Naughty or Nice?

Naughty: Salsa Hater

OR

Nice: Salsa Lover

Which are you?

Naughty: Salsa Haters are those of us who brutally critique our fellow salseros y salseras for the better or for the worse.

                        “What do I mean?”

Well, glad you asked.

Imagine, Your Most Favorite Salsa Performer. They can do no wrong. He or she can hit perfectly and emphasize every beat of the music, with not only foot work or styling, but with facials and attitude. Stunts by any other dull in comparison. The slightest smirk and head jerk send tingles down your spine and tears of inspiration to your heart.  The standard is so high here that no one can do what they do and more over if some one is caught trying to imitate them, they are looked down upon as a "wanna be."

Common sayings used by a Salsa Hater or those in the Salsa Haters club are, but not limited to:

“What are they dancing on, 1½?” 

“His pants are too tight to do that move.”

“Hollywood just walked in.” 

“If you are not Superstar Status please don’t dance on the Carpet.” 

*******************************************************

Nice: Salsa Lovers are those of us who feel that Anyone and Everyone has something to offer to the Art Form. They are the ones on the side of the dance floor admiring others dancing and even from time to time, applaude you after you have finished dancing to a song. Salsa lovers are pure at heart and compliment everyone. They are enthusiastic and excited about the Salsa world at all cost. 

Common sayings used by a Salsa Lover are, but not limited to:

"Wow she's FIERCE!"

"He is a sexy awesome dancer!"

"Oh My Gosh she's Amazing!"

"His Foot work is Killer!"

"Girlfriend is BAD!


So, what will it be? 
Are you a Naughty Salsa Hater or a Nice Salsa Lover?

The Ugly Copa!

Ugly

 

We all had a Blast this past weekend!

Picture it with me… On a cold winters night it all began with the 2^nd Annual “Ugly Christmas Sweater Party/ Contest!” Hosted by non other than “MY BUDDY” Jessica Soule! There were Sweaters with Lights, Balls, Christmas Trees, Ginger Bread Men, Charlie Brown and you guessed it… THEY WERE ALL UGLY! The participants stopped at nothing to win. They adorned their ugly sweaters with surprise lighted necklaces, Santa stuck in the chimney Hats, Reindeer Antlers and even one cute desperada wore two ugly Christmas sweaters so you had TWICE the ugly front and back!  The Winners were:

Melinda with “Santa Stuck in the Chimney Hat” and

 Shirley “I’m too Cute for my Christmas Sweater to be Ugly!”

We ended the night with a Spectacular Home Made Ugly Christmas Sweater Photo Shoot.” The pictures speak louder than words!

Copa 

On an even Colder and Rainier Winters Night we all went to the Black and White Copa Night Party, Hosted by the Cobo Brothers. “Could ya Feel the Heat?!” The Mint Restaurant was Beautiful and Elegant. Salseros and Salseras came out to warm up their winters night on the dance floor. Everyone was dressed in their best and was either a Diva or a Div”o”! There were Performances to boot. And let me tell you I get warmed up just thinking about the Tango performed by Elder and Luisa. It was creative, sassy and endearing. P! Con! TE! (Picante).  What a fan-tablous weekend and a wonder to have shared it with my friends and my baby (he was looking real cute in his all black on Saturday night)!

 HYPERLINK "http://www.themintrestaurant.com/"  INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.ncsalsa.com/images/TheMint.jpg" \* MERGEFORTINET 

The Heat was On!

Mambo Dinamico’s Tuesday Night Social

Last night at the “MD” Social was so much fun! Everyone kept the place Hot and Toasty. I love to see all the “Old Heads” back on the floor. It reminds me of when I first came to the Salsa Scene. The energy was great and the Bachatas were Ultra Steamy!  I was upset with myself because the one night I did not have my camera, people were hitting the floor. Literally! From Magnificent and M&M “Abajo, Abajo, Abajo” to Jla and Jorge… and we can’t forget the PARTS I & II! Man it was crazy in there. And I made sure to get a piece of the action. I got my ‘Rengue on with Mr. Mambo in the Hat and Ladies did he work it out. Dancing holds No age back. And thanks to my Dominican Connection, the Bachata was on point!  

