 |
||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
 |
||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
LATEST NEWS & HAPPENINGS! **************************************************** 8wk Beginners Salsa "fast track" course - Thursday 25 February ****************************************************  NZ's leading salsa dance professionals and current Champions -
Giancarlo & Masha invite you to join them for an 8wk Beginners
"fast track" fundamentals Salsa course!We will cover everything you need to know as a beginner to give you solid fundamentals to build upon. The aim of the course if for you to first of all have fun with some simple salsa combinations! However, we are also aiming for you to be able to dance to a medium paced song and be confident with your understanding of the basics and how to combine them.  Plus, you will receive a FREE Beginners DVD to "fast track" your learning curve outside of class!Bring your partner and/or friends - everybody is welcome! - Level 3, 106 Quay Street - Auckland City - 7:30pm Register HERE *********************************** The LATIN Quarter - Saturday 27 February *********************************** - SATURDAY 27 FEBRUARY  The LATIN Quarter is your night to dance
to the best and most popular SALSA, MAMBO, BACHATA, ZOUK and CHA CHA!
This night is created by dancers with the "dance-aholic" in mind!- Lots of space - Smooth dance floor - City center location - Gold coin soft drinks - If you wish - YOU CAN BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE! - No alcohol - Great music - Great sound system - ONLY $5 entry - WHERE: Level 3, 106 Quay Street, Auckland CBD - TIME: 9:00pm - 01:00am Let your Latin dancing friends that @ The LATIN Quarter is where can get your absolute DANCE fix! See you dancing real soon! ************************************ Latinissimo @ Sydney Salsa Congress 2010 ************************************  The last weekend of January was a quite an experience for TEAM Latinissimo members as all 18 of them traveled to Australia for the much anticipated 6th edition of the Sydney Salsa Congress.The highlight for Latinissimo was Saturday night - the biggest night of the event - as both TEAM Latinissimo and Giancarlo Masha performed infront of nearly 2,000 spectators! It was the second time TEAM Latinissimo students have represented NZ at this event and it was Giancarlo & Masha's 5th appearance at SSC.  The team did a phenomenal performance as always and despite Giancarlo's nerve injuries (back neck) which prevented them from their usual intense rehearsals leading up to an event like this... Giancarlo Masha showed once again that they are at the top of their game.See the video of TEAM Latinissimo HERE See photos HERE ************************************** TEAM Latinissimo - *NEW* members wanted **************************************  **TEAM #1 >> Latinissimo PERFORMANCE TEAM**⦁ NO PARTNER REQUIRED TO JOIN THIS TEAM! ⦁ YES, YOU CAN JOIN EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE PART OF ANOTHER TEAM! You can be part of this team and learn an incredibly HOT, FUN and EXCITING new choreography! Plus you will get to know a friendly, fun and TALENTED group of people! This team is suited for ALL levels! Come along to the audition and info meeting to find out the full details! No need to prepare anything! Just bring your dance shoes, something to drink and pen & paper! *NOTE* The audition is nothing scary! Beginners and Intermediate level dancers are most welcome. You do however need to have some basic/fundamental knowledge of salsa dancing. It's not about how good of a salsa dancer you are - it's about how much you are willing to put in, attitude and personality. Anything is possible if you are teachable, committed and serious about your dancing. ⦁  There is no obligation by attending the audition and info meeting.⦁ Spaces for TEAM Latinissimo is VERY limited - we are only looking for a specific number of people in order to maintain the correct ratio! ⦁ All questions about costs, rehearsal day/s, times, structure etc. will be discussed at the info meeting. If you are interested - just come along, no obligation. ⦁ Saturday 23 January @ 12:00 - 2:00pm - North Shore Dance Centre - 4 Target Court, Glenfield (off Target Road) - Call 021 2SALSA2 if you need help finding the studio Call Gian or Masha on 021 2SALSA2 if you require other info OR dance@salsadance.co.nz Meet some past and present TEAM Latinissimo members HERE **TEAM #2 >> Latinissimo COMPETITION TEAM** ⦁  NO PARTNER REQUIRED TO JOIN THIS TEAM!