A Night of So Many Dances

Went for the KLDA Dinner and Dance last Saturday.

I never did noticed the venue when I stayed in Taman Muda Cheras 2 years ago. So, I was really surprised that KLDA is just across my old apartment.

The dance floor was nice and quite big with lots of seats still empty as we arrived at the door at 7pm.

Had crash courses on slow waltz, rumba, foxtrot and jive courtesy of Hock Siew, Steven Yap(he got us into this D&D), Joseph and Calvin(I think...STML working overtime again) .

I practically need to remind myself the basic steps when dancing the slow waltz(a bit different from Viennese waltz woh): don't use the leg that you've used earlier. Must remember: right leg used already, don't use. Left leg used already, don't use.. Ish!!

Steven was so nice to ask Joseph(the DJ that night) to play a couple of salsa songs for us cause he knew that we(Brenda & I) are still beginners in the ballroom/latin dances and we're more used to doing salsa.

Dinner was just your normal snack food, ie meehoon goreng, nasi kunyit(yellow rice), fish curry, yam cake & other stuffs. Not that we're complaining cause its quite what we've expected due to the ticket is only RM25 for that particular night.

Watched a few performances: cha cha, samba, tango and waltz and I'm quite impressed with the younger couple(below 16 only leh). They did the cha cha & samba with such finesse and they can really move their body ohh!!

Did a rumba with Joseph and before we could finish, he gotta go and change the CD again . Ish!! So potong steam loh, but as he said, no choice lar, me went back to my seat to wait for another dance-able(one that I know how to dance to lar) song.

Was pleasantly surprise when a merengue & another salsa song came on the air again. Joseph played a bachata number too. That's a big surprise. Merengue I understand, but, bachata woh?!?!? Nevertheless, its fun to hear the oh so familiar bachata song.

Party ended at around 11.30pm and me went off thinking: unable to go to SH or LH, but still can salsa, some more merengue & bachata

Had a snack/drink session at Old Town Kopitiam where we chat about dancing and stuffs.

Wonder when are they going to organize the Dinner and Dance again. Hope it won't be too long a wait.

Mission(s) Accomplished

A quiet night it was in Salsa Havana last Saturday.

Was contemplating earlier that day whether to go to SH or not, but I didn't regret making the decision to get my fix of salsa(mission # 1).

Salsa-ed to 5 songs(above my expectation) in a row, since there wasn't that many a salsera in the club for the guys to dance with.

It was almost 11ish when a few more salsero/as started to appear.

Then, I noticed a certain salsero mambo-ing away to Martin(Reyes)'s selection of moderate salsa music. I absolutely love the way he dance with another salsera too. Not a lot of fancy moves, but mostly mambos, then a brief viejo, a turn(or two) for the lady and mambos again. I kept watching him almost the whole night, hoping to have a dance with him too.

Suddenly, there was a malay(Indonesian) salsa song being played. Interesting lyrics, with a lot of sakit hati(malay for heart aches) in the lyrics. Why is the heart aching during salsa ?? Beats me. But its a nice song to dance/listen to.

Walked straight up to Martin and asked(mission # 2) him what's the name of the song, and he showed me the CD cover(can only see the Title of the album, can't find the name of the songs on it lah... ish ish). Was told that he got the CD from a friend of his(from Indonesia I guess) and I won't be able to find it in KL.

Before leaving the club, I finally braved myself to ask(mission # 3) the salsero(mentioned earlier) for a dance as I again noticed that he's dancing alone to a nice number. Its mambos, viejo(yeah, I did the 'old man walking' too) and mambos again, but I like it.

Me = during the whole dance and on the way home too .

** 2 days only to accomplish another mission(owe someone something lar )

My Daemon (a trivia from)The Golden Compass

Disclaimer: This is not a salsa nor dance related post. I just love the graphic and decided to post it here.

