Seattle Salsa Dance Competition
Friday – September 4, 2009
FREE beginner lesson at 8:30pm, social dancing till 1:30am
Belltown Dance Studio is proud presents our "3nd Dance competition"
"This Salsa Dance Competition/Social Dance event is open to the public — please share this with a friend."
A very big thanks to all of those who came to our recent Bachata competition — it was an awesome event!
If you are intermediate to advanced level, this is your opportunity to have some fun and showcase what you've got.
Yes, bring your own dance partner if you are competing or he or she is your better half! 
All others, NO partner needed, coming to watch the show and social dance with us.
What level are you? There will be a number of questions asked by judges to see which level you should be competing in.
There will be 2 rounds. The 1st round will be a warm up as well as qualify you for the final round.
Music: To keep this fair, we will only play 2 songs per level: one song for each round. In the final round, the music will play for 2 minutes for each couple, but for each next couple a different part of the song will play. This is meant to be a free-form and as spontaneous as possible vs. a choreographed routine. Because of this, we are judging your timing, musicality, connection, style, flavor and attitude.
Trophies will be awarded to the top two couples, $70 additional gift prizes, 1st place winners will received additional $100 worth cash or gifts.
This competition is for amateurs ONLY.
Competitors, please feel free to E-mail us in advance if you are interested in competing.
BelltownDanceStudio@yahoo.com
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JIM CHOW
Head Salsa Dance Instructor & Owner of Belltown Dance Studio
From a very young age, Jim possessed the rhythm and
love of music which has influenced him throughout his life. For a while, he was known as an exceptional freestyle club dancer. But freestyle days were over when Jim was introduced to Salsa in 1999. Salsa immediately became his biggest passion and primary means for self expression. Although he was strongly influenced by LA style (on 1) and captivated by its flares, drama, and beauty, in early 2004 Jim started adding the flavor and softness of NY style (on 2), to his dancing. This made his style truly unique, and on the dance floor he stands out above the rest.
To Jim, Salsa is more than simple dance moves. It is playful, dramatic, sensual and flirtatious. Within a short period of time he was addicted and dancing at a professional level. Jim has been a successful artist working nationally for 20 years, and this art background has had a definite impact on his dancing and instruction. In his artistic eye, Salsa is very much comparable to an ongoing mastery of Kung Fu. Because of this, Jim is able to correctly express body movement and body language, and is exceptional at sharing accurate cues and direction for better footwork, patterns and styling with his students.
Jim has danced with some of the most well-known national and local dancers. To offer the ladies a better concept of being an outstanding follow, he complements his instruction with talented dance assistants who offer the grace, fun, flirtatiousness, and proper technique of ladies styling.
Since 2002 Jim has been demonstrating his technique to students in dance studios such as Cameo Dance and American Dance Institute, as well as workshops in health clubs, Gold's Gym, 24 hrs Fitness, Columbia Athletic Club, Bally Total fitness, and in a number of private lessons. He has done many presentations at parties, fund raisers, and other events, and has developed a loyal following. Jim gets a great deal of personal gratification from sharing his passion and seeing his students progressively master the art of Salsa. Why dance with just an instructor when you can dance with an artist?
His Keywords: Always follow your passion, forever humble, and always open to learn.
for more details and info please visit: http://dancesalsaon1.com
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Bachata Workshop
Due to our up coming Bachata Dance competition at the end of July, the time for a workshop is now! On Saturday, July 18, I, Jim Chow, will be collaborating with dance instructor Katie Lake to teach a 2 hour workshop.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Beginning level…1pm-2pm $12 in advance $15 at the door.
Intermediate level…2:15pm-3:15pm $12 pay in advance $15 at the door.
Both at: $22 in advance, $28 at the door.
A little history of Bachata dance and the music
The creation of bachata dance was the brainchild of servants, who were the first to embrace this form of movement. The music was generally played after returning home from a hard day at work. Dancers performed to music created with the use of everyday items that were commonly found in the backyard, including garbage cans and fences. In some parts of the Dominican Republic, the term 'bachata' actually means trash, while others view the term to suggest a celebration or party. Another theory regarding the history behind bachata dance and music is that it came from the Italian Ballata, a formally popular music that once thrived many centuries ago in Italy.
Throughout the years, bachata dance and music held close ties to the pan Latin- American style called bolero, which was also romantic in nature. Later, merengue and salsa served as an influence for bachata dance, which infused a faster pace and the use of various guitar styles. As a rule of thumb, male singers provide the lyrical accompaniment of the dance with early icons including Jose Manuel Calderon, Ramon Cordero, and Rafeal Encarnacion. Today, an electric guitar is used to supply dancers with music that is full of rhythm. Overall, the use of electric instruments are much easier to groove to than earlier styles.
Belltown Dance Studio
2521 4th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98125
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ZUMBA
Every Monday night starting July, 13th
7:30pm-8:30pm, $15 drop-in $12 ea. if purchase a 10 session punch card.
*Soon additional Thurs. or Sat. that will be taught by another instructor as well.
What is Zumba?
Zumba® fuses hypnotic latin rhythms and easy to follow moves to create a dynamic fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. Zumba® Fanatics achieve long term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exhilarating hour of caloric-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life!
The routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms, and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Add some Latin flavor and international zest into the mix and you've got Zumba®!
Belltown Dance Studio 2521 4th Ave. Seattle WA 98121
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Salsa Ladies Styling Workshop
with Stephanie of Salsa Angels Dance Company!
Stephanie will lead a series of body isolation exercises before teaching a fun, sexy routine that can easily be incorporated into solo shines when you're out on the dance floor. This hour-and-a-half workshop is geared primarily towards Beginner level 2, intermediate and advanced-level dancers — students must have some basic salsa experience to attend.
Date/Time: Sat. May 9th, 1:30pm-3pm
Pricing: $18 if pay in advance or $23 at the door.
Register now: http://belltowndancestudio.com
Instructor Bio
As founder, director, and choreographer for SalsAngels, Stephanie has been dancing and performing salsa for over seven years on the west coast. She holds a BA in performance and dance and has also studied Argentine tango, ballroom, mambo, samba, classical ballet, and modern dance. Stephanie's classes — as well as her choreographies — focus on technique, musicality, and body motion/isolations.
www.salsaangel.com
**Shoes Tips: Be sure to wear dance shoes or shoes that don't have too much traction on their soles, as this will allow you to spin more easily. Ladies, heel and ankle support is a plus.
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Blues Dance Lessons Meetup
Learn to connect on the dance floor at a great new studio in Belltown.
5 week series, Monday nights 8:30-9:30pm, March 16 – April 13th.
Beginner/Intermediate
No partner necessary!
Blues is a very free-form partner dance, generally done at slower tempos, and known for it's hot passion and playful fun. It allows a dancer to draw on their own creativity and previous movement experience, while maintaining a solid connection with their partner. We will focus on the conversation of dance between partners as well as musicality. Get into the soul of dancing!
Call Jenny:
$60 5hrs/5week series.
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