⦁ YES, YOU CAN JOIN EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE PART OF ANOTHER TEAM! ⦁ LIMITED SPOTS! Are YOU keen to compete with a team, do YOU want to push your salsa dance limits (technically), do YOU want to take on a high end and pumping competition routine...? If you answered yes, then this team could be for you! This team is suited for the dancer who wants to push their limits and has a competitive edge! You can be part of this team and learn an incredibly HOT, exciting, challenging and fun NEW competition choreography! Some spots in this team are reserved for current TEAM Latinissimo members, however we are on the look for a few more. *NOTE* The audition is nothing scary! Intermediate and advanced level dancers welcome. No need to prepare anything! Just bring your dance shoes, something to drink and pen & paper! ==================== REMEMBER - It's not about how good of a salsa dancer you are - it's about how much you are willing to put in, attitude and personality. Anything is possible if you are teachable, committed and serious enough to push your limits. ;-) ====================  ⦁ There is no obligation by attending the audition and info meeting.⦁ Spaces for both teams is limited - specially the competition team - we are only looking for a specific number of people in order to maintain the correct ratio! ⦁ All questions about costs, rehearsal day/s, times, structure etc. will be discussed at the info meeting. If you are interested - 1st step is to come along, no obligation. ⦁ Saturday 23 January @ 12:00pm - North Shore Dance Centre - 4 Target Court, Glenfield (off Target Road) - Call 021 2SALSA2 if you need help finding the studio Call Gian or Masha on 021 2SALSA2 if you require other info OR dance@salsadance.co.nz Meet some past and present TEAM Latinissimo members HERE ************************************ TEAM Latinissimo welcomes NEW members! ************************************ November 15, TEAM Latinissimo held auditions and an info meeting for potential new members. The response was overwhelming as during the week more and more interest kept pouring in. 10 NEW members were invited and they have already started their training with the team. New team members are: - Emma Lewis - Sarah Kent - Omer Gilroy - James McGlinn (returning member) - Tamara Brons - Brenda Meyer - Karrie Sampson - Jeff Elia - Tareeza Whitehouse - Stefan Kulak Their personal profiles will be online soon. If you missed the audition or couldn't make it on the day, not to worry. In the new year, TEAM Latinissimo will be holding new auditions for more & new choreographies as Latinissimo will be celebrating its 5th Anniversary in Auckland... a big bang party is in the works! Stay tuned! ******************************* Latinissimo makes headlines - again! *******************************  Latinissimo dancers were featured in North Shore Times on Thursday 12 November 2009 for their remarkable results at the recent 2009 NZ Salsa Nationals.If you happen to receive this newspaper make sure you have a look in it to read the full article. If not, click HERE to read the online version.
What a weekend it was for
Latinissimo dancers at the 2009 New Zealand Salsa Nationals held at the
Telstra Clear Events Center in Manukau on Saturday 31 October. "-Latinissimo was in a class of its own, and it was worth coming just to see you guys!" - was one of the many comments. After months and endless hours of preparation and organization, Latinissimo did an unprecedented achievement and secured the following placings;  - Champions - 2009 NZ Salsa Open Division (Giancarlo & Masha) - Champions - 2009 NZ Salsa Team Division (TEAM Latinissimo) - Champions - 2009 NZ Salsa Amateur Division (Alyx & Tania) - 1st Runner up - 2009 NZ Salsa Beginner Division (Hinga & Annysha)  - Winners - 2009 NZ People's Choice Award - Open Division- Winners - 2009 NZ People's Choice Award - Team Division - Winners - 2009 NZ People's Choice Award - Amateur Division LATINISSIMO - Home of New Zealand's Salsa Dance Champions! Latinissimo student competition Team consisted of the following 8 dancers:  Alyx TyTania Mason Trajano Leydet Shannon Ring Conrad Fort Rachael Clark Malcolm McLean Donna Lambert Awesome job guys!!  But that was not all..., TEAM Latinissimo Showpiece consisting of 20 dancers did an outstanding performance and closed the event with a big bang! People raved about their choreography which included 4 different dance styles. Latinissimo and their teams will continue to perform and compete in 2010 representing New Zealand.****************
In the 4 years Latinissimo has been operating in New Zealand, it has never entered the NZ Salsa Competition.
