Deepening Our Raizes: Black History Month Kick Off Event - Sat. Feb 4th

Kicking off Black History Month, there will be a 3-hour combined dance class featuring West African and Afro-Cuban dance. Taught by Suzanne Forbes-Vierling and Master Artist Juan Carlos Blanco. Featuring live drumming. All levels and ages welcome. Here are the details:
When: Saturday, February 4th from 3:30pm to 6:30pm
Where: Stage 7 School of Dance at 3980 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104
Cost: $20 (For 3 hours...that's a deal!)

Concert Hour with Silfredo La O Vigo at Palomar College - Thurs. Feb 9th

Cuban dancer, musician and painter, Silfredo LaO Vigo, will exercise all his talents, including the creation of a painting onstage, incorporating music and dance (and guest musicians) from his native country, Cuba. A rare treat!
Here are the details. It's open to the public!

When: Thursday, February 9th at 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Where: Palomar College in the O2 Performance Studio
Click the link here to get directions, maps and parking info

If you can sneak out for lunch and check out this event, it will be worth it!
For more info:
Contact: Randy Hoffman
E-Mail: rhoffman@palomar.edu
Phone: (760)-744-1150 ext. 2317

Silfredo's Drumming Class Still Open - Needs More People!

Here's a way to really amp up your musicality skills to Cuban music, Silfredo Vigo, who teaches a drumming class at Palomar College in San Marcos needs more people to take his class or the class will get dropped due to low enrollment. This happened last semester it was disappointing. This is access to an important part of the Cuban music learning experience. This will also improve your dancing skills in dancing to the ployrhythmic beats in Afro-Cuban music.
Here are the details:
  We need at least 12 people to keep the class from canceling. I am taking his Afro-Cuban dance class and the live drums are critical for our dancing. I registered at Palomar and it was extremely simple to do online registration.

Here is the link to registering at Palomar:
1. Apply at Palomar by clicking this link.
2. Register for classes by clicking this next link. Make sure you have your Student ID handy!
3. While on the registration portal, find these following classes titles and number codes:
The class numbers are under Music and Dance.     
Music 31497   138   
Dance 31495   138The drumming class is on Thursday from 3:00 to 4:20

NOTE: The class will be canceled by February 5th.

Thank you for supporting our amazing local artists and teachers. We are so lucky to have Silfredo here in San Diego.

It's Timba Night at Miami Grille This coming Friday

This just in!
There will be timba this coming Friday night (January 25th) at the Miami Grille after 8:30pm. Vidal Cordova, from Salsa Casino San Diego will be DJ'ing in between sets with DJ Walterand Vidal will be spinning timba music. There is a salsa class that DJ Walter teaches from 7-8pm or so. Come dance to the music we love! Weeeaaaa!

New Cuban Music to Look Out For: Elito Reve - Jala Jala

It's still not available to buy yet, but check out the official video of the new song Elito Reve Featuring Christian  & Rey. Get your despelote on, because this song will make you want to jump up and dance!

Video of the Week - Russia - Yanek & Diana

It's always a treat to watch Yanek & Diana (from Cuba) dance. Notice how they dance to the music pauses, it's awesome! Thank you, Cat (from Seattlerueda.com) for finding this video!

Save The Date: Feb 11th Havana Cafe Exclusive at Queen Bee's

Saturday, February 11th will be a night to celebrate our music and dance we love so much. Get your dance shoes ready to shake it Cuban style!
Here are the details:

Havana Cafe Exclusive - Cuban Cabaret
 - New Monthly Performances beginning Feb 11th
 - With live music from Quintento Caballero
 - DJ spinning  Timba/Cubanton/Son
 - Mini-dance lessons from various San Diego Cuban salsa instructors
 - Instructor-led Salsa Suelta (Line dancing w/o a partner to timba)
 - Rueda & Afro-Cuban dance performances
 - And above all else...you on the dance floor having a good time
Where: Queen Bee's in North Park - 3925 Ohio St, San Diego, CA 92104
What time: 8pm-12am
Other Details: From 8pm to 12am it's 18 yrs & up. After 12am it's 21 yrs & up Event, RSVP only event. Price will go up if you do not RSVP.
WARNING: After 12am, there is an additional $20 to continue dancing w/ open bar. Yes, that means it could be $35 all together that you pay for the night. (I am just the messenger).

Casino on Cardboard in Coronado Beach, Sat. January 28th


Greetings Everyone!
Casino on Cardboard is ready to set off on Saturday, January 28th. If you've never been to a Casino on Cardboard event, it's basically a free Cuban salsa dance party on a cardboard dance floor. Come dance with us in one of the most beautiful beaches in San Diego, Coronado Beach.  Here are the details:

Date & Time: Saturday from 12noon to 10pm
Location: Coronado Beach across from Sunset Park (at the end of Ocean Blvd where the fire-rings are located). Click on the Sunset Park link to the map.
What to Bring: There are fire rings there so plan on bringing a beach chair, some snacks and drinks, sneakers or flip flops to dance in and most of all yourself. This is a family friendly event, so bring the family and your friends with you. Come dance casino, rueda de casino, and salsa suelta with us.

How can you help? Here are one of three ways you can help:
1. If you want to help set up the dance floor on the sand, please be there at 11am. It literally takes that long to put the dance floor together.
2. We also need help to do carpools from North County and pick up people. Please contact me for carpool volunteers at sbdiva32@yahoo.com
3. We need people to bring firewood for the bonfire at night.

Were are so lucky to have local access to some of the most beautiful beach areas on the west coast.  This is going to be so much fun!
Ayi'nama!
Maritza

Dance Classes with Juan Carlos Blanco

Greetings Everyone!
Juan Carlos Blanco has just updated me with news about his classes. Excellent news! In addition to the weekly Sat. AfroCuban dance class @ Stage 7, he's also teaching a Carnival Class Series at the World Beat Cultural Center on Sundays, featuring Carnival Drum/percussion 12-1 pm and Carnival Dance 1-2 pm. The series ends in February 12 and culminates with participation in San Diego Mardi Gras Ball: Brazil Carnival 2012 on Feb 18 @ 4th & B (downtown SD). There will be several other series offered this year. To get updated information, please e-mail him at omoashe@earthlink.net to get on his e-newsletter.