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Beto and Lani Da Silva perform and teach salsa dance all over San Francisco Bay Area. Beto, who began dancing in his teens, learned the rhythms of Brazilian Samba, Forro and Salsa. Shortly after emigrating from Brazil, his hobby and passion for dance turned into a career of Salsa dancing 'with a brazilian flare'.
Lani, a native Californian, grew up to the rich sounds of Tahitian drums and Hawaiian ukuleles. She has performed in hula and competed and placed in Tahitian competitions as a teenager. She further builds her dance curriculum through jazz, hip hop and latin ballroom dance classes. She performed with the Rhythm Room "Z Girls" and is a competitor of Figure Competitions.
With the support of Beto's sister, Katia Vaz, and continued dance education of Salsa dance legends such as Josie Neglia, Francisco and Luis Vazquez, Al and Edie, "Salsa Freak", and many others, Beto and Lani have developed an exotic style that best expresses their love of movement. They have been featured on the "Latin Show" by Adrian Flores, Univision's "Caliente" and journals such as The SF Chronicle and Walnut Creek Journal. Additionally, they have earned certification from the Josie Neglia Salsa Teacher's Course.
In addition to salsa dancing, Lani and Bento have been going to Elite Training Center in Pleasanton to stay in shape, where they offer regular Boxrcise and Bootcamp classes. These classes are hardcore and are definitely helping them get results. They hit the bags, spar, do push-ups, sit-ups, etc. Don't be fooled by the name: the bootcamp classes are incomparable! Check out their website. www.elitetrainingca.com/ for their schedule.
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NEW! Salsaxe Dance now offers Salsa DJ service for your private parties and events. Equipment and music provided. For discounted package deals, please contact us.
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BACKGROUND
The term "salsa" may be thought of as a mix of Latin musical genres like the Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena, and the Cuban Rumba, its backbone consists of Cuban dance music, particularly the Son which evolved in the 1950s. Mass emigration from Puerto Rico and Cuba particularly into New York created the environment in which salsa was developed.
With the popularity of the music came the popularity of the dance. Salsa is a spicy, zesty, energetic and sensual partner dance. It has spread throughout the USA, Europe and beyond and is now one of the fastest growing styles of Club partner dancing in the world.
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SALSA STYLES
Cuban
This is the most widespread and popular style of Salsa. The man moves around the woman leading an amazing variety of flowing turns. By following the basic structure of the dance and the man's leads, the woman does not need to know the exact move that the man is dancing. Freestyle Salsa always holds the promise of the unexpected and the exciting as the man finds new combinations of moves to thrill his partner.
Los Angeles
L.A. style Salsa is based on Mambo, which has a different structure to the classic Cuban-Miami style and features many forward and back and cross-body moves. Widely considered to be one of the most exciting trends in Salsa, L.A.'s attractive showy style is slick and sophisticated but a little more demanding than its more relaxed Miami cousin.
Colombian
This is a compact style of Salsa where the man remains relatively static and features spins rather than turns for the girl. Pachanga focuses on some impressive and intricate footwork fun while the simple and slower Vallenato evokes the romantic serenade of a man to his lover. A "trotting" rhythm instantly identifies the classic Colombian style of Cumbia. Colombian Salsa is less jazzy and new dancers often find it easier to dance to the melodic music.
New York
The New York style of Salsa is based on Mambo which has a different dance and musical structure. The feel too is different as the dancers 'break' on the second count and the moves are different to other Salsa styles.
Merengue
Merengue is a fun and flirtatious dance from the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. Many moves in Merengue can be translated easily to and from Salsa making it an ideal combination in any Salsa Club programme. |
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