CT Surfrider Foundation: Beach Bash

So how was your weekend!?! I went to the beach in Bridgeport, CT because the Connecticut Surfrider Foundation held their first Beach Bash. My father is involved and is a founding father of this amazing non-profit Foundation. This foundation not only holds members that are surfers, but members that do any water sport and/or want to help the beach enviornment, such as cleaning beaches. My father does all of this, including teaching others to surf (as the picture shows below).


So you're probably thinking, what does surfing have to do with salsa?!?!? WELL...my father also was in charge of entertainment at this event. So he happened to "hire" my uncles and friends, to bust out their instruments and play by the beach!
You could imagine the attention the musicains and Surfrider Foundation were giving. There was a crowd at one point and others who wanted to know a little about what the foundation was all about, as well of salsa dancing!!!

Of course I caught some pictures of the band, people dancing, and caught of picture of me and my "boyfriend" getting down to the salsa sounds by the ocean. All in all, the event was a success and I spent my Saturday day, dancing by the waves!

Fams Dancing

Me and My 4 year-old "Boyfriend"

Ray de La Paz

Above is a picture of Ray de la Paz, with my God Sister and myself. He came out to Bridgeport, CT to give a wonderful performance this past Saturday (June 14th). He came out talking to the audience and made the club become one, with his personal conversation to the audience. Every song he sang, people were in the middle of the dance floor dancing and singing along. Surprisingly, every song he sang, I knew! I guess he is one of those singers that you know all of their songs, but not the name.

Ray de la Paz has been in the salsa scene since 1970's, when joining with Chino y su Conjunto Melao and recorded with the band. Ray is a singer, writer and just a plain entertainer. Currently he has a 'mixed tape' out with Johnny Polanco and is working on an upcoming album, as he told my uncle. Ray de la Paz was very nice and didn't shy away from the cameras, when fans asked to take pictures with him.

SO I HAD to show you guys the various instruments that were included in the band that night. The band was originally from Hartford, CT but Ray is from New York, I believe. So from left to right, you see the timbales, then the piano, a bass, the congas, then the trumpets.

MOMA Having Some Sassy-ness

Over the weekend I went to the Museum Of Modern Art located in New York, New York. The Museum was very interesting and inspiring. There was alot of 'thinking' involved when looking at the paintings, sculptures, films, and architectures. I ran across 2 paintings that reminded me of Salsa in some way. The first one shown is by the famous Pablo Picaso, while the second one I forgot to catch the designer's name. Yea..also forgot the year the paintings were made and the title, blah..yea I know...and I'M SORRY I usually don't do things like this..lol. But going to the Museum was a good experience and a calm, relaxing event.


Alright so this painting is the Picaso painting. The first thing that I noticed about this painting was the acoustic guitar that is right smacked in the middle. I thought of the guitar then the paranda (music and festivities associated with Christmas). During paranda, there are LOTS of songs, singing, eating and great memories! The painting reminded me of me and my family having a paranda, all gathered together.

Now the second painting was a painting that went across 4 walls explaining the women and their roles in dance and sexual play. Something like

that, BUT the most important part is that I remember the dance aspiration part of the painting..not the sexual part, lol. So yes, out of the 4 walls this portion of one wall was the most approiate and section that referred to dancing. The top part of the painting reminded me more of ballet at first, but then I thought of slow salsa movements and following the beat of the congas. Referring to the way I think, the bottom of the painting, I see a woman dancing aside a person who is playing some type of instrument.

MOMA had many other paintings that made you think or simply want to take a picture of. All I needed was the cheese, grapes and fine wine. I sugguest if you're into Modern Art or just Art, check out the website (www.moma.org).

My 4-year old Salsero 'Boyfriend' !

*To shut off music so you can hear the video, please go down to the page & click either PaUsE or StOp to shut off the music...

Enjoy The Video! :)

Cutie isn't he?! LOL. Yes, so I do have a 4 year-old boyfriend that goes by the name of Adi (a-dee). He is really my God Nephew if you want to get technical...lol.

Adi has salsa running through his veins and as you can see, he is not shy at all. Once he hears Salsa music, he begins to move his 2 little feet and can't stop. If I'm around, he usually grabs my hands and expects me to dip him, twirl him, and do tricks in the air (since he does weight about 20-35 pounds). He is known for his 'drop it like it's hot' move and even does the Suzzy Q, a shine (fancy footwork). Then after every 'performance' he ends with a dramatic pose, then bows, making the audience adore him.

