Diary of a Dancer(as if dancing is my daily routine)..

An opportunity to learn the art of dance from International Choreographers prompted me to register for a short 12 hours(or maybe more) of rehearsals heading toward an event this month.

Rehearsal started today, we(my colleagues and I) were kiasu enough to leave the office at 5.30pm and we were like the first few participants to reach the training room in our other office.

Saw a familiar face outside the training room, but can't grasp hold of his name.  After a brief introduction of the instructors, then it dawn on me that we have mutual friends.  What a coincidence.  But then in the world of dance, we are bound to bump into the instructors and/or dancers who move in this circle.

Before we went in to the room, I heard the all familiar Besame and La Vida Es Un Carnaval and loads of cheery songs.  How I miss socials!!

The steps are quite easy to grasp.  With some merengue thrown in as well.

Can't wait till tomorrow's rehearsal! Long live the art of dance.  

A Salsa Event, ala Malaysia Style!

SALSALAH 2013, a much anticipated(me, myself & I) salsa event on Kuala Lumpur's own ground.

From 16th - 17th August 2013: 1 day workshops and 1 night of salsa party.

The price:
(Early bird price are available until 04th August 2013).

And the Workshops schedule:

 Not forgetting the Instructors:

1. Gupson from Singapore
2. Renaud from Canada
3. Tania from Canada
4. Reyno from Indonesia
5. Suci from Indonesia
6. Sao Mai from Vietnam
7. Johny from Vietnam
8. JR Gotengco from Philippines
9. Zee and Dalena from Singapore

If you're interested, do logon to your Facebook account and point to:
https://en-gb.facebook.com/events/398730120242789/?ref=22

Disclaimer: All information are correct as at date and time of this posting!

Another Salsa Party(+Workshops) 26th - 28th July 2013

Am counting down to my 1st(and post exam) salsacation this year.

- 2 nights of salsa party
- 2 days of workshops by some of the best salsa artist; Magna Gopal, Super Mario, Adolfo, Tania, Neeraj and Gosia.

- Overseas Full Pass at SGD190 only guys!

If you are interested, just hop over to http://www.salsaholics.sg/

Now, back to revisions while searching for the nearest hotel for that date!

Adios!

Disclaimer: all names, dates and price correct at date/time of this post.  For any changes/updates, please check the website and/or contact the organizer.

Updates of KL's salsa clubs for month of March 2013

Updates of salsa clubs' availability in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:

@ 24th March 2013

Paradiso will be hosting salsa for the last time on 29th March 2013.  After which the club will be closed for renovation for 2 months with high probability of no salsa after.

The (or most of the) community is looking for alternative as of to date.

*********************************************************************************

@ 10th March 2013

Shivz will no longer host salsa on Saturdays(nor any other days) due to its management's decision.  For a Saturday salsa stint, please proceed to Modesto, or maybe Qba.

******************************************************************************

@ 02nd March 2013

The Venue, Pavilion - the management has changed Sunday's salsa to salsa on Thursdays, w.e.f. 07/03/2013.

It means there will not be any venue for Sunday's salsa in Kuala Lumpur starting from March 2013.

Hopefully there will be one soon.

Shivz, Bangsar - 1st Saturday of the month is zouk night.  The rest of the Saturdays are for Salsa(unless there is any private function).

Paradiso - still remain as a preferred venue for Friday's salsa.  Please visit the link on the right of the screen for the club's address/website(where available).

Should you need any directions to these clubs, do post your comment in this post or write in the chatbox on the right as well.

For chatbox messages, please note that you will need to key in the anti spamming code(no better word for it) as I found that there are too many spammers leaving messages at the chatbox.

Cheerios!

Singapore International Salsa Festival(SISF) 2012 is on!!!

Woo hoo!!

SISF is on this year, after last year's hiatus!!

This piece of news was announced on 1st April during the 3rd Annual Outcast Salsa Competition!

Was contemplating with a fellow salsera on checking out Bangkok Salsa Festiva, which normally also falls on October, but since SISF is on.. Singapore, here we come!

No information on the actual venue yet, though for the past few years(except last, which is nil), it was held at Pasir Ris.

