YA Super Salsa Weekend

Grupo Escobar
Grupo Escobar is one of Detroits hottest latin bands and a favorite with Salseros. Playing their own distinctive form of Cuban Salsa infused with many other styles including Jazz, Blues, Middle Eastern and tropical rhythms, this 11 piece band is known for their engaging high energy performances. Lead singer and director Steve Jarosz and his band (several of whom are top dancers in their own right) offer one of the most unique and fun dance experiences and are guaranteed to impress with their musicality, versatility and the joy they bring to the music.

Check out their myspace page at at www.myspace.com/grupoescobar

Grupo Escobar at Sangria in Royal Oak

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Combo Tropical
Salsa just doesn’t get any better when it’s RAW and this is what this band is all about. Although the band is newly formed, its players are not new to Salsa. Each member brings in years of musical background, experience and attitude. And when they decided to form this new group, it didn’t take them long to feel each other out and discover their true calling…… Salsa for dancers!

This band consists of the usual elements of any Latin Band. Starting with Freddie Aponte on the Timbales, Ignacio Miranda on the Bass, Reinaldo Santiago on the Congas/Bongos, and Bertin on the Vocal, but the real treat of this band is none other than Lorain Ohio’s best kept secret Orlando “El Mostro” Santiago playing the Cuatro.

El Mostro is no stranger to the musicians of El Gran Combo, Sonora Poncena, Yomo Toro, Richie Ray, to name a few. His genius talent on the Cuatro has been recognized by many musicians worldwide, and still surprises many when he shares the stage with so many recognize artists. But lately his passion has been watching the dancers simply take pleasure listening to his solos and taking aim on the dance floor. You will be surprise to know that Hard Salsa comes from Hard players. Combo Tropical will cater to those Hard needs.

Combo Tropical Live @ Touch 10-18-08

The Super Salsa Weekend instructors are some of the most renowned salsa dancers and performers in the world as well as friends and supporters of YA Salsa. These dancers have gained notoriety over the years by competing, performing, or teaching salsa all over the globe. But this is not like Dancing with the Stars… It’s better! What you’ll learn will put on the path to mastering that fun, smooth, sexy & hip street style that you will find in salsa nightclubs and socials all over Detroit, Ann Arbor and the world.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity. Salseros of this caliber do not come around often so get it while the gettin’s good. Also, each workshop session is only $10! Normally workshops like these would cost at least twice as much. But though all of the volunteer effort of the YA Salsa team we are able to offer them at a huge discount.

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Andy Cruz
Andy Cruz is well known as a performer and choreographer for both adult and youth groups and a sought after instructor at salsa events worldwide.

"I started my dance company in 1998 when I was 17 years old in the heart of Humboldt Park. The Puerto Rican barrio of Chicago. That is the neighborhood I love and that gave me the first stages I ever got to perform on. Dancing has always been my passion and my outlet to release my frustrations and my fears. Now 17 years into my career I have become an international performer and instructor. I have performed and instructed at dance conferences throughout the USA and Europe.

Cruz' unique and energetic dance style includes the the combination of two dances that he learned on the streets of Chicago, Mambo and Hip-Hop which he terms Mambo Hip-Hop. His stage experience includes work with salsa legends such as Duplessey-Monic Walker, Yesenia Peralta, Jorjet Alcocer, Lori Ana Perez and now partner Mambo Diva Griselle Ponce


Check out his website at www.andymambo.com

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Griselle Ponce
Griselle Ponce was born for the stage. An award winning dancer she is an accomplished instructor and choreographer and model with many credits. Known for her exceptional styling on the dance floor she regularly is featured as an instructor at major world salsa events with her Ladies Styling workshops. As a partner with Andy Cruz she is a feature performer at many of the worlds biggest salsa congresses and festivals. As well she has many magazine (Nutrivida, FHM, GQ, The Source & Latin Vibe), TV and music video appearances with notables including Jennifer Lopez, Ashanti, Kinito Mendez, & Don Omar.

Her Ladies styling workshop will teach sexy and elegant techniques for decorating your dance technique and creating a presense on the floor.

Check out her website at www.griselleponce.com/

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Micah & Kathy
Micah and Kathy, were very popular instructor at the February 2006 YA Salsa Social and are back by popular demand. Founders of Mambofodadaz Dance Company, they are two of the Midwest's most sought-after performers and instructors on the salsa circuit. Known for their musical choreographies, crisp footwork, fast hand changes and super-fast intricate turn patterns, these two have been traveling and delivering their unique style of Salsa both locally and abroad. Initially self taught, Micha has developed into a top dancer and with his partner Kathy's light and graceful styling they are truely spectacular to watch.

Check out their website at mambofodadaz.com

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Gordon & Julissa
When Gordon Neil and Julissa Cruz take the stage, you never know what will happen - they have been flooring audiences worldwide with their exceptional creativity, musicality and choreography.

Many of the YA Salsa team members have had the privilege to learn from and perform with Gordon and he is certainly a Detroit favorite. They have choreographed for stage, film, and television and have taught and performed with luminaries such as as Gilberto Santa Rosa, Charlie Cruz, Ruben Blades, Mala Fe, Larry Harlow, & Grupo Niche, and Afro Cuban with Los Munequitos de Matanzas, Cuba. As well Gordon choreographed and performed for the the film "Mano".

Their styles are rich in influences including hip hop, tap, musical theater, modern, jazz, Afro Caribbean and they bring an unusual ability to communicate their exceptional technique to the rest of us with humor and flair. Gordon's Body Movement workshop is absolutely a "must do' workshop and his emphasis on musicality will truely open your eyes.

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Adrian & Laura
Adrian Tenorio has quickly emerged as one of the premier Salsa/Mambo instructors and performers in the Midwest. He has taught and performed all across the U.S. and internationally with the world renowned Descarga Caribe Dance Company from Chicago. Adrian is always sure to captivate his audience with quickness, fluid body movement, and raw flavor. That is what makes him one of the Salsa world's promising young stars.

Laura Flores has been dancing with Descarga Caribe for over 4 years. She has taught and performed nationally and internationally with this world renowned dance company and is also a certified American Ballroom instructor.

Recent winners of the 2008 Bacardi Salsa Championships at Nacional 27, this is an opportunity to work with dancers at the top of their game.