• How and when did you get introduced to Salsa? Who were your teachers who helped you hone your dancing Skills?

I was studying in a small university town- iowa city, USA -where i went our dancing and saw this soulful dance which looked like jiving. Though I managed to pick up the steps, i realised that i was quite offbeat. I resolved to learn the dance asap. We had a student who was conducting salsa workshops in the university and I learnt my basics from him- Modei – a mix of Latin and African parents. Hanging out at the local salsa pubs with Latin students helped me add finesse and passion to the steps. Later on i went to learn other forms of Latin ballroom in Washington DC from world champions- Maria and Martin- and was an instructor in their studio there.

• What difference has Salsa made to your life?

Besides making me a more social person Salsa has immersed me in a new culture- that of Latin Americans. This dance has helped me keep fit- physically and mentally. It has won me many friends around the world . I have also been able to help absolute newcomers to learn dancing and this has boosted the confidence of many aspiring salseros. I also learnt Spanish to understand Salsa better.

My students have varied from teenagers to those leading a busy corporate life to senior citizens. It gives me immense pleasure to see someone happy while dancing. And of course salsa has given me an alternate profession- Two Left Feet – a dance group that we started to teach dancing to people who are short of time and want to learn it in a fun and fast manner.

• How long have you been dancing Salsa? which is you “other” favourite Latin dance?

Its been 12 years since I first danced salsa. After that it has literally been a way of life. Brazilian Samba and Argentine tango are my other favorite Latin dances. The fun and footloose Samba is exactly opposite to the passionate and disciplined Tango.. yet they mesmerise the soul and body alike.

• What do you think about the Salsa Parties happening in Mumbai?
  

It is heartening to see more salsa parties in Mumbai after I first started dancing with Devika Shahani at Liquid Lounge in 2002.  Now there are atleast 4-5 places in a week to dance salsa. I look forward to seeing more live music salsa parties and maybe open air parties too.

• How many Salsa congresses in India and around the world have you attended?
  

I have attended one each in Bangalore and Bombay.One of the first things that I do when i travel is to go dancing at a salsa club. i have danced in more than 25 cities across more than 15 countries in the world.  I enjoyed the Salsa congress the most in Amsterdam and Berlin.

• How does your family react to your passion for Salsa? Do they support you?

When I first started to dance, it was an uphill task convincing my parents as the perception of the dance was very negative in India. Over the years they have seen me perform and the dance has also received rave reviews. Now they are proud to inform people about my passion for dancing.

How and when did you get introduced to Salsa?
I had gone to ‘Starters & More’ for their Dance Club nite where I saw Ashwin Mushran dancing Salsa in 2003. He had just moved down from UK. From the moment I saw him dancing, I wanted to learn salsa. I was learning Ballroom from Sandip Soparrkar at that time. Sandip was not keen on teaching salsa at that time. So I joined Ashwin’s classes.

And how were you inspired you to continue dancing? And how many more years would you be dancing Salsa?
There is something unique about Latin music which has inspired me to continue dancing. Initially there were just few places which played Latin music. It started from ‘Starters & More’ and then there was ‘Liquid Lounge’ and ‘Trafalgar Chowk’. We used to look forward to Latin themed events. Salsa is very addictive. It’s like a drug. Once you get hooked, there is no looking back. It just grows on you. The driving beat of the music makes you want to move. When you dance with your partner and make a connection, this dance can turn passionate and sensual in a sexy way. How many more years… May be for ever…
Who do you think one should look out for in the Mumbai Salsa scene and a brilliant dancer?
Kaytee Namgyal and Avan Mehta

How long have you been dancing Salsa and which is you other favorite Latin dance?
I have been dancing salsa for almost 6 years. Other favourite Latin dance is Bachata, and Cha Cha.

What difference has Salsa made to your life?
It has made me overcome my shyness and made me much more confident. Salsa has given a new platform to make friends and network. Salsa parties are a great way to socialize and release stress. Salsa is like meditation. Whenever I travel for work or pleasure, I keep evenings free for going to local salsa clubs. I have been to salsa clubs in Kuala Lampur, Singapore, Dubai, Chicago, San Francisco and New York

Tell us something about your profession?
I was into Commodity Futures before. I met my current business partner Avinash (HAS juice bar) at Kaytee’s salsa class. HAS juice bar is India’s 1st juice bar chain specializing in fresh juices and smoothies. I am also planning to get into Health Food.

