Salsa - The Dance Craze Is In S'pore

Picture & article courtesy of The New Paper dated 29 Sep 2006 (Fri)

I guess I finally know this dance is so popular nowadays in Singapore that my friend, Eriko is learning it.

I think if it is not for my physical disability, I may consider learning it as it looks like a good way to unwind.

Thanks to The New Paper for featuring this. I got to know more about the dance.

POPULAR DANCE

Mr Jackson Tan, 41, director of JJSalsa Rengue at Murray Terrace, said: 'Though we teach other forms of dance, salsa is the most popular. When I first started six years ago, I only had three students. Over the years, I've taught more than 3,000 people.
'Every day, I see an average of 40 students who take between six and eight months to complete the basic, intermediate and advance levels.

Also popular as street-style music, salsa has come a long way. In the last decade, it has exploded, thanks to some help from the music industry.

In the '90s, Latin musician Carlos Santana introduced salsa to the younger audience by fusing rock elements to Tito Puente's Oye Como Va. Then came a suite of salsa CDs like The Rough Guide To Salsa Dance, featuring dance tracks from Columbia, Cuba and Puerto Rico.
Ricky Martin (and before that, his boy band Menudo) wooed a bigger audience combining Latin rhythms with English lyrics.

Today, there are salsa festivals in the US, Taiwan, India, Malaysia, Sydney, Hong Kong and Israel, according to salsadaily.com. Local salsa fans travel overseas to attend the festivals, Mr Ong said.

Here, fans usually make a beeline for places such as Union Square at The Amara, Brix at the Grand Hyatt Singapore and Hard Rock Cafe to strut their stuff.

A spokesman for Hard Rock Cafe said: 'We started the Salsa Night six months ago. Every Thursday, we see about 300 people who are mostly in their 20s.'

DATING TOOL

These days, it is also a dating tool for singles. Salsa speed dating, that is.
Others join the LA Dance Connection Studio at Clarke Quay to learn bedroom moves, revealed dance instructor Yenny Widjaja.

Sure, salsa may look easy, but it is more challenging than Britney Spears' choreographed dance moves.

Salsa student Karen Chia, 33, explained: 'There are many techniques involved. The girl has to maintain a certain frame to execute the moves. It's a bit like tai-chi.

'You need practice in order to salsa well. It's definitely not something you can learn overnight.'
And just because you can shake your booties and sway your hips, it doesn't mean you're a pro. If you're a klutz born with two left feet, take up a basic course to learn the moves and etiquette.
Think Ben Stiller who spun Jennifer Aniston like a top in the movie Along Came Polly.

Also turning up are The Latinos, consisting of siblings (from left to right) Karla, Ramon and Ana Marie, from Columbia. -- AP, QUEBEC LEISURE

Mr Ong said: 'When dancing with a newbie, never do more than a double spin. She may get dizzy and won't be able to catch up after that.'
Don't show off fancy footwork and expect your partner to follow suit. Salsa, like ballroom dancing, involves two people getting into the groove, said all the dance instructors.

STAY BASIC

Another cardinal sin: Never force your partner to repeat a fancy move if she doesn't get it after a few tries.

Be a gentleman, reminded Ms Choo Yan Qing, principal instructor of Actfa.
She said: 'As this is a social dance, always thank your partner.

'The guys should never ditch the girls on the dancefloor but lead them back to their tables.'
Mr Tan of JJSalsa Rengue added: 'When the room gets crowded, dance in smaller spaces. You don't want to crash into other couples on the dancefloor.

'And when you approach someone for a dance, warm up with basic moves because it's good to communicate your style and rhythm to each other.'
The biggest boo-boo of them all: body odour and bad breath.
Always wear deodorant and pop mints, advised Ms Choo.
Or no one will be impressed even with the snazziest moves.
Remember, it's going to get hot in the city.




SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL SALSA FESTIVAL 2006
WHERE: Downtown East
WHEN: 13 Oct to 15 Oct
TICKETS: $25 (with two drinks) on 13 Oct, $35 (one drink) on 14 Oct, $25 on 15 Oct, $80 for three nights. Book at sisf.com.sg or www.ticketcharge.com

SINGAPORE SALSA FESTIVAL 2006

WHERE: Various venues
WHEN: 11 Dec to 17 Dec
TICKETS: $70, $180 and $420
Call 6324 0906 or e-mail i@singaporesalsafestival.com
Union Square, The Amara
Tel: 6224 6116
Brix, Grand Hyatt Singapore
Every Sunday Tel: 6738 1234
Hard Rock Cafe, 50 Cuscaden Rd
Thursday night Tel: 6235 5232