Mambo Dinamico Social will be happening every Tuesday through the rest of the year!

“This is not the time to stay warm and cozy on the Couch! Come out and Feel the Heat on the DANCE floor!”

Christmas Cheer

Merry Christmas Everyone!

This is my favorite time of the year as I am sure it is for most of you. I can't tell you how delighted I was this past Saturday when the Snow began to fall!  Here's praying for a white Christmas!

I have my Christmas Tree up and has I was decorating it, warm memories and pleasant thoughts flooded my memory. It's the process of life to get older but dag bum tonight, I wish I were younger and at my mom's house. With my brother and myself putting up the tree together and my dad downstairs getting the fire place going. My mom would be scurrying through the house finding ornaments and other decor to adorn the tree or to add Merry Spunk to the house.

Shout out to my Rooms! Christmas Roomies 2008! Has to be my best Christmas tree memory as an adult.

Love ya Rooms!

Beginner's Class Tonight @ Infuzion!

Hi Everyone,

I am so excited about my Beginner’s Class tonight at Infuzion!
This is Class #2 and I am ready to mold the Minds, Body and Feet
To move to the Mambo Beat!

Class time is at 7pm. It’s not too late to sign up. So come on out!
We will do a Review of the basic steps and move on to the Right and Left Turns!
Come learn the basics and be ready to Step it up in the New Year!

Infuzion

3400-A8 Westgate dr.

Durham, NC., 27707

919-402-9449

Mambo Dinamico's Tuesday Night Social!

If you missed Mambo Dinamico’s Level III Class last night, then you missed an awesome class. The Pivot Turns looked great and the Shines even better!  You still have a chance Tonight to get in on all the spinning and footwork Action! That’s right TGIT! Thank God it’s Tuesday. Mambo Dinamico will be having the Beginner’s Level I and II Class tonight, followed by the weekly Tuesday Night Social. Last Tuesday it was packed and we had a Great Thanksgiving “Pre-party!”   Don’t miss out on your Salsa Fix Tonight!

Mambo Dinamico's Level III Class tonight

Happy After Thanksgiving and Happy Cyber Monday!

Mambo Dinamico will be having it’s Monday night Level III Class tonight!

Betto will be teaching pivot turns, spotting, how to lead double turns and body movement! Class will be starting at 7:30 pm @ Carmen's!

Come prepared to get your Mambo Hook Up!

http://www.ncmambo.com/

Relationships and the Salsa

Happy Thanksgiving to you all,

Since we will be eating Yummy and Juicy Turkeys today, I thought I should write about a Yummy and Juicy topic.

How do I handle my relationship and the World of Salsa?

It's a very fine line. Usually in the beginning of my Relationships the person of my interest already knows that I dance and find it alluring and piquant. As that person begins to see how involved I am in the dance, they view it as obsessive and time consuming.

Depending on how comfortable I am with that person I may ease them into certain Salsa events. As I look back, when I was not so comfortable I brought them to a straight up Salsa Congress and let them see 'hard core' how I ‘work it’. In some cases, It was a test to see if they really liked me and could survive in the environment.


Jadah for instance, was eased into the Salsa World. He made his first appearance at the Mambo Dinamico 8th Anniversary Celebration featuring the "Mambo King" Eddie Torres!  He enjoyed himself BUT, he decided that he was not that thrilled with me dancing with Salseros Morenos. All the other dancers were ok but not los Morenos.  It's been almost a year since then and we have come to an understanding. :-) Admittedly there is a different connection that exists but more importantly, you have to consider that African Americans only account for a fourth of the population in the Salsa World and less than that in the Triangle area.

This is only one example of the type of things that come up when you are a dancer dating outside the Salsa World. That is not to say that dating in the Salsa world is any easier, because it's not!


In my relationship, the main struggle has been to find balance. When you also add the fact that you are dealing with a long distant relationship, it adds a different dynamic as well. I teach and dance during the week and see Jadah on the weekends. Well every weekend there is a social that I would not mind going to, to support and mostly to have fun. Let's just say I don't have the chance to do that. If I want to maintain my relationship I need to at times put my man first and Salsa dancing for fun takes a back seat.