The Golden Compass(to be release in December 2007) - An exciting fantasy adventure, set in an alternative world, where a person’s soul lives on the outside of their body in the form of a daemon*

a daemon*,


(*) Daemon – a person’s soul in the form of a talking animal spirit that lives outside of the person’s body and which accompanies a person through life.

Reached Little Havana at 11ish yester-night. The floor wasn't that packed, but I still prefer to walk over to the DJ console area when the music stopped and everyone is not dancing(yet).

Was sitting the whole night(2 hours ++ me think) in front of the speaker enjoying the extreme bachata and salsa songs more than dancing to it.

Another extreme bachata came on air and I asked CE, how come got extreme bachatas, but no extreme merengue/s ? And we just laugh away.

Had a few(too few lar-countable) dances, most importantly to Yamulemau . Vamanos Pa Senegal and La Cumbita(here to listen to cover version of it) are another 2 songs that I wanted and did danced to that night.

After La Cumbita finished, I asked DJLee what was the title and artist's name of the song(at that time I don't know mar) and he told me its LC. Then(~ 5 minutes later), I realised, errr... I did ask him about this familiar song long time ago when he first intro it in LH. Short Term Memory Loss kicking in again!! Ishhh!!

Found myself not following the lead properly when I danced yesterday. So, just wanna apologize to all my dear salseros whom I danced with if I didn't followed your lead yeah.

Blame it on the hot weather, the oh so syiok salsa/bachata songs(me think me syiok sendiri at that time), overhaul of dancing lessons, etc etc.. Excuses, excuses, I know . Shall try very hard to avoid all this from happening again. I promised.

Update for Friday Salsa @ Little Havana in July(courtesy of DJLee):

Salsa Nights are ON for every Friday in July at Little Havana! Mark your calendars for 6/7, 13/7, 20/7 and 27/7.

Something not salsa related

8.30pm, Friday night(still in the office).

Me: Hungry lar, you guys wanna have dinner or not?

Jeff/Dom: ok.. where to ?

Me: Anywhere will do. As long as its easy for me to go LH after that.

Jeff have to fetch his girlfriend first at Jalan Raja Laut, so he suggested to have dinner at this Cotton Club - a 2-storeys Jazzaurant in Maju Junction.

Hmm.. the plate coaster had this on it. Almost wanted to ask the waiter, can I take it home ar ?

We ordered our food and were in the midst of finishing dinner when the band starts playing..

oooOO , the lead singer(nice voice) were singing lots of my favorite songs in jazzy style leh. Yummy. Ohh.. the food's yummy too

Only after we've finished dinner and started chatting do I noticed the other music motives in the jazzaurant, like the guitar on the menu and also the design of the chair

A nice place to dine in, but not so suitable for chatting(more like shouting lar) when the live band is on.

Guru Sam and Cikgu Aisha's Wedding

Its a Tuesday(got to work) night.

Thank goodness for the map drawn by TallShafiq and the oh so big sign board of the venue, we reached Dewan Perdana Felda at 8.00pm sharp.


Thought that we'll be late(working day mar, sure got traffic jam one) as Brenda only fetched me at 7.30pm.

Was ushered in by Steven(ala prom style) into the grand bright hall. Wow!! Nice lighting, nice pelamin(the stage), nice atmosphere... heck, everything is nice lar.

While waiting for the arrival of the bride and groom, a video of the Akad Nikah was shown for the guests to watch, accompanied by what I would describe as fox-trottable music . We started to chat about dancing(again!) .

Oh!! Took some pictures with few of the salsero/as too(pictures shall be posted after I grab them from the various camera owners first). Most of them were in the traditional bajus and also suits. Hard it is to find us salsa addicts in such ethnic and formal attire.

Then the hero and heroine arrived in style. O_O ... Guru Sam in 3 pc (not swim-)suit and Cikgu Aisha in a pinkish white gown, both so charming leh.

Everything(the speeches, well wishes from the VVIP, dinner, the lightning with no thunder, etc etc) went on so smoothly and in timely manner. Seems like the MRT is not applied here which is good for everyone.

