Newsletter                                                                                       May 2006

Thank you to all….

Being part of Latin dance has always been rewarding for me, not just because of the dancing but also for the fabulous people that I get to meet through dance.  From the beginning of Smooth Latin Groove in January this year, each round of classes has become more exciting than the last as more and more wonderful people become a part of the SLG experience.

To all the students of SLG I would like to say a big thank you for the wonderful experiences.   Watching you enjoy your classes each week and to see you on the dance floor makes everything so worthwhile.

A special thank you must go to Desley for her behind the scenes work at SLG as well as her assistance during classes, various events and also her contribution to all the performance choreographies.  Also thanks to Vanessa for her fantastic energy leading up to and of course during each Zouk performance.  Smooth Latin Groove is so much richer for their fabulous support.

As another term is about to begin, I look forward to seeing you all very soon.  Ian

If you would like to learn to dance quickly and easily,

here is a big tip.

Keep it simple and concentrate on learning one dance style at first or at the most no more than two dance styles. Allow yourself to not only learn without confusion but to build your confidence.  This will allow you to have much more fun sooner!!

The techniques used in partner dance are universal, elements such as: frame, connection, tension, and contra body movement apply to all partner style dances. By reducing the number of variables, that is the number of styles of dance, you will pick up these elements much more quickly. Once you are able to lead or follow, you will be able to take these skills to whatever dance style you then chosen to learn. 

Attempting to learn the movements from many dance styles at once simply makes it confusing to pick up the essential elements of lead and follow.  At best it will slow your progress dramatically, at worst, a new student will become confused and may never actually get it.

Thankfully there are only a few schools that offer classes that include many dance styles at once. These types of classes benefit only the owner of the dance school not the dance student, as the student has to learn at a much slower pace.

Special Offer:

At Smooth Latin Groove not only do we recommend that you concentrate on only one or two dance styles at once, but we give students enrolling in ‘Smooth Foundation’ classes one extra class each week ‘free of charge’.  This gives you that valuable extra session to really let it all sink in and to become a confident dancer twice as fast while having twice as much fun.

Next Dance Party 6^th May

Free Practice Sessions at for SLG Students

This is an opportunity for SLG students to enjoy dancing in a relaxed environment – free of charge.

Practice Session dates in the next block of classes are:

When:             Friday 19^th May & Friday 16^th June

Time:              9:00pm – 11:00pm (2 hour sessions)

Where:           The Dance Works - Studio 2 (upstairs)

New timetable is out now!!

Smooth Latin Groove introduces Foundation Salsa classes.

Salsa Linea is exciting, elegant and sensual on the dance floor and by far the most popular Latin dance style in the world today. Salsa Linea a mixture suave footwork with cool turn patterns is based on the cross body lead and rely on a strong foundation of basic dance principles. Linea style Salsa will therefore provide you with a strong grounding in the basic fundamentals of partner dance, allowing you to diversify into other styles later on (such as Cuban, Miami or New York styles). Smooth Latin Groove is about having fun and at the same time developing skills that will impress!

New block of classes start May 8^th

Important Course Information

« Your Investment in each course is $110.

« All courses duration are 7 weeks.  8^th May to 23^rd June 2006 inclusive.

« No Partner is required.

« Follower to leader ratio is monitored during enrolment so as not to exceed ratio of 2:1

« To ensure maximum group learning pace, all students must enroll for a course.

« No casual classes are offered.

« Full Course payment is due at first class.

« Cash, Credit Card* or Cheque only. No refund or exchange. *Visa, Mastercard, Bankcard

For more information:

Check out www.smoothlatingroove.com.au

Email:  smoothlatingroove@msn.com

Telephone: Ian Corbett 0438 461 577

Another great dance tip from Tropical NY.  Enjoy!

<This is an English translation from Reiko's tips in Japanese by Uri, a TNY instructor in Tokyo>

<< Timing is the key to good partner work >>

When you are dancing with your partner, either with your hands together, or in a partner position, and feel that something is not right, the reason may be that your timing is not synchronized well enough with your partner's timing.

Now, what exactly is this "timing"?

It is the timing of your steps --- shifting your weight from one side to the other. When you can synchronize well the weight shift with your partner, the lead and the follow can work well, too. The most important thing is that it feels good just doing the basic steps with your partner when you’re timing of weight shift is synchronized!! You don't even need complicated turn patterns to feel this good feeling. You can feel this when dancing with your partner, or with a group of people. The musicians, who are not on the dance floor, if they are there performing for the dancers, will also be able to feel this 'vibe' from the dancers for sure! You can feel as if everyone sharing the moment is "breathing" together --- as the musicians might say.

It would be difficult to breathe together when there is no tangible guide to do so. But of course, music is our most important guide. Listen carefully to the music, and breathing together becomes very simple.

Let's try this on the dance floor!!

Signs that would suggest that you are addicted to Latin Dance.

*           You pay for you Latin dance lesson before your rent or mortgage.

*           You won’t leave your car until the end of that captivating song, no matter if it makes you late for work or an appointment.

*           You use your steering wheel as either congas, timbales, bongos or clave sticks.

*           You only leave the dance floor to go to the bar or bathroom on the merengue breaks.

*           You wear your old worn-out dance shoes as slippers, instead of trashing them.

*           You get busted shadow dancing, in places like church, work, on the train or bus, on line at the supermarket etc.

*           You wake up and go to sleep listening to your favorite Latin CDs.

*           You search the web for Latin clubs near the area, before you go on vacation.

Gafieira News

Check out this link to view a Gafieira Samba demonstration from a dance group in the .  It is exciting to see Gafieira Samba increasing in popularity.

http://www.sambasundays.com/Videos.html

Afro-Brazilian Dance/Fitness Classes – with Mishel

This unique Afro-Brazilian Dance/Fitness class has been designed specifically to improve your entire body movement, flexibility and rhythm, whilst losing weight, toning up and having fun! This is not a traditional dance class, so no partnering is required.

Samba (no pe): Axe (“Ashay”) Funk, Rumba and Mambo

Each class incorporates a warm-up, stretching, individual dance movements and choreography derived from authentic Brazilian and Cuban styles, and a warm down.

Mishel is an Australian who recently returned from living in Rio de Janeiro, where she trained with professional dance instructors, specializing in Samba, Zouk and Axe. She is the founder of Afro-Brazilian Dance/Fitness classes in and Co-Director of Ipanema Dance, a Brazilian Dance Academy that she will open with her Brazilian husband in May 2006, which will teach authentic Brazilian dance styles. Mishel’s passion for Brazilian dance is evident in her classes, which are always energetic and vibrant.

Contact Mishel on 0413 331 781 for fun group fitness classes or for private instruction in any of the above dance styles especially Carnival Samba.

SMOOTH LATIN GROOVE - CONTACT DETAILS

Website:  www.smoothlatingroove.com.au

Classes – Timetables – What’s On – DJ - Music – Links

Email:  smoothlatingroove@msn.com

Mobile:  Ian Corbett  0438 461 577

Class Venues:           Tuesday, Thursday & Friday – The Dance Works, Woolloongabba

                                    Monday & Wednesday – Marymac Community Centre, Annerley

Party Venues:            Bulimba Community Centre

                                    Cnr Stuart & Barramul Streets

                                    Bulimba

New Courses Start:  Week beginning Monday 8^th May 2006