Singapore Salsa Congress (11 - 17 December 06) - Any Takers?

Event: Singapore Salsa Congress 2006
Date: 11 - 17th December 2006
Description:
The Singapore Salsa Congress 2006 will be happening this 11-17th December 2006. There will be over 200 performers, 100 workshops, 7 parties, a theatre show and a salsa competition will take place during this period from artistes from India, Thailand, Philippines, Indonsia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, France, Israel, Slovenia, Africa, Chilli, Venezula and more.

The event is set to take Asia salsa by storm and create the most unforgettable experience in the history of salsa in Singapore.
Venue: Kallang Theatre
Rates: Click HERE
For more Information: Click HERE

In case you guys are interested, here are the rates:

Saturday Night Kallang Theatre Show $88
(16 December 2006, 8pm to 10pm, Tickets at $15, $25, $88, $128, $288)

Thursday Night Party @ Ministry Of Sound $15
(Party @ Ministry Of Sound 14 December 2006 8pm)

7 Days VIP Pass $420
(7 days, over 100 workshops, 7 parties, 1 theatre show and 3 club performances 11th to 17th December)

4 Days Regular Pass $180
(4 day pass with 50 workshops, 4 parties, 1 theatre show worth $128 and 2 club performances 14th to 17th December, Total worth $388)

Saturday Workshops Pass $70
(Saturday Intermediate Salsa Workshops Pass, 12pm to 4pm,16 December 2006, 12 Workshops for Selection)

Monday to Wednesday Beginners Salsa Crash Course $60
(Monday to Wednesday 6hours, 7pm to 9pm)

The following tickets are avaliable only at Xenbar

7 Night Party Pass @ $70
Individual Class Tickets @ $30
Individual Party Tickets per location per night @ $15
VIP 4 Days Pass $315
(14th to 17 December: Not for sale in Singapore, tickets are sold via overseas agents only)

Performers & Volunteers Rate: extra 65% Discount
$168 ($420 before discount) after discount for 7 day VIP Pass
$80 ($180 before discount) after discount for 4 day Regular Pass

Places of Purchase
Xenbar Pte Ltd
34A Pagoda Street
Singapore 059193
Click HERE for a map

----- OR ----

268 SAM Machines all Around Singapore
Is there one near you? Click HERE to check.

----- OR -----

All 62 Singapore Post Offices
Click HERE to find out if there's a SingPost near you.

What's any salsa festival without excellent instructors from the local and overseas scene to share and teach the willing learners. For the upcoming Singapore Salsa Congress, the following will be coming down so don't forget to catch them. Also, we will be doing research on what we can find out about them so if you're going to the congress, you will definitely want to be notified if there are updates to this topic.

Australia
- Jason Gauci (Australia)
- Sohel (Sydney, Australia)

Canada
- Brent (Canada)

France
- Anton Berchenko (France)
- Sebastien Chouillet (France)

Hong Kong
- Joseph Ennin (Hong Kong)
- Janita Tsang (Hong Kong)

Indonesia
- Michael Alexander (Indonesia)
- Venyci Yefriadi (Indonesia)

Korea
- Nari-Shin (Korea)
- Mi Jung (Korea)

Malaysia
- Fasilito Y. (Malaysia)

New Zealand
- Giancarlo & Masha from Latinissimo Dance Co. (Auckland, New Zealand)

Singapore
- Yanqing (Singapore)
- Natalie Tan (Singapore)
- Manfred Goh (Singapore)
- Wai Huang (Singapore)
- Anasri Onn & Fi Alsagoff (Singapore)
- Bianca (Singapore)
- Justin Ong (Singapore)
- Zie (Singapore)
- Kyo (Singapore)
- Ivy (Singapore)
- Grace (Singapore)
- Wai Huang (Singapore)
- James (Singapore)

Taiwan
- Cynthia Hung, CEO of Taiwan SALSA Association (Taiwan)

United States
- Amit Gilboa (Pittsburgh, US)

Venezuela
- Pat Calzadilla (Venezuela)

Giancarlo & Marsha of Latinissimo Dance Company specialise in street latin dancing with salsa as their main focus. Since starting to operate in Auckland, New Zealand in November 2005, they have gained massive popularity amongst salsa dancers around the country. they became the first salsa dance school ever to represent Auckland at International Salsa events around the world and are constantly setting new standards for Salsa dancing in New Zealand.

Giancarlo, a Swedish national with Latin-American background, won the Australia IDO Salsa competition in 2003 while studying and living in Melbourne, Australia. Although he studied photography for 3 eyars, he could not let go of dancing and co-founded Latinissimo Dance Company in Melbourne that same year with the aim to put his dance company on the International Salsa circuit. With a background in jazz and gymnastics, his amazing energy, athleticism, and agility - makes his Salsa dancing impressive and unique. By 2004, he had taken the first step towards his goal - he go the opportunity to perform at the renowned West Coast Salsa Congress in Los Angeles. Up until his relocation to Auckland in late 2005 to launch a 2nd Latinissimo Dance Co, Giancarlo was either performing, teaching or competing at different International Salsa events such as the inaugural Sydney Salsa Congress and Hamburg Salsa Festival.