Guru Sam gave a most impressive(uh-uhmm) speech about marriage and fried chicken(click here for the shorter version of the speech) which us guests giggle non-stop at.

Not to forget the Emcees too. The way they berpantun(rhyme) reminds me of the recitals and poetry readings from my sastera(malay literature) classes. Wished that they could translate them into English though to benefit some of the non-Malaysian guests.

The ceremony ended in style after the newly-weds cut the cake and the emcees gave their last poem in English with well wishes for the bride and groom.

Congratulations again to Guru Sam and Cikgu Aisha.

**hmm... am wondering: will they be checking out the salsa clubs in Bali while honeymooning?

The Viennese Ball 2007.

The debutantes were instructed to be at the waiting room at 6pm for early dinner.

Kiwi, Brenda and I reached there at around 6.20pm and was informed by Ken that all the food were totally swallowed by the other hungry debutantes.

Dropped our stuffs in the waiting room and tried our luck at the dining area. Were then told by Selma that more food are coming as they didn't expect the food to vanish before 6.30pm.

Had our (very) early dinner, mainly sausages, bread, wantan(something like that) and stew and were served coffee/tea too.

Then we promptly head back to the room at 7ish(to avoid the guests) to wait and chat.

A long wait it was until 9.45pm(where our showtime began), but we did have a nice chat with Janice(my previous (social dance)instructor). The main topic is about dance, dance and more dance.

Then, Brenda and I asked Hock Siew to teach us the samba(basics only) in preparation of our first samba class today(which was canceled at the last minute due to unforeseen & unexpected circumstances).

8.45pm.. changed into our gowns(for the girls and tux for the guys) and then were told to rehearse the polonaise and quadrille again, for a good 10 minutes or so. We took the opportunity to take a few pictures here and there after the rehearsal(pictures coming up soon).

10.10pm(me think) the show begins..1st the polonaise, then the quadrille and finally the waltz. Then come the polka.. boy did we have fun hopping and jumping to the 'marching' song..

And the ball begins... the band played lots of waltz and polkas throughout the night...

Some of us salsa addicts(and some of the guests) went to the room next door to catch a few salsa/latin beats too.

Then, when Brenda, Ken, Kiwi and I went back to the function room, we saw people dancing to rock & roll and cha cha cha. Then of course, there's Steven(Seah) heading the samba line for all to join.

Came 1am, we were again entertained with a nice ballet(danced to the sweet melody of Blue Danube Waltz) and a few operas again. No understand the language that they sang in, but still captivated by the performances very much(don't know why?!?)

After the entertainment, we did the midnight quadrille with the oh so sporting guests(with Mr Polt shouting the instructions for the guests to follow). We did the quadrille 6 three times in a row where the music keeps getting fast, faster and even more faster .

Finally ended the night(well almost) with the ever hilarious and exhausting french can-can dance.. Did we have a jolly good time with this number .

A marvelous night it was and we have no regrets for joining this event whatsoever.

You guys should try it out too next year..

Pictures from Viennese Ball Rehearsal June 28th

Polonaise


With Mr.Polt and Selma


The group from H E

Pictures from Viennese Ball coming up soon

Last Minute Change(s)

A hectic schedule it was last Saturday.

We went to collect the white latin shoes(ordered them the Sunday before) from San Lee, Cheras and drove all the way to Puchong to collect our (off-)White Gown, all of which are required for the Viennese Ball tomorrow.

My dress' hem need to be altered cause its a tat too long for this vertically challenged person(me lah). Brenda's dress need to be altered too(not the length, but something else). All done within 2 - 2.5 hours time. Then, we rushed off all the way to TTDI for the practice. We both agreed that we're nuts cause we travel in 1 big round just to get stuffs and do whatever(well, almost) it takes for this interest called dancing.

During and after the practice on Sunday, found out a bit too late that my gown is still quite long. Ah ahh!!! No way and no time to send the gown to Puchong again for alteration. So, what did I do ?