What do you think about the Salsa Parties happening in Mumbai? For e.g. Zenzi , Rio.

Dragonfly was great. It has a huge dance floor. But unfortunately it has closed down. Zenzi is most happening but too crowded these days. Zenzi Mills is better. Bohemia was good. Rio is ok. Not been to H2O.

How many congresses in India and around the world have you attended?
Two Salsa India Festivals, Mumbai 2007 and Delhi 2005. Salsa Weekender in Goa 2008. Washington DC Salsa Congress 2006.
How would you rate the Salsa India Congress (by Salsa India) and the India International Salsa Congress (by lvds)?
I have not been for any of India International Salsa Congress (by lvds). Salsa India Festivals have been great. Missed the last one in Mumbai.

What do you think about Mumbai Salsa Meetup? Do you think Iam doing a good job by reviewing dance school and instructors ? Any suggestions on how to make the community and the Sa Sa Salsaaaa website better?
It’s a good platform to interact with other salsa enthusiasts. You are doing great. Don’t get to see you at Salsa Parties of late. Some of your reviews have been spot on.

How and when did you get introduced to Salsa?

Hmmm…it’s the best gift I gave to myself in 2006….For a very long time I was wanting to learn SALSA,but didn’t know where..until I saw a classified in some newspaper…KIRAN SHRIYAN’ workshop n classes…..since then till today……I M THERE….

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And how were you inspired you to continue dancing? And how many more years  would you be dancing Salsa?

For me it’s a continuous learning process….I always feel I m a beginner and I have to learn more….its never ending thirst….

I would dancing as long my feet are dancing…….old n gold couple….

Who do you think one should look out for in the Mumbai Salsa scene and a brilliant dancer?

In last 4 years a lot has changed…..initially it was only zenzi,bandra….but now there are salsa nites happening every alternate day..which is great.But still a long way to go …..we need salsa enthusiast salseros…who can and would love to evolve it more….its a small but growing community…..

Every guru is great.

How long have you been dancing Salsa and which is you other favorite latin dance?

Phew!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn’t realize how time flies…….its been close to 3 years…..n counting…..ohhh…all Latin dance are just cool…what you need is a super cool partner…..BACHATA,ZOUK……lambada…..

What difference has Salsa made to your life?

WELL…..hmmmmmmmmmm…….As I have always mentioned…Salsa makes me feel like a beautiful woman…it just completes me….…but salsa makes me forget my blues once I am on floor….its my medicine.

Tell us something about your profession?

I am an actor….doing films n television….

1.Page 3

2.Tom,Dick and Harry

3.Money hai toh honey hai

4.Backwaters- English film directed by Jag mundhra

Now..some more projects……

What do you think about the Salsa Parties happening in Mumbai? For eg. Zenzi , Rio , and dragonfly?

Zenzi- gets too crowded….but still it’s the oldest and crème de la crème of salsa is there…

Rio- is good again..great spot for beginners to polish themselves……

Zenzi Mills- better dance floor…..no poles in between……good crowd…Great music by Kaytee,Derek, ashwin

How many congresses in India and around the world have you attended?

Dubai salsa festival 2006 and 2007

Paris salsa festival 2007

2006,2007,2008 in Bombay organized by Kaytee

2007,2008 –salsa congress organized by Lourd Vijay

How would you rate the Salsa India Congress(by Salsa India) and the India International Salsa Congress(by lvds)?

There is no comparison…..both are good…..

What do you think about Mumbai Salsa Meetup? Do you think Iam doing a good job by reviewing dance school  and instructors ? Any suggestions on how to make the community and the Sa Sa Salsaaaa website better?

Ohhh need you ask that?You are doin a fabulous job in promoting salsa…people from all over the world comes to know where and when salsa is happening in Mumbai…….

The community has to be more enthu n dedicated and may be a bit aggressive.New people should be more into it as we were when we started….remember…

Suman is very passionate about dance and Salsa in particular, her enthusiasm is contagious, unfortunately she is not seen much on the floor, but her support has been quite vital for the Mumbai Salsa meetup, so she is framed on Sa Sa Salsaaaaa as a “ Salsa Addict”

Here is quick interview with Suman and her views about Salsa in mumbai particularly.

• How and when did you get introduced to Salsa?

I was introduced to Salsa around 2003 when I was in college after watching the movies – Dirty Dancing 1 & 2. I went ahead and joined Sandeep Soparkar’s Ballroom dancing and from there on there was no looking back.

• How were you inspired you to continue dancing? And how many more years would you be dancing Salsa?

Practice sessions continued from the enthusiastic lot of students from Sandeep Soparakar’s classes. We all went out partying and hunted for places where there were salsa themed nights. Ofcourse, we didn’t know salsa then. We knew ballroom but we realized there were similarities. Specially in rumba and cha cha with Salsa. We picked up the moves easily enough. And all of us branched out and learnt it from others. Its been 5 years since then. We havn’t stopped dancing.

• Who do you think one should look out for in the Mumbai Salsa scene and a brilliant dancer?

There are many names – Kaytee Namgyal, Kiran Shriyan and many of his students/trainers, Vivek Yadav and Raunaque Sidana. Amongst women – there’s Natasha Vakil and many more who I don’t remember names of. Some of them often come to the meetups.

• How long have you been dancing Salsa and which is you other favorite latin dance?

About 5+ years now.. Fav latin dance – Salsa and Bachata. I also like Tango though Im still to say I can dane it well.

• What difference has Salsa made to your life?

Oh.. its given me such a huge avenue. An avenue to party, an avenue to relax, to destress, to rejuvenate, to feel good, to dance socially, to meet people, most of all to enjoy doing the one thing that makes a woman feel sensual and young and happy – to dance!

• What do you think about the Salsa Parties happening in Mumbai?

I think some of these parties are brilliant – some of them a little too niche for me. Some of them are not so well-organised. But at the end of the day – it’s a great effort. And its applaudable.

• What do you think about Mumbai Salsa Meetup? Do you think Iam doing a good job by reviewing dance school and instructors ? Any suggestions on how to make the community and the Sa Sa Salsaaaa website better?

I think you’re doing a rocking job. You’ve brought together a whole bunch of people and given them the shape of a salsa community. You’ve kickstarted a movement in Mumbai. Yes, its slowed down but it has the potential to resurface time and again. And it does that often enough. I think you should make it a lot less charitable and a lot more commercial as people don’t seem to value it as much when its done with good intention only.

• What is your professional background?

I am a Handwriting Analyst, Hypnotist and Trainer in Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP). Currently I work with a Training Solutions company providing Managerial and Behavioral Skills to corporates and colleges. Other than using my skills for people-enhancement, I also teach Handwriting Analysis, Hypnosis and NLP.

She is beautiful,petite and runs a chic boutique in South Mumbai and her passion for Salsa made her do the unthinkable,write a blog on Salsa. I would have nominated her for the businesswoman of the year, but for now she has to satiate with being a framed as a “Salsa Addict”

Here is a short interview , when she decides to field questions on Salsa in mumbai.

• How and when did you get introduced to Salsa?

Always been an avid dancer since I was little, love all forms of dancing, salsa took my fancy about 3 years ago….the music does it for me and Zenzi was the place I first saw people salsa which tempted me to enroll into Salsa India and learn atleast the basics.

• And how were you inspired to continue dancing? how many more years would you be dancing Salsa?

I cant do without music and that’s what inspires and makes me dance more and more and more.

• Who do you think one should look out for in the Mumbai Salsa scene and a brilliant dancer?

As biased as I may be, But I think Kaytee is my hero….he is a brilliant dancer and I love his missionary zeal and passion for dance and the fact that he has created such a cult, we are all “Salsa Addicts” , all becos you, Kaytee…lol

• How long have you been dancing Salsa and which is you other favorite latin dance?

Love dancing in all its form…..I dance to any music that does it for me.

Love Bachata……(not so good at it L)

• What difference has Salsa made to your life?

Makes me fight more with my parents about my late night outs

• Tell us something about your profession?

No gain without pain…….Come check it out.

Besos Fashion, shop.no5, Ground floor, Advani Chambers,Nr Shalimar Hotel

Kemps Corner, Mumbai-400036

• What do you think about the Salsa Parties happening in Mumbai? For eg. Zenzi , Rio , and dragonfly.

It’s a great platform for dancers……truly passionate dance lovers who were always looking for a place to dance in Bombay without the need to “go clubbing”, “socializing”or “drinking”……but purely for the passion of dancing!

I Love it and try to make the most of it whenever I can.

• How many congresses in India and around the world have you attended?

