ZUMBA Dance Party - Malvern, Friday, March 11, 2011

The Latin-inspired, easy-to-follow, calorie-burning, dance-fitness party(tm)... just got HOTTER!


2-Hour Non-stop-shake-what-U-got ZUMBA(R) Dance Party


Featuring Helen McQuillan from the 2011 St Kilda Festival. Don't miss one of Melbourne's best!


Date: FRIDAY, MARCH 11
Time: Registration @ 7pm. Starts @ 7:30pm.
Place: Hit-The-Floor Dance Studio, 245 Glenferrie Rd., Malvern (above 7-Eleven)
Phone: (03) 9509 5995
Tickets: $20 pre-sold ($25 at the door)
Includes: Guests, Giveaways & FREE entry into Latin afterparty!

Jack and Jill Competition - Feb 2010

We know you have what it takes to be Melbourne's best social dancer so don't be a wall-flower! Come down and have some fun at IUAC's first ever Jack & Jill dance comp. Prize money for the winners! Lots of social dancing! a great dance floor! .... a whole heap of dance fun to be had (see attached).

So!

Jack and Jill went on the floor,
to show us how they roll....
Jack did shine, and Jill did fine...
they danced with so much soul!...

so they won! ..... lots of money ..... and applause ..... and they will be carried by the towns folks on their shoulders across the plaza with rainbow coloured confetti and a 100 yard feast of game, fruit and mean, waited on by buxom wenches and stable boys while mothers and their new borns cry with joy by the roadside at their presence ... ( ummm ok..we're not going to do that... ) but we'll hand over some money prizes and clap...heaps!

Date:	Friday, 26 February 2010
Time:	19:30 - 23:30
Location:	IUAC Dance, Cnr Bladen & Eddy Streets East Brunswick

Interview with Johnny Vazquez

I recently had a good fortune of interviewing Johnny Vazquez (not Vasquez) on his visit to Melbourne in January 2010. Melbourne Salsa invited him to conduct workshops and was his host here. I just finished transcribing and editing it. Enjoy!

Johnny Vazquez Interview

Serge: We're talking with Johnny Vazquez (http://www.johnnyvazquez.com), one of the founders of the LA style of salsa and one of the most well-known salsa teachers in the world. First of all, thank you for coming to Melbourne.

Johnny, how did you first start dancing? Was it something that you did from an early age? Or is it something that you started doing later in life?

Johnny: OK. No, I always dance. All my life, since I was little. The rhythm, cumbia. That is almost like the basis of salsa.

But I started dancing actual salsa in Los Angeles because of a lady who left me on the dance floor because I didn't know how to dance. I immigrated from Mexico to Los Angeles. My brothers already had a school and they were really popular there, when they started creating this style, LA On1. One night, I came to this club with my brother, and a student of my brother was having her birthday. And as is traditional every guy was supposed to dance with her.

I was sitting down, because I was embarrassed. I didn't know how to do even do one basic of salsa. She pulled me on the dance floor, and she started dancing, thinking that I'm good, because I was one of the Vazquez brothers. Everybody started making a circle and started looking at what I was going to do.

Then, for like a minute, I just danced the basic and then she came close to my ear and said, 'Listen. When you learn how to dance, we dance.' And she left me on the floor. Everybody was kind of laughing and talking between themselves. I felt really bad. That night, it was Saturday night, and I remember that I cried. I cried out in the corner of the club, because I felt really bad.

The next day I said, 'I'm going to learn to dance.' Sunday morning I was ready at my brother's studio. Taking his beginner classes.

And then the next year, I was the champion of the world.

Serge : The next year?

Johnny : Yes, the next year.

Serge : That's a lot of progress in one year!

Jose : Which year was that?

Johnny: It was in 1999. '99 Club Mayan contest.

Serge: How often were you practicing?

Johnny : I had my brother, Francisco who was coaching me. He saw my potential and my hunger to learn. Now he knew: “He's hungry. He wants to dance.” My brother Luis was his partner when they used to dance shines together but he started dancing with his wife. So my brother needed another guy next to him.

So he called me and he goes, 'I'm going to coach you. Not to teach you, coach you.' And I started training with him for hours and hours and hours until 3:00 in the morning, 4:00 in the morning. You do it again. And do it again. And do it again. Really hard.

