I haven’t been dancing as much as last year. My dancing ego usually goes through a winter/spring lull and then I start picking up steam in the summer. Honestly, I think I’m a bit traumatized. I was told that I moved like molasses and a tub of lard several months ago. I’m usually resilient, but that sorta stung. I didn’t …
While in Venice, I took the time to learn the Argentine tango basics. It’s incredibly controlled; very different from what I’m used to. I let go and surrender myself to the lead…in a much more intimate way than salsa, ballroom or cha-cha-cha. I have to allow my soul to listen (much more closely) to the lead’s hand on my back, …
Amazing— I’m learning in Italy. The milongas, the music, the partner work, the volta, the croce, dietro, paso, paso, camminarato, paro. I am in love with this dance.
2012 ended on a high note. On November 6th, I ended a major chapter of my life as part of the election and re-election effort of Barack Obama. I was a volunteer in 2007 and that changed my life for the better. I realized how passion and committing yourself to a purpose can move mountains. In the past 5 years …
I feel humbled by a colleague’s observation this morning. He said, “Dance is a conduit for the universe.” I paused. A conduit of the universe. That is some powerful stuff. It definitely is a perspective shifter. Usually, people think of performances (and some performers think this as well) as artistic expressions with entertaining as an objective. Now, I see it …
The newest addition to my growing playlist is Salchicha con huevo by Jimmy Sabater. The title is Sausage and Eggs, and it’s a romantic song. The title may not sound sweet or romantic, but the lyrics paint a budding romance between two dancers. First, there’s attraction; next, there’s dancing; after that, there’s invitation to the house; and finally, there’s breakfast! …
Dancing is meant to be fun for you and your partner. I want my partners to know that I’m having a blast with them on the dance floor. So bring on the sabor and the funny facial expressions!
BAM! Here it is! 2012 WLDC will be in Miami. I will compete in 2 categories: Salsa 0n-1 and Cha Cha Cha #beFierce
I finally created a page solely dedicated to Cha-cha-chá music. As a lover of the Cha-cha-chá, it is an incredibly frustrating venture researching music and music history online for this particular latin music. Most of the time you find lots of accessible salsa, merengue, bachata, and tango music. The search results for Cha-cha-chá aren’t plentiful so I thought to make …
During a pivotal time frame in March and April, the song Te Comparo Con La Luna was on repeat. I listened to it incessantly (thank you to my friend Rose for being so patient and accommodating with my requests). Este letras de cancion: Te comparo con la luna x2 Yo quiero hacerte un regalo Y quiero que lo conserves, te …
Tuesday is the first salsa night of the week! Here is the awesome dancing schedule for Cinco de Mayo week in Hawaii. Tuesday: Greg Henry’s Zanzabar Wednesday: Rod Moreno’s Adega salsa Thursday: SALSAMOR by Luxe – Cinco De Mayo pre-party – FREE DRINK! Friday: Greg Henry’s Salsa Lounge at Honolulu Club + Ritmo Latino’s at Che Pasta SATURDAY …
It’s been a long time since I’ve hung out in the blogosphere. Well, I’m back and excited about my new adventures in 2012. I’m dancing again; four (4) months is a long leave from social dancing. I started last Friday at the Salsa Lounge (Honolulu Club), then proceeded to Zanzabar in Waikiki for Tuesday night. I will probably attend Wednesday’s …
I’m here attending my first World Latin Dance Cup. Judah and I compete today in the qualifier round. Today is THE DAY. We have to do well today in order to advance tomorrow. I’m usually nervous before performances and competitions, but I feel focused today. I feel calm and focused. I know the routine. We’ve practiced it a million times; …
Hermenegildo “Herman” Olivera Jr. was born to Puerto Rican parents on January 30, 1959 in Newark, New Jersey. He began singing at the age of twelve & by the time he reached fifteen, he was singing with various local groups. It was at one of these engagements where Manny Oquendo , Andy Gonzalez & Pupy Cantor were struck by the …
I’m excited to host the first salsa & photography tweetup! Dance is so fluid and varies in speed, and sometimes it is a great subject to photograph. There are so many photography apps for mobile devices so I decided to invite the social media photography community to the Monday salsa venue. I think it would be fun for them to …
Please send me your last pair of shoes, worn out with dancing as you mentioned in your letter, so that I might have something to press against my heart. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Life! Love! Live! People often ask, “What’s your favorite dance?” The question revolves around the social latin dance scene, so the options include: salsa, bacahata, merengue, or …
Performance is your reality, forget everything else. – Harold Geneen It’s been almost 1.5 months since I performed in Busan, South Korea. It was in the middle of winter in a beautiful city and I danced with sweet salseros. My choice of music was Aguanta la lengua by Joey Bataan. It had a very nice, relaxed feel to it and …