The dates though will be from 12th to 15th October!

Their website is http://www.sisf.com.sg/ (no need to check it out yet, cause it's still renovation in progress)!!

Stay tune for more updates(hopefully soon)!

Todate, 26th May 2012: SISF's website is fully furnished!

Do proceed to http://www.sisf.com.sg/ for more detailed information. Prices and venue for the event are all there.

Updates on salsa venues!

will be updating this post about salsa venues (in case of any cancellation, minor changes, etc).

As at 03rd Feb 2013:

Shivz will no longer be hosting salsa on Sunday with effect from February 2013.  Instead they will host salsa on Saturday night, except for 1st Saturday of the month.

08th Feb 2013: There will be no salsa at Lodge Paradize this coming Friday due to the Chinese New Year Festival break(as announced by the management of Lodge).

09th Feb 2013: No salsa at Shivz as well due to the Chinese New Year weekend.

10th Feb 2013: Salsa at The Venue, Pavilion is on this date! 

As at 22nd Feb 2012:

No salsa at Aliyaa on 22/02/2012 as there will be a private function at the same place.

Cheerios

3rd Annual Outcast Salsa Competition - 2012

Dear Salseras/Salseros,

 The 3rd Annual Outcast Salsa Competition is going to be on 1st April 2012.

This year, the organizer has extended participation beyond Malaysian borders.

Come support your friends and fellow salseras/salseros and enjoy socal dancing with dancers from around the region!!

This is a ticketed event priced at RM40 per person before the 1st of April.

Ticket prices are RM50 on the day of the competition.

Venue: Eastin Hotel, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

 For more information, please checkout: Facebook-3rd Annual Outcast Salsa Competition

If you are interested, either to compete or be a spectator only, please contact Gavin Chan at +60122495785 or outcastdancer@gmail.com for further details. 

You will need to register to compete!!

ps. Should you not receive any replies from the contacts above, or unable to view the Facebook page, do leave a comment on the chatbox or comment in this post.

Cheerios!! 

2nd Annual Outcast Salsa Competition - 10th April 2011

Yup guys!!

Its happening on 10th April 2011 - the Salsa competition organized by Outcast Dance Studio.

This year, the venue will be at Eastin Hotel, Grand Ballroom. Ticket is RM40 prebook or RM50 at the door.

For more info, please check out: Outcast's website

Unlike last year, this year's competition is open to all salseras/salseros from various studios/styles.

So, do go and support your classmates, friends and have fun at the same time!

Salsa during Chinese New Year 2011 (updated 04th Feb 2011 6.49pm)

Just a little update on CNY's salsa:

Paradize is closed for two Fridays for Chinese New Year(CNY), i.e. 28th Jan & 04th Feb & shall reopen on 11th Feb.

As for the other salsa clubs(La Bomba, Modesto& Shivz), will post here on their salsability once I get some info/confirmation from fellow salseros.

Cheerio!

Just got news: Modesto is taking a break this Saturday, 5th Feb. Salseros, you may hop over to Bulldog Sri Hartamas. Party starts 10pm - 2am Sunday. Address: 31 & 31-1, Jalan Sri Hartamas 7, Taman Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur.

Map

Have Pride, be Bitchy!

I pride myself on being on time(salsa wise), or at least 95% of the time when I'm on the dance floor or in class!

So, pardon me if people think I'm a bitch when I said that I hate EGOistic lead who dare to tell(not by words, but by action) that I'm not on time when the lead himself is like off the beat for almost a bar of music!

Heck! I ain't a great follower(make it an average one at that!), cause I know I'm slow at following some lead, but at least I STRIVE** to be on time!

So, PLEASE! You can use all methods to tell me that I don't follow your lead well, I don't know a move well(when I'm supposedly able to know 'ALL' the moves), I don't turn nor spin(I freaked out at spinning okay!) well, etc!

But don't ever, and I mean EVER 'tell' me I'm not on time when you yourself do not know where the 1 or the 2 or whatever number is!