I did my first show in Los Angeles and I saw the people clap. They clapped! Never in my life has anybody clapped for me before, only my mom. [laughter] So when after the show people started clapping, I said, 'I like this.'

I said to my brother, 'I want to compete. But I want to compete in amateurs.' It was my first competition. He goes, 'No! You are going straight to professionals.' So it was even worse, because he pushed me and pushed me. I used to dance and cry. He pushed me and pushed me, until I did a competition with all these people who were already dancing for years. They were already instructors and popular. I won the first place. That was in 1999.

Jose : How old were you at the time?

Johnny : I'm 30, so I was 18 or 17.

And the next year, 2000, again. I was the champion again. 2001, I repeated. I was the champion again. And the good thing about it, it was 3 years with a different partner each year, and that is more difficult. Not with the same partner. And then I did so many other competitions inside L. A., and New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas. Thank God, I won, I won, I won. And I also got 2nd places, because in this life it is not always the first place.

Gabby: I like that woman that left you on the dance floor. Because if it wasn't for her...

Jose: Let's have a drink to her! [laughter] If it wasn’t for her you would not be here today.

Johnny : Now that you said it, listen to this.

The year before, the year after I became the champion, they'd given me the check and the trophy. Right? I'm the champion, da da da! And she was a student from the school I was in so we knew each other.

So for one year, I knew who she was, but I never danced with her. [laughter] So this is what happened. She comes to me after I won the contest and all my friends were there congratulating me. She comes and says, 'Oh, Johnny, congratulations! Good job. ' She hugs me and says, 'When you have a chance, save me a dance.' And I whisper into her ear, 'Come here. When you learn how to dance, then we dance.' [laughter] [applause]

I swear. I was so mad, but then I laughed. Not at her. No. I said, 'It was because of you that I'm here. Thank you.' Honestly.

Jose: So tell us about the LA style history. Who do you think was one of the first people to start dancing [inaudible] on one?

Johnny : Ok, this is what happened. In Los Angeles when I arrived, it was a couple of guys changing the whole style of dancing.

Jose : Were they ballroom dancers?

Johnny : No, they were Colombian style. It was different, because it was so much Latin ballroom too. A lot of Latin ballroom. But when you used to go to a Latin club really Latino, they used to make these little moves you know like in Columbia. Because it was always this song: Cali Pachanguero. Nobody knew about going forward and back and line. It didn't exist! It was more related to a cumbia, a cumbia step. More jumping, more boogaloo music.

So what happened when I started dancing, my brother Francisco, who was one of the first to create this style, and this is something I want to point out. A lot of people think LA style. It is. But it's Vazquez style. We created the line style On1. We did it with Rogelio Moreno, with Alex da Silva. 

So what happened, my brother Francisco, he said, 'We need to change this. You can't dance the whole song together with the woman.' You can dance a whole song together with a woman. So in my country, Mexico, we have a famous actor and dancer. Who's like Gene Kelly, you know? But he is a Mexican actor. His name is Martin Adalberto Resortes.

'Resortes' means 'la goma.' A rubber. Like a rubber, elastic. They used to call him 'Resortes' because the way he used to dance swing, tap dance, and spins. We used to watch his movies, right? When he was doing tap and all these things my brother started saying, 'We need to put this into a salsa.' Right?

So every time he used to go to the club, he used to go to a lady and start making turns. Doing a lot of crazy stuff. I swear to God, all the people thought my brother was coo coo because it was not normal to see a guy doing that. You know what I mean? There were all these moves and stops and breaks.

But a year later, it became stylish and fashionable and all the guys started doing that. And watching Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire. It became so, and because of that footwork is now part of salsa. It's part of mambo. Mambo is not the same as salsa. And it's part of the top step. Stop, swinging, movement. And that's what we put into a salsa. Because you can do that, because that's why it has that name Salsa. You can mix it with all Latin rhythms.

So that's how the L.A. Style start growing. And everybody's like, 'Have you seen the L.A. Style? On1?' And it was salsa in a line, ‘salsa en linea’.

