a joint from falling, or bumping into other dancers or nearby props or furniture.
Injuries specific to salsa:

Of the injuries that are specific to salsa dancing, most are incurred during spins and pivots, so are more likely to affect women than men. However, a few of these apply to both men and women. These include:

1)     Hip pain – Edie the Salsa Freak has already written on the topic of right-hip pain being prevalent in female salsa dancers due to the constant strain on that hip from preparation for spins on the right; however, as I am presently suffering from left-hip pain and know of other female dancers who, like me, originally trained in the Cuban-Colombian style of salsa, in which the man always leads the woman on her right to then turn her to the left, it is then actually the left hip that is bearing most of the strain of the spin in this style.

2)    Strain on the medial ligament – from constant bending/straightening of the legs and transferring weight from one leg to the other repeatedly, as we do in salsa and other Latin dances (eg merengue, cha cha cha).

3)    Shoulder, knee or hip dislocations – these are serious, though not uncommon injuries, which are usually the result of trauma to the ball-and-socket joint caused by forceful impact (as in a fall). However, the kneecap can also become dislocated through sudden twisting, and the shoulder can be dislocated when it is forcefully twisted into an awkward position, such as in a violent, jerky or improperly executed move or spin. Female dancers are more likely to be susceptible to knee dislocations as they may have improper leg alignment or their quadricepts muscle may be out of shape.

4)    Excessive dehydration and heat stroke – dehydration is the loss of water and salts that are essential to the body’s normal function; it occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in. If a person becomes dehydrated and cannot sweat enough to cool their body, their internal temperature may rise to dangerously high levels and cause heat stroke.

5)    Exercise-related migraine – one salsera I know told me that she had experienced a sudden, excruciating onset of migraine (having never had this before) after continuing to dance for several hours when she was severely dehydrated.

6)    Bruises and punctures – from forceful impact with other dancers or dancers’ high heels or jewellery. Some of these can be quite painful; if there is swelling or a wound is open and bleeding, it may be necessary to stop dancing and apply ice to the affected area, or to clean and sterilise the wound and then apply a bandage to prevent infection.

7)    Lower-back injuries – dancing on concrete or other hard-floor surfaces places a lot of strain on the spine and lower back, which may then become more susceptible to injury.

8)    Plantar fascial strain to foot – this is a series of fine tears in the sheet of fibrous tissues extending from the foot to the heel. It is one of the most common foot injuries experienced by dancers, and occurs as a result of a jarring strain to the foot from dancing on hard surfaces.

9)      I am sure there are many more that I have missed out; please feel free to add your comment at the end of this article if you or someone you know has experienced any other type of salsa-specific injury.


Source: salsaeditorial

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Posted in dancing dangerous , dancing salsa , salsa circuit , salsa dance , salsa dance dangerous , salsa dancing side effect , salsacircuit

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

Someone Stole Marc Jacobs’ Entire Spring 2012 Collection

The new Marc Jacobs spring 2012 collection may not get much play in upcoming fashion glossies, because someone stole the whole damn thing. According to the Telegraph, the company sent the following email to editors ahead of a planned UK press day:

    “Dear all: The Marc Jacobs PR team is sorry to inform you that our press day tomorrow in the Marc Jacobs store is cancelled, due to the theft of the spring/summer 2012 collections during its transfer from Paris.”

Um, what? How does an entire collection get stolen? There were 46 looks in his show, and somehow they all got swiped. Obviously these were samples meant for press and probably editorial shoots, and we have to assume that the collection is already in production. We can only guess (fear) that the collection was stolen for the purpose of ripping it off, because it’s going to be hard to sell it on the black market without drawing a lot of attention. We’re completely horrified by this fashion heist. Also, still, WTF.

Update: The WSJ‘s Heard on the Runway blog is reporting the following:

    Officials at Marc Jacobs declined comment but a person familiar with the situation told Heard on the Runway that it’s untrue that the entire collection was stolen. The runway looks are here in New York, this person said.

So it’s still unclear what exactly was stolen. We’ll update as we know more.

Source: Cheryl Wischhover

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Posted in 2011 march jacobs , Marc Jacobs , Marc Jacobs’ Entire Spring 2012 Collection , salsacircuit , salsacircuit fashion news

What You Need To Know About Salsa Dancing

The history of salsa dancing traces its roots to Spanish speaking colonies in the Caribbean but proving its exact starting point cannot be done. It is a lively fusion of music, tones, and beats from Africa and Europe.

As history recounts, the salsa dance was brought to us by Cuban or Puerto Rican immigrants, but no one really knows how it became so popular so quickly. The important thing, though, is that it is created by the Spanish speaking people of the Caribbean and that it is a lively fusion of beats and music from the Latin culture.

And although the exact history of the salsa’s origin is unconfirmed, this uncertainty gives the dance a whole new depth that makes it even more colorful and vibrant. Without the need of being true to its roots, it has already branched into so many different styles, allowing people to learn how to dance it freely and without any inhibitions, giving salsa its popularity and making it a wonderful and exciting thing to learn.

Salsa is a complex dance. The fact that it is a mixture of many different cultures spiced up with the fusion of African and European beats, there is no doubt that salsa dancing is a complex activity that challenges people. It is easy and hard at the same time, requiring you to give your best as it is, and, by all means, a dance that tickles the senses. So, if a dancer wouldn’t give his or her one hundred percent with the salsa dance, it completely takes the fun and beauty out of the equation.

Learning to dance the salsa and you’ve got something to replace gym workouts. Instead of sweating yourself out on a gym by running on treads or lifting weights where no result, aside from sweating, can be easily seen, why won’t you just learn dance the salsa instead? Engaging yourself in an activity like this can easily help you in shedding some pounds off, plus, you can also be hitting two birds with one stone as you are learning a new skill as well. With salsa dancing, you can already be multi-tasking even without you knowing it.

Confidence is also a big factor in salsa. However, if one is unsure whether one can perform the dance in front of an audience, practice can become the best tool. Whenever possible an unsure salsa dance student should practice in groups, the larger the better, in order to accustom the student to dancing while other people are present in the room. With enough practice, salsa dancing can build the confidence needed not only in dance, but also in life.

Never be afraid to move your hips. Again, salsa dance involves sexy movements, meaning you really need to move those hips in order to do the dance.

As for the attire, light fabrics are always the best choice as it can get pretty lively while salsa dancing. Also, if you are looking for a salsa dress, make sure that you can easily move and is very comfortable. Learning how to dance salsa is really rewarding and highly beneficial. You can meet new people, get a good exercise, create a new passion, become more confident and of course, have a lot of fun. Why don’t you start taking classes today? You’ll never know, this might just be your new passion!

Source: Jennifer Ramos
association.lov credit images

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Posted in 2011 best dance fitness , dancing salsa , salsa circuit , salsa dance best exercise , salsa dancing , salsa dancing benefits , salsacircuit , tango

Selena Gomez's prank may bring out the monster in Lady Gaga.

Gomez, who hosted the MTV EMA Awards in Belfast, Ireland, Sunday night, mocked Mother Monster by wearing a pink poodle wig resembling Gaga’s elaborate choice of hair in past times. Gaga was reportedly less than amused by the playful dig.

According to the U.K.’s Mirror tabloid, an undisclosed source told the daily that “there was a chill in the air” after Gomez pulled the prank.

“Everybody was holding their breath, nervous about how Gaga would take the dig,” the source told the English newspaper.

“Gaga was fuming at Selena’s slight at her,” the source continued. “She took it personally.”

The source also dished to the tabloid that Gomez “was not allowed anywhere near Gaga backstage,” after the incident.

The source added that Gaga was “stunned” and “couldn’t believe Selena had gone there.”

“She takes her art very seriously,” the source said.

Gomez, 19, tried to make amends with Gaga, saying she was trying to compliment Mother Monster on her fashion sense.

“It’s no secret I want to dress like her,” Gomez said, according to Mirror.

Lady Gaga took home awards for “Best Song” and “Best Video” for her "Born This Way."

"Thank you so much, I love you so much. I'm so grateful,” Gaga said under her elaborate ensemble that covered her entire face. “I'm really smiling right now, but I know you can't tell."

The “Poker Face” singer joked that she had gotten an excessive amount of Botox on her face, before thanking her “little monsters” for all the support with her “Born This Way” single.

Source: Alexandra Gratereaux

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Posted in Born This Way , lady gaga , MTV EMA Awards , MTV EMA Awards in Belfast , MTV Europe Music Awards 2011 , salsacircuit , selena gomez

Jennifer Lopez Fired Manager For Telling Her To Lose Weight

Jennifer Lopez once fired a manager who told her to lose weight. The Latina star recently revealed in a Glamour interview,

"I was so infuriated that somebody said you couldn't have a extra little meat on you - because I was by no means fat!"

You tell 'em, JLo. Those curves got you famous! She goes on to say,

"This is who I am and this is the type of woman that I grew up with and it was beautiful and there's no reason to be anybody but myself."