Not many actually….Festivals that I’ve attended are-Bombay of course….last 2 years

Bangalore, Goa.

Have been to Salsa clubs and Salsa Nights in China (Guangzhou & Shanghai)

Singapore.

• How would you rate the Salsa India Congress(by Salsa India) and the India International Salsa Congress(by lvds)?

I’m no one to rate anyone….am just another social dancer.

I feel everyone is a good in their own way…..as long as you have fun and can make it fun for others.

• What do you think about Mumbai Salsa Meetup? Do you think Iam doing a good job by reviewing dance school and instructors ? Any suggestions on how to make the community and the Sa Sa Salsaaaa website better?

Ok here it is…..Salsa is salsa when danced not spoken or written…..so all those who keep meeting up to review

places / dancers/ instructors….should just start dancing more and experience the magic.

“Aks” as popularly called is the guy who is smooth at his Salsa moves, he is almost a common feature at any Salsa do, if you dont see this friendly person, the party is really not happening.He does remixes and DJing for a living with none other than DJ Suketu.He is framed as a chronic “Salsa Addict”

• How and when did you get introduced to Salsa?
  I was first introduced to Salsa in 2003 in Dubai at a Dance-a-thon event. Salsa was one of the dance forms taught. And when I shifted to Bombay it was Bohemia and Zenzi!

• How were you inspired you to continue dancing? And for how many more years would you be dancing Salsa?
  First of all the Latino Music is something that stands out from the usual styles. I have been religiously hooked to Salsa Parties and workshops happening around the city. So don’t this there is any reason to stop dancing!
  
• Who do you think one should look out for in the Mumbai Salsa scene and a brilliant dancer?
  Kaytee Namgyal – SIDC

• How long have you been dancing Salsa and which is you other favorite Latin dances?
  2 years of Salsa. And I have been dancing Bachata and Zouk recently.

• What difference has Salsa made to your life?
  Salsa Socials have added a new way of dancing and enjoying the music. Sundays have definitely become more interesting.

• What do you think about the Salsa Parties happening in Mumbai? For eg. Zenzi, Rio, and dragonfly.
  Like I said Zenzi is definitely the hot spot for Mumbaikars to shake a leg @ Salsa on a Sunday evening! I think more and more venues would make salsa totally an addiction!

• How many congresses in India and around the world have you attended?
  I have attended the Dance-a-thon (Dubai), Salsa India Dance festivals since last 3 years, Bangalore Salsa Festival and the recent Goa Salsa festival.

• How would you rate the Salsa India Congress (by Salsa India) and the India International Salsa Congress (by lvds)?
  Both are good in their own ways.
  India International Salsa Congress (by lvds) need better venues for parties.
  But since I live in Mumbai, I prefer Salsa India Congress (by Salsa India).

• What do you think about Mumbai Salsa Meet up? Do you think Iam doing a good job by reviewing dance school and instructors? Any suggestions on how to make the community and the Sa Sa Salsaaaa website better?
  IF I can think of Salsa in Mumbai, Manoj was the first person I spoke to when I joined the Salsa Meet up group. Definitely he is been supporting the whole salsa movement for quite sometimes now. This website shows his true passion for Salsa

John Von Rooy is a accomplished Salsero who was travelling to India as a “International teachers exchange program”.Here is a short interview with Jon.

1) How was your experience on the salsa scene in India (particularly mumbai)?

Fantastic! The Salsa scene in Mumbai was great–friendly and passionate dancers. I really enjoyed my time. Hope to be back for one more stay in early April.

2) What do you think mumbai needs in terms of better Salsa experience?
More places to dance. And LIVE music!

 
3) What was the purpose of your visit to India? Do you plan to come here often.
I came to India as part of an international teacher exchange program at the Neerja Modi School in Jaipur. I taught English, Spanish, and Dance.
I hope to be back in India as soon as January of 2010.

Jon choreographing this Salsa number for the Hostel Kids.

4) Can you share your experiences on the same ?
Overall, I had an amazing 9-months in India. The people, culture, food, geography provided a diverse and stimulating experience. Mujhe India se pyaar hain!

5) Your favorite Dance quote?

Dance, when you’re broken open.
Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off.
Dance in the middle of the fighting.
Dance in your blood.
Dance, when you’re perfectly free.
~Rumi

Here is a John performing a Rumba http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1017115200215&subj=93404403