Masha represented her native country, Slovenia, as an elite rhythmic gnmnast before relocating to New Zealand. From the age of 4, Masha has been dancing ballet, jazz, Latin American Dance Sport and contemporary dance. In return, she now has more than 21 years of disciplined dance trainign with immaculate dance and gynmasitc technique. Besides receiving numerous awards in rhythmic gymnasitics in Europe, Masha became the 2003 NZ Latin American Dancesport Champion and in 2004, won the Marconi Club salsa competition in Sydney. Up until teaming up with Giancarlo, Masha was performing and competing at different events such as the Hamburg Salsa Festival.

Giancarlo and Masha perform sharp, flashy and energetic Salsa perfrmances leaving the audience gasping for more. Not onyl are they raising the standard of Salsa dancing / performing in New Zealand like never before, but also influencing other schools with structured Salsa and other street Latin dance courses. When Salsa dancers from around New Zealand want some cool, flashy or sexy Salsa moves - they turn to Latinissimo.

Most recently, Giancarlo & Masha featured as Salsa & Mambo choreographers for TV3's hit show "So You Think You Can Dance", main dancers and characters in an up and coming music video, won the 2006 Hong Kong Salsa Open competition and are currently receiving invitations to perform and teach along side the best Salsa dancers and instructors in the world at events like - Sydney Salsa Congress, West Coast Salsa Congress in Los Angeles, the UK Salsa Congress, the Mambo & Salsa Project in Miami, Singapore Salsa Festival and more.

Their mission is to set a new standard in the New Zealand Salsa scene - is underway!

Extract of profile was gotten from the Latinissimo Dance Co's Instructor's profile page, which can be viewed HERE.

Here are some videos of Giancarlo & Masha performing:

sounds cool... prob can get our union peepz down there

Dancing since the age of 11, Jason has developed an admired style of latin dancing drawing on his background of various dance training. Competing in all three styles of Dancesport (Latin American, Ballroom and New Vogue), Jason excelled across all categories winning State and National Grade competitions and being a finalist in State and National Open competitions.Some of Jason's major highlights were representing NSW at the Australasian Championships and ranking 3rd in the Australian Open Titles. Jason learnt primarily from respected Dancesport coaches of Adele Hyland and Tony Gauci (Tony is Jason's uncle who himself was 14 times Australian Champion and British Open winner).Jason has also enjoyed dancing roles in the movies, Strictly Ballroom and Lantana and also performed in the Sydney 2000 Olympics Closing Ceremony.Apart from his competitive Dancesport experience, Jason over recent years, has turned his energies to salsa dancing.

Dancing salsa since 2000 Jason quickly became one of the best known faces on the Sydney salsa scene entertaining crowds with his dynamic personality. He discovered a whole new style of dancing which he very quickly adapted to and found a passion for.Jason danced with Latin Motion Dance Academy under the teachings of Oliver Pineda. Oliver was 2001 IDO World Salsa Champion which he won at the prestigious event held in Miami . Latin Motion Dance Academy was selected as the performing group to represent Australia at the 2002 West Coast Salsa Congress held in Los Angeles . Jason was very honoured to be a part of the team and danced to a standing ovation crowd.In 2003 Jason also became involved with Latin Dance Australia which is Australia 's largest salsa dance school. This was working along side Jaime Jesus who is one of Australia 's most regarded male salsa dancers.

While dancing most nights of the week, Jason has always maintained a full time reputable position within the banking industry and accepted an offer to work in Hong Kong in early 2004. Jason happily accepted and has been able to continue his love for dancing in the heart of Asia . In the short time Jason has been present in Hong Kong he has become a well known and popular face in the dance scene. His love and energy for dance has led him to be one of Hong Kong 's current top male latin performers.

Jason has travelled to the Japan Salsa Congress in October to represent Hong Kong and visited Salsa Congresses in both Miami and San Francisco , USA in November 2004. He was fortunate to learn from some of the world's top salsa dancer's on this trip. Jason has been involved in the 2004 Latin American Festival in Hong Kong and performs in many festivals and shows around Lan Kwai Fong and Causeway Bay. Jason has recently performed in the 2005 HK Salsa Festival with Janita and entertained the crowds with their very dynamic routine. JJ Salsa were the only HK couple to perform at this event.

