Till the day Salsa Clubs Are like this! ^.^

WHat a clip...woohoo!!! Salsa...SHines...Rueda!! Checkit out!

New York Style Salsa On2!!!

*Picture from www.art.com- Noche de Salsa

I just realized that after months of starting to get into this dance...I never really blogged about it. I first started 'On2' in March 2007 after coming back from my Penang/London/Michigan trip.

As a matter a fact, in January when I got back, I was cracking my brains on where I should start looking of a school. Then one fateful night, while hitching a ride to a mamak..I heard my friend's car radio playing some salsa music. I immediately recognized it and we started talking salsa ever since.

Sandesh, my acquaintance since high school said that he was learning salsa from this guy called Gavin in Dance Space. I immediately recalled the name as my ex-kungfu-mate! (Gavin, my bro and I go way back since I was like form 1).

Anywho, after some reunion sessions, I decided to join Gav after I got back from my trip every Monday night.

Just four lessons down the road, my life came to a messy corner, everything was turning bad, job, luck, love, computer...sigh...on the other hand my mom was so happy that she was going to retire soon. I didnt want to vent my frustrations.. So who do I turn to..?

Somehow, salsa kept me looking forward..new moves and all, Gavin invited me to the salsa clubs to practice my moves...introed me to the scene and Ive been dancing ever since...

And so must U! hehehe ...heres a lil tutorial...

IMPORTANT A
=============

1) Salsa music has eight uniform beats...1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8...but we use 1-3,5-7
So its 1,2,3 pause 5,6,7 pause and back to 1.

2) Basics...
For Girls and guys doing shines steps

forward with ur right on 1
forward left on2 and
replace your right foot back to the same spot on 3

Then back with ur Left on 5
Back right on 6 and
replace your left on 7

During partner work, Guys will mirror the girls.

3) New York style is danced in slots, or linearly so if u start vertically no matter wat you do..u should keep it vertically. And not end up ie. diagonally or crossed in the end.

4) Girls...U own the line.( hurray...=.=)....so if the guy wants you to move to the other side...he has to make way.

5) Handholds...guys will stick 2 fingers pointing down...like a torch handle...and girls, like the Statue of Liberty holding a torch...thats how u should hold.

IMPORTANT B
=============

1) For starters, Girls! (or Mu-heres) if u've never danced salsa before or any other dance...its easy..since you are not leading....theres only several things you need to know

a) Crossbody,
b) Right turn
c) Left turn
d) And Most importantly UR BASICS!

Everything else is just variation or additions to this items.

A) Crossbody
..u know your basics...so crossbody..is the same only thing is that you end up facing the other side in the end. So its a
1 RIght forward
2 left forward
3 Instead of replacing ur right back...step another step forward and twist 180*
5 , 6 ,7 is a back basic.

B) Right turn

...starts on the 1st Count...so the signal will be given on the previous 3 counts with a tension on ur connected right arm.
1 pivot on ur right foot 360* or as much as u can on one count
2,3 is a step step on the spot..
567 back basic.

C) Left Turn..
1 forward right
2 Forward left ..but put ur weight on it cause u wanna push off that foot on the next count.
3 push off and spin anti-clockwise..with ur right foot on the ground.
567 on the spot.

And there you have it...Girls u know enuf..to survive on the floor..guys...if u wanna learn to lead..go learn from Gavin! hehe

Sweet! so See you on the dance floor! muahaha!

*Other pictures by James Quah ...during The Dance Space Event in Times Square and Gavin's social in Bossa Nova, Park Royal

6th month of the year shall be called Salsa

As most of u realised by checking out the papers...Malaysia is filled with dance programs in the month of June. You have the Dance Space's 1st KL International Dance Festival from the 4-9th



U got the UVNation crazy party where everyone is ecstasy-filled-shuffling and wearing nipple-hiding-wears that glow in the dark...(why did i miss such an opportunity to go for a Gala Dinner instead).



But apart from these one off events ...(including the Jazz fest in Genting). .This month is filled with SALSA!!! FIrst week salsa second week salsa...third week salsa...fourth week also Salsa...

First week salsa was in TimesSquare...Second week...salsa will be in Bossa Nova..Salsa Social ON2..Third week is SALSA 101 in Hilton KL Sentral! And sometime after that...SALSA Congress in PORT DICKson!!!



Everyday is Salsa!! so have fun ppl...

LOOK MOMMY! IM IN THE NEWS!!!

IM IN THE NEWS, IM IN THE NEWS!! Go look at 23rd May 2007's THE STAR under Metro section page M24!! And Start Reading. Or you could go HERE,
For the online version.

CHeck it out....WHat do you see here?

nothing? yea ur right...but look closer!!


IM THERE!! YAY!!! "But there are lots of ppl named Justin"

ERm yea...But I was there!! WOOHOO!!

ah well...its always like this... I feel like the one eyed Green monster in Monsters Inc. A glimpse of fame..though its just real small.. sigh...I wish I had someone who'd be proud....apart from my parents...

Last days of year 22...

Dear Juzzy,

Finally, its the Eve of officially being a year older. Sigh, looking back I look to see what I have achieved so far, and find an array of rojak stuffs both good and bad. What a year it has been.

And still at this final day, I still think theres still more I need to work on. This two days (since Friday), I have set a pre-scheduled solo Bday campaign to explore what I am and have been from the past till now.

Friday evening after work, I dressed up and went to Lowyat. A place where I felt most comfortable. There, technology is key and Its been so long since last i updated myself. I felt good interacting and seeing new stuff. I was at ease. 1030pm.. was time to test out something I have never done before...How would I react heading into a Salsa club by myself...Ive not been into club for more than 3 times let alone a salsa club.

I realized that I was timid and felt inferior to all the MASTERS that spun on the dance floor. They worked their salsa so intricately and in such fantastic manner. I could do nothing more but sit and marvel. Luckily the ppl here were very friendly and offered a hand. But not for long.

Then I found my teacher. He introed me to some ppl who were kind enough to let me do some 4 combos at them compared to masterpieces when I look left and right, back and over the dance partner.

So how? like everyting else ...that has occurred ....maybe I should have stuck with the classes before I get myself hurt. Always banging into ppl. May have twisted some ppl's hands. And always stepped out of beat.

But nonetheless, like everything else tat I jumped into....it felt good! May have only 4 techs up my sleeves but it still felt good that I could keep up and make a decent lead.

Today...I went to work at 9,..stayed till 2 then started getting ready for tonights intimate family dinner. SIL was delayed, but was still on time for Sushi before the show. Mozart I think was on the menu this philharmonic night. Symphonies played for the Kings... it was good. (what else u want me to say..the french horners kept draining their instruments every now and then?)

And now im back in my room, thinking of all the things ive done, all the stuff Ive seen, all the things Ive heard. And wonder cute chubby guys like Hiro from Heroes are the in thing now with girls, what are the pretty-boys gonna do? :P

In a completely unrelated news, Mangosteen is also the IN fruit to take.

"Rest in peace Mr. 22," Said 23. "That'll do 22, that'll do,"

What would Mr 23 be like?