I spent 6 hours(after work) to alter(by hand) the gown myself. What lar!! The tailor takes 2 hours and I need 6 for the (NOT SO SIMPLE) alteration? Ishh!! Well, at least I'm now fully satisfied with the length and won't be afraid of tripping over(fingers crossed) during the ball tomorrow.

Most of the Debutantes were a bit confused during today's dress rehearsal cause the line ups(couples/partners) are different from Sunday's rehearsal(cannot remember who were in front, back and beside us). But, we finally manage to identify our neighbors for the actual event .



Another 9 hours to go for the actual event. After that, it will be MERDEKA! MERDEKA!

And we(Brenda and I) can fully concentrate on our dance class(well, that's another story to be told later) from this Sunday onward. Hip hip horray!!

Ran out of white top(required) to wear for the VB Class on Friday. So, me had on my not so new white dress & a flowery brown cover for the practice instead. Received a few compliments from the ladies and it lifted up my mood during the class.

Went straight to Little Havana after practice, amidst the heavy rain and got 1/4 of myself wet(no thanks to my not so faithful umbrella).

To my surprise, me saw Mango(who disappeared for about 8 months from the salsa scene) near the stairs with his 2 friends(spreading salsa-ism??).

Near the dance floor

DJLee: Senegal is coming up next.

Me: Yeah kah? Cool. Thanks.

Quickly asked Kevin for a dance cos I wanted to dance to VPS.

10 minutes later

Had a dance(basics) each with Mango's friends(yet to learn salsa). They sure pick up the steps fast.

After the salsa(s) ended

Me: You got the steps correct, hope you'll take up salsa lessons and see you at the clubs soon.

Chin & Eng Siang(hope I spelled their names correctly) : Thanks. See you soon too.

Later

Me asked Ash for a dance, not even realizing that its a cha cha song, but we proceed to do the sal-cha anyway. And it sure is fun... lots of stylo milo stuffs that we can do for this dance.

Got rejected twice when I did the asking that night, but its norm lor. Better luck next time.

Had a nice waltz-sa with MamboJays. Wanted to ask him: are we waltzing while salsa-ing ? But, me forgot to ask cos was trying very hard not to be stepped on by the moving-around-a-lot guy behind me.

Closing song, DJLee decided to play waltz as the last song of the night, and me straight away asked Sean for a dance. He obliged and I had a great time(although me got a bit kepala pusing[dizzy] after that) dancing to this sweet melody.

Dancing Waltz in a salsa studio and did the waltz in a salsa club.. One word to describe this:
Siao!!

Why?

Yesterday night(after Viennese Ballroom class).

Was at the entrance at LH paying for the drink when I heard the rhythmic Vamanos Pa Senegal being played upstairs. Darn!! Why play this song so early lar?

Me: WHY you play this song when I'm not here yet leh?

DJLee: Luckily I didn't play Jambu...

Me: In that case, can play track 1 for me ar? Play it much much later also can.

DJLee: Okay. No problem.

10 minutes later, when I'm at the basin, ie quite near the dance floor, but not near enough.. he played my request.

Yiiiii... WHY he play Nina when I'm not around again lar?!?

Quickly went out to at least enjoy the music(since cannot find anyone to salsa with ).

Then, Ash came to my rescue as he ask me to dance to this yummy track.

Heee hee.. I finally got to dance to Nina(by Joe Cuba). Just love this song(and the dance was lovely too)

Thank you Ash.

2.5 weeks ago

FutureSalsaAddict: Is the registration for salsa class still open?

Me: i just checked the forum & it said closed.

FutureSalsaAddict: . Why so hot one ?

Me: Salsa very popular mar now.


Last week

FutureSalsaAddict: Hey. Good news. I have a friend wanna salsa with me. Nice friend. Young chap and looks like J**

Me: Good. Then both of you can register together.

FutureSalsaAddict: Yah. Need the details. I checking the forum now. Sat is 2.30pm. Very rush for me.

Me: Yup. Right after work have to cabut from office and grab something to eat before class. Normal lar. Me Fridays also like that now.

FutureSalsaAddict: Superwoman

Me: Crazywoman is more like it. Dance addict like that lor.

Viennese Ballroom Lessons - Part II

And the biggest surprise(came through email) today:

Urgent Viennese Ball: Invitation to Dance Lessons

Another unique opportunity to learn and practice Viennese Ballroom dancing(such as Waltz, Boogie, Cha Cha, slow fox, etc). You can bring along your parents and friends who are also interested in dancing. The lessons are FREE of charge

Details:

Venue : Level 1, Sapura Auto BMW showroom, 362 Jalan Tun Razak, K.L.
Date : 6, 7 June 2006
Time : 8.00pm to 10.00pm

So, mi amigos, if you're interested, tell me lar and I'll register your name for you. T&C applies

~ Fin ~

1st Viennese Ballroom Lessons

7pm:
A bunch of us enthusiastic debutantes wannabe were waiting in the studio for the VBC(s) & the Instructor to arrive.

They were like 1 hour late(due to the heavy mud-flood at Jln Duta area; yup yup, my friend's Kelisa swam through the muddy water to TTDI).

While waiting:
Some of the salsa addicts can't resist the temptation of the rhythmic salsa songs and they started dancing( studio party ar?? aisay, why I didn't bring my camera along to capture all this arr ?)

Then, they started a Rueda too.. Waaaa.. cannot stand it anymore and asked MichSoon to rueda too(which he agrees to ). A good and hilarious round of Rueda we had: executed adios(as signaled by the Caller) to arriba(as called by him). And of course, the infamous Enchufla Seremban. No price for guessing who's the caller .

The instructor arrived just when we finished our Rueda and the Waltz lesson begin.

As usual, the ratio for girls to guys in a dance class is like 2:1, so I ended up dancing with a nice lady(her lead for the waltz ain't bad I tell you).

We learn to march(right, left, right, left, bla bla bla.. nope we didn't stomp the studio, its a slow and soft march lar) and curtsy too.

Then, come the part where we learn the walks and the turns for Waltz(hmm, I've done this before, should be okay kua).

Then, come the surprise, Mr Polt(the famous instructor) taught us Rock & Roll(basic and a turn pattern only) too. Cool !! Haven't done any R & R(this is one of my favorite dance when I took up social dance classes last time) for so long and now we're getting free lessons for both dances .

Class finished at around 9.30pm(??) Didn't really keep track of the time cause we're having too much fun dancing to Elvis Presley's Blue Suede Shoes and another R & R song(darn.. I forgot the title of the song again )

~to be continued ~

1st Friday at Little Havana

DJ Lee : You're the first customer here

Me: Ooo ... do I get any free(welcome) drinks ?

DJLee : No, but you'll get Yamulemau.

Me:

And I get to hear Yamulemau and Moliendo Cafe too .

12.10am

Sway(Pussy Cat Dolls' version) was in the air when I was changing into my sneakers(going home lar), and (arrggg) I got the worse cramp ever.

How painful ? Just imagine two people pulling(for lack of a better word) your calf off from your knee. How the heck am I suppose to walk to BB to get a cab lar?

Don't care, I'm completely exhausted by the pain, must go home.

Me: Hi Joe, thanks for the Jambulemau

DJ Lee: you're welcome. Next time, I'll play coco lemau, rambutan lemau

Me: LOL.. But, I want the real coconut & rambutan yeah.

Said bye bye to Mian Li & Cikgu Aisha. Then proceeded to say adios to Guru Sam(alamak!! Sun Sun Babae is on the air now).

Without asking, he just took my hand(a signal for dancing lar) and me being very naughty(and tired) gave him my bag instead. (thinking) I'm still trying to recover from the pain woh.. Don't care! Just dance.

And we did finish dancing(me wearing sneakers, which works better on the slippery floor) to the whole SSB song .

Got home in 1 piece(calf still attach), hit the shower and went to sleep straight away.