Blogs
Spring time at the YA Social - March 2009
Last Updated April 1st, 2009 by Geo-
Spring season (snow and all) hit the Detroit Salsa Scene in a big way any way you look at it! Whether it’s the recent leaps in attendance at the socials from 298 in February to 352 in March (no kidding!); or the growth of our YA Salsa team that will help keep the social going strong in the coming years, spring has definitely sprung!
--> Check out the Photos & Video
Each month, we try to keep our expectations for the social realistic and achievable - and each month we are amazed and re-energized by the great fortune we have to see it keep growing and the salsa scene continuing to thrive. So much energy, so many new faces, so many of our friends and so many people who are willing to volunteer their time, creativity and energy to make it happen. I will personally say, I'm always a little daunted at 5:15 p.m. when people start streaming in the door and this thing is about to happen.
The highlights began with a terrific performance choreographed by YA Salsa's Laura Geldys and Koki Ojima. It shows what happens when talent, hard work and passion meet; completely original works of art come to life. A little Mambo, a lot of LA Style and even a Little Rueda to round it out. Great job by them and the dance team! Hopefully they will keep working and inspire other Detroit dance teams.
KNOW YOUR SALSEROS -- MARCH, 2010
Last Updated March 9th, 2010 by marcimamboIn this month's Know Your Salseros we meet Jacqueline Hernandez, who is a veteran salsera that you've probably seen lighting up the dance floor with her beautiful smile; and Jared Ankawi, a "newbie" who just started, and loves it already!
Name: Jacqueline Hernandez
Where are you originally from (ethnicity): I was born in Bronx New York, but my parents are originally from Puerto Rico.
How long have you been dancing: I have been officially dancing for sixteen years.
Where did you learn: As a little girl, I was always dancing with my cousins to all types of music. As I got older, I started going to different clubs. I was also part of a group and have done some performing.
Where do you go out to dance: I often go to Sangria, Pi, Ya Social and Woody’s. I have also traveled to different Salsa Congress. In addition many great Salsa house parties.
What do you think could be done to expand the salsa scene: I pretty much think that ya Salsa, Salsa Detroit, promoters and myself have been doing a wonderful job in expanding the salsa scene.
What do you do aside from dancing: I am a Bilingual Coordinator for quality Home Health Care Services. I spend quality time with my family, and occasionally hang out with friends.
Your favorite song: I really do not have a favorite song. I listen to romantic, classic and exotic Salsa, Cuban, Bachata, Merengue and Reggaeton.
What advice would you give to someone who is new to salsa dancing: Salsa dancing is not about the level of dancing. Salsa is about feeling the music and rhythm and having fun while you are dancing. Learn and create your own Style. One thing that Have appreciated about the Salsa community is the interacting with different nationality and learning about different cultures.
.jpg "Jared Ankawi")
Name: Jared Ankawi
Where are you originally from (ethnicity): Chaldean
How long have you been dancing: I started Salsa dancing mid-January of this year, so not long.
Where did you learn: At the JCC with Marci
Where do you go out to dance: I only been to Sangria so far, but I want to venture out more
What do you think could be done to expand the salsa scene: Since I haven’t been on the Salsa scene that long, it is hard to tell right now
What do you do aside from dancing: I work at GM Pontiac Powertrain as a Chemical Manager. I also enjoy sports (both playing and watching)
Your favorite song: My favorite Salsa song so far is Elvis Crespo - Tu Sonrisa. My favorite non-salsa song right now is Pittbull ft Akon - Shut it down, but his changes all the time, it is whatever song I have stuck in my head! It is usually something to dance to
What advice would you give to someone who is new to salsa dancing: Relax and go with the flow. I was so overwhelmed with all the different moves we learned and didn’t know how to get them all out on the dance floor, but they just come to you when you are out there as long as you relax and feel the music.
A great start to 2010!
Last Updated February 10th, 2010 by Jamin
That was one crazy social!! Once again we would like to thank everyone for coming out to dance and have a good time with us. The official numbers are not in yet but we can safely say that over 400 people turned out for our first social in 2010. I think back to the days of our first few socials when there were only 40 or 50 of us at the salsa social. We had a great time then just as we do now and it is always exciting to us when more kindred spirits find us and fall in love with the same music and dancing as we have.
The January social was definitely one of our best! There is no substitute for the energy that live music brings to the dance floor and Orquestra Ire truly delivered. They did a fantastic job and it was great seeing all the facebook messages complementing them on it. What most people probably don't know is that it may have very well been Bobby Guzman's last performance with his band. Much to our chagrin, he has decided to hang up the spurs for a while. Hopefully not forever! If you see him out and about, be sure to stop, give him a hug, and let him know that his presence on stage will be missed!
KNOW YOUR SALSEROS -- February 2010 Edition
Last Updated February 10th, 2010 by marcimambo
Welcome to February's KNOW YOUR SALSEROS! This month we feature Dave Harkcom (a veteran salsero who knows his "1's" from his "2's") and Tessa Goldberg, a newly addicted salsera who has recently been bit hard by the salsa bug! Say "hola" to them when you see them on the dance floor -- they'd love to dance with you!
