Christmas Gift!!

Purchase your 2-Hour Private lesson package here for only $89 (That is less than $45/hour). As soon as you have registered, email me mikko@salsaadventures.com or text me at 318-348-0328 to schedule your lessons.


Note: The two (2) hours are to be…

Purchase your 2-Hour Private lesson package here for only $89 (That is less than $45/hour). As soon as you have registered, email me mikko@salsaadventures.com or text me at 318-348-0328 to schedule your lessons.


Note: The two (2) hours are to be scheduled to be used all at one time.

My Crazy Salsa Congress Experience!

Wow, what an weekend I just had at the annual San Francisco Salsa Congress. The weekend was so amazing I don't even know where to start. But I wrote about my entire thoughts and highlights of the events here: San Francisco Salsa…
Wow, what an weekend I just had at the annual San Francisco Salsa Congress. The weekend was so amazing I don't even know where to start. But I wrote about my entire thoughts and highlights of the events here: San Francisco Salsa Congress write up! I was supposed to compete with my salsa dance partner Kristina Milova, but unfortunately she got sick so we decided it was best for us to compete another time. But nevertheless the congress was amazing. And I did get to compete on the Jack & Jill competition with so many amazing salsa dancers and living legends. And with Liz Lira we placed 4th. 

See some of the competition here (with my first round partner Giana):

Then see our routine with Liz Lira here:

Some of my other absolute favorite routines and highlights of the congress were Paulina Posada's and David Zepeda's winning routine:

For much more videos and the entire coverage of the event go to: San Francisco Salsa Congress

Hope to see you at the congress next year :)

The Amazing Salsa Dancers From Colombia!

If you have never seen the true Cali style Colombian salsa dancers, you are up for a treat. Salsa dancing so often has not received the type of mainstream publicity that I think it deserves, unless you live in Colombia.…
If you have never seen the true Cali style Colombian salsa dancers, you are up for a treat. Salsa dancing so often has not received the type of mainstream publicity that I think it deserves, unless you live in Colombia. There you have festivals where there are tens of thousands of people attending and watching this art. Why? Well, just see the video clip below for a one great reason. These dancers are absolutely amazing. Their speed, innovate moves, acrobatics, musicality, energy, and unbelievable flavor makes them some of the best salsa dancers in the world. Their synchronicity and salsa timing are on point. And that is why many call Cali, Colombia the salsa capital of the world! 

http://www.youtube.com/user/MauricioSandoval79#p/u/11/hw11OcRz_HQ

Getting my performance costume done – woohoo

Excited about my new shirt for my upcoming salsa performance :) !

Sent from my iPhone

Excited about my new shirt for my upcoming salsa performance :) !

Sent from my iPhone

My Favorite Afro-Cuban Rumba Dancer BY FAR!!!

Have you heard about Maykel Fonts? If not, he is without a doubt my favorite afro-cuban rumba dancer. The guy is amazing. I took one of his workshops in New York one time and my thoughts after the workshop. Check him…
Have you heard about Maykel Fonts? If not, he is without a doubt my favorite afro-cuban rumba dancer. The guy is amazing. I took one of his workshops in New York one time and my thoughts after the workshop. Check him and his dancers out, this time performing in Bulgaria 

Enjoy! Who is your favorite Afro-Cuban rumba dancer?

Salsa Definitions: What Is Jack & Jill Salsa Competition?

Have you ever heard about Jack & Jill competitions? If not here is what they are. Basically, salsa dancers are simply randomly paired with each other and the new paired couples are asked to do an improvised salsa dance to…
Have you ever heard about Jack & Jill competitions? If not here is what they are. Basically, salsa dancers are simply randomly paired with each other and the new paired couples are asked to do an improvised salsa dance to the DJ's selection of the music right at the spot. Jack and Jill competitions are getting more and more popular and if you are planning to have an event, they might be a great way to add some spice and fun to it. 

Here is an example of one Jack and Jill competition from last year the the San Francisco salsa congress:

In the video you have Shani Talmor and Milton Cobo. Looked like a lots of fun :) . As salsa communities are spreading through the world, from salsa helsinki to the Bay Area salsa community, it has been fantastic to witness the love and enjoyment in these communities to grow! 

