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.
June 2010 YA Salsa Video
Last Updated July 23rd, 2010 by Geo-Another great video courtesy of Opes Media! Includes our goodbye to Koki and interviews with Alien & Cristian. Enjoy!
"As always the YA Salsa Socials are known for great people, excellent music, and hot hot...(did I say HOT yet?) dancers! June was no different, YA Salsa hosted Alien Ramirez and Cristian Oviedo so Opes Media Company had the honor of filming them live! You may know these two Salsa Champions from hit shows Dancing With The Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. If you haven't heard of them...well shame on you, lol. Check out the video and see for yourself what makes them true Salsa Champions. "
Latin Night every Wednesday at The Taproom in Ypsi
Last Updated July 19th, 2010 by SaborJoin us every Wednesday at the Taproom in Ypsilanti as we bring you the best latin music.
DJ Sabor spins Salsa, Merengue, Bachata and Reggaeton
No Cover all night
Free dance lessons with Chad Brown of the Dance Pavilion @9PM
The Taproom
201 W. Michigan Ave
Ypsilanti, MI
More info: www.saborevents.com
Latin Night Saturdays at Mars Bar Hamtramck
Last Updated July 2nd, 2010 by SaborFree dance lessons
No cover all night
Valet parking available
KNOW YOUR SALSEROS JULY 2010
Last Updated July 2nd, 2010 by marcimamboThis month we feature Caryn Reed-Hendon, a relatively new salsera who you may have seen at all the YA Salsa Socials and all over town. She's definitely been bitten by the salsa bug! Ask her for a dance...
Also we have Samer Georges, who is one of the founding members of our wonderful YA team. You will see him working hard at all of the YA Salsa events, always with a smile on his face! 
Thank you, Caryn and Samer for being our "stars" this month!
Name: Caryn Reed-Hendon
Where are you originally from (ethnicity)? I’m originally from Belleville, Illinois (a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri) but I’ve been living in the Detroit area since 1996.
How long have you been dancing? I’ve been dancing for a number of years but I finally started taking it seriously this past February.
Where did you learn? From a number of people over the years- Elaine Marrero of Troy Dance Studio was my first teacher. I later went back to learning after a long time way with Chuck Boone. Now I’m taking classes with Marc Brewer, YA Salsa Team and anybody who’s willing to work with me.
Where do you go out to dance? Mainly at the YA Salsa Socials, but I’ve been trying to get out there more as of late by going to other socials, trying to go to any place that is having a salsa night, etc.
What do you think could be done to expand the salsa scene? I think the salsa scene could be expanded by taking the dance to the streets, literally. Getting the community to support salsa functions are a great way to start. This time of year is perfect for having those big parking lot parties and having everyone from the community there. Also taking it into the schools! Our kids need to know that there is more to dancing than just pop, rock, and hip hop music. Exposing them to salsa could open their eyes up to other possibilities they didn’t know existed.
What do you do aside from dancing? In my day job, I’m the Assistant Director for Orientation Programs at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. I’m also a doctoral student at Oakland University.
Your favorite song? El Bribon Del Aguacero by Tito Puente
What advice would you give to someone who is new to salsa dancing? Keep on dancing and learning new things. You’ll be surprised by what you are able to do after a while!
Name? Samer Georges
Where are you originally from (ethnicity)? Baghdad Iraq. I moved to Michigan in 1995.
How long have you been dancing? 13 years
Where did you learn? Social dancing and travel dancing across the U.S. and in Europe. Also being a part of a dance production with Gordon Neil
Where do you go out to dance? Of course our favorite place YA Salsa, Sangria and Pi
What do you think could be done to expand the salsa scene? Being one of the original founders of YA Salsa I think offering lessons to kids, as they are the future of salsa.
What do you do aside from dancing? Wow! I do a lot of things aside from dancing. I spend time with my son and wife, I sell coffee, I play keyboard in my own music band--we play Arabic and Chaldean music and I play football (soccer).
Your favorite song? All cha-cha-chá songs
What advice would you give to someone who is new to salsa dancing? Practice everywhere: bathroom, living room, work, everywhere.
What's UP with UPtown Grille?
Last Updated June 13th, 2010 by marcimamboUPdate on UPtown! Join us for "Latin Fusion" Wednesday, June 30th and every Wednesday!
NEXT SOCIAL IS
August 15
Follow us on Twitter and Tweet!
