Salsa Dance Classes & Salsa dancing Events, Latin dance shows in Christchurch New Zealand

• Latinissimo Workshops & Party - This Saturday Intermational professional Salsa dancers Giancarlo & Masha are coming to Christchurch. They will be at the Friday Ibis Salsa night and for the main event on Saturday 14th March for a day full of workshops & Salsa party at night with their world class performances. In conjuction with Danza Latina & Latin Fire Christchurch. Full information below >
• New Beginners Salsa Class - Tues 6:15pm, Just started . It's still not to late to join in. Free 1st class, find out more here>
• Free Merengue / Beginner Classes at the Christchurch Casino starting this Wednesday and most Wednesdays during March & April More details below.. more details below>
• Zumba Latin Dance Fitness classes on Thursday afternoon and Friday 6pm with Maria start back next week! more >
• Tango Classes, Beginners, Improvers & Intermediate start next Saturday morning with Marcela & Nicolas more >
• Marcela is returning back to NZ from Argentina, she has been taking many workshops with the best tango dancers and samba dancers. Kids Classes may be included soon too.
• Join Danza Latina at the NZ Salsa Congress - In previous years going to the Congress has been left up to the individual. This year Danza Latina is getting more involved, we are working with the organisers of this event to help you with travel, accommodation, deals & bookings. more info here> ~ Accomodation Deal ~ for the NZ Salsa Congress from $32, we have 20 beds available at this rate and 19 have gone already! We can book more so please contact Vikki more information regarding the Congress here>
• More News & daily updates on the News page here >

Note: Events & Parties are highlighted in light grey - See the Full monthly timetable here>

Dates: Wednesdays, 11th & 18th March, 8th, 15th & 22nd April 2009		Reuben & Marcela
• Free Beginners Latin Dance Class 7:30pm
Teachers: Reuben & Marcela will teach all the basics of Merengue along with a new beginner combo each week along with the salsa basic step. Anyone from absolute beginner to more advanced can join. Register online & come any week. You could also just turn up on the day and join in and stick around for the social dancing afterwards. (as advertised on More FM & The Edge radio) - Enrol you and your friends now there is limited space!
	Register for a FREE classes here>
• Salsa & Merengue Practice time: 8:30pm
Practice all you dance moves learnt in class at Danza Latina or Casino during this hour, its free fun and nice & hot! We will play Merengue & slower Salsa songs to practice & warm up to.
• Social Salsa Dancing Night 9:30pm
DJ SLS, Salsa, Cha, Merengue & Bachata music playing all night to dance to! Come down and have some hot salsa dancing. Dress to impress!
FREE Entry all night & everyone is welcome at any time.
Please buy drinks at the Bar to support this free night! (to keep it FREE) There are 2 restaurants in the casino, one of them is 24hr why not make a night of it!
Location: 30 Victoria Street, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Casino's DRESSCODE Smart and neat presentation is required at all times. AGE LIMIT R20

The Hog Salsa Nights - Thursdays

Every Thursday Night 9:30pm - Late (1am)
• Totally Fun filled and hot. Drink and dance the night away. Every Thursday night at the (Mac's) AKA Loaded Hog. Come down and have a look, a drink and have a dance! Anyone can come, this night is for everybody at all levels.
• Music & DJ - DJ-SLS (Reuben Danza Latina) playing the very best and newest Latin Music including - Salsa, Mambo, Merengue, Cha, Zouk, Reggaeton & Bachata
• Performances Monthly, keep an eye on the timetable for performance details... keep an eye out for updates here! Including - Salsa Couples & teams, Hip Hop, Bachata, Latin American, Zumba, Tango, Samba & Axé.
• History - This has been Running as a Salsa Night contiiniously on Thursdays since the days of 'Street Latin Dance Studio' starting back in 1999 by Zane. Then passed onto Danza Latina from 2004-2006 and now back in the hands of Danza Latina from November 2008.
• Drink Specials - 2 Coronas for $10 (more to come) Please support the salsa nights and buy drinks. Alcoholic or Non Alcoholic it all helps.
• Location: Cnr Cashel & Manchester St, Christchurch (1 block down from Danza Latina Studio) See a Map here >

Date: Saturday 14th March	Giancarlo & Masha Watch this video here >
Giancarlo & Masha - International Salsa Teachers & Performers are coming to Christchurch in March 2009! Workshops in Salsa & Bachata, Tricks and Dips, Spinning and Styling! All workshops and the Party & performances are held at St Alband Shirly Club Christchurch
Location, Workshop & Party: St Albans Shirly Club, 269 Hills Rd, Christchurch, NZ
Private Lessons also available on Sunday, please enquire before the weekend.
Workshops
• Workshops #1 - Time: 10:30am - 11:45pm Salsa Partner styling – using fundamental basics to making it look great! Level: Open Level (all levels)
• Workshops #2 - Time: 12:00pm - 1:15pm Salsa Partnerwork, Amazing moves, made simple! Level: (intermediate/advanced)
• Lunch 1:15pm-1:45pm
• Workshops #3 - Time: 1:45pm - 3:00pm Bachata cool moves & footwork Level: (improver/intermediate)
• Workshops #4 - Time: 3:15pm - 4:30pm Salsa Styling, spinning & musicality Level: Open Level (all levels)
• No partners needed, these are similar to our classes they will swap. So no you don't need to have a partner.
Salsa Party & Performances
Time: 8:30pm till late
Salsa Party at the Shirly Mens Club with performances and some of the best Salsa, Bachata, Mambo, Zouk & Merengue music to dance to with fantastic wooden floors with a bar to purchase drinks.
Performances: • Giancarlo and Masha, Salsa • Giancarlo and