We went for our first time in Puerto Rico in '97 for the biggest congress in the world. The biggest first salsa congress ever. In Los Angeles, we didn't know the line. Like we used to dance here to there, here to there. When we got to Puerto Rico congress and we saw all these New York people, they’ve had so much influence on us and we felt inspired by New York people. I want to say this. All of us. When we went to see them perform in Puerto Rico, they were on a higher level than us. But we didn't know better. We thought it was only us because we never went out of L.A. So in Puerto Rico, we had a chance to meet Italians and New York people. The Venezuelan people used to dance with their right foot forward first. Everybody, when we got together there, everybody discovered something new. But only two different styles will stay forever. They are on2 and on1. Because Venezuelans dance differently, Cubans dance differently. Different timing, different music. But still it’s either on1 or on2. These are the only two.

So Venezuelans changed to dance on 1. They used to dance like this, with the 1-2-3. 5-6-7-8. With the right, then with the left. They went there and said, 'We do salsa and it is with the right, ' and they changed it for us. We didn't know that salsa could be in a straight line, because performing on stage you had to go from one side to the other side. But it stayed like that. After that in social dancing, it began to be the same. That's why they call it 'salsa en linea.' So that is how I started.

And then we, the Vazquez brothers, started putting in tricks. And in salsa, it was not common. On the dance floor, social dance, you will see everybody flipping the lady. Doing this trick and that. And that one thing made us different than the New York style. That's when people started saying: 'New York style: shines and moves on 2. L.A. Style fast, spinning and tricks.’

And that's how I got the contract. I did the last competition in Los Angeles and I won. The 1^stprize was to visit and dance in 16 countries around the world. And I won 1st place. The judges were Tito Puente of Wisconsin, Andy Garcia, the actor, Eddy Torres. It was Tito Puente, Jr. There were a lot of people in that competition, the L. A. Congress. It was more than 20,000 people watching us. I won and because of that, I got the chance to sign a contract with Bacardi.

Bacardi chose three competitions: New York, Puerto Rican, and L.A. I won the L.A. one. Jason Molina and Brenda Burt won the New York one. And from Puerto Rico, it was a group called Papa Tambor. So it was Puerto Rican style that is mixing with plena rumba and the breaking time that goes forward. In New York, the breaking time goes back. It's different.

They wanted to take us around the world to represent these 3 different styles. On 2, on 1, Puerto Rico. We went to South America, Europe. Asia, Africa. Boom, boom, boom for 3 years! I was the one to export the L.A. Style around the world. I was the first dancer to take this style to Spain, Portugal and Italy.

Jose : What do you think the percentage is like worldwide of people dancing on 1 vs on 2?

Johnny : On 1. It's more percentage. To learn how to dance, you got to get the first beat. 1! Once you learn how to dance on 1 then you can learn on 2. But it's more difficult for the people to learn on 2, because it goes like this [shows stepping back]. 80% on 1, 20% on 2. On 1, you can dance to any music. Any music! Swing, salsa, all sorts. On 2 you can only do salsa, mambo. That's it. Try dancing “La vida loca” on 2. [laughter] But on 1, you can. Because all the music in the world has 8 counts. The bar is exactly the same.

On 1 is always. On 2 is mostly to experiment with different styles. To be more slow for example.

But it is good. I dance both. I like it. But on1 is my specialty, and it is what I like the best since this is how I learned, on 1.

Jose: Amongst your brothers Francisco, Luis, and yourself, Francisco was the first one who brought this style to public attention.

Johnny : Yes, thank you. Francisco showed it to us.

Jose : And Luis followed?

Johnny : Luis, then me. But I was the one to take it outside the Americas around the world.

Jose : I don't see them much around.

Johnny : No. Each of us has our own market region. My brother Luis’ region is Romania, Israel.

Jose : I saw him in Spain last.

Johnny: Francisco has the United States and Italy. And me, more Europe.

Serge: You divided the world.

Johnny : Yes. [laughter] Yes, we divided. A lot of dancers know about the LA style and I'm the one who brought it out of the US. And I’ve learnt it from them, my brothers.

Gabby: So do you perform together with your brothers anymore? Would you like to in the future?

Johnny : We can't, because we separated.

Gabby: Wouldn't it be great to have a re-union?

Johnny : It would be the best.

Gabby : When was the last time you performed with your brothers?