**It took me almost 2 years(from the day I start learning salsa) to understand the counts/the timing in salsa. I downloaded tonnes of songs & asked for advise on how to be able to dance on time!! But at least I won't make people 'unhappy' on the dance floor.**

Disclaimer: The lead in this particular episode is not a newbie & definitely not on my FB list. Cause I don't think I can stand having EGOistic people around me!

Quick Update!

Can't believe I've abandoned my blog for more than a year.

Just a quick update before I totally forgot what happened so far since March 2009:

July 2009 - started on2 class with Fuzz at Outcast Dance Studio. The steps are confusing at first, but I guessed it's easier for the girls than the guys on the conversion(from on1 to on2) part. And yes, the studio is like the other side of the world for me & Fuzz, cause we both stay in Cheras/Sentul, and the studio's in Bandar Utama!

Sept 2009 - Fuzz left KL(and me) as he has to return to SG. Well, I can't just quit because my 'partner' left right? Hence, I've decided to just continue and see far I can go.

Nov 2009 - still in the beginner's class. Was told that there will be a salsa competition held by the studio for the students with partner work category & shines too! Woo hoo! At last there's a competition for shine itself, i.e. partner not needed. Was tempted, but am not that confident at all! Finally, after much deliberation, have decided to just sign up for the comp!

Jan 2010 - it's judgement day, the result ain't that bad cause I was third in the beginner/advance beginner shine category! Woo hoo! Wasn't expecting to win cause I was so indecisive during the choreography stage for the 1st part of the song! It's only 2 bloody minutes of a song & I can't even decide how to start! Well, all's well ends well I guessed! FYI, I haven't gone up to advance beginner at this point!

July 2010 - signed up for the Outcast's Students Recital like about 2 months before the actual date. Was also doubtful when I was told about the performance, but in the end, after a good pep talk with Gavin, I finally decided to join in the 'torturing' session! Rushing to class after work(in Bukit Bintang), then after class(~ 10.30pm), gotta rush to LRT station just to ensure that I don't miss the last bus(11.40pm) home. The outcome ain't that bad either, after 2 months of practice, and the only mistake I made is missing 1 turn at the starting point. Phew! The pendulum wasn't that daunting comparing to performing in front of so many people! :p

MSF & SISF 2010 has passed and I didn't partake in the full pass cause of budget(cause I need to be in SG the week before SISF also) and not having the urge to join any workshops! At least, am glad that I've attended MSF(full party pass) cause its the last one for Malaysia! Haizzz! Psstt.. SISF might be having a new venue next year. Not sure yet, but we'll know soon(I hope)

Well, that's all for now! Have been very lazy lately & had skipped class for almost a month. Gotta resume class this Sunday! Pray that I don't fall sick lah!

ps. Have checked out the 'new' Union Square in SG; mind you the cover charge is $S20 with 2 free drinks! After conversion to RM, its almost RM50 leh. Doubt I'll ever visit that place again. Might check out the studio party(mostly Fridays) instead($5 only per entry)!

Things I did for the want of salsa songs(& service)

Not too extreme, but maybe a bit nuts :

1. Times Square, KL: Heard salsa song from a distance, found the shop airing the song, went in, shopped, ask the
boss the title of the CD. Got it and realised its in my collection. COOL!!!! no need to search & buy. I would visit this shop again if I ever need a bag/dress & see whether there's any new salsa music being aired

2. KL Plaza: Heard salsa song from a distance again(while on the way to office after lunch), went in the
shop(wooden items on display), ask the sales assistant whether I can see the CD cover or not. Her answer: the CD belongs to a friend of the boss, ie cannot show you the cover. DUH!!! I want to see cover only, not as if I'll run away with it. Too bad.. if you let me see it, I might have intro a friend to your shop(if they have an interest in your stuffs) just for your friendliness. There goes your chance of getting a business deal.

3. Tangs, Pavillion: Was looking for dresses/shirt- further reduction sales until early/mid April(2009), the salsa music being aired is damn interesting & felt like salsaing on the spot.

Proceed to ask Cashier which section is playing the CD.
Answer: Customer Service(2nd Floor).