Now Adi's Grandfather use to be in a local band around the Bridegport,CT area. His Abuelo (Grandfather) plays almost every instrument in a salsa band and did the lead vocals. Nowadays, Abuelo de Adi, just sings where he goes and is a hit during the Holiday Seasons. Adi's Mama is a dancer who occasionally participates in Zoul 2 DanZ's (dance studio in CT) social events. She dances to almost everything and anything. I wonder where she gets it from? lol Adi's father is a local professional baseball player (Go Bluefish!) and dances as well. You can see his father in the video in the background encouraging his son's dancing..lol. Adi takes after both his mama y papa because not only can he salsa, but plays baseball and hits the ball so far, that he amazes you.

So Adi is surrounded by his native culture dance and observes his family's traditions. Not only is my 'boyfriend' cute, but he's a Salsero!

"Creating Unity Through Salsa"

Los Angeles's Salsa Style is effected by Hollywood and the swing & mambo dances, being known as the most flashy style. This style is considered to be more of a show than dance, when compared to the other styles of Salsa (Cuban style, Colombian style, Eddie Torres Style (on1/on2), etc.)

Los Angeles Salsa Congress starts {today} Wednesday with their Pre-Congress Party, then leading into Thursday with their White Party. Friday is their 70's Pary/FANIA Night that follows with Gala Night on Saturday. Sunday (June 1st) is their Broadway Night along with their last day of the Congress. LA goes BIG and goes HARD when it comes to partying and salsa!

There are going to be over 50 workshops available from Friday to Sunday with The Mambo King himself, Eddie Torres. Special Musical Guests & Bands include Cheo Feliciano & New Swing Sextet doing a tribute to Joe Cuba, as well as Chino Espinoza, Lucky 7 and Los Angeles All-Star Salsa Band, directed by Jonny Polanco!

The Congress will be held in Lax Radisson Hotel and is sold out! Ticket Pricing range throughout the charts because their are different packages and event costs, due to the 4 fun-filled days of salsa. Performers are from all over the world, including a few teams/couples from the East Coast. For More Information click the ling below.

Home Website: http://www.mysalsacongress.com/home1.html

4th Annual Connecticut Salsa Fest

The Hilton Stamford Hotel will NOT know what will hit them, this weekend!

Connecticut once again, is having their Salsa Fest on Friday May 30th till Saturday May 31st! The CT Salsa Fest is being run by Latin Moves Entertainment and Latin Rhythms, including sponsors such as EL SOL NEWS (local spanish newspaper). Salsa is becoming strong and more of an attraction to Connecticut, especially it being so close to New York City. This year, the Salsa Fest includes West Coast Swing and Hustle, with performers from of course Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela and much more.

This fest begins on Friday with performances but Saturday will be the day NOT to miss. Saturday will begin at 10am with on1, on2, partner styles, etc. workshops (till 3pm). There are 16 instructors available for the workshops that bring their own flavor, style, and technique to dancers that want to improve and learn. Afterwards, the rest of the performers will show their 'thang' in their showcases. Around 9:30 p.m. the floor will be open for any social dancing. The CT Salsa Fest Party/Salsa Social will end at 3am, rather than 2am, like the previous years.

Tickets are on sale online and are cheaper to buy online, than at the door. Prices range form $40 to $180, depending if you want a day pass, workshop pass, or combo package.



For More Information Visit: http://www.ctsalsafest.com/home.html

Zoul 2 DanZ's 3rd Social!!

Caroline Cross has Zoul 2 Danz

So I am currently an instructor at a new Salsa Dance Studio called Zoul 2 DanZ. We dance on 2, hint the "2 DanZ," lol. We're located in Bridgeport, CT and been up since August 2007. So last night was our 3rd Salsa Social and our youngest Salsera, Caroline Cross performed. She did SOO good! She was first introduced to the studio by her aunt that gave her 5 salsa classes as a present. Since then Caroline has been addicted to Salsa & I can't blame her! She definitely has the 'salsa attitude,' the 2-inch heels, and moves to give a pure definition of a 10 year-old Salsera.

Since January, Caroline has been attending classes at Zoul 2 DanZ and last night (May 23rd) was HER night, to show her family, other students, and friends what she got. Most of the performance was Caroline shining (fancy foot work when not dancing with a partner), then the rest were lifts, dips and partner work with her partner, Ricky (who is in the picture above). All of Caroline's family came out to see her and were astonished and amazed, at what this little 10 year-old could shake. She truly has 'Zoul 2 DanZ' and the hips to shake to the maracas.

So I haven't danced since the Wayne Gorbea Event (Post below this one). So this social is what I needed! I just finished my second year of college and was stressed and all, with the finals and moving back to Connecticut. Then I recently started working again, so I needed a night to just relax and let loose. Last night was SOO much fun!! I woke up with back and leg pains, lol...mind you I definitely have to be at work in 3 hours! But yes, this 3rd Salsa Social was alot of fun and I can't wait for the next one!

If you're in the area and would like to know more about the studio, visit the website: www.Zoul2DanZ.com