Johnny : The last time I performed with my brothers, all three of us, was in 1997. In 1999, just me and Francisco. Since then, we share a lot of stages. But together, no. I wish. I hope.

Frank : How about in January next year? The three of you come together?

Gabby : I knew you were going to say that. I was waiting for it.

Frank : When I win my $1 million Tattslotto ticket, I'll pay you. [laughter]

Frank Barbagallo (Melbourne Salsa) and Johnny Vazquez

Serge: How did you start coming to Australia?

Johnny : It was because of Liliana and their event. That was the Salsa Classic in Sydney, and that was three years ago, in 2007. I came with my dance partner. After that, I got closer with her. She introduced me to Jaime. Her family lives here. So usually we come to see the family. And one time Jaime said, ' Johnny, if you’re going to be here, why don't you come to my event?' I came to check it out, did a couple of workshops, and then the next year, it was official. He started bringing me out. And now for the last 2-3 years, he brings me to Sydney, Australia. Then I had the opportunity to meet these two great people here (points to Frank and Gabby). And thanks to them I have the pleasure to come to Melbourne and I hope to come back.

(to be continued)

ZULMARA & PACO INTENSIVE SALSA WORKSHOPS

For the very first time in Melbourne, DIRECT FROM LOS ANGELES...
3 x ESPN On1 Salsa World Champion
Zulmara Torres & Paco Evangelista!!

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15TH 2009
ZULMARA & PACO INTENSIVE SALSA WORKSHOPS

Zulmara & Paco are coming to you direct from Los Angeles for an exclusive weekend in Melbourne of workshops! Prepare yourself for a day of challenging salsa work! Take your salsa to the next level and be inspired by world class salsa dancers teaching the latest salsa styling and techniques. The workshops will be held in the stunning Abbostford Covent, in the Rosina Auditorium. With breaks in between workshops, you have time to get food and drinks at the famous Convent Bakery just outside the door. Zulmara & Paco are exclusively in Melbourne for one weekend only – DO NOT MISS THIS EVENT!! Places are limited – you must register and pay in full to book your spot!

Get ready to be inspired and challenge yourself to the next level of salsa – Melbourne they are coming to your door! Learn the latest from LA.....

11.15 Sign in/warm up
11.30-12.30 Funky Turn Patterns (int)
12.35-1.35 Mens & Ladies Styling (open)
1.35-2.05 LUNCH – Covent Bakery – Fresh coffee & food all day!
2.05pm-3.05 Lead, Follow & Spinning (open)
3.10pm-4.10 Tricks & Dips (int/adv)


PRICING
FULL DAY WORKSHOPS - $140 ($35 EACH)
3 x Workshops $120
2 x Workshops $90
1 x Workshop $50

LOCATION:
Workshops will be held in the amazing grounds at the Abbotsford Covent in the Rosina Auditorium. Located only 4kms from Melbourne’s CDB, there is plenty of free street parking as well as an all day $4 car park. There are also some great choices for lunch & coffee from The Convent Bakery & Bar, just outside the door!

Abbotsford Convent
1 St Heliers Street (just off Johnston St)
Abbotsford VIC 3067


ZULMARA TORRES – 3 X ESPN ON1 WORLD SALSA CHAMPION!
Professional, choreographer, competitor, performer & Singer...Zulmara Torres is the current undefeated 3X ESPN World Salsa Champion, the major event being televised world wide. She is also known to be one of the best spinners in the world, setting the standard for her incredible tornado turns. Among many of her wins she has won LA's 2005 Club Mayan Salsa Competition & Conga Room Salsa Competition, she is currently touring Europe performing, training future competitors, & teaching workshops. Zulmara will continue to travel the world throughout 2009 promoting LA Salsa On1 as she also expects to release her new CD by the end of 09'.

PACO EVANGELISTA
Paco has had over 15 years as one of the most successful Latin dancers and Instructors in the World. His career began in '95 performing for the top children's performance groups LA Salsa Kids evolving to perform for the world renowned Salsa Dance Company, Salsa Brava. His success has lead him to tour the world & perform in Italy, Spain, Japan, London, Brazil, Austria, Australia, Curacao, Ireland, Canada, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and South America. He has performed for such artists as Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Carlos Vives, Shakira and Thalia. His talents have been featured on the Latin Grammy Awards and Sabado Gigante. He has also partnered with L.A. Style Pioneers: Josie Neglia, Jeanette Valenzuela and Zulmara Torres.