Name: Dave Harkcom
Where are you originally from (ethnicity): American (from Pittsburgh) although I do remember learning some Polka from my Polish Grandparents as a kid. I enjoy being from the diverse Detroit Salsa community
How long have you been dancing: Off and on for the past 15 years but pretty regularly for the past 5 years. Incessantly for the last year.
Where did you learn: Started with a little ballroom and tango while living in Germany but discovered latin club dancing when I moved to Michigan. My wife Carol and I took a “nightclub survival” course from Tony Canu in Rochester and discovered the Salsa scene at the Volcano Grill. We began salsa at Troy Dance Studio and have been at Energetic Soul for the last 6 years learning, performing and enjoying the dance. I have learned something from everyone I have danced with.
Where do you go out to dance: Regularly at Sangria, Woodys, YA Social, Pi and have tried most other venues in town including some great house parties. I have travelled a lot for work and found Salsa in Germany, Korea, China and Australia. I also enjoy dancing in Pittsburgh and at various Congresses in Miami, Atlanta, San Francisco.
What do you think could be done to expand the salsa scene: We have it pretty good here. Good locations and great core group of dedicated dancers. Support the instructors, promoters and the venues owners well as you can. This will improve the overall quality for everyone. Welcome new dancers and make it easy for them to join in. I would like to see a broader range of music played from the wide range of salsa available. Bands and dj’s should focus on danceable music and seek dancer feedback. Highly esoteric music, complex mixes, long jams and extreme sound volume may discourage new dancers and detract from the fun of the evening. The “smoke free” thing seems to have worked itself out.
What do you do aside from dancing: Family, Motorsports / Car Rallies since the mid 80’s and finding my next job. Salsa has been my major recreation activity for the past couple years.
Your favorite song: Y Después de Todo (Live) by Los Van Van (heard it in a bar in Shanghai once). Arroz Con Habichuela by El Gran Combo for a Cha Cha Cha fix. I’ve seen both bands in concert. With more than 2000 Latin songs on the iPod, I like the song that is playing without understanding a word of Spanish. I listen to traditional Cuban, Latin Jazz , Mambo, Classic Salsa, Bachata, and Modern Timba. I like it all.
What advice would you give to someone who is new to salsa dancing:
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Appreciate the great latin dance community available in Detroit.
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Find an instructor where you can learn about the music, history, and diversity of salsa and all the latin dances. It not just about technique and steps.
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Listen to a broad range of this music. It will make you a better dancer. The music is your other partner.
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Get out and dance whenever you can with a wide range of people and styles, It's good for body and mind.
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Own your dance. Find the style that you enjoy and you will share the fun with others.
Name: Tessa Goldberg
Where are you originally from (ethnicity): Cape Town, South Africa. I’ve been in Michigan for the past 16 years. I am an American citizen.
How long have you been dancing: 46 years – Ballet since I was 4 years old, Flamenco since I was 19 years old, also Israeli folk dancing and Salsa the last year or so.
Where did you learn: I studied ballet & Flamenco Cape Town; Flamenco in Israel; Flamenco also in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. Salsa I learned here in Michigan at workshops and the socials.
Where do you go out to dance: Sangria, Ya Salsa Socials
What do you think could be done to expand the salsa scene: I am new to it, but I think you (Ya Salsa) are doing a great job of getting the word out about Salsa.
What do you do aside from dancing: I am an Executive Director of a non-profit organization. I like to read, go to movies, hang out with friends, walk in the woods, swim, cycle. I am studying to speak Spanish.
Favorite Song: I love many different types of music, so don’t really have a favorite song. I like music from Turkey, Israel, Salsa music, Spanish/Flamenco music, classical, musicals – anything with a rhythm. I love singing too.
What advice would you give to someone who is new to salsa dancing: Just jump in there and do it – it is so much fun. I just love to dance.
Check out this great article about our salsa scene!
Last Updated January 22nd, 2010 by Jamin
Check out this recent article about our Detroit Salsa Scene!
"Picture this: You hustle through freezing winds from your car to the doorway of the Sangria Sky Club in Royal Oak. You shake off layers of coats, sweaters, boots, and scarves, then grab a colorful cocktail as the sound of salsa music hits your ear. Suddenly the dance floor is filled with gorgeous, lithe dancers (who might not actually be gorgeous and lithe in real life) gracefully step-step-twirling their way around you. You'd love to join this momentary vacation from frigid Michigan reality, but don't know your clave from your conga.
Don't get your pantalones in a bunch: Metro Detroit is a veritable mecca of salsa resources, so that no matter your level of skill or interest, there is ample opportunity for you to let your inner salsero shine. "
Read the whole article at: http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/salsadetroit0147.aspx
Huge thanks goes out to Nicole Rupersburg for writing this article!
review of the musicality workshop ---- WOW
Last Updated January 19th, 2010 by rgolshteynThis is the review of the musicality workshop; in reference to: http://www.yasalsa.com/node/942
Ok, I can't find enough words to describe this workshop. but if I were to describe it in just two words: WOWly AWESOME! :) hehe
Here's why:
