The ladies were polishing their moves for the International Salsa Festival 2010, Nepal’s first ever dance festival with international attendance.
And the D-day is here, starting today, November 19, and the Valley is going to cha-cha-cha and everyone is invited.[break]
Jam-packed with Salsa dance workshops and great performances, the weekend is accompanied by an exclusive workshop in Pokhara’s Club Paradiso, Lakeside, on November 22.
“When it comes to music, nothing is more infectious than the pulsating Latino beats,” gushes Vineeth Naidu. The Bangalore native’s been involved in Salsa for over a decade. He is joined by an entourage of ace dancers from abroad who will be conducting workshops on various forms of dances ranging from Latin and freestyle to hip-hop and belly dancing. Countries include Israel, the Netherlands, the UK, and the United Arab Emirates.
While not the easiest of dance forms, Salsa is still the most sought-after dance in the packages available at the Academy.
“Salsa combines the elements of music and rhythm and brings about the interaction of dancers. It’s a socializing tool at its best,” shared Katia when asked why Salsa has such a huge fan following. The dance is popular throughout Latin America.
Whether you are a novice or an advanced dancer, everyone has a spot in this festival, claim the organizers.
“You’ll never know until you make a move, so at least give it a shot,” urged Naidu who takes pride in instilling poise in many of those who thought they had two left feet.
The dance scene in Nepal is slowly catching up. But fighting stereotypical notions still remains a challenge, revealed Katia. A festival such as this not only provides international exposure to local talents but also helps in changing people’s mindset regarding dance, which is usually negative.
“If you want to learn dance, come to us. If you want to party, socialize, you know the place to be at – Sanepa International Club,” invites Binayek Das Shrestha, founder, CEO and head instructor of Salsa Dance Academy.
Shed your inhibitions and be a part of the first ever International Salsa Festival. Whet your appetite and give into the rhythm. It’s all about what dance can be, has been, and very much is.
For festival schedules, log on to salsanepal.com.
Related story
Dancing on his toes