- You can be part of our CHEERING SQUAD!!
*************************
Click HERE to read more about the DVDs ************************************** ********************************  After 2 very long flights we finally arrived in hot and steamy Seoul. It is peak summer and the sun is blazing down and the humidity is topping the 90% mark. Luckily festival organizer Nari is at the airport waiting for us to take us to the hotel to cool off and get some rest.DAY 1 - The first night all the international guest were escorted to the welcome party in Seoul city. Apparently it was the most popular Salsa club in Seoul. Well it sure did not disappoint! It was quite big and wooden floors throughout the venue. Immediately as I walked down the stairs you could spot the talent... Salsa dancers in Korea are of the highest caliber I have ever seen in Asia. Wow! I stood there just admiring the level of the dancers!  Eventually we stepped on the dancefloor to have a dance. Trust me when I say, about 4 hours later... I was still on the dance floor! After Masha and I had our first dance, it was non-stop! Girl after girl, guy after guy were asking us for a dance! Litteraly there was a line of people or a crowd gathering around us so they could have their turn to dance with us! The only way to get to have a drink was to look straight down on the floor - not make eye contact with anyone - and run for the bar!! And the music!! The DJ's played the best on most amazing Salsa, Mambo and Cha Cha!! Songs I most definitely have heard before, BUT versions that I had never heard before! All the international guests (Magna - photo, Mike, Erell, Pablo, Diana, Marco, Haridian, Masha and myself - Gian) were very impressed with the music selection. I of course, got totally inspired and had my "radar" ear on!DAY 2 - Was full of workshops and later on it was performances and the much talked about Korea Salsa Championships!  The perforamance venue was absolutely beatiful! An opera house! Only thing was that the stage floor was made for ballet dancers! In other words a rubber floor(!). Sticky...?? Yes, to say the least! Althogh some of the performers were a bit shaky, it all went smooth and well. Masha and I were 2 out of 7 judges for the Team competition. Over 14 teams competed from all over Korea, Japan and China. Obviously the Korean teams were the biggest teams with no less than 8 couples per team. Very creative choreographies and very good performers. Without a doubt some of the best salsa groups I have ever seen!  The audience was absolutely crazy! I have never seen anything like this... huge 5-6 meter long banners, tshirts printed with the team names, hats, balloons, big signs... It was like a world cup soccer final! And they were all sitting in groups, just like at any sports event. Wish I could have filmed it, but since I was by the judges table it would have been a bit embarrasing getting up with the camera... DAY 3 - Another day with workshops. Our workshop had approx. 60-70 participants and we had a great time! Although exhausted, we still needed to keep going! It was the final night and also the couples competition.This time Masha and I got to enjoy watching the competition rather than judging it. Once again fierce competition, but there was a clear winner... The last couple that came on stage was a Korean couple. They totally stole the show and all the judges were unanimous in their descision.  Towards the end of our stay we got to see a bit more of Seoul city it self. I have to say, although the city is quite big (10 million+). I found that getting around Seoul was very easy with the subway. Just get a map and hop on the subway!Photo on the right (Mike, Erell, Pablo, Diana & Masha) I look forward to returning to Seoul soon!
*****************************  The New Zealand Salsa Nationals will be held on 31st October 2009 at Telstra Clear Pacific Events Center.Registrations close 31 August, 2009
**************************************** ***********************************************
The New Zealand “Open to the World” Professional and Amateur Adult and Senior Ballroom and Latin American Dancesport Championships to be held at ASB Stadium, Kohimarama Road, Auckland 25th & 26th July 2009. See New Zealand's best Ballroom and Latin dancer battle it out on the dancefloor for supremacy!
Introducing International and New Zealand top Dancers competing for prestigious New Zealand titles. If you enjoyed TVNZ’s “Dancing With the Stars” you are sure to enjoy this weekend of glamorous glitter and fancy footwork. You may even see a “Star” or two.
