First of all, congratulations on your winning, a well deserved trophy. Before we go into the championships, tell us more about your love for Bachata.

Juan: You guys are a very well known couple here in Australia, how long have you guys been dancing together?

Alegria: Moro & I have been dancing together for 5 ,1/2 years, dancing Bachata for 5 & ,teaching for 4 yrs.

Juan: When did you guys fall in love with Bachata? I mean, when did you start dancing Bachata?

Alegria: When you start dancing you realize you like the music & it’s rhythms but truly fell in love on our first tour to Dominican Republic. It’s contagious once you are there. The music spreads in your blood, your soul, ending up on your feet, and then you want to dance like them…
I believe we really started dancing the soul of Bachata 2 years ago after our trip.

Juan: So you learnt your Bachata from the source, the Dominican Republic! I’m sure you have plenty of anecdotes from your trip!

Alegria: Anecdotes??? Yes, since i only had a week in Dominican Republic, I trained daily with Luis 2 hrs private lessons, & night time with the students & school. I also taught 2 workshops with Luis, (Merengue & Bachata). My second last day he took me to a TV program, where we did live show. It was a dream come true. I was not expecting such an achievement in one week. Spending a week on my own in Dominican Republic was scary, challenging, but at same time I didn’t want the days to finish…every day a new experience, in respect to dancing I learnt new steps every day I was there.

As soon as Moro arrived, I booked him in for private lessons, but I wanted him to see how Luis dances & mixes all different styles. Unfortunately Moro didn’t get to spend as many hours learning but I knew that by him watching, he will pick up the style & feeling of the dance.

Juan: You guys teach Bachata classes at your school, Buena Vista. What motivates you to teach Bachata?

Alegria: Our motivation now is to bring what we believe is the authentic Bachata dance to Australia, the Dominican Style. It is more difficult, & people need to get pass the first taste of the dance to then love it.
We feel a little disappointed because a lot of people stick to what they already know & do not give it a chance to try. People don’t like to see beyond, they do not realize that the more dance styles you know the better dancer you will be. We still can dance the traditional Bachata & mix up some foot work with it depending on music we listen to.

Juan: Any funny stories while teaching or dancing Bachata?

Alegria: Funny stories? Every week something funny happens. Moro is a character!!! He makes the classes interesting & fun, almost like a work out sometimes, but when it comes to repeating what we did the week before; he tends to ask the students, pretending he wants to see if they remember, but the truth is HE FORGOT !!

Juan: I agree, Moro is a showman himself! Tell us more about the Australia Bachata Competition. What made you guys decide participate in the competition?

Alegria: We know we are unique in style, the only reason we participated was to be involved in another Bachata event, so more & more people see there are more ways to dance Bachata. Winning was a bonus, let’s hope this regenerate more people wanting to learn Dominican Style. Bachata is romantic, sensual, but also fun, funky, spontaneous, cheeky…NATURAL…

Juan: Congratulations on winning the first place! That’s a big achievement. With this performance and the level of Bachata performances, how do you see Bachata in Australia in the next 3 years?

Alegria: Bachata will keep on growing, 5 years ago, Djs didn’t have enough Bachata in their folders…now is a must. In the future, I would love to see people mixing styles & dancing to what the music tells them instead of doing a routine they learnt in class. Listening to the music is still missing, & that’s Buena Vista trade mark…Synchronize to the music, let your body take over, & your feet do the work.

Juan: Good point, guys, musicality is very important for Bachata and any other dance. Any final advice to the Bachateros out there? Any tips of them to keep in mind?

Alegria: Listen to Bachata Music. Since many Australians cannot understand the meaning of the songs, find instruments played in the songs. Play on the dance floor with what music says to you and by only doing steps…keep on learning Bachata…. People repeat the same moves & there are many steps to do. Don’t get comfortable, play around, and make it your own improvised dance just by following the timing. In Bachata there are no rules….feel it rather than show it.

