London-Salsa-Salsa Chillout’s Terry & Yolande - Smooth Operators

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 London-Salsa-Moe Flex- Freestyle for fun

Friendly, Family,
Fun Fiesta!!!

Maybe it’s me, but trying to think of Folkestone as a hotbed of steamy passion for Latin dance and music is about as convincing as aerial antics of a porcine variety.
But when the Grand Burstin Hotel Salsa Weekender hit the tranquil resort on the Kent coast in March, that’s just what happened, writes Lee Knights.
It was my first time, but for many of the 300 or so salsa lovers who came up from London, the home counties and as far afield as Guernsey, this was a regular date and a chance to meet up with old friends.
   There was a definite TGIF feeling, as office workers slipped out of suits and ties and into blochs and spangly dance shoes.
   From the outset, organisers Salsa Calientita’s accent was on R&R and FF&F (fun, friendliness and family – quite a few dancers came with their kids). Hosts Clay and Debbie Thomas set the mood, seeming totally unfazed by the pressures of running the event and looking as if they’d just asked a few friends over to their place for a social.
 Photo right: Will and Grace

This made for a great, non intimidating vibe for salsa lovers to learn from the best and dance til the wee hours from Friday to Sunday night, with top DJs Julian “The Duke”, Salsa Chillout’s Terry Lewis spinning the disks and live music from popular salsa band, Palenke.
There was a full programme of workshops, delivered by world class instructors, including: Susana Montero; Super Mario; Marchant Birch; Leon Rose and Salsa Chillout’s Terry and Yolande. Workshops were aimed at all levels, with dancers able to choose from partner-work in Cuban and LA style, ladies and men’s styling, New York On2 mambo, la rueda (the Cuban wheel), merengue and batchata.

The Weekender provided the launch pad for London Rueda, set up by experienced instructor on Miami style Rueda, Rana. La Rueda is a traditional Cuban dance, performed in a circle, with men and women executing a variety of moves (drawn from a total repertoire of some150) at breakneck speed and swapping partners in response to calls by one of the dancers. Huge fun, absolutely exhausting and about a million times more fun than going to a gym.
   Salsa Calientita are back at the Grand Burstin Hotel from Friday 3rd to Monday 5th March next year and plan to re-book the same team of instructors and more. This is definitely an event for the diary – whether you are a newcomer to salsa or more experienced. Chilled and friendly with top class instruction as well as a great party vibe, you’ve got a combination that’s hard to beat. (note to self: pack earplugs next time – the walls are paper thin! :~)
pics: Marc Worsfold
words: Lee Knights

Venue: The Grand Burstin Hotel, The Harbour, Folkestone,
Kent, CT20 1TX, Friday 2nd - Monday 5th March 2007

This popular weekender features a top line-up of UK salsa instructors, including: Susana Montero; Super Mario; Marchant Birch; Moe Flex; London Rueda’s Rana; Leon Rose; Salsa Chillout’s Terry and Yolande, DJ Julian “the Duke” and more!
This is a fun-packed, friendly, chilled weekender for everybody - whether you’re an  absolute beginners or an advanced dancer, this is one you’ll enjoy.
 The programme of workshops includes: cross body style technicalities with Susana Montero and Supermario teaching TOGETHER; rueda with Rana; Cuban style with Moe Flex; Cha cha cha and Mambo with Marchant Birch, to mention only a few.
   There will be surprise competitions and prizes to win, so bring your glamourous togs and let your hair down!
We want people to write reviews of their local clubs and there will be prizes for the best.
To enter, just email us HERE, telling us about your local salsa club - write “Folkestone” in the subject box - and YOU could win a prize at the weekender.
To see video clips of the stars or read a Review of Last Year’s Event, Click HERE.
To Book: www.salsacalientita.co.uk or www.salsapromotionsuk.co.uk
Contact Debbie or Clay: Tel: 01753 535009; Mobile: 07973 390 440
Email: salsacalientita@yahoo.co.uk

Super Mario practises one of his million moves on Susana Montero. Photograph by: Miguel del Foto, copyright www.londonsalsascene.info