**********************************
**BALL TICKETS INFO**:
****************************************************** Gian & Masha represent NZ @ The 4th Annual India Int'l Salsa Congress ******************************************************  Gian & Masha have been confirmed as invited guests to represent New Zealand in magical, spiritual and incredible India!It is the 4th edition of the Annual India International Salsa Congress held in Bangalore, August 7th - 9th, 2009. It is the first time New Zealand will be represented at this event. The timing of this event could not have been any better as Gian's birthday falls right on the final night of the congress, Sunday 9th August. What an incredible birthday celebration! With India's impressive 1 Billion+ population, colorful and fascinating culture, this promises to be one heck of an event! The India Int'l Salsa Congress is a production of Lourd Vijay Dance Studio - India's Largest and most recognized Latin dance school with locations in Bangalore, New Delhi and Chennai. Invited international artist include:  Alex Lee & Kim (Los Angeles)Giancarlo & Masha (New Zealand) Terry & Cecile (France) Knzo (France) Joseph Enin (Hong Kong) Alex Diaz (India/USA) Shailesh (United Arab Emirates) Sneha Kapoor (India) Kaytee Namgyal (India) and many more...! Guest DJ's Joseph Ennin (Hong Kong) Javed (Hong Kong) 2x Competitions will highlight the event on Saturday 8th August:  4th Annual All India Salsa Championships - Open to the World (amateur)4th Annual All India Salsa Championships - Open to Indian nationals only (professionals) For more information about the India international Congress 2009 - Click HERE ****************************** Salsa Viva Party - Saturday 27 June ******************************  Auckland's newest authentic 7 piece live salsa band "Chico & the Soneros" is once again showcasing their latest repertoire of the Latin American rhythm, with Guest Performers & DJ Coco El Capitan
Tickets and info available from: maskarada.enquiries@gmail.com ******************************************************* Gian & Masha represent NZ @ The 7th Annual Korea Salsa Congress *******************************************************  Giancarlo & Masha are once again the only couple from New Zealand to represent NZ on the international salsa circuit. This time at the 7th Annual Korea Salsa Congress & Asia Latin Culture Festival July 31 - August 03.The congress and festival is one of the largest in its kind in the Asia region with last year topping 4000+ participants over the festival weekend. Performances and workshops by some of the leading instructors and professionals from around the world is on the menu. And of course parties til 4:00am every night!
The highlight of the weekend will be the Korea Salsa Championships - Open to the World. There are two categories to enter - couples & team division. The prize money in this competition is the greatest in Asia and one of the highest in the world!  Couples division:- 1st place: $3,600NZD - 2nd place: $2,400NZD - 3rd place: $1,200NZD Team division: - 1st place: $8,500NZD - 2nd place: $3,600NZD - 3rd place: $2,400NZD  As Gian & Masha are invited professionals, they will not compete - instead they will be exhibiting showpieces, conduct workshops and judge.Competitiors from all over the world are welcome to compete in Korea. For full details about the Congress and Competition rules - Click HERE
********************************************* Gian & Masha and TEAM Latinissimo in DANZ magazine! *********************************************
The article will talk about the recent success at the Asia Salsa Open Championships, how Gian & Masha introduced a "waterproof" salsa dance syllabus to the New Zealand salsa scene and how they are the only professional couple + have the only student team and amateur couple - to represent NZ at multiple international salsa events. Keep an eye out for the issue as it will be distributed to all dance schools and dance outlets around New Zealand.