JJ Salsa were very fortunate to be selected to perform in the largest salsa congress in the world- the West Coast Salsa Congress 2005. JJ Salsa were the only dancers performing from HK also. During Jason's stay in LA he managed to take private lessons from some of the top salsa instructors in Los Angeles. Many of these are regarded as currently the best in the world. Jason studied under Alex Da Silva, Rodrigo Guzman, Laura Canellias, Josie Neglia, Al and Edie Espinoza (Liquid Silver and Salsa Freak). Jason became a qualified instructor under Laura Canellias "SalsaCardio" rogram. A world famous teaching program that incorporates latin dance into a cardio workout. Jason also gained the prestigious teaching qualification certification under Al and Edie Espinoza Salsa Teaching Program. This is currently one of the most highly regarded salsa syllabus worldwide. Al and Edie currently are touring around the world teaching salsa and have been to over 42 countries. Edie was recently voted Best International Instructor at the World Salsa Festival in London. Jason has recently performed in pop singer, Joyce Lee Live Concerts as her main latin dance. He was also selected as one of the adjudicator's to judge the 2005 HK Salsa Championship.

Jason was honoured to be a guest performer and instructor at the 1st Beijing Salsa Festival. He was also asked to be adjudicator for the 1st Amateur Beijing Salsa Championship. He also appeared on China CCTV through interview on the Festival. In December 2005, Jason was selected to perform at the 1st Salsa Congress in Manila, Philippines. This was a great event with many other international guests attending.

In March 2006 Jason completed his official teaching qualifications in both Latin and Ballroom to be recognised as a member of the Federal Association of Teachers of Dancing, one of Australia's most prestigious dance bodies. In April he travelled to India to teach in Mumbai and Delhi both salsa and Latin. The emerging market of India was were impressed by Jason's easy to follow Salsa syllabus and found it very helpful to their early development. The thorough latin technique class was also very popular. In June 06 Jason and Janita (JJ Salsa) represented HK at the Taiwanese Salsa Festival, one of their many dance performances around Asia.

In June 2006 completed Associate level exams for Latin American and Ballroom Dancing under the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). This is one of the most prestigious dance bodies in the world.

In July 2006 travelled to Korea to teach at 4th Salsa Congress. Korean Congress is the one of the most highly respected salsa congresses in Asia. Jason also launched his "Latin Cardio" workout class which was a huge sucess.

In August 2006, Jason was the proud teacher of the 2006 HK Amateur Salsa Champions. Jason's great teaching abilities and insights into performing and competitions helped to create this winning edge couple.

Jason wants to share his passion of dance with the people of Asia and loves the feeling of being able to see people develop from no dancing ability to having the confidence to get up on the dance floor anytime. Jason's natural teaching flair, energy and precision has made him a very popular latin teacher.

Home Page: Latin Dance Hong Kong

Anton Berchenko is an experienced and accomplished dancer from France. At a very young age he mastered ballet and continued to learn various dance forms such as tap, Argentin tango, samba, jazz, hip-hop, and of course Salsa. He has created his own dance company "A Doble" followed by "Cachimbo" and opened his own dance studio named "Studio Cachimbo" in Paris.

Anton teaches On1 & On2 but his special specialty is footwork or "shines" On2. He is currently residing in Manila teaching classes and spreading his passion for Salsa in the Philippines.

Anton Berchenko Website can be accessed HERE

Source: Singapore Salsa Congress

For those of you who are interested, the schedule is out for the classes.

For more information, please click HERE.

Janita is an accomplished Salsa and aerobics instructor and dancer. Specialising in Salsa instruction, Salsa performance training and aerobic training, she is one of the most sought-after female Salsa instructors in Hong Kong.

D.ASLAS's Major Achievements and Activities
- IFPHK Annual Gala Dinner (Oct 26, 04)
- Mexican Festival Annual Ball at Football Club (Sep, 2004)
- Hong Kong Salsa Festival (Feb 28, 2004)
- “Orchid” Debut Performance Asiaxpat Special Programme at the Edge (Feb 19, 2004)
- UBS Annual Ball at HK Convention Centre (Dec 13, 2003)
- Opening Dance for Macau 50th Anniversary Grand Prix (Nov 17, 2003)
- Johnny Polanco Salsa Band International Tour (Nov 15 and 16, 2003)
- Stanley Ho’s Company Annual Dinner at Conrad Hotel (Oct 14, 2003)
- Mexican Festival Annual Ball at Renaissance Hotel (Sep 23, 2003)
- Grand Stage Salsa Night Opening (Sep 10, 2003)
- AMS (Direct Selling Health Products) Annual Ball (July 19, 2003)
- Jockey Club Tea Party (June 22, 2003)
- Opening Dance for Yahoo! CHEER UP HONG KONG! Programme (May 22, 2003)
- Hong Kong Design Centre DBM Party (March 22, 2003)
- “Genie” Debut Performance was the opening dance for the 2nd Hong Kong Salsa Congress (Feb 15, 200

