What an amazing weekend it was! The Sydney Bachata Festival was off the hook! And I couldn’t be any happier with the amazing job that the Bachateros did on the weekend!

THE PERFORMANCES

The Bachateros B-Unit team brought the house down with their cheeky and fun performance! Take a look at the video, can you believe that for most of them it was the first time performing? CONGRATULATIONS B-TEAM!

The Bachateros Advanced… they are awesome!! I love this team because I can showcase my crazy and innovative ideas in Bachata, and they do an amazing job on the stage. Thanks to Pascale Dernocoure for helping choreograph this routine. We got a lot of positive feedback, but one that stuck to me was… “This was the most memorable performance of the weekend!” WOW!

The Bachata performance with Alegria from Latin Spirit and Josie Cote from Tropical Soul. I loved this routine! We wanted to make it fun for us and for the public, and sure we did have fun! Thanks Alegria and Josie!

THE WORKSHOPS

I love to see so many Bachateros eager to learn more Bachata and the different styles of it. Bachata Moderna is a household name, having more than 100 Bachateros in each workshop!

With Pascale, we taught a funky Bachata shines footwork, and a sexy turn pattern. I always ensure that the combinations taught are leadable on the dance floor, if not… what is the point!

With Samantha, we taught Bachata Musicality (we talked about the magic number 4 – more on it in a future article) and we taught a combination based in 4 bars of 8. People LOVED this workshop! I had so many nice complements not only after the workshop, but days after!

Hope you guys enjoy the videos and our work! Looking forward on doing it again and again and again!

-Juan

Juan Ruiz, from Bachateros.com talks to Domenic Marte the day after the amazing Bachata concert, part of the Sydney Bachata Festival.

We talked about the Festival, Australian Bachata, Bachata all over the world and also his music and where he finds his inspirations to create awesome Bachata music!

Enjoy!

I’m sure you are not the first one talking about the timing issue in Bachata. The following is from a question I got from Alon Goshen, a Bachata instructor from Israel about the timing issue in Bachata.

This is the conversation we had about it… good insights for everybody…

From Allon  (28 March, 2012)

Hi Juan,

I’m writing this to you as one of the leading Bachata Instructors in the world, because here in Israel we have a small debate between the Bachata Instructors, that we were hoping that you might help settle (if there is something that most agree upon). We could really use your opinion.

This is about the Bachata count. Some of us teach 1,2,3,Hip and 1,2,3,Hip, and some teach 1,2,3,Hip and 5,6,7,Hip. Now, we all agree it’s easier to teach with 8 count, since all of the Bachata crowd also knows Salsa, and it’s easier for both Instructors and Students.

However, in Bachata, unlike Salsa, there are many moments that in some the guy will move to the left on the 1 count (with his left leg first), and many that the guy will move to the right on the 1 (with his right leg first). Take for example when the guy is standing behind the girl, who is standing with her back to the guy. Both will move to the same direction, which means that one of them will move the “wrong” leg first. Therefore, there is no leg difference between the 1 count and the 5 count, since both legs can move on both counts, depends on the dancing situation, and therefore there is no need to differ between the 2 pairs of 4 count.

I hope you understand what I’m talking about. If you instruct your students that 1 count means left leg for the men and right leg for the girls, and that the 5 count means right leg for the men and left leg for the girls, then above is an example that negates that. Same applies if as a leader, I decide to lead the girl forward on the first 4 count, and then to the left on the 2nd 4 count, making my next 4 count go to the right, and again switching legs…

So, what do you do? Do you tell your students that Bachata is on 4 count, but you teach it on 8 count for convenient? or that you believe it’s on 8 count, and if so, then how do you explain the two cases I described above?

We would really appreciate your help, as we don’t wanna teach people the wrong things…

Juan’s answer (28 March 2012)

Hey Alon,

This is a debate that I have usually at the Bachata competitions that I judge, when they want us to look for the “timing” of the dancers….

By default, Bachata is a 4/4 music. Meaning that when you count it, it will be 1,2,3,4, 1,2,3,4, etc.

For teaching purposes, we count ’till the 8th, as it is easier to say 1,2,3,4 to the right, 5,6,7,8 to the left

So, if you start dancing on the 1, you are on time. If you start dancing on the 5, you are on time as well!

This is a concept that true Bachata artists know about. Usually, Salsa dancers are used to the 8 counts, so for them, it is hard to understand the 4 count.

I can go on about it, but you get my point, and I’m sure I have answered your question

-Juan

PS. This is a great question that I always get asked. I’m going to put it on the Bachateros website so people can refer to it. Thanks, Alon! Keep on dancing!

From Allon

Thank you for your answer. Do you mind if I paste it on my Facebook wall for all to see?

From Juan

Yes, go for it

From Alon

Btw, about what you said that “if you start dancing on the 1, you are on time. If you start dancing on the 5, you are on time as well”. I think that I need to make my meaning clearer.