Juan: How can people contact you and learn from you guys? (i.e. your website, your classes, etc)

Alegria: We teach Bachata every Tuesdays from 7 pm @ City Hotel, Crn King st, King st.
visit our website: http://www.buenavistadance.com.au

Thank you Juan Ruiz for distributing Bachata news around Australia & the world…
Its a pleasure working & sharing same interests with you.

Vamos arriba Bachateros…besitos ….Alegria & Moro

Moro and Alegria Bachata Winning Performance

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The following is a special “Thank you” from Buena Vista to his Bachata Teacher, Luis:

We owe this steps & the amazing authentic Dominican Style to our Bachata Master, the King of Bachata, born & raised in the Dominican Republic, our idol Luis from Santo Domingo .God Bless your school, family, & your passion for Bachata..from Gaby & Moro

Le debemos estos pasos y nuevo estylo dominicano a Luis de Santo Domingo , Republica dominicana. El si es un maestro, un autentico bailarin, y el Rey de la bachata. Dios te ilumine tu escuela , familia y tu pasion por la bachata.Gracias Luis desde Australia…Gabriela Y Moro

A 7 hours of dancing extravaganza to the rhythms of one of the best Latino Bands GONZALO PORTA & SALSA ALL STARS and three of the best Latino DJs, from Peru VICCO el SONERO, from Cuba AV el CUBANO & from Venezuela DWIGHT “Chocolate” ESCOBAR.

Dance the night away with a mix of Salsa, Bachata and Zouk as we witness some of the hottest dancers heat up the dance floor with their killer moves for the title of AUSTRALIAN BACHATA CHAMPION in the 2nd Annual Bachata Championship.

The night will kick off with a FREE Bachata class from 8 to 9pm by Sky Blue from Picante Latin Dance.

Tickets $24 pre-sold (before 22nd Oct) $28 @ door if available
Tickets sales at Petersham RSL 9560 8355
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

AUSTRALIA’S BEST BACHATA DANCERS UNDER ONE ROOF
COMPETING FOR THE TITLE OF AUSTRALIAN BACHATA CHAMPION

Check some of the SCHOOL COMPETING competing at the
Australian Bachata Open Championship on Saturday 24 at Petersham RSL.
A showcase of the best Bachata dancers in Australia

SALSA VIBES – Sydney
Professional Category

LATIN STEPS DANCE COMPANY – Queensland
Professional – Non Professional Categories

LATINO FEVER – Sydney
Professional – Team Categories

LATIN GROOVES – Adelaide
Non Professional Category

MODUS VIVENDI SALSA PRODUCTIONS – Sydney
Professional – Team Categories

LATIN HEAT DANCE GROUP – Canberra
Professional Category

LATIN DANCE AUSTRALIA – Sydney
Team Category

LATIN MOTION DANCE ACADEMY – Sydney
Professional – Non Professional Categories

LATIN DANCE NATION – Adelaide
Professional Category

PICANTE LATIN DANCE – Sydney
Team Category

BUENA VISTA DANCE – Sydney
Professional – Team – Non Professional Categories

For more info http://www.vivamagazine.com.au/Tickets_BachataCham.asp

I was new in the salsa world. I started taking salsa lessons and my classmates invited me to go to Establishment after our Tuesday class. I was reluctant at first because i was a new comer and although i know the basic steps i was overwhelmed by the thought of dancing with different men. I had this vision of men taking advantage of many ladies in the dance floor and i am not about to give them that pleasure. Let’s say i was very conservative and i will not allow someone to get close to me, nothing less than half a meter anyway. Finally the girls convinced me to come and i said to myself, why not take the chance. I have the most deadliest weapon in the dance floor, my heels, to protect me in case someone makes a sudden unnecesary move. Luckily one of the guys in advance team was there. I danced with him before and he knew how to handle me pretty well. My first dance was pretty good aside from me stepping on his foot and hit his forehead with my elbow. How embarassing, im already beating up my dance partner and it’s only halfway to the music. After the dance, my surroundings were spinning so fast that if he let go of my hand I will end up straight to the floor.

The next music played and it’s something i never heard before. Suddenly someone danced in front of me and i moved to the side and watched them. My eyes nearly popped out of what I saw. The words just came out of my mouth without realising it and said ‘what kind of dance is this? They should go to Four Seasons Hotel down the road and get a room. This two dancers danced so close together, so tightly wrap around each other. They were going sideways and the girls were definitely working their hips doing the number eight like belly dancers do. Then there was a body roll and sway moves, it was very sensual. Honestly, Bachata at first did not give me a good impression. I will ‘never’ dance like that and how can you possibly dance like this with a stranger? Where is the dignity of these women? See I told you I was very conservative. Looking back from when I started entering the Latin world, I felt like I was still in medieval times of how I perceive the salsa world. I left Establishment in a shock state, shaking my head and reasoning at the same time while heading to the train station.

Going to Establishment became our Tuesday night routine. I started to learn more about other Latin dance style. I began to understand Bachata too and the ignorance starts to rub off my system. I still did not dance Bachata but I started becoming more curious. I still rejected guy’s invitation to dance Bachata. One of my friends loves it so much that she wanted me to learn the basic moves. I refused at first but then she made a remark that made me think. She said ‘If you want to become a better dancer you have to put aside your assumptions and be open-minded. You have to open yourself to new things, new dance styles and not constrict yourself with the norms’. This was a very powerful remark and it really made me think on how narrow I become. This was an eye opener for me.

I started taking Bachata class and I was blown away by the dance style that I never looked back since then. I first danced Bachata in my group class. I learned the basics including hip movements which is my favourite movement of all because I can be so creative about it and become cheeky and fun at the same time. Of course I was nervous; my heartbeat was going 100 kph. After a few more dance class, I fell in love with the dance; it’s like seeing the person I love for the first time. The adrenalin rush was amazing and it became a celebration for me. This is a celebration of two unique souls, to express and go beyond the conventional movements.  Most importantly Bachata is fun to dance and where else could you see men dancing with a little bit of hip movements?

This article is for other beginner dancers out there who are reluctant to take that additional step in learning not just Bachata but other dance style. It is normal to be scared and most of the time these new dance styles challenged our values and belief systems. It challenges us to the point where we become so engrossed of what would other people think if they see us dance like this? This is perfectly normal but keep in mind you have to keep pushing and keep learning, keep dancing and allow your body to express in the most creative way. In this present day, ignorance is not an excuse anymore. Ignorance will not allow you to travel far; it will hinder your development and your ability to become the best dancer you can ever be.

Written by Diana Secuya – Diana is a new Bachatera in town. You can find Diana at the Establishment on tuesday nights and dancing anywhere there is Bachata.

Save the dates 6th – 8^th November, 2009 and book your tickets now as this Latin festival is sure to fire up your senses! With a reputation of being one of the best Latin dance events in Australia, this festival attracts people from all over the world to the gorgeous North Coast of NSW to enjoy the unique attributes of Byron Bay with a generous serve of spicy Latin flavour!

Enjoy 3 nights & 2 days of Latin dance workshops and parties showcasing experienced Latin dance artists from all over Australia. In addition, for the first time ever, this year the event is going international!

Festival director, Sky Blue from Picante Latin Dance is excited to announce the following confirmed artists for 2009; CARLOS CINTA (USA), famous for his unique Bachata style and ALFONSO RIOS (Peru, NZ) renowned for his Percussion and Musicality. Other featured artists from Australia & NZ include: Latin Fire (NZ), Modus Vivendi (Syd), Bachateros (Syd), Cuban Dance Academy (Melb), Picante Latin Dance (Syd), Groove Brazil (Bris), Armand de Saint Salvy (Syd) and more to come! In addition live band CHUKALE “Australia’s hottest Afro Cuban ensemble” will headline the main party along with some fine Latin Djs.

Dance Workshop attendees will be inspired by a vast array of different Latin dance styles  including; Cuban Salsa, LA Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Zouk, Samba, Reggaeton, Cha Cha Cha and that’s just the start! There will be something for everyone from the complete beginner to the experienced dancer.

If you’d like to emerge yourself in Latin culture and experience Byron Bay at the same time don’t miss this great festival! Participate as a dancer, performer or spectator and awake yourself to the sounds & movement of Latin America!

For more info and to book your tickets please visit www.byronlatinfiesta.com or call +61413 146 889

As in all things in life, the middle path is the path to illumination: yes we love different steps, girls admire a guy that knows how to lead and has the perfect leading strength, that thinks quickly and takes you for a ride. But it is so good when he throws a couple of basics in his dancing and that is valid for any style. The guy has to remember that he doesn’t turn half as much as the girl so if he leads her for a whole music of turns she is bound to be tired of it, or dizzy, or sick.

Check your partner’s colour, if she is turning a bit green you better go to “one, two, three, five, six, seven” for a few bars. It did happen to me and I rudely refused to turn when the guy lead me to turn. He tried again, and again, and one last time. He had turned me so many times, so quickly, for so long, I was getting dizzy. Then I think he got it. It was a salsa and I got some nice cross body leads and basics and in a few seconds I was ready for more. That is all the girls will require, a brief respite, three bars for a quick breath and then you can show off again.

Honestly, especially with bachata and zouk, basics are the best, you can feel the music, feel the rhythm, your partner, your movement. Never underestimate the power of a good basic step. I can dance a whole music of basic bachata without getting anywhere near bored. Sometimes I ask some guys to dance and they say that they don’t know many steps. Difficult steps are great but not essential. Wearing your heart out is.

Using the basics to understand the structure of the music is also great. My favourite dances are not the ones full of glitter, they are the ones where the leader respects the breaks, and follows the flow of the song, using hard “thumps” and soft “Yiimmmmss” to choose our steps. Choreographies that are like that also give me goose bumps and a sense of euphoria that is indescribable.

My recipe to the perfect bachata is that: basic steps + other steps + feeling the music + feeling the delight of dancing. So relax, breathe and enjoy your basics and your dancing, your partner will too.

Written by – ‘Louca por Bachata’ Tania Crivellenti. Tania’s blog: The dancing bug. You can find Tania at various latin venues, LDA and facebook!

Standard price is $320, but if you buy it from Bachateros.com.au, you’ll only pay $295 (plus online booking fee). That is a $25 savings which can buy you plenty of drinks and water at the event!

BUY NOW: FULL PASS BRISBANE CONGRESS FOR ONLY $295
Friday, 5th of June. Tickets are not available anymore. Time to party!
  

35+ dance workshops, plenty of performances, 4 DAYS event, sunny Brisbane, Bachateros in the house, a DISCOUNTED ticket… what else do you need! Get your ticket now and we’ll see you in Brisbane

Friday, 5th of June. Tickets are not available anymore. Time to party!

Finally, Australia will be the host of an International Bachata Band! For all of you guys interested in getting to know 4Ever, here’s their itinerary while in Australia

Thursday, 16th of April – Arrive to Sydney
Friday, 17th of April – Get to know 4Ever Bachata Party at La Cita
Saturday, 18th of April – Adelaide Concert

Wednesday, 22nd of April – Radio interview
Thursday, 23rd of April – 7pm CD Release, Music Front Wetherill Park
Bachata Festival Welcoming Party at Cruise Bar
Friday, 24th of April – Guest appearance at Manning Bar, Bachata Festival
Saturday, 25th of April – 2pm CD Release, Music From Ashfield
Sunday, 26th of April – 4EVER Bachata Concert!
Monday, 27th of April – 4Ever departs back to USA

These are your best chances of getting to see 4Ever:

GET TO KNOW 4EVER BACHATA PARTY - Friday 17th April @ La Cita.