Her Own Achievements Include
- 17 years of experience in teaching aerobics
- Champion of Hong Kong Aerobic Open in 1987
- 2nd runner-up in 1st Hong Kong Salsa Competition in 1999
- 1st runner-up in Hong Kong Salsa Street Dance Competition in 2000
- Studied under the original 'Salsaerobics' founder, Ms. Laura Cannelias "Cardio Salsa" in Los Angeles 2000
- Teaching 'Salsaerobics' in various high-end health clubs in HK
- Appeared in the TV show 'Salsa Karate' in 2001
- Performed in HK Salsa Congress in 2002 with World Salsa Congress organizer Mr. Albert Torres
- Exclusive salsa performer for Andes Art Company (Latin American Musical Entertainment Company in HK)
- 'The Best Salsa Performer' of Hong Kong in 2002
- The first Chinese female Salsa instructor in Hong Kong
- Founder of ASLAS Gals in 2003 (the only female Salsa dance troupe in Hong Kong)
- Choreographer of ASLAS’s performance in Hong Kong Salsa Congress 2003/2004
- Leader of ASLAS Gals performance team in 2003 Yahoo “Cheer Up HK Program”
- HK representative to perform in 6th Japan Salsa Congress in Oct, 2004.
- HK representative to perform in 1st Thailand Salsa Congress in Aug, 2004
- Invited to teach Salsa ‘Ladies Styling’ course in Taichung, Taiwan.
- TV show with Canto-pop artist Mr. Orlando To for Annual Best Jockey Award held by HK Jockey Club & ATV in Sep 2004.

Dear Justin

Yaaaaaaaahhhhhhhooooooooooooo

Alvin & myself will be going for this event. Of course, we cann't afford to get $288 tickets.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Saturday Night Kallang Theatre Show $88
(16 December 2006, 8pm to 10pm, Tickets at $15, $25, $88, $128, $288)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Anyone interested?

Cheers
Joanne

Hey Joanne,

the $88 show will be equally exciting to look forward to...

I would really loe to join you guys... but im sooo tired down with church activities, i seriously dun tink i will be able to join you guys.

Please, please, when you have gone for the show, come back and share with us

I cant be there, but i know i can depend on you. hahahaha

hope you guys have fun!

cheerios

Hi Chris

Good morning.

:scratch: .....we also didn't get $88 tickets leh....I just copy and paste this original message from Justin, thats why you thought I bought $88 (in bold) rite? Sorry for the confusiing.

Sure, we will try to take some photos if we are allowed to do so and show it to you guys later.

Never mind, I do hope you can join us next time. Perhaps, we can meet up next time in Union?

Ciao
Joanne

wow Joanne

thats cool with me... Union is like home to me hahaha going whenever im available... heheh

cheerios

Day / Date: 11th December 2006, Monday
Time: 08.00PM to late
Venue: QBar Singapore
Ticket Costs:
Tickets can be gotten at the door or through Kyo (pre-sales tickets) @ 6766 4232 for $15 / ticket.
Highlights:
- FREE Salsa class at 8pm
- Beginners category Salsa Competition at 10pm
- Performances at 10.20pm

Description:
With the Singapore Salsa Congress jsut around the corner, the event will be kickstarted wth a fantastic party at QBar on Monday, 11th December 2006~

QBar Singapore is what you have been waiting for. A great bar with club music, it is the quintessential mix of cool culture, chilled cocktails, club chorals, and a cosmopolitan ambience with a bunch of clued-in characters rolled up in a pretty bar. Singapore's largest collection of internationally renowned luxe vodkas will leave you ecstatic for more.

Located at The Arts House – a prominent heritage landmark along the scenic Singapore River – Q Bar Singapore is a unique blend of historical beauty and cutting-edge design. Multi textures and rich colours dominate, complemented by avant-garde design elements gracing the space. A funky acrylic chandelier upstairs adds a surreal touch while plus surrounds and rich colours evoke sensuality. The VIP room - Salon Perrier-Jouët - is located in a prime spot on the second floor and is designed to be 'funky colonial', complete with contemporary mod wallpaper.

Specially for the Singapore Salsa Congress, Q Bar will play Salsa music through the night! Come experience authentic Salsa over at Q Bar and groove to the latin sounds of the guest DJs!

Day / Date: 14th December 2006, Thursday
Time: 08.00PM to late
Venue: Ministry of Sound
Ticket Costs:
Tickets are $15 and get be gotten from
- 286 SAM machines & Post Offices
- register at GATECRASH

Description:
A big party will take place in the Ministry of Sound (MoS) on Thursday 14th December.

The main performance dance show 'Salsa Singapore' will be held at Kallang Theatre on Saturday 16th December, featuring Choo Yanqing, Asia's Top Salsera and a list of foreign artistes.