Went to the Customer Service: can I have the title of the CD or a look of the cover.
Answer from Customer Service: Normally CD/songs are given by Marketing Section, we don't even have a look of the CD before airing it.

GREAT!! You could have done better at servicing me,ie make a call to marketing section to find out the infos, its just an extra step towards customer service. Too bad!! again!! I would have send a thank you card or even sms some major newspaper just to say thank you & promote your friendliness.

Well! Shall see if I'll ever get the chance to hear some great salsa music being aired in the shopping complexes/shops and test their customer service skill at the same time

A bit of this & that

Hi Blog, its been a while after my 'accident in April. Been too lazy to do any blogging.

Summary(I'll try to make it shortest possible) :-

1. I still went to Little Havana the 1st week after spraining my ankle(can't dance, but still wanna visit LH) just to chill & laugh(I didn't say 'laugh', my 'Boss did - so bad of him) at people dancing.

2. I'm not suppose to dance for a while, but still manage to attend the Salsa Congress in Penang. I know, I'm siao(crazy in Hokkien). Luckily didn't bought the whole package as I only went for the Saturday party, had fun dancing (exactly 2 weeks after the 'accident') on the sandy beach - 2 dances actually , with my ankle guard on of course .

The sad part is, I was rewarded by the hotel with dust mites and it was on my injured ankle too. Grrrrrrr!!! I'm so not going to stay in that hotel the next time I'm going to Penang.

3. Went for my usual salsa fixes every Friday after the congress with my jazz shoes on. Can do a few turns & double spin, but no more than that. But I definitely can't do my shines right cause I need to be real cautious. Ishhhh!!

4. Being the bad student that I am, I didn't join(I attended, but can watch only) in my latin dance class, though I wish I could, cause Yukiko was teaching samba then. I totally miss dancing samba & the drills of rumba & chacha.

5. Attended the Ladies Styling On2 by Sally(Gavin's partner) on 07th June. Love the moves & footwork. Did some basic on2 footwork(quite easy to follow & learn) before the styling & it sure is fun. Me gonna convert those moves to On1 count now(wish me luck!!), so that I can apply to both styles. Hope there will be more styling workshops in the future, be it the man or ladies styling.

6.Went for P Ramlee The Musical, loves the stage setting, costumes, the singing(I love the main actor & actress' voice, especially Musly Ramlee's- its 99% like P Ramlee) and dancing. Though they can be more creative when there's technical error encountered during the performance.

7. Had a nice short chat with Sam on Friday about salsa & stuffs & I confessed to him that I love to do shines nowadays more than before, cause it give me more freedom rather than just follow & turn & turn & multiple spins. Am going to heed Sam's advise & try something 'evil' this Friday at LH.

8. Last but not least for this week's updates, I was spun(lost count how many spins) by VBS(Very Bad Steven) at SH yesterday night & the reason I was spun so much is just because my dress twirl beautifully when I do spins & turns. Is it a wonder why I don't wanna wear dress or skirt to salsa(other than for real(not dance related) safety reason) ??

Ouch! of Comission for 3 days ?

My worse nightmare came true!

In short, I slipped at the side of a road, sprained my left ankle & abrased my right knee. And it all happened today, a Friday, ie MY SALSA DAY!!

I can normally stand minor sprains & wound, but this time not so, cause I was totally stumped for 2 minutes & almost black out when I tried to stand.

I practically need to sit for more than 5 minutes to regain 'consciousness' before seeking treatment. The best part is the 2 nearby clinics are yet to open.

Thought of using the first aid kit from my office to wash & cover the wound. And , there are only bandages, swaps & painkillers in the so called first aid kit . Not even a drop of lotion is in the kit. Gonna complaint to the welfare manager next week!

Took a cab to see a Dr and he says no walking allowed for at least 2 or 3 days & definitely no heels!

No walking(plus no heels) = NO DANCING! Help!! 2 weeks without dancing??

It also means I'll have to sit off my samba class this Sunday.

Oh well! At least I was given 1 day MC(Doc said can give 2 if I'm working tomorrow, but since I don't work Saturday, so no need for MC).