The singer/actress says she doesn't get that criticism these days.

"I think people know better."

Lopez confesses she would not rule plastic surgery out in the future, but is definitely not considering it as of yet. She doesn't want to make any judgments before she is ready, or before it is even an issue. If she does ever decide to do some cosmetic surgery, she says she is "open to being open."

Jennifer is, however, confident she'll age gracefully and feel great about herself. She's not doing too shabby. Mama looks fierce!

Source: Ikam Acosta

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Posted in Jennifer Lopez , jennifer lopez fired manager , JenniferLopez , JenniferLopezFiredManager , latina , salsacircuit

The U.S. Hispanic Market Will Soon Be the World's 11th Largest Economy!

At yesterday's Wall Street Summit in New York City, global CEO and corporate director Solomon "Sol" Trujillo gave a landmark, paradigm-shifting keynote speech called "Follow The Money," which put the $1.1 trillion dollar U.S. Hispanic market into a global perspective.

"The U.S. Hispanic market will soon be the 11th largest economy in the world," Trujillo said.  Putting the Hispanic market in the same category as Brazil, Russia, India, and China (the BRIC countries), he pointed out that U.S. Hispanics actually have more per capita purchasing power than the BRIC countries as well as the Group of 20 (G-20) member nations South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Korea, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Australia.

How did the G-20 countries earn their seats at the table?  By growing their economies and creating wealth.  U.S. Hispanics have done the same thing.  By delivering economic growth and driving wealth creation, Hispanics have earned a seat at the table and deserve recognition for contributing to America’s competitiveness and America’s seat at the “global table."  Economic power drives political power, not the other way around – and American Hispanics are amassing political influence by earning it through wealth creation.

Source: Fox News Latino

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Posted in Hispani market , hispanic economy , latin , latino , Latinos , salsacircuit , worlds 11th largest economy

Zumba fad dances onto campus

The Zumba workout dance craze has expanded to more than 12 million people around the world and hundreds of Ohio State students are dancing to the beat.

The Latin-inspired group fitness class has found a home at the RPAC. Zumba classes are offered throughout the year and Amanda Crichton, a Group Fitness Instructor at the RPAC, said her classes have been filled since she started teaching Zumba.

"Last fall I was shocked (by how many people were in the class) but now I am used to it," Crichton said.

Zumba has grown in popularity since it first became a business in 2001. However, according to zumba.com, the Latin-infused dance workout was born out of pure accident.

Alberto "Beto" Perez usually taught a traditional aerobics class in his native country of Colombia but when Perez forgot his usual workout music one day, he decided to improvise with his own mix tapes of salsa and merengue music. The class turned out to be a success and has grown into what is now called the Zumba Fitness Party.

Zumba has become one of the most popular fitness classes since it started, said Scott Holmes, the Fitness and Services Program Coordinator.

Each year, group fitness classes are offered free in the first week of the quarter and during finals week. This quarter, 211 people attended the Zumba class in that first week, Holmes said. This is higher than the average 100 people that the free classes usually attract.

One of the students to attend a free session is Ashley Ingram, a first-year in animal science. Ingram said although it was her first time, she enjoyed the experience.

"I don't like exercising, but I couldn't really tell I was exercising," Ingram said.

Zumba has become exceedingly popular in OSU because it is something students can do together, Crichton said.

"You can go with your friends and get the same workout and have a good time," Crichton said.

Ingram said one of her favorite parts of Zumba was that she could do it with her friends.

Another benefit of Zumba is that it is a much more interactive workout than going to the gym, Crichton said.

"It's more than running on the treadmill, you are going to dance," Crichton said. "A girl I had in my class last week said she burned 600 calories."

According to zumba.com, the amount of calories a person can burn doing a Zumba workout varies based on body type, but it is possible to burn hundreds of calories in a class.

In each Zumba class, there are 10 to 12 songs that play to keep the workout going. With short breaks in between, people are able to continually move their body to some of today's most popular pop and Latin songs.

"A lot of people enjoy the music," Holmes said.

Many students ask for certain songs to be used and even though the instructor cannot use every song, it gives students a chance to become more involved, Holmes said.

However, dance-centered exercises do not appeal to all OSU students.

Brittany Baudo, a fourth-year in finance, said she has heard of Zumba from friends and organizations, but she doesn't think following the choreographed Zumba dance moves replaces the gym.

"If you are going to the gym, you get to work at your own pace... you can do whatever you want," Baudo said.

Zumba is centered on certain dance moves and is known for its intense activity during the hour-long class time period.

But some students love the energy.

"I liked it because it was something new, upbeat, energetic, the teacher was great," Ingram said.

Either way, Baudo said she is not surprised by the popularity Zumba has received.

"It's a dance workout. Those are really popular now," Baudo said.

Dance workouts have become increasingly popular not only within OSU but also in the United States. According to zumba.com, Zumba has expanded to more than 110,000 locations and 125 countries.

The popularity of Zumba is something that Holmes said he knew would happen after a similar class featuring Latin dance music received good feedback from students.

"When we started doing this, we knew there was going to be a good response," Holmes said.

Ingram said she agrees with Holmes that the popularity of Zumba is something that is not surprising.

"I didn't know about it and I am glad that I got involved," Ingram said. "It is something I prefer over working out."

Here at OSU, there are many trainers and classes that occur throughout the quarter. To participate in classes in weeks other than the free weeks, students must have a pass to enter a Zumba class. An all-inclusive pass, which is good for any group fitness class at the RPAC, is $50 per quarter, but half-quarter and single session passes can be purchased for $30 and $5 respectively. Passes can be purchased at the RPAC Welcome Center.

Source: Stephanie Kariuki

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Posted in 2011 top zumba dance , Dance workouts , dance zumba , latin dance , salsa dance , salsa dancing , salsacircuit , zumba , zumba dance fitness , zumba workout , zumba worldwide

Colombian salsa is love and passion: country's best dancer

Colombian salsa is love, and a lot of passion, said Thursday Milady Teran, the recent winner of the annual World Salsa Championship in "salsa capital" Cali.

Cali-native Teran, and her partner Jhon Andres Lucumi, took home the gold for their cabaret couples performance in the 2011 Cali World Salsa Championship, that lasted from October 8-15.

Of her win Milady told Colombia Reports, "it feels very rewarding to be one of the best dancers, and very exciting because there are many many dancers; to be one of the youngest and to have the title of champion makes me very proud and very thrilled."

She believes that "Colombian salsa is love, and a lot of passion. When you see a Colombian dance you say that it transmits a lot of emotion and love, and this is what we are."

Under the direction of salsa dance school Swing Latino, founded by legendary salsa dancer and choreographer Luis Eduardo Hernandez "El Mulato," Miss Teran has quickly blossomed into the school's youngest dancer to reach the highest ranks of salsa competition.

Starting with Swing Latino in December 2010, Teran has rapidly taken the salsa spotlight, although she "never imagined (she) would reach Swing Latino and become one of the best in the world."

Teran began dancing at the young age of nine with the Cali dance school "Nueva Juventud," and feels she owes a lot to her mentor, El Mulato, and partner Lucumi for taking her with them to the top.

Her plans for the future include a trip to London, England to dance and continue her quest as the best, and the salsa-star dreams of one day being able to visit China, Egypt, and Puerto Rico to learn from their dance styles, and make herself internationally known.

Ternan's Cali win with Lucumi comes just month after taking second place in the cabaret portion of the 2011 Chile Salsa Congress. In both competitions, the pair performed to the song "El Rey del Timbal," interpreted by Oscar de Leon.

"My aspirations are to be a great dancer and be able to be on stages all over the world, so that people know me as the best, but first before being the best dancer, I want to be a good person," the Cali-native humbly confided.



Source: Natalie Dalton

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Posted in 2011 Cali World Salsa Championship , 2011 salsa circuit weekly music charts , Colombian salsa , dance salsa , El Mulato , Nueva Juventud , salsa dancing , salsacircuit , Swing Latino

Top Nightclub Destinations In The World For The Post50 Crowd

We've all seen it: the seemingly endless lines of dangerously high stilettos and sopping slicked-back hair. Teens and college kids (perhaps even some of your own) paying cover charges to enter a strobe-light infested haven where blaring music merely serves as a background track to the art of "looking cool" and "spitting game". Where are Post50s to sport their dancing shoes without feeling ancient or completely out of place?

Writer Laura Tenant feels your pain. Over at high50.com , Tenant solicited her coolest fellow middle-agers for a run down on the chicest nightclubs for the Post50 crowd, and reported back with the inside scoop. According to Tenant's sources, the following spots promise to make you feel your age rather than "a thousand years old"; play music that actually sounds familiar rather than seizure-inducing; and steer clear of "a sea of ostentatiously fecund teens and 20-somethings".

What are some of your favorite spots to hit the dance floor closer to home?