Remember to book your place you must email DNA Salsa for a registration form and return it completed with full payment - this is the only way to guarantee your spot! There are limited places - don't miss out on this full day of Salsa intensive training!

PRIVATE LESSONS: Zulmara & Paco are only available Saturday 15th Nov for private lessons - please email us for more info - there are only a few spots for this.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
Friday 13th Nov - Big Salsa Party - performance by Zulmara & Paco!

Saturday 14th Nov - Private Lessons (strictly limited spots - bookings essential - Venue: Sala Da Ballo)

Sunday 15th Nov - FULL DAY Salsa Intensive Workshops

BACHATA & SALSA workshops on Sunday 1st Nov!

Due to popular demand, Bailando is pleased to announce another round of Bachata and Salsa workshops on Sunday 1st Nov 12-3pm!!

Timetable:
12-1pm: Bachata Introduction
1-2pm: Bachata Intermediate
2-3pm: Salsa Intermediate/Advanced

Prices are as follows:
1 workshop = $25
2 workshops = $40
3 workshops = $50

Venue: IUAC dance studio - located on the corner of Eddy St & Bladen Avenue East Brunswick (just around the corner from Lygon St)

This will be our final workshop for 2009, so book in now and don't miss out!

Jerome and Nat :)

http://www.bailando.com.au/events.html

Congratulations to the Victorian Salsa Classic 2009 winners

Bailando's New Venue and Class Schedule

NEW VENUE - ‘The HAWTHORN Hotel’ !!
Join Bailando Salsa on Wednesday June 24th to celebrate their reopening. Bigger venue. More dance moves. More people. Join them for the re-launch of Bailando – Melbourne's best brand of Salsa-tainment! Click here to check out Bailando's new venue http://www.bailando.com.au
NEW CLASS SCHEDULE
SALSA WEDNESDAY Beginner @ 7pm Intermediate @ 8pm $15/class ($25 for 2 classes) The Hawthorn - 481 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn (map) URBAN & SUAVE STYLE Experience Bailando's exclusive ‘urban & suave’ brand of L.A. Salsa from Melbourne’s premier Salsa teachers. Click here to watch Bailando in action

Ballet Bootcamp on Sat, May 16

Host:	The Ballet Club
Type:	Music/arts - Jam Session
Network:	Global

Date:	16 May 2009
Time:	12:00 - 13:00
Location:	Rosina Auditorium, Abbotsford Convent
Street:	1 St. Heliers St, Abbotsford
Town/City:	Melbourne, Australia
	View Map Google MapQuest Microsoft Yahoo

Email:

theballetclub@gmail.com

Description

*** BALLET BOOTCAMP IS HERE ***


Strengthen core muscles!

Increase flexibility and balance!

Based on classical technique and contemporary methods!

BYO Yoga mat or towel


Beginners and experienced dancers alike!

Recession-fit @ $10 for one hour!!


I know this is not salsa, but it can help your dancing in general, and my friend, the ballet instructor asked me to add this information for you.

Beginners Salsa Workshop using Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais

Salsa Workshop

with David Hall and Wendy Twibill Sunday 10th May 2009, 10AM - 5PM, $150 At Prana House, Thornbury Beginners Salsa Workshop using Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais. Salsa is a style of music and a partner dance that originally hails from Cuba. The music is absolutely infectious and the dance is exciting, infinitely flexible and a great deal of fun. To dance Salsa well, is to move simply, synchronously and most importantly, to move in time. In Salsa you move with the pulse. It’s a good metaphor for life. Every time you take a step you change your weight completely. The more relaxed you are the easier that is and the more closely you are able to listen. Herein lies a secret. Where is the centre of the beat? Where is your centre? And if you maintain the stillness between yourself and your partner what are you able to feel? This beginners workshop will explore Salsa’s basic steps and the art of dancing together. We will utilise the Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method to facilitate the learning process and generate soulful, rhythmic and spirited Salsa dancing. David Hall and Wendy Twibill first encountered Salsa ten years ago on a honeymoon in Cuba. They have been fascinated ever since. They run Bang Bang Salsa on Sydney’s northern beaches. David has been a practitioner of the Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method for over twenty years. He is the author of the CD series ‘The Heavenly Gait and Other Earthly Pleasures’ www.bodylogic.net.au

