| Contents From the Editor New SLG Studio Timetable Carnaval Samba Doctor Groove Dancing Fights Depression Tune Up Dance Sessions Coffs Harbour Latin Festival Bravo Latin Events Contact |
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From the Editor
Recharged on Zouk and Gafieira Samba – yet another trip to Brazil!
It was great to be back in Rio again - now fast becoming a second home and (as always!) a great source of inspiration in two of my most favorite dance styles. Wow! The three of us had a wonderful time, jam-packed with dancing and a few other adventures.
Together with my traveling companions Desley and Helen, we set up a base in our spacious, air-conditioned and surprisingly secluded apartment in Copacabana. From there every day we set off in pursuit of dance discovery, devoting a large part of each day to Zouk and Gafieira training. Having made such great contacts on previous trips to Brazil we were able to immerse ourselves from day one. Learning so much in every session, we danced until “the brain was full!” It was so good to go back to dancing and sharing ideas on Gafieira Samba and Zouk with such inspiring and like-minded people.
In addition to spending five to six hours each day in class, we had an opportunity to attend some of the many social dance events available in Rio every night of the week. At these events the Cariocas were so excited to see Australians who danced Samba and Zouk!
Our time in Brazil went by so quickly, we were sorry to get back on the plane and leave the friendly people we met and the amazing dancing behind! (Great food we are already missing are a�ai and caf�zinho.) Having been inspired by fabulous Brazilian dancers, we came back eager to pass on to our student the extra Zouk and Gafieira Samba knowledge we acquired on this trip.
A special thank you must go to both Renata Pe�anha and Alex de Carvalho - two of the most inspirational teachers, performers and chorographers in Rio. Every session with them motivated us to aspire to new heights both technically and artistically. We are missing them, and looking forward to seeing these warm, friendly people again in our future travels.
And now – Its time to share the dancing!!
Helen, Alex, Desley, Ian and Susie Fredio, Desley, Renata, Ian, Helen and Leo
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Do you think dyslexic people have difficulty dancing to "Y.M.C.A."? ~Dave Sokolowski
New Smooth Latin Groove Studio
We are very excited to now have a fabulous dance space to call our very own. With a beautiful timber floor, mirrors and air conditioning, our new SLG Studio is located on the outbound side of Ipswich Road opposite the junction of Annerley Road. Stage One is being completed in time to start classes in the next block from 12th March with the final stage two to be completed shortly after. Drop by and say hello!!
Timetable
Courses starting from 12th to 17th March 2007
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Monday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wedneday |
Thursday |
Friday |
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Saturday |
| 6:30pm |
Zouk Accelerated Plus |
Latin Foundation | Latin Core Elements Two | Latin Core Elements One | Latin Foundation | Latin Foundation | 10am | Latin Foundation |
| 7:30pm | |
Latin Core Elements One | Latin Foundation | Latin Foundation | Latin Core Elements Two | |
11am |
Salsa Groove Workshops
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| 8:30pm |
Gafieira New Grooves |
Latin Foundation | Latin Core Elements One |
Zouk New Grooves |
Latin Foundation | |
12pm | Carnival Samba Foundation Starts 31st March |
| Venue | Marymac Community Centre | SLG Studio | SLG Studio | SLG Studio | SLG Studio | SLG Studio | |
SLG Studio |
Carnaval Samba
New course beginning 31st March
Smooth Latin Groove is offering a brand new Samba course! This is Carnaval Samba, best known from the annual Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. It is an energetic, invigorating solo dance – traditionally a celebration of life and the body. You will be dancing to Samba Batucada rhythms, having fun and getting a workout! Carnaval Samba Foundation is a 5 week course (beginning 31st March) – available to anyone who wishes to learn this exciting Brazilian dance style.
Doctor Groove
Dance Tips
If you are serious about dancing well, then here are some tips to get you the best results. These will ensure your improvement, regardless of your background or level of experience:
Basics
Practice, practice, practice your basic steps, so that you don’t have to think about them on the dance floor. If the muscles in your body remember the step, without you having to concentrate on it, your dancing can go to the next level, and you will be able to pick up new steps and concepts easily.
Social Dancing
Practice in a social environment can be very useful both when you are starting to learn dancing, and later on when you feel a bit more comfortable with the steps. Dancing socially with different people will improve your leading and following skills, helping you to become a more versatile dancer. You will develop your own unique style, and will benefit from meeting other people learning how to dance - we are not alone!
Personal / 1-on-1 sessions
This is a great way to focus on your individual needs. You can correct any bad habits, improve your technique, and take the opportunity to really soak in the moves you are learning in classes. The more comfortable you are with the material, the more you will enjoy your weekly classes! Talk to us about what we can do for you and what you would like to achieve.
Dance Music
The dance styles exist because of the music. (In this case we know which came first, the chicken or the egg!) Listening to the music you dance to in classes is an important factor in your learning progress. Even just listening to music will help you hear the beat, as well as recognise the different styles. If you can practice to it at home - even better! For some great Latin dance music, check out the link on our website. [insert music link here]
Dancing Fights Depression
Are you feeling down? Get dancing and you will never need anti-depressants! Having fun moving your feet will brighten up your day and cure your blues according to new research.
Mental health researchers, lead by Matt Birks, at UK’s University of Derby has conducted a study, measuring depression before and after a nine-week course in Salsa. Birks, Senior Lecturer in Mental Health at the University, is himself an eager salsa dancer, and has been dancing with the Absolute Salsa dance group for the past five years. The findings of the study showed that dance has a positive effect on people's moods. According to Birks, the physical benefits of salsa, combined with social interaction and the concentration required in learning a new skill all play a part in improvement in mental health of depressed patients. Of course, the confidence gained as a result of the classes and our shared learning experiences are an additional bonus!
Whether dancing will cure clinical depression… well, this is the best tasting medicine. Prescribe two Salsas, followed by a Cha Cha Cha, and call me in the morning!
Tune Up Dance Sessions
A new Social and Practice Session format for 2007.
Fridays – 9th March/ 23rd March/ 6th April/ 20th April/ 4th May
7:45pm to 10.00pm – Air conditioned!
Each of these new sessions includes a 45-minute introductory workshop, along with two and a half hours of social practice time. Each workshop will focus on a new dance style. While the workshops will vary from session to session, the practice time after them will always include our main dance styles – Zouk, Salsa and Gafieira Samba. These sessions are an excellent opportunity to brush up on the steps you learn in classes, and pick up something new at the same time!
9th March, includes a workshop in Bachata.*
23rd March, includes a workshop in Merengue
6th April, includes a workshop in Cha Cha Cha
20th April, includes a workshop in Salsa Shines
4th May, includes a workshop in Samba (no pe)
( * 9th March is the last Tune Up Session at The Dance Works 19 Burke Street Woolloongabba)
Each Practice Session is only $5 for Smooth Latin Groove students and $10 for guests.
For more details please click here
Coffs Harbour Caliente Latin Festival
Caliente Latin Dance
Smooth Latin Groove is set to teach Zouk and Gafieira Samba workshops in Coffs Harbour NSW.
Caliente Latin Fiesta is promising to be a fantastic event, with renowned instructors from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne giving exciting workshops over two days, evening parties, and a live Latin band TNT Latinoz!
March 23 - 25th
Coffs Harbour NSW
Bookings for this event are essential. Early Bird Tickets are now online
For more information on this great event go to http://www.calientedancewear.com/LatinFiesta.html