I always start on the 1, but the different is, that I can start it with my left leg or my right leg. If on a count of 1,2,3,tap 5,6,7,tap I do Right,Left,Right,tap and Left,Right,Left,tap, I do not call it “start dancing on the 5″ but rather i call it “start dancing on the 1 with your right leg”, which is a bit different, if you understand what I mean.

From Juan

It is the same, explained differently

To make it simpler:
You are on time if you star dancing with your left foot or with your right foot on the one, as long as you keep the 4 beats timing (step, step, step, tap)

From Alon

Yep, thought so. Again, thank you very much, and I hope one day to see you in Israel. I hope one day we can bring you to Israel.

Alon then sent an email to various prominent Bachata instructors whom provided great insights as well. I would leave it up to Alon to share those insights J

I have been teaching for quite some years now. I have taught people with no dance experience at all and also advanced and professional dancers. I have been fortunate to be part of the journeys of many different students, creating long lasting friendships along the way.

When they ask me what they can do to repay me for the time, energy, advice and dance knowledge given to them (besides the money reward); I always have the same answer….

The best reward for a dance instructor is to see his love, passion and knowledge of the dance being used and executed by the student.  Seeing the students mastering everything that the instructor has taught them, and then, seeing them teaching the same material to others, for me, it is the greatest reward of all!

Making a change (a positive change) and sharing one’s passion is first, money will then follow.

- Juan

PS. I love the video below as it shows various students executing the dance moves to perfection! This is what I’m talking about!

4Ever – Vida.mp3

ZOUCHATA

Dance like there’s nobody watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt. Sing like there’s nobody listening, And live like it’s heaven on earth with people who love Bachata and Zouk just as much as you do!

Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.

Music: Bachata & Zouk ( 2 song rotation )

PROGRAM
8:30pm Zouk workshop
9:30pm Party starts

PRICE
$10 online or $12 at the door
BYO alcohol. (Anyone behaving irresponsibly will be kicked out, no warning. )

Please direct all queries to: brad@zoukchata.com.au Facebook us or check out http://zoukchata.com.au/

I remember the days when there was only 1 class of Bachata at the Dance Schools, as their main priority was to teach Salsa. Then, schools had 2 Levels of Bachata, usually: Beginners and Open Level. Only few schools ventured to teach 3 Levels of Bachata: Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced, and that was a major accomplishment for the school. I respected the Schools that had 3 levels of Bachata instruction (and believe me, there are not many).

NOW, I’m happy to announce that Bachateros will have 4 Levels of Bachata Instruction. That’s right, 4 LEVELS! Since Tropical Soul became our home, the Bachata classes have been growing in numbers every single term. We have around 100 Bachateros on our Tuesday nights, and because of the demand for knowledge and quality Bachata instruction, we decided it is time to open a 4^th Level of instruction!

Keep in mind; these are 4 different levels of instruction, not 4 different terms. For example, usually salsa schools have 7 to 8 levels of instructions (and sometimes there are double levels). We have 4 levels of Bachata Instruction – you can see the image “Your Bachata Journey” for more explanation.

THE SYLLABUS

From day one that I started teaching Bachata, I always focused on developing a syllabus that taught fundamentals rather than combinations (This syllabus has been a project that started back in 2008). I have shared my syllabus with various instructors and schools worldwide in order to try to get a common understanding in the instruction of this beautiful style; syllabus that has been adopted by various schools. The syllabus is always under revision, but I have to say, that the syllabus has reached an outstanding level of maturity! (Contact me if you would like to use the Bachateros Syllabus)

I look forward on sharing my Bachata journey with you guys. Having 4 Levels of Bachata is a dream come true! Bachata is no longer the second dance; it is now hand-in-hand with the big dances styles out there!

BACHATA AT TROPICAL SOUL

The Bachateros classes are on Tuesday nights.
Register at Tropical Soul Dance Studio

See ya guys soon!

-Juan

RUMBA CAFE IS BACK !!!

with loads of performances, and great, great, music and dancing !!! The BEST Salsa, Bachata and Zouk in Sydney!

Rumba Cafe has developed a really good name for being an awesome, fully packed fun night in the Salsa and Latin World in sydney Australia

Live performances and spectacular shows!

SATURDAY 24 MARCH
9pm Zouk class
930pm party

TICKETS
$22 at the door
$15 prepaid

At the Gaelic Club, 64 Devonshire St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Get your tickets online at www.tsdance.com.au or directly at Salsa Replublic or Tropical Soul

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR ONLY

Proudly supported by Sydney Bachata Festival. The SIBF will be giving away free passes on the night, don’t miss out!

Melbourne is a big Bachata lover! But this love for Bachata didn’t happen from one day to another. In this interview, I had the opportunity to talk to Leonardo Quiroz, the person responsible for pushing Bachata in Melbourne, and making of Melbourne a strong force in the Bachata scene.