Zouk Workshops by Gaspar Rebeiro & Donna Wild + Competition

Zouk Workshops this Saturday 02 May '09 by GASPAR REBEIRO (Brazil) & DONNA WILD (Sydney)

• Brazilian Zouk Dance Workshops
• Performances
• Private lessons
• Zouk Dance Competition – Melbourne’s 1st

_____________________________________________________________________
Date & Location for Worshops, Party & Performances:
Saturday 2nd May ‘09, Town Hall Hotel, Richmond, Melbourne, Australia

Instructors / Artists:
Gaspar Ribeiro (Brazil) & Donna Wild (Sydney)

Workshop Times, Levels and Pricing:

Workshop 1:
7 - 8pm, Open Level, Cost $25
From the fundamentals to stunning steps for the dance floor!

Workshop 2:
8.15 - 9.15pm, Intermediate level, Cost $25
Dynamic dips and show moves! Donna & Gaspar are famous for their dynamic dips. Come and see why.

Private Lessons (with guest instructors):
$120 for a couple or single

Performances By:
Gaspar Ribeiro (Brazil) & Donna Wild (Sydney)

Party Entry & Location:
Town Hall Hotel, Richmond, Melbourne, Entry $15 non-members & for $10 members

DJ:
Mick Williams (Conga Room, Town Hall Hotel & Night Cat)

Zouk Dance Competition: Melbourne’s 1st ever - Anyone can participate!
Date: Saturday 2nd May ‘09
Description: Free style ‘AMATEUR’ level competition; Couples only (no soloists)
Prizes: The winning couple will receive ‘2 Full Free Passes’ (valued over $600) to the
2nd Annual International Brisbane Salsa & Brazilian Dance Congress, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia,
5 – 8th June ’09
Judges: Ming-Li Hafon (Melbourne), Donna Wild (Sydney) & Gaspar Ribeiro (Brazil)

Bookings essential / Enquiries for Workshops, Competition, Private Lessons And Party:
Contact Donovan 0417 640 033 or email: info@latinizedance.com.au or www.melbournezouk.com.au

COMING SOON TO MELBOURNE!!
LARISSA AND KADU (BRAZIL / BRISBANE)

Dance for the Bushfire Appeal

On Friday, the 27th of February instructors of Melbourne are coming together to teach workshops with all monies raised donated to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

Workshops will include Hip Hop, Brazilian Samba, Salsa and Bachata by some of Melbourne's best instructors.

So get all your mates together and dance for the cause! Let’s help out so many others that have lost so much!

*More classes to be announced shortly

Each class will run for 1hr for a donation of $15 or $25/2 classes, $40/3classes and $50/4 classes.

Please bring CASH ONLY on the night as there are no credit facilities, sorry for any inconvenience.

All instructors and parties involved are donating their time!

Studio 1

• 6pm - Bachata moves by Brooke and Sep (Brooklyn Dance) - Beg/Int
• 7pm - Hip Hop by JC Reyes (IUAC) - Beg/Int
• 8pm - Brazilian Samba by Angela - Intro/Beg
• 9pm - Salsa/Shines by Anika and David – Int/Adv

Studio 2

• 6pm - Afro-Cuban Rumba by Manuel (Candela Dance) - Beg/Int
• 7pm - Street Cha Cha by Peter and Annmarie (Melbourne Dance Rhythm) - Beg/Int
  
• 8pm - Salsa turn patterns Jerome and Marie (Bailando) – Beg/Int
• 9pm - Spins by Sharon Pakir (Spin City) - Open

Workshops will be held at Broken Mirror, 2C Staley Street, Brunswick (near the corner of Sydney Rd and Blyth St)

For more information please contact Brooke 0433 680 980 or brooklyndance@hotmail.com

Facebook: Brooklyn Dance

The BURN Collective Performance at the Sydney Salsa Congress 2009

The BURN COLLECTIVE performing at the Sydney Salsa congress!

They got a standing ovation in front of a huge crowd and lots of positive feedback.