London

As a Londoner, Tenant lists a plethora of London-centric options. Check out: Shoreditch House, Tramp, and Annabel's and Morton's if you don't mind membership fees. Otherwise, opt for The Sanderson, Momo, Pigalle Club, Whisky Mist, The Player and Milk and Honey in Soho, and Proud in Camden.

One travel insider states, "The Ibiza party scene is a bit more flexible now, with us oldies going early and late season and leaving July and August to the 20-somethings." Check out Boujis and Pacha at Space.

In the same fashion as Ibiza, St. Tropez scores highly with Post50s as both a vacation and nightlife destination.

Ibiza

St. Tropez

El Gringo in Gstaad

Club Baron in Paris

The Venice Biennale

The Hong Kong Art Fair

Source: Huffingtonpost

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Posted in Dance , dancing , Fifty News , Hong Kong Art Fair , Ibiza , London , Music , Nightclub , Nightclubs , Nightlife , Paris , salsacircuit , St. Tropez , Travel , Venice Biennale

‘Salsa and God got me through hard times’

Once Linda Camacho discovered her Latin side, there was no turning back.

“I grew up very much an all-American girl, but once my Mexican gymnastic coaches ignited the Latina in me, I kind of caught the bug,” Camacho, 40, said of her more than 20-year love affair with salsa dancing.

The Mexican-Irish South Sider, born and raised in Worth, took lessons at Beverly Gymnastics as a teenager in the 1980s and taught by coaches who were “straight from Mexico.”

During their downtime, Camacho said, they taught her the cumbia, her first experience with Latin-style dancing.

Now Camacho is the one doing the teaching.

Eager students of all ages, shapes and sizes — about 40 to a dance floor — have been mimicking her moves at Zante Lounge & Eatery in Orland Hills on the first Sunday of every month.

“I start with the absolute basics for the first half-hour,” Camacho said. “I really believe in building a strong foundation.”

Camacho said she doesn’t just teach salsa, although that’s her signature dance.

She throws in a little Bachata and merengue for good measure.

“There are usually more beginners, but that’s good. I want them to come out and give it a try,” Camacho said. She said no one is intimidated or embarrassed on her dance floor because she has patience with her students.

“Some teachers try to build too fast and confuse dancers. Then they’re a danger to their partner. I break it down so people feel they can really learn this,” she said, dismissing any suggestion that size, age or ethnicity has anything to do with learning to dance Latin style.

“My mom dances salsa all the time, and she’s an Irish girl, 100 percent Irish,” Camacho said.

In fact, Camacho credits her mother, Susan Villalovos, with encouraging her to dance salsa as a teen because Villalovos was already into the salsa scene.

Another family member who helped further Camacho’s dream to perform and teach salsa is her former brother-in-law, Oswaldo Camacho, her “total official partner.” Camacho said Oswaldo’s passion for salsa equaled hers.

“There was, like, dance chemistry between us,” she said. “Around 1997, we began getting attention at clubs in Chicago. We knew we had something special.”

Camacho and Oswaldo have been performing at clubs, salsa conventions, and other events in the Chicago area for more than 10 years. In 2011, the pair performed at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago and at several clubs in New York City.

Camacho’s current success was not so clear to her as a young, single mom in the 1990s when she had to make a living while fitting her passion for salsa and caring for her two boys into the demands of a full-time career. She worked at various spas on the South Side as a makeup artist and, in 2005, became a licensed esthetician.

Camacho said although she worked hard at her career and has built a good reputation as a bridal makeup artist, she never lost sight of her dream.

“In the back of my mind, I always had the phrase in my head, ‘Salsa on the South Side,’ ” Camacho said. “In 2008, I decided to make my teaching more official, especially after so many years of hearing my clients say, ‘I’ve always wanted to learn salsa’ when they found out I performed.”

Camacho made it happen, and is teaching salsa at Palos Hills Park District and Dance Duo Studio in Willowbrook, in addition to her classes at Zante Lounge. When she launched her website, www.salsaonthesouthside.com, she fulfilled her entrepreneurial vision and said she is now looking for teachers to help her fill requests.

Camacho said she can’t foresee a time when she won’t be dancing because of the physical and mental benefits of salsa.

“Salsa dancing is an excellent low-impact exercise and utilizes all the body’s muscles,” Camacho said. “It will give you a natural high. Salsa and God got me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When you’re doing salsa … you can’t think about anything else.”

Source GINGER BRASHINGER

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Posted in 2011 salsa circuit , Dance Duo Studio in Willowbrook , god , Linda Camacho , Palos Hills Park District , salsa dance , salsa dancing , salsacircuit

Five tricks sure to learn to dance salsa

Have you ever felt the adrenaline rush you, if you happen to be some sweeping application salsa dancing on stage? You have definitely fallen in love with this genre of dance the passion and beauty of dance salsa must have left their indelible imprints in which you learn how to steal the thunder of fire must now draw your ideas. To get a sensational salsa dancer, desire to excel enough just to create a new beginning. Enter your talents sparrow, the dance would be an expert salsa dancer way. But if you’re interested in learning salsa dancing mustard, help tips sure that you can learn how to dance salsa to help you become a magnet, if you fill the dance floor.

Tip # 1? Learn Salsa compositions

Dance has hit par on the mechanics related to salsa dance salsa music to understand. If you salsa dance works, know how to salsa song structure, how the tools work in parallel and each other, and the confrontation with the entire vehicle to your salsa dance techniques, we plan to reach greater heights. You? Will have to learn can be found hidden in the compositions of sessions Life Salsa Salsa and your dancing. By controlling this, or? Become an expert in dealing with the right salsa dance style for a particular type of music.

Tip turned 2? Dance of the Clave Rhythm

salsa rhythm is important, which is done through constant practice, to understand the nature of the Clave rhythm, Amen. Most works salsa clave rhythm is the basis, which is percussion, which sets the groove for the core fans to follow. Clave rhythm is the basic rhythm of salsa music about, for he has two versions. Can? 3-2 clave? And this? 2-3 clave?, Two bars, which are revealed in reverse order. Choice in terms of a variation to the composition of salsa. It is very important to learn to dance at a clave, everyone.

3 Tips to impress? Master of Step B

Salsa interval learning to perform an important step, and it is important to note that the salsa to take written before 4 / 4, but due to a faster pace. It’s going to be with? Quick Quick Slow? Rate, or even pay attention to how? To keep one step? Rate, which hold this process is called pause. Breaking step usually count four, there is a break move by rolling the weight of the dancers from the ball relative to the foot of the dancer performed on the heel is done. Mastering step to break another important aspect, which takes into account, while you learn to salsa.

Tip has 4 dance? Learn the basic cycle salsa step

While you’re curious about the tricks to learn to dance salsa, it is also important to know the basic salsa step cycle. It includes 6 steps that can be experienced Break out of 8 strokes, as he begins a new cycle again. Beat 4 / 4 of the salsa dancing is usually one cycle every two steps dance beats, dance two step-action cycles. It is very important to learn basic salsa step cycle, learn advanced techniques, which then paves the way to change the step cycle.

Tip # 5? Learn techniques for styling

If the rhythm of salsa, dance is a summary of the situation, a good father, you can bring your design techniques, salsa dancing. Styling Salsa is the best way to express your joy on the dance floor. Styling techniques salsa dance steps and take additional or supplementary techniques involve the provision of a solo dance performance or a dance performance will be placed on the dance floor scene with a partner.
If you think about ways and means to dance salsa learn how these activities help you master vital secret, as you’re willing to give impressions of the stars, dancing salsa on the dance floor.

Source Vasanth

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Posted in 2011 salsa circuit weekly music charts , basic salsa dance , dance salsa , dancing salsa , rhythm of salsa , salsa dance steps , salsa dance tricks , salsacircuit

Illegal immigrants forced to give birth while shackled and in police custody

Juana Villegas gave birth shackled to a hospital bed in the sheriff’s custody, after she was stopped by police in Tennessee while driving without a valid license.

According to Elliott Ozment, Villegas’s lawyer, driving without a license is generally handled with a citation, not an arrest. He believes she was only brought in because she was an undocumented immigrant.

Two other undocumented  women, Alma Chacon, and Miriam Mendiola-Martinez also gave birth in the United States shackled to their hospital beds, without their husbands, and in the presence of a prison guard.

They were charged with an immigration-related offense in Sheriff Arpaio’s jurisdiction of Maricopa County, Arizona.

Cases such as these have reaped outrage from immigrant rights advocates.

Critics take aim at both the legal classification of immigration-related offenses and the standards of prioritizing undocumented mothers’ rights at the state and federal level.

Shackling during childbirth is illegal in 14 states and is against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy.

But women being held for immigration-related offenses classified as “criminal offenses” can still legally be handcuffed to their hospital beds by authorities in the 36 other states.

Those women can also be denied the right to have a family member in the birthing room, or to hold their newborns for longer than 24 hours.

For Juana Villegas, going into labour while in prison meant that her ankles were cuffed together on the ride to the hospital, and that she was denied a breast pump by local authorities after she was given one by medical professionals.

Her attorney Ozment said that, without a breast pump, “she was in great pain” after she gave birth and had trouble sleeping in prison.

Villegas has since been awarded $200,000 for her mistreatment by local authorities.

In an interview with the Nashville Tennessean in August, 2008, she said: “I don’t know that much about the law or any policy, but this … it does not seem right.”

Source Summary of story from Huffington Post

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Posted in birth , Giving Birth In Handcuffs , Juana Villegas , police custody , salsacircuit , Sheriff Arpaios , undocumented immigrant

Enhancing Your Child’s Personality with Dance Lessons

Your child’s formative years are vital to her emotional development. One of the best ways to ensure your child’s personality develops properly is to enroll her in dance classes. Dance classes can enhance your child’s personality in ways that will help her throughout her entire life. Dance classes give children the opportunity to learn social skills.They will interact with other dancers and learn how to interpret social cues. They will also find out what behavior is acceptable and what is expected of them in social situations. They will use these newfound social skills at home and at school, which means they will be able to thrive in various social settings.

As they thrive in these situations, they will develop a strong personality. Dance classes can also teach a child how to express her emotions in a healthy way.Dancers learn to take sadness, anger or confusion and funnel it into a dance routine. Instead of bottling emotions up, dancers have a much needed outlet. By having the tools to deal with different emotions, your child will manage to stay healthy, even as she faces adversity. This will help your child grow into a positive, open person. Dance classes are a great way to help your child overcome her fears.Fear can alter a child’s personality. By engaging in dance class, your child will learn how to perform in front of others.

Even if she doesn’t become a professional dancer, she will take that knowledge with her as she moves forward with her life. She will have more confidence, and learn that she does not have to be a victim to fear. This is an important lesson, as it teaches people how to overcome obstacles in order to reach their goals. Dance classes will also teach your child structure.Children who lack structure are prone to emotional outbursts, bad coping skills and other problems that are reflected in their personalities. They might do poorly in school, and they will have an immature personality that can harm them as they try to move through life. By enrolling your child in dance classes, you can keep this problem from occurring.

They will learn how to work with others, and they will learn how to take instruction from a leader. This will help them listen to others and mature at the proper rate.As you can see, dance classes can play a vital role in your child’s development. If you want your child to be strong person who can set and reach goals, consider enrolling her in dance classes. She will learn skills that will not only help her with dance, but with life as well.

Source dancestarzacademy

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Posted in child dance salsa , child personality , dance class lessons , learn dancing , salsa dance steps , salsa dances , salsacircuit

Salsa classes have many on feet

Spiciness ruled Friday night as people hit the dance floor at Cafe Culture for Dancesalsa.

"Move your arms to balance your body," dance instructor Monika Ronquillo said as she showed guests the steps.

It wasn't until merengue kicked in that guests began to loosen up their feet and, after the lesson, guests were dancing with flair to the different styles without the need of alcohol to give them the extra courage.

Other dance styles were introduced along with salsa. Cumbia, merengue and bachata enticed patrons as their bodies moved to the rhythm of the sound.

Since several dance styles are taught, the title will be changed to "Chico Baile Latino: More Than Salsa," Ronquillo said.

Couples lined up side-by-side and held hands. They let their hips do the movement and arms do the turning to the beat of the music.

"Merengue are simpler movements and it's more playful, whereas salsa restricts people more,"

Ronquillo said.

There are three basic steps to salsa within a four-beat measure, and to observers the dance is very sensual.

It's hoped that crowds of students will come and explore the dances Friday nights, co-instructor and host Hassan Ghiassi said. Ghiassi, 24, received his master's in communications from Chico State.

"We want to get students to do something different than just bars," he said.

This Latino dance is something that brings the community together,

Ghiassi said.

"Is what drives me," he said, "makes me move my feet."

Dancesalsa is more than just a business for Ronquillo.

It's a motivation to share her knowledge of music, family, friends and fun, Ronquillo said. It's also meant to show that alcohol isn't necessary to have a good time.

It is a good deal for $5 since it's an hour of lessons and attendees can get in for free if they bring three people, Ghiassi said.

Gabriela Robles, a senior international relations major, went with her friends and liked that they welcomed different kinds of people, she said.

Randy Del Rosario, a freshman psychology major, was happy to have his dancing skills back, since he knew all the rhythms in his high school days, he said.

"Feels like home," he said.