Might as well use the given MC-day for another kind of practice

Cross Border Salsa @ S'pore

A night of Salsa Dancing + Bachata Competition + Eddie Palmierie's Latin Jazz Concert = My Singapore Trip.

Have only planned to attend E.P's concert at Esplanade on Sunday & hoped to catch some salsa (the Saturday night before) at Union Square.

Then, thanks to Wai Sum(she got all these tickets for us), we were able to watch the Bachata Competition at Upper Club, Chimes & had a few salsa dancing at the same place.

Nice deco they had and superb dance floor too. Big enough for a whole bunch(& I mean a whole big bunch) of salsa addicts.

Then, we got to know that 2 of our salsa kakis entered for the bachata competition too.
The Bachata contestants

Here's the video of them dancing to Bachata Rosa :



They didn't win the competition, but nevertheless, I definitely salute them for having the guts to enter this competition.

Eddie Palmierie's Latin Jazz Band live performance on Sunday is simply mesmerizing & lively(needless to say). The pieces were a bit long, but I just love to see the congas & timbales being played. The saxophone & trumpet are equally superb(yet I still love the congas & timbales most >_< ).

Some of the VIPs got free CDs from the group too(I'm so jealous of them >_<). No pictures here cause videography and/or pictography are not allowed in the auditorium.. :P

Numeros

Number 1 - 10

uno ---------------- one
dos ---------------- two
tres --------------- three
cuatro ------------- four
cinco ------------- five
seis --------------- six
siete --------------- seven
ocho ---------------- eight
nueve ---------------- nine
diez ----------------- ten

uno y uno son dos ---------------- one and one are two
uno y dos son tres --------------- one and two are three
cinco y cinco son diez ----------- five and five are ten

Days and Months

Days of the Week
lunes
martes
miercoles
jueves
viernes
sabado
domingo

Months of the Year
enero
febrero
marzo
abril
mayo
junio
julio
agosto
septiembre
octubre
noviembre
diciembre

Something Fun

Too busy with my 'children' nowadays to blog about 'Something New'.

But moi still got time to share 'Something Fun'.

Just go here http://www.mambojays.com to vote for your favorite Salsera and/or Salsero and see who'll be crowned the Mambo Queen and Mambo King.

You'll get to vote for the venue for the crowning session too.

Adios for now. Gotta catch up with some(hopefully) before tonight's fix at Little Havana.

ps. Shall blog about 'Something New' hopefully during CNY.

Something Old & Something New

Gonna try something new tonight at Little Havana.

Its not actually that new, since I've it done it a couple of time at LH, say about 1/2 year ago(or is it longer? ).

Just adding a bit more sabor(since it is salsa anyway) and a few more moves to make it something 'NEW' .

Shall blog more about it after tonight's fix. Gotta run to gym now.

A Shoeless(and FUN) Salsa Nite

The 1st post for 2008 & I believe this shall be a pretty good start for my favorite fix, that is Salsa:

In the rush of thing on a Friday morning, I ter-packed my 2 years old latin shoes for my Salsa fix at LH.

Only realised about the wrong shoes when I was on the way from gym to Little Havana.

I can't even stand properly with this old pair of shoes on, not to mention walking & dancing. Tried the first dance with them with a not-so disastrous result , but still felt like falling down whenever I did a turn .

So, for the second & the rest of the dances(be it salsa or bachata) that night, I've decided to just salsa kaki ayam(not totally barefooted, but DEFINITELY shoeless) style.

Can't remember how many dances I had , but I realized I had more fun dancing(me can still do double spin leh ) on me bare feet than with my shoes on.

Could it be that I'm used to practicing in a shoeless manner at home ? Deep required here.

Well, definitely can't do this too often or else I might not get enough salsa fixes, due to some gentlemen just won't ask a barefooted salsera to dance.

Wonder if these gentlemen would reject a barefooted salsera's request for a dance if she(me lar) ask nicely ?

On a different & healthier note: Little Havana(upstairs) is smoke-free on all Salsa Nites starting from the (most)memorable Friday night of 04 Jan 2008.

**Smoke at your own risk - a pail of water shall be waiting for you.