The Burn Collective brought together the following dance schools:

IUAC Dance Arts Studio
Bailando Latin Dance
Synergy Salsa
Brooklyn Dance
Melbourne Dance Rhythm

I am glad to see that those dance schools came together to represent Melbourne. The Burn team really made Melbourne proud, since only 4 out of the 30+ international troupes got a standing ovation.

Christmas, New Year and other parties - Nov/Dec 2008

Fr. Nov. 21th 2008	Competition Night	Level 1, 432 Church St Richmond, Vic 3121
Fr. 21th November To Sun. 23th November 2008	SPRING SHAKE YOUR BOOTY CAMP!	Tramway Road—Mt. Evelyn (50min from Melbourne)
Sat. Nov. 22nd 2008	Tropicana Summer Latin Party	Hot Rock Diner, next to Village Cinema, Werribee Shopping Plaza
Sat. Nov. 22nd 2008	Candela Dance Spectacular!	Spencers Live - 419 Spencer Street, Melbourne
Fr. Nov. 28th 2008	Social Dance (Star Studios’ Famous). GALA NIGHT Last Friday of the Month	Star Studios Level One 325 Centre Road Bentleigh 3204
Fr. Nov. 28th 2008	Salsa in the City @ the Park Hyatt	Park Hyatt - 1 Parliament Square Melb. MEL REF 2G A2
Dec. 6th 2008	Latin 247 Party	@ Northcote Town Hall, 189 High St, Northcote
Dec. 7th 2008	Salsa Cruise #7 - Cruising Port Phillip Bay
Dec. 13th 2008	Salsa Spectacular @ Ormond Hall	Ormond Hall 557 St Kilda Rd Melb
Dec. 13th 2008	Bachata Bootcamp Crazy with World Renowned Bachata King -Tony Lara!	Coppin Hall 313 Punt Rd, Prahran. For bookings call 0414446794
Wed. Dec. 17th 2008	Summer Grand Final Dress Rehearsal!	Level 1, 432 Church St Richmond, Vic 3121
Sat. Dec. 20 2008	Annual Salsa Ball	4 Thames Promendade, Chelsea
Sun. Dec. 6th 2008	Dress Rehearsal! San Remo Ballroom	365 Nicholson St, Carlton North
Sat. Dec. 20th 2008	Showcase Ball! San Remo Ballroom	365 Nicholson St, Carlton North
Christmas Party
Fr. Nov. 28th 2008	Christmas Coctail Friday Party!	Richmond - Level 1, 493 Church st.
Nov. 29th 2008	Xmas party/ dance party!	478 smith street fitzroy
Sat. Dec. 6th 2008	XMAS PARTY!	Northcote Town Hall, High Street, Northcote
Sat. Dec. 20th 2008	Summer Competition Grand Final and Christmas Party!!!	Level 1, 432 Church St Richmond, Vic 3121
New Year Party
Dec. 31th 2008	NEW YEARS EVE 2008!	RIO CARINVALE at the Point Albert Park

New Venue Launch: MarAzul @ Ocean Blue (Port Melbourne) on Wednesdays

Good news for Melbourne salseros(-as)! No more boredom in the middle of the week - who else wants to have fun and dance on Wednesdays?

By popular demand, DJs Nas & Boricua Nights are proud to present MarAzul @ Ocean Blue in Port Melbourne (started on November 12, 2008) every Wednesday!

The night will kick off at 8pm with the Cuban Dance Academy dance classes (8:00-9:00pm Beginners, 9:00-10:00pm Intermediate) and a BBQ.

That will be followed by a dance party, featuring salsa, R&B, reggaeton and hip hop spinned by DJs Nas, Andrew Avi and Adam Trace.

Address:
Ocean Blue, 6 Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne (MELWAY Ref 2J A7)

Date & Time:
12 November 2008, 8pm - late

Entry:
Aloha BBQ Package - $20 (Entry, BBQ, Drink, Dance class) - between 8:00pm and 9:30pm
or
$10 entry after 9:30pm

November 2008 Events

As you can probably see, this list contains social dancing events for the month of November 2008. I wasn't sure about including weekly events, because I already have most of them listed in the dance class list. I think it is fair to include those events that don't require you to attend their class in order to join in the social dancing. But by all means, do attend those classes! They will make your dancing better. Support salsa schools and teachers.