Please join us & meet the guys up close & personal!!
7pm Special BACHATA CLASS – hosted by Sky & team at Picante Latin Dance.
$20 (includes club entry & free drink!).
8pm onwards – Dinner downstairs, all welcome.
Or $15 entry for club only.
4EVER appearance & guest performance approx 10.30pm.
Djs Oscar Cadena upstairs & Don Juan downstairs.

La Cita, King Street Wharf

CD RELEASE – Thursday, 23rd of April @ Music Front WETHERILL PARK

7pm – for 1 hour only!
4Ever will be signing-up their CD release.
Take photos and get autographs.
Musicfront-Wetherill Park
Stockland Mall-Shop W31, Polding st
Wetherill Park, NSW 2164
02 9757 1144

SIBF WELCOMING PARTY – Thursday, 23rd of April

4Ever will do a guest appearance at Cruise Bar while we all get ready for the Bachata Festival!
Approx time 11pm.
Level 1, 2 & 3
Overseas Passenger Terminal
West Circular Quay
Sydney NSW 2000

CD RELEASE – Saturday, 25th of April @ Music Front ASHFIELD

2pm – for 1 hour only!
4Ever will be signing-up their CD release.
Take photos and get autographs.
Musicfront-Ashfield Mall
Shop 46,Level 4 Liverpool Road
Ashfield NSW 2131
02 9799 7795

BACHATA FESTIVAL, 24th – 26th of April

4Ever will be appearing on-and-off during the Bachata Festival.
You might get lucky, you might not

So that is the philosophy I adopt on a daily basis, especially when I’m dancing. More than once I heard from a dance partner:

-         It’s great to dance with someone that smiles!

Yes, I know, most of the time I just look foolish. But honestly, who cares! Each dance is so much fun I can’t help myself: I end up grinning like an idiot.

After more than a month without dancing due to a fractured arm I started dancing again; while he was moving and swirling me in his arms I said from the bottom of my heart:

- Gosh! How good is to be back dancing!
- Just dancing, not dancing WITH ME? He questioned.

I think I disappointed him, but what can you say when your soul spills up what you are really feeling… Maybe I should have lied, but I just made that fish-face (opening and closing the mouth then smiled a bit more) Funny!

I’ve seen a few dancers from all styles forget about this basic principle: dancing is all about fun. Bachata even more…

It happens a lot that people that get too good at dancing start worrying more about the moves, the arms, patterns, how do they look, how to make the partner look good, who is watching, who is dancing next to them, what are they doing, who is that other girl dancing with, what is that person wearing, what they are going to drink next, who are they going to dance next with, to move a bit to that side so they are ready for the next dance… and they totally forget about what they were doing…

It is awful, by the time the music is finished you just lost a few minutes of your life on mind rumbling with no fun at all!

The best dancers for me are the ones that smile at you or show you somehow that they are really keen to be there, that they are on the present, that they are feeling what they are doing, and I love when they look at me now and then just to get a bit of eye contact.

Or course, it is weird when it gets too much, or when they are looking at your nose. It is very hard to keep a straight face and not burst out laughing, but otherwise it’s all good.

Bachata, being a very sensual dance not prone to many acrobatics, and with closer partner connection that salsa, is more susceptible to the dancer’s mood. The good bachateros, the ones you admire dancing, are the ones that bring their moves from their core: feeling each hip sway. Juan Ruiz, Samantha, Tony Lara, Daniela, Moro, Alegria, Nestor, Lidia, are great examples for me, they transpire in every pore.
I love this bachata thing!  Give me more!

Written by – ‘Louca por Bachata’ Tania Crivellenti. Tania’s blog: The dancing bug. You can find Tania at various latin venues, LDA and facebook!

Dance is a creative force. It is an experience of a lifetime and an expression of your soul. It teaches us endless possibility, trust, self-confidence, attitude, cultural unity, respect for one another, joy and laughter. I’ve found love and prosperity, along with the freedom to move – to be – to do – and to have whatever I choose to achieve. Dance is, in fact, A Way of Life!.

The world in which we live is a scramble of emotions stemming from every event, relationship, experience, obligation and dream we choose to take on. Dance is just one of the possibilities on offer in this world, and I’ve found that it is one that will set you free

The experience of dance can transform a life with every beat and step to the music. I have seen and felt this in my life, through my health and fitness, my growing flexibility, body control, and also a great growing respect for my entire body.

I have felt a great shift in the way that I perceive life through my happiness and love, through gaining the ability to create, as well as an understanding of the importance of discipline. Though the greatest gifts dance has given me are the feelings of freedom and the joy of great achievement. Furthermore, I live in awe with the growth of my personal life. Throughout my moments of dance I have stumbled upon great bonds of friendship, true love, career and business ideas, a great drive to achieve, romance, and a wonderful understanding of people from all walks of life.

To break out of your everyday life can be extremely frightening, but to learn to be creative is the greatest gift anyone can give to him or herself. A single dance can change the course of your day. It can put a smile on your face and put you in a state of freedom and joy. I have had dances that have taken me from a state of misery to a place of peace, where I realize that fear and misery are choices, and that I could let go of them and take on the world.

Everyone has tapped their feet at least once or danced around in a circle when something has gone incredibly right for them. No matter who you are I can guarantee that dance will have an effect on your life. It is a great way to meet people, and to get some regular exercise in your life, as well as letting go of worldly concerns, and just getting into a creative space. You will learn things about yourself, and begin to trust yourself when you let yourself free to this wonderful experience.

My growth as a sole human being has launched me into a world of possibility, which I believe is possible for any and everyone. My experience has brought me great love and friendship, travel opportunities, as well as the chance to teach and gift people with the love and ability of dance. From this an absolute confidence has emerged from within myself that has led me to this moment now, where I believe that I can achieve anything that I put my mind to.

So whether you choose Latin, Greek, Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Ballroom or Tap. Music from the 60’s, 70’s 80’s or now. If it’s in a major production, a disco, on the beach or in a dance class, or done solo, in a partnership, a man, woman or child, dancing caters for all walks of life. I’ve found within the world of dance, there is not only a lifestyle, but also a language, fundamental relationships, respect and continuous growth. So let’s put on our dancing shoes, and see what happens when we let the sensation of the music take over our being in this world of opportunity.

Written by Danielle Ralph. You can find Danielle dancing at various venues in Sydney. We heard she is going to travel around Australia for 1 year, we wish her best of luck!

I underestimated the power of dance for a long time, but when I was thrown into a foreign and fantastic circle of friends and mentors, I finally realized how much I overlooked. The power and passion within the different forms and styles of an ageless culture is something that is cherished by people of all religions, colours, and ages. I have been involved in the styles of Salsa, Hip-Hop and Krump and owe much of my thanks to my teachers Joseanne Cote, Nestor Manuelian, Lidia McMahon, and my idol Mr. Stayz. These seemingly normal people showed me the most important parts of dance, the parts that started me on the journey to understanding the heart of a world I wanted to accept. In the short time I have had with this community I found that I never needed to accept dance, all I needed was dance to accept me, and through the people, experiences, and opportunities that I have been blessed with, I see that dance accepts everyone willing to take the first step.

And so, the styles of dance may come and go at the beat of a rhythm, but the spirit of the dancers who have lived their lives to a song and a step will always be remembered throughout the everlasting world of dance.

Written by: Daniel James Milanovic. Email him. You can find Daniel at Latin Motion studios or hanging around various salsa venues in Sydney.