*********************************************** Latinissimo - represented NZ in Brisbane... and rocked it! 5th June - 8th June, 2009 ***********************************************  With a total of 4 performances and 2 workshops - Latinissimo showed off New Zealand at the Brisbane Salsa & Brazilian Dance Congresses.Alyx & Tania closed the first set on Saturday night at the Mercure hotel with a flawless routine that had the audience stunned! In the second set and to finalize the evening performances, Gian & Masha performed the sexy and powerful "Brainbug" routine that lifted the roof! With once again an absolute packed salsa styling workshop and the same amount of people at their spinning techniques workshop, only showed the popularity of Gian & Masha's teaching techniques, style and flare. Brisbane is most definitely Australia's Rio de Janeiro! The Brazilian dances are incredibly popular here. "This is Zouk town!" as Steve Mitchell from Christchurch said, and I agree! When only every 3rd song is a salsa or bachata and the rest Zouk... you know you are in Zouk town!  The Sunday Night Gala venue - Brisbane City Hall was absolutely stunning! Plus, the line-up of performances were fantastic - (Al "Liquid Silver" & Diana, Zulmara & Paco, Oliver & Luda, Gian & Masha, Csaba & Vali, Jaime, Amy, Mary, Little Liz & Alan, Kadu & Larissa and so many more!) Never the less, TEAM Latinissimo students were one of only 3 student teams to have the privilege of being selected to perform on the massive City Hall stage along side the invited professionals and international artist. Thank you TEAM Latinissimo members - Alyx, Tania, Cynthia, Richard, Chad, Rachael, Trajano and Shannon - you made us and New Zealand very, very proud!All in all, it was a fantastic weekend and we want to thank Gaspar for his amazing hospitality and professionalism. We look forward to next years event! ********************************************** Gian & Masha raised the temperature @ the TVNZ studio! **********************************************  Gian & Masha were featured as New Zealand's leading salsa dance couple on the Good Morning show on TVNZ.It started with a very early flight (6:30am!) from Auckland to Wellington. The shows driver was there to meet us at the airport and took us straight to the studio. Once at the studio we met with the researcher and got introduced to the Good Morning show hosts Brendon (participated in Dancing With The Stars last year), Steve and Sarah. The stage manager took us through to the studio so we could familiarize ourselves with the floor and surrounding we were going to dance in.  The floor and lighting was absolutely perfect!First performance was a salsa routine and it felt great to perform it live on TV! Of course it was "nervwrecking" at the same time, I mean there is approximately a million people watching the show! But, once the music is on - autopilot sets in! The shows hosts, camera people, stage manager and everybody else in the studio were stunned and left with their jaws on the floor as the saw the sharp and energetic salsa routine.  After the first performance we got to sit down with Brendon for a short interview. Later on, Steve presented us as we finished and closed the show with our second performance - the super sexy and powerful paso/cha cha!********************************************** Latinissimo @ The Brisbane Salsa & Brazilian Congresses  ********************************************** Giancarlo & Masha and TEAM Latinissimo '09 will be representing New Zealand with 3 choreographies at the 2nd Brisbane Salsa and Brazilian Dance Congresses (June 5th - 8th, 2009). Giancarlo & Masha will also be conducting 2 workshops at this event. 4 days with two fantastic parties simultaneously with DJs and Bands. More than 50 Passionate and unforgettable shows with the most outstanding national and international artists. Over 150 artists participating. Click HERE for more info ***************
Tune in to TVNZ on Friday 29th May @ 9:00am! OR - if you are not able to see it on TV, watch it streaming on the internet HERE
*********************************** ********************* Monday 09.03.2009 - Alyx & Tania featured in the North Shore Times
|
 |
 |
||
 |
Copyright © 2005-2010 Latinissimo Dance Company Ltd All rights reserved
|
 |
********************************************
Latinissimo to enter the New Zealand Salsa Nationals on Saturday 31 October!
Team 
3x brand new DVDs have been added to the Salsadance.co.nz collection;
***SPECIAL MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE***
• Music starts @ 9:00pm
***LATEST NEWS!!***
We have guests coming from all around NZ to join us for this special annual event that will be a night to remember.
"SALSA and the CITY" is back at Reef Bar!
***************
Giancarlo & Masha have been invited by the NZDA (NZ Dance Association) & Dancesport Auckland to conduct a salsa workshop for their dancers and members. Of course, this workshop is open to all who want to participate - yes, that means you too can participate.
Monday Nights Salsa @ Mecca is back!
| Site Map |