Common issues/ statements that come up while Dating and Salsa Dancing:
-“You were dancing too close…”
-“I don’t like you dancing Bachata with that person.”
-“Why do you dance sexier with certain people more than other?”
-“How many exes do you have in the Salsa World?”
-“How many Salseros/as try to pick you up after a night of dancing?”

These comments are just to name a few. Feel free to add any others….

Car Traveling Tips

Hi Everyone,

I pray earnestly that everyone has a safe Holiday!
As you travel the busy highways be sure that you are
Alert, not only for yourselves but for others traveling
Along with you. So, I wanted to leave with you a few tips
For making that road trip!

1. Make sure your car is capable of making the trip to the destination
    and back.
2. Make sure you are well rested.
3. NO texting, sleeping, or book reading while driving.
4. Make sure you have a full tank of gas.
5. Refrain from road rage.

Be safe everyone and have fun!

The Young & the Restless

So if I had a really bad habit, it would be watching the Soaps. It started back when I was 4 years old and staying at my grandmother’s house. I was not allowed to turn the TV channels because that was “using up electricity” my grandmother would say. So years later, I still have trouble turning the channel when it comes on. LOL.

 

Let’s talk favorite Characters and Why, shall we...  I love the actress Michelle Stratford who plays the ex- Phyllis Newman. I cackle at her evil Character and think that she is going to head back into her craziness soon enough, especially now that Diane is back on the show and after Jack!

Can anyone tell me HOW they replaced Shamar Moore with Eddie Winslow?  Someone should have been fired for that!  FOR REAL! I should have been consulted.

The character I hate the most is Nina Webster played by Tricia Cast. Can we say Cry Baby! And she nags a bit too much too! I know that this is a drama but every word she says is so dramatic!

I loved “ANTM” Eva Marcille on the show but I think they needed the sexy Salsa Dancer “Jamila Puentes”. J  I miss Victoria Rowell played by Drucilla Winters. Her character was passionate and inspiration; she was a beautiful dancer back in the day.

Last thing, how many times will Victor and Nikki and Nicolas and Sharon get married???????

I am over it!

Thank You Turkey!

So it’s almost Turkey Day and I wanted you all to share in my Thanksgiving Dinner Menu!

My mom and I are preparing this Year's Feast. We will be partaking in:

A Cornish Hen tenderly roasted with Seasonings to Boot.

A supple Meatloaf made with the finest peppers of the world.

A Honey Baked Ham, prepared ONLY like the Honey Baked Ham Store Can.

For Greens we will delight in:

The ever so popular Green Beans spiced with a little salt, pepper, and a family secret "ingredient".

A Spinach Casserole Pie made with fresh spices and the best sausage trimmings.

And of course Collards go without saying, with Ham Hocks for Flavor!

We will also be serving Starches Galore!

Macaroni and Cheese that will have ya’ Mom shouting for “More please!”

Country Made RICE, like my Aunt Sharon makes it, with Milk and Butter, Butter, and More Butter.

My MOM’s own Famous everybody, including my ex-boyfriend want the recipe,

“Chicken Pot Pie”- must be in the family to have this succulent Master Piece (lol)!

Ohhhh! Woop, Woop! Desserts to Live For!

Punch Bowl Cake Straight from Nana’s Hands to our Lips,

Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Cake- thank God for my Aunt Louise’s Cake! Amen

My newest Pumpkin Pie Creation.

Aunt Sarah’s (not Lee) Famous Cheese Cake.

And lastly, My Mom’s Family Renown:

Blueberry Jell-O Dessert, topped with my favorite, individually crumbled Pecans and Cream Cheese so Smooth, no spoon required!

We will leave the Yeast Rolls to Golden Corral, Nothing can replace their Honey Butter!

Beverages include the Sweetest Sweet Tea in all the land, Cheerwine, A Special Treat that will be revealed only at dinner, Water for those who are Health Conscious and Hot Teas and Coffee.

I pray that your Thanksgiving is filled with many Thanks, Love and Everyone’s Safe Travel!

Driving Drunk and Driving Sleep are the Same.

I heard of a Car accident that occurred this morning in Greenville, NC due to Driving while Sleep.
Previously, I read that Driving drunk and Driving sleep have a lot of similarities and outcomes. Please don't do either. My heart goes out to the young ladies and their families who were involved.

Take a quick look at the two links. It is something to think about!

http://www.witn.com/news/headlines/One_Person_Killed_In_Greenville_Crash_109493619.html

http://www.mrtraffic.com/sleep.htm

Salsa4U! This weekend!

I am very excited about this weekend! I 've got my best ROOMS coming into town and It's the 3rd Saturday Night Social With Salsa4U! Great dancers will be rallying from all over and one of the Best Dance Floors in town!

Location: Fred Astaire Dance Studio (4702 Garrett Rd. Durham, NC)

Time: 8:00pm – 12:00 am

See the website below for more details.
http://salsaforu.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11&Itemid=28

Café Con Pan

I had a great time teaching my Beginner’s Class last night at Infuzion!

It’s gonna be a great next few weeks.

Of course in the first class we went over the basic step, side step, back step, front step, back rock and front rock. We rocked it out!

The group caught on really fast and they will be workn’ it out on the dance floor soon enough!  Shout out to Sherwood for holdn’ it down for the Men!

Mambo Dinamico Tuesday Night Recap

Mambo Dinamico Tuesday Night Recap.
I could write a long drawn out blurb about how awesome last night’s Mambo Dinamico’s Tuesday night social was, but I will allow the pictures to speak for themselves.

Puentes whispers, “We did have an awesome night though, Creativity and new moves seen throughout the entire floor. The ladies even ventured to be Leaders! What a night!”

Young Poetry

So in High School I use to be a hopeless romantic....

Here is a poem I found along with my Senior Picture.

Let’s go back in the day!

Jamila Bridges

9 January 1998

The Wind, The Rain, and The Rainbow

The Wind nuzzles softly against my ear,

In warmth, a sweet melody I hear.

Just as my dearest love

who makes my being shine, like the heavens above.

Small, but has the toughness of a Dogwood tree.

Rough? No, Never. Always gentle to me.

Just as the grass grows,

so will our love, I’ll always know.

Even when it Rains and pours,

it still is a beautiful sight, for our love endures.

Drip Drop, Drop Drip,

Let’s listen to the message before it slips.

“For as long as the Rainbow appears

the love of God through us shall always be here.”  

Infuzion TONIGHT!

            Hello everyone, hope everything is going great!  I will be teaching a 4 week Salsa Beginners class at Infuzion STARTING TONIGHT!! Dates following are December 1^st , 8^th , and 15^th. November 24^th no class Due to Holiday. Times are 7:00pm to 8:00pm. Class space is limited. You may email me at danceworldwide@gmail.com or contact Infuzion at 919-402-9449. DANCE!!

Infuzion

3400-A8 Westgate dr.

Durham, NC., 27707

919-402-9449

Gilad is the Exercise Man for me!

Everyday on my Lunch, I go home and Tone up with Gilad. He is motivating, OHHH so FIT, and his Accent is sexy! Take a look as I work out with him!

Check out my newest Blog post!

Mambo Dinamico’s Beginner’s Level I and Level 2 Classes Tonight!

Correai

 


The Beginner Classes start tonight at 7:00pm. Bring a friend or Rock it Solo!

Correai Moore will be teaching the Level I Class and Jose Paredes will be teaching the Level II Class!

These two Salseros are great Instructors and they are sure to have you dancing and ready for the SOCIAL that begins at 9pm.

Jose

Mambo Dinamico’s Tuesday Night Social begins tonight at 9pm! There’s no other place to be! There will be great music, great dancers, and if you are Hungry, you can grab a Bite to eat @ Carmen’s Cuban Restaurant on your way into the Social.

Check out the website below for Class Packages and Cover.

http://www.ncmambo.com/