Sat, 1 Nov, 6pm - 3am	PACHANGA in the CITY @ THREE DEGREES BAR AND BREWERY, 1 QV Square cnr Lonsdale and Swanston Streets, MELBOURNE
Sat, 1 Nov, 8pm - 1am	Fiesta Candela: Salsa-Latino Dance Party 'SPOOKY Edition!'. Cafe Beelzebub, 353 Smith Street, Fitzroy
Sat, 1 Nov, 10pm	Del Barrio playing in Fitzroy, Graffitti Club, 62 - 70 Johnston st, Fitzroy
Sat, 1 Nov, 7pm - 2am	Latin Dance Party, Showy Salsa, The Spanish Club, 56 Johnston St, Fitzroy
Sun, 2 Nov, 7pm - 10pm	Latin Party @ St Kilda Sea Baths
Sun, 2 Nov, 9:30pm - late	Salsa DJ Mick Williams and Live Latin band Rumberos or Los Cabrones @ The Night Cat 141 Johnston St, Fitzroy
Tue, 4 Nov, 1pm - 6pm	Spin City Dance - Cup Day Picnic, Flagstaff Gardens, Williams St, Melbourne
Sat, 8 Nov, 8pm - 1am	Salsa Spectacular @ Ormond Hall 557 St Kilda Rd Melb (adj Belgium Beer Cafe) Enter via Moubray St.
Sat, 8 Nov, 10pm	Del Barrio playing in Fitzroy, Graffitti Club, 62 - 70 Johnston st, Fitzroy
Sun, 9 Nov, 7pm - 10pm	Latin Party @ St Kilda Sea Baths
Sun, 9 Nov, 9:30pm - late	Salsa DJ Mick Williams and Live Latin band Rumberos or Los Cabrones @ The Night Cat 141 Johnston St, Fitzroy
Wed, 12 Nov, 8:00pm - late	MarAzul @ Ocean Blue, 6 Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne (MELWAY Ref 2J A7)
Sat, 15 Nov 3pm - 11pm	Johnston St Fiesta, Johnston St, Fitzroy (between Brunswick & Nicolson St).
Sun, 16 Nov 2pm - 10pm	Johnston St Fiesta, Johnston St, Fitzroy (between Brunswick & Nicolson St).
Sun, 16 Nov, 7pm - 10pm	Latin Party @ St Kilda Sea Baths, Jacka Blvd, St Kilda
Sun, 16 Nov, 9:30pm - late	Salsa DJ Mick Williams and Live Latin band Rumberos or Los Cabrones @ The Night Cat 141 Johnston St, Fitzroy
Fri, 21 Nov, 8:30pm - 1am	Salsa Mambolita Dance Party, Spencers Live, 419 Spencer St, Melbourne
Sun, 22 Nov, 7pm - 10pm	Latin Party @ St Kilda Sea Baths, Jacka Blvd, St Kilda
Sun, 23 Nov, 9:30pm - late	Salsa DJ Mick Williams and Live Latin band Rumberos or Los Cabrones @ The Night Cat 141 Johnston St, Fitzroy
Tue, 25 Nov, 9pm - 11pm	Bailando Salsa night @ Plan B, 274 Bridge road, Richmond
Fri, 28 Nov, 10pm - 2am	Salsa in the City, Radii Bar @ Park Hyatt - 1 Parliament Square Melbourne (MELWAY REF 2G A2)
Sat, 29 Nov, 7pm -	New York Salsa Nights, The Order of Melbourne. Level 2/401 Swanston St, Melbourne
Sun, 30 Nov, 6pm -	Yarra's Edge Bar & Cafe, Yarra's Edge. Located right off Lorimer St, Docklands
Sun, 22 Nov, 7pm - 10pm	Latin Party @ St Kilda Sea Baths, Jacka Blvd, St Kilda
Sun, 23 Nov, 9:30pm - late	Salsa DJ Mick Williams and Live Latin band Rumberos or Los Cabrones @ The Night Cat 141 Johnston St, Fitzroy

Legend
Green	Weekly events
Yellow	Monthly events
Blue	Once-in-a-blue-moon events