My Favorite Salsa Routine From 2009 World Salsa Championships

Here is my favorite salsa routine of the 2009 World Salsa Championships by Jose & Maicza representing Chicago, IL to Suena Mi Tambor by Johnny Polanco y Su Conjunto Amistad from the album Amistad Para El Mundo Entero. Although this…
Here is my favorite salsa routine of the 2009 World Salsa Championships by Jose & Maicza representing Chicago, IL to Suena Mi Tambor by Johnny Polanco y Su Conjunto Amistad from the album Amistad Para El Mundo Entero. Although this couple did not win (they came in 3rd), I loved the energy, the musicality, and the creativity of their routine. I thought this is a great example on how to dance salsa musically.   

See how they choreographed many of the parts to the lyrics of the song. For just one of the very clear and brilliant examples (and one of my favorite sections) see at the 1:00 – 1:05 min. mark how the footwork and head turns accents the lyrics: "Suena Mi Tambor, Tambor, Oye, Suena Mi Tambor, Tambor". 

Which routine was your favorite? 

Learn more about salsa timing & salsa musicality here. 

Son Clave – The Key To Salsa? I Don’t Think So!

Have you ever heard about someone saying that clave is the key to understanding salsa and salsa timing and rhythm? If you have been in the salsa scene long enough, you probably have. I still remember when I first heard someone…
Have you ever heard about someone saying that clave is the key to understanding salsa and salsa timing and rhythm? If you have been in the salsa scene long enough, you probably have. I still remember when I first heard someone saying it. I thought to my-self: "Great, no what the heck is clave?" Here is the basic demonstration of the 2 – 3 son clave.

Now personally, if you are just starting out to dance salsa, I don't think you should worry about trying to understand how clave fits and relates to the overall rhythms of the music and salsa timing that much. Even from the perspective of learning to dance on the correct rhythm and timing there are other rhythms that will help you achieve that goal much easier like learning to recognize the cowbell that is played on the core beats of 1,3,5,7, for example. But nevertheless, the more you understand about salsa and its varied rhythms, ultimately the more you will potentially enjoy and appreciate both the dance and the music. 

What do you think? Have you heard about clave before? Are you able to recognize it in the music? Do you think it is the key to salsa? Why or why not? 
 

Son Clave – The Key To Salsa? I Don’t Think So!

Have you ever heard about someone saying that clave is the key to understanding salsa and salsa timing and rhythm? If you have been in the salsa scene long enough, you probably have. I still remember when I first heard someone…
Have you ever heard about someone saying that clave is the key to understanding salsa and salsa timing and rhythm? If you have been in the salsa scene long enough, you probably have. I still remember when I first heard someone saying it. I thought to my-self: "Great, no what the heck is clave?" Here is the basic demonstration of the 2 – 3 son clave.

Now personally, if you are just starting out to dance salsa, I don't think you should worry about trying to understand how clave fits and relates to the overall rhythms of the music and salsa timing that much. Even from the perspective of learning to dance on the correct rhythm and timing there are other rhythms that will help you achieve that goal much easier like learning to recognize the cowbell that is played on the core beats of 1,3,5,7, for example. But nevertheless, the more you understand about salsa and its varied rhythms, ultimately the more you will potentially enjoy and appreciate both the dance and the music. 

What do you think? Have you heard about clave before? Are you able to recognize it in the music? Do you think it is the key to salsa? Why or why not? 
 

MANO, Magna Gopal, Cristian Oviedo, And The Movie

Mano looks like a one of the first truly authentic representations of the current salsa scene in the United States featuring dancers like Magna Gopal and Cristian Oviedo.

The short version of the film has already beem filmed. But I…

Mano looks like a one of the first truly authentic representations of the current salsa scene in the United States featuring dancers like Magna Gopal and Cristian Oviedo.

The short version of the film has already beem filmed. But I am not sure whether the full lenght movie has still been completed or not. And while we are waiting to hear more check out this short intro to the world of Mano on YouTube:

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