As most of you know, Meetup is a great orgnization for staying connected with communities all over the world. As part of this network, members are able to receive updates and news from local community organizers about many different things.
The Mumbai Salsa Meetup Group sent an email out this weekend in response to the terror attacks that they experienced in that city. Below is the email I received from Ruzbeh, the Main Organizer from the group about an online signup to show solidarity against such acts. Check it out and show your support for those in Mumbai affected by the recent terror attacks:
______________________________________
Hi guys,
I generally don’t like to use this forum for non-salsa related info; but the attacks on our beloved city [Mumbai] warrants that we do what can in these challenging times.
I just signed an urgent message calling for unity following the attacks in Mumbai. Read the email below – Thanks
————————–
Dear friends across India and the world,
We’re all feeling the shock of the awful attacks in Mumbai. All our hearts go out to the victims and their families.
The attacks were aimed at our people, our prosperity and our peace. But their top target was something else: our unity. If these attacks cause us to turn on each other in hatred and conflict, the terrorists will have won. They know that hatred and chaos feed on division. As radical extremists, their only hope of winning is by turning the rest of us against each other.
Let’s deny them that victory. We’re launching a message to extremists on all sides and all our political leaders, one that will soon be published in newspapers across India and Pakistan. The message is that these tactics have failed, that we’re more united than ever, united in our love and support to each other, determined to work together against terror and call on our leaders to do the same. If millions of people sign it, our message will be unmistakable, click below to sign it and please forward this email widely:
San Diego is blessed to have lots of salsa talent.Many people don’t realize, though, that San Diego’s location close to the border of Mexico means that some of that talent is influenced by dancers from Mexico.
Case in point is salsa dance troupe Alma Latina.Based out of Tijuana and led by salsa champions Gabriela Equiz & Sergio Jasso, the group is comprised of dancers from both the United States and Mexico.Alma Latina was recently highlighted in an article that appeared in the Union Tribune and mentions their efforts at qualifying for the next World Salsa Championships.The video in this article above shows a small glimpse of the dance teams expertise.
Both teams and many other dance troupes in San Diego will be working hard to compete in the next Salsa World Championships (originally set for December but postponed for now). For now make sure to show your support for Alma Latina and all the other local dance teams that bring the spotlight to San Diego.
Thanksgiving is almost here and I know that many of you are busy with holiday travel and gatherings. For those of you in San Diego and interested in taking part in something unique you might want to consider auditioning for a salsa musical.
The Old Globe Theatre is currently accepting applications for auditions to a new musical called “Kingdom”. The musical will highlight hip hop dancing and salsa as they search for singers, dancers, actors, and actresses.
Tony from Heatwave Productions is helping with submissions for those of you interested in auditioning. You can find out more information about this and how to audition by emailing him at tony@heatwaveproductions.com.
Hope you are all doing well!I wanted to let you all know about a new salsa club that is opening on Wednesday nights in the La Jolla area.
Hosted by Ooh La La Dance Company (see the video above), the Wednesday night venue is located at the YMCA Firehouse in La Jolla.The dance company will be hosting a salsa night only on the first Wednesday of every month and the first event is set for December 3rd, 2008.
If you are not familiar with the YMCA Firehouse location, you’ll be pleased to find out that there is plenty of parking and a large dance floor.
For more information about this event you can contact Ooh La La at their website.Make sure to let them know Ritmo Bello sent you!
The San Diego Symphony is hosting Compañia Flamenco José Porcel on November 30th at 2pm. The group performs a seductive blend of traditional and modern flamenco for which they are known world-wide. The video here I posted gives just a glimpse of the power and artistry with which the group performs the Flamenco. The strum of guitars, impassioned heel strikes, and colorful costumes will highlight this great event.
Porcel has performed worldwide with his beginnings as a principal in the National Ballet of Spain. His work involves collaborations with the Compania Espanola de Antonio Marquez and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Focusing on traditional Flamenco, Porcel is known best for his challenging choreography while still keeping alive the original folkloric Spanish dance.
For more information on the Flamenco performance here in San Diego please visit the San Diego Symphony Website.
Hope you are all doing well especially after all the election craziness. I was contacted by Laura Mendoza of the San Diego Salsa Divas about some upcoming auditions they will hosting this Sunday. Below I reproduced the information she sent me regarding the event. Check it out, especially if you a looking to join a nice dance troupe.
John ;-)
_____________________
Calling All Sexy Ladies!!!!!
Salsa Divas Dance Company invites you to the start of the NEW Beginners Training Team!
When: Sunday, November 9, 2008
Where: A Time to Dance Studio located in La Jolla
Time: 11-1 pm
Dues: $45/month
Under the direction of Laura Mendoza, Angie Calvin will be teaching the Basics of ON 2 techniques and timing, Diva styling, spins and footwork and much more…
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from the “Bad Girls” of Salsa in San Diego! The Salsa Divas Dance company strives in making women embrace what yo mama gave you! Our teaching method not only consists of technique and timing but also encourages women to step “out of the box” and challenge yourself with confidence and power on the dance floor!
For more information please contact: Laura Mendoza (619) 855-0210
Please feel free to check out our website at : www.salsadivasdancecompany.com
Can’t wait to see you then!
Angie Calvin Co-Director, Salsa Divas Dance Company
That’s the question that crossed my mind when I recently heard about The San Diego Tango Festival coming here in January. (The picture of the two killer whales tango dancing is the logo for the festival). Although tango and salsa dancing are intrinsically different in a number of ways, the idea of having a festival here serves the same local interests.
First, as we saw in the San Diego Salsa Festival here recently these events help promote the dance in a way that is different from your everyday exposure to the dance. This is so because these events help foster intense immersion into each dance in a way that is not possible unless you live, breathe, and work in the dance world. With tons of workshops and classes to be a part of, salsa and tango festivals are great ways to jump into the dance.
Secondly, these festivals are great for San Diego in that they bring great exposure to our local dance scene. With the recent San Diego Salsa Festival, people from all over the world traveled to participate in the event and helped to bring more visibility to our growing salsa dance community. Although I have yet to attend the San Diego Tango Festival, I imagine that it will work in a similar way to bring great exposure to the tango dancing that San Diego has to offer.
I’ll write more about this event as it approaches. In the meantime, I invite any readers out there familiar with the event to post comments or contact me with more information. For now, I leave you with a video taken from the 2007 San Diego Tango Festival. Enjoy!