Dancesalsa is a great way to get exercise, make new friends and no one is shy to ask for a dance. All ages are welcome to the event.

Recent hits are also played to please all styles, Ghiassi said.

"It's noche de diversion y fiesta," Ronquillo said.

Source Miguel Rocha

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Posted in bachata , Cafe Culture for Dancesalsa , Chico Baile Latino , Cumbia , dancing salsa , Merengue , salsa dance steps , salsacircuit , salsadance

Sister Act: Famous Latinas and Their Hermanas

Isn’t it crazy how Pippa Middleton has emerged as the real star of the Royal Wedding?
That got us thinking: Who of our “royalty” has a sister they have shared the spotlight with at one time?

Penelope and Monica Cruz

How lucky is little baby Leo to have a mami and tia as beautiful as Penelope and Monica Cruz? While Penelope’s star has risen higher, the Spanish actresses have famously come together several times. Once to promote their Mango clothing line, once in a video for their brother, singer and Eva Longoria’s beau Eduardo Cruz and most recently Monica was Penelope’s body double in the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

Demi Lovato and Madison de la Garza

Most people don’t realize that Eva Longoria’s adorable daughter on Desperate Housewives is actually the half-sister of mega star Demi Lovato. Demi and Madison share more than their mother and their small screen success. Madison has been very supportive of her troubled older sister, while Demi has spoken out about the bullying both she and her sister have suffered about their weight.

Jennifer and Lynda Lopez

Jennifer may be able to claim that she is the most beautiful woman in the world but journalist and Latina contributor Lynda Lopez can always claim she is younger and was on radio first! Lynda began her career as a DJ in New York in the early 1990s and has anchored several newscasts, including in her current position as a news anchor with WCBS-AM. Lynda has interviewed her famous sister many times, most recently on the set of American Idol for Latina.

The Estevez Brothers and Renee

Ok, so Renee is the only sister in this famous family, but she is arguably the unsung Estevez sibling. While she famously co-starred with her father Martin Sheen on the West Wing (playing presidential secretary Nancy), she has also shared the screen with her famous—and infamous—brothers. She had a cameo in No Code of Conduct, starring brother Charlie, and was directed by brother Emilio in The War at Home. But get this, Renee is a trained pastry chef and according to her web site she mostly gets in the kitchen to cook for her famous family.

Selena and Suzette Quintanilla

The Quintanilla family was—and still is—famously close knit but Selena and her older sister Suzette shared s special bond. Suzette was Selena’s drummer, her partner in her boutiques and her confidant. Suzette still runs the family business, Q-Productions including the Selena foundation.

Source Stacey Rivera

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Posted in 2011 famous latina , hermanas latino , Jennifer Lopez , levi lovato , Penelope Cruz , salsacircuit , selena quitanilla

FAT Fashion Week 2011

The FAT (Toronto Alternative Fashion Week) 2011 has come and gone with lots of excitement. It was 4 fun filled days of visual candy that ranged from fashion to photography to live music to videos to installation, how can one go wrong.

FAT BEAT

 

Salsa Circuit had the pleasure of attending this show and it did not disappoint.  We have taken some great shots and are happy to share them with you.  It was interesting how FAT’s 2011 theme was ‘fashion schematics’ that explored how we express ourselves through fashion and art and how that in turn translates into behaviours in our everyday world.

As you entered the venue, you just felt absorbed and transported into a different world for the night.  The first thing to notice was the crowd and how each was expressing themselves in their own unique way.  Not just everyday wear but they took it one step further to accessorize , personalize and differentiate.

Once you got past the crowd you had the alternative rock band playing, photography and visuals carefully placed for maximum impact. You then arrive at the runway stage for the alternative fashion shows.  This specific evening I had the pleasure of attending the DRESS CODES theme.  It’s aim was to explore works influenced by different cultural groups and it looked at the social significance of clothing and how it defined us.

The nice thing about FAT’s runway is that I actually saw ‘real-life’ models in the sense that it mixed petite and plus size models and it did not seem to  be limited by what show producers thought that people might want to see by having a cookie cutter approach.  It was great to see that FAT focused on a range of models that represented everyday life and the audience could better visualize the fashion on themselves.  The other thing that was evident is that it was fueled by the creative genius of new designers that did it for the passion of their art.

All in all, FAT 2011 was a success and kudos to the organizers.

By Mixx, www.salsacircuit.com

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Posted in 2011 fashion , 2011 women fashion , FAT Canada , FAT Fashion Week 2011 , FAT Toronto , mixx , salsa circuit events , salsacircuit