|
|
|
|
|
We had an opportunity to ride the double-deck busses and see "Cats" and "Lady Salsa" which played at the New London Theatre. We were very impressed with "Lady Salsa" which was a Cuban production with incredible trained dancers, musicians and singers. It was about the history of salsa from Cuba. The dancers were very sweet and after the show we met at a local salsa club. Interview by a local London Latin Magazine:
Question: How did you start your dance life?
Josie: I started ballet and Jazz when I was seven
years of age. I then continued with jazz until I became a
dance major in University. I then studied ballet and
modern dance at York University for 4 1/2 years and graduated
with a bachelor's degree.
Alvaro: I started dancing hip-hop and Break
dancing when I was 13 and did this for several years.
Latin music has always been a part of my life being Latino.
About four years ago I got involved with Salsa and I became a
member of "Los Rumberos" Dance Company in Los Angeles, I
have loved and lived salsa ever since.
Q: What drew you to Salsa?
J: While I was working on my bachelor's I did a
research paper on ballroom and Latin instructor.
This caught my attention and I became very interested. I
immediately found Latin dance fun, fast, challenging and sexy.
Q: What other dances do you teach?
J: I teach a wide variety of dances. Along
with Salsa I also teach many social dances like Fox Trot, Waltz,
Tango, Swing, Quickstep, Vienese Waltz, Argentine Tango, Rumba,
Cha-Cha, Jive, Lambada, Merengue, Cumbia, Samba and Mambo.
I also teach jazz, ballet and Modern dance.
Q: What is your impression of the London Salsa
scene?
J: I found that here there is a strong mixture of
mambo and Cuban style, using both the 1 and 2 counts. The
scene is filled with advanced dancers and a competitive spirit.
Q: What in general would you recommend for the
London Dance scene to improve it and make it more exciting?
J: Everyone in London is great, and the scene
doesn't need improving. Make sure to keep it fun, keep
learning and creating, and open up the mind to different styles.
Q: Are you planning to come back to London and
when?
J: I would love to come back to London, but
I have no specific plans set.
Q: Are you going to produce any more videos?
J: I am currently working on 4 new videos.
The first is a beginner video for Latin Style. For
advanced dancers I am designing an advanced combination/routines
video. The third video and fourth videos will be advance
Lady's and Men's styling videos and a surprise video.
Q: Which salsa do you love the most: hard,
romantic etc?
J: I love all salsa's but my favorite to dance
and perform to are the more traditional, percussive, heavily
accented salsa's that have many breaks, mambo jam sessions and
hits. Example of some of my favorite bands: Sonora
Carousels, some of Tito Puente's, & Fruko y sus Tetos.
Q: Is there any message you want to pass to
all Salseros in the UK and Salsa News Readers?
J: Keep the passion alive by being sweet to each
other in the salsa scene. Keep the gossip, negativity and
heavy egos at home. Keep it fun and always developing.
Dance is always evolving. Traditionalists want to keep
mambo like it was in the 50's, but we are now in 2001, so grow
with the new inspirations that are evolving. Try not to
say, "That's not salsa,"-- it can be a new added element to
evolve salsa to new levels.
Salsa is loved by people of all cultures and
ages. You do not have to even understand the lyrics of the
songs to love it. Lets all embrace that same mentality and
unite with salsa--not segregate, discriminate or separate.
Josie Neglia -- June1,2001
|
|
|
HOME
FAQ
MAILING
LIST GUEST
BOOK VIDEOS
MESSAGE
BOARD |
TELEPHONE (562)
491-1009 FAX (562) 901-9044 |
POSTAL ADDRESS
LATINDANCE.COM
|
General
Info, Sales & |
Toll FREE 1-877-725-
JAN