JUAN: Leo, since I met you, you have always been a Bachata passionnista. When did you develop such love for Bachata?

Leo: The first time I saw bachata, almost 4 years ago; it didn’t interest me at all. I had been doing salsa for about 6 months, and that was so much fun, and I saw a couple learning beginner bachata; it looked slow and boring. But then I started dancing it socially, and found that it was so much more than what was being taught in the schools in Melbourne. For my first year and a half of dancing bachata, I never sat out one single bachata song! Now of course I have to sit some out, because we play it so much here!

JUAN: Your brand Bachata Inc has been established for some years now, what made you decide to create Bachata Inc?

Leo: We will be celebrating two years teaching bachata in April this year! The first time I even thought about teaching bachata was at the 2nd Sydney International Bachata Festival, where I performed in a team for the first time. A female dancer from Sydney told me that she liked my style, and that I should teach. When I got home from the festival, some of my salsa friends asked me to teach them my style too. So I enlisted the help of Sky Blue, and she helped me find a venue and gave me some pointers on how to teach bachata to a class. I wanted to only teach what I really loved, and so decided to create a school dedicated only to bachata.

JUAN: I’m jealous that you run a Bachata dedicated night every week! Tell me more about Destino Latin Bar, what makes it so different than any other Latin night in Australia?

Leo: Well, our initial bachata night at Destino Latin Bar came about because I wanted to teach bachata, but also have a place for my friends and I to dance bachata. There was no place in Melbourne that played more than 5-6 bachata songs per night. So we started a night with classes and social dancing, with 80% bachata song per night. Not only is this a unique feature in Australia, but the venue itself is perfect for bachata. With its dim lighting, candles, chandelier, and the rustic walls covered in Mexican pictures and items, the night is like no other. We run this night on Wednesdays now also, and as of a February, we started a new night by the beach at The Beach Hotel.

JUAN: how do you see Bachata in Australia compared to the rest of the world?

Leo: Bachata in Australia started as Salsa’s little sister, struggling to get a dance on the popular salsa dance floor. I think what really helped bachata here is the work of passionate people, who wanted everyone to see the beauty and potential of bachata. People like yourself, Nestor, Sky and other dancers who really love bachata, and made people aware of it. In other countries, bachata has grown and developed to become as big, if not bigger, than salsa. But she will grow here, and we will help her.

JUAN: who do you admire in Bachata? I mean, where do you find your inspiration for new moves, routines and choreographies?

Leo: I do watch performances, but generally only while at festivals. I don’t like to copy or imitate, I try to come up with moves on my own. This is important to me, so I don’t only dance the moves, I actually learn to further understand bachata, and how two people can work together. Not many people know this, but every week for the last 2 years, my dance partner and I have met about 30 minutes before our class, and worked out 2 short choreographies for the classes to learn. For the latest choreographies for Sydney, I choreographed one in my car on the way home from dancing. I suppose my inspiration comes from wanting to show people the beauty of bachata, and so I teach and choreograph. And as such, I admire anyone with the same desire.

JUAN: for those traveling to Melbourne. Where can they find you? where they can take your classes?

Leo: On Sundays and Wednesdays, you can find us dancing at Destino Latin Bar on Chapel St. On Fridays, we are at The Beach Hotel, right by the beach. For class times and locations, you can check out our website, www.bachatainc.com. Or for regular updates on classes, events, performance courses and general sharing of the love of bachata, you can join our Facebook group, just click on the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/116809458330618/

One of the most fun, energetic and surprising competitions ever to be created – The Best Social Dancer Comp! Sydney, once again, it’s looking for its best Social Dancer in ZOUK, BACHATA, SALSA, SAMBA, and one of the crowds favorite, the SAME SEX social dancers!

The competition consists of:

• WEEK 1: HEAT 1 (2 couples go through to finals)
• WEEK 2: HEAT 2 (2 couples go through to finals)
• WEEK 3: FINALS

REMEMBER THESE DATESL

• ZOUK SERIES: starting Wed 9th May
• BACHATA SERIES: starting Wed 30 May
• SALSA SERIES: starting Wed 20 June
• BRAZILIAN SAMBA SERIES: starting 11 July
• SAME SEX: combined with Rumba Cafe, TBS

Heaps of prizes to be won – including $500 to the winning couple, and loads of goodies and passes to Sydney and Australia’s Best events!

$25 per person to enter (you also get 3 nights entry to City Tattersalls for the duration of that comp)

We advice to register early as we have a limit 7 couples per night. Don’t leave it ’till too late, as many couples missed out last year. Start dancing, start social dancing and practicing now!

To register:
Sherylanne 0402 993 244 or
Juan 0421 448 780

www.salsarepublic.com.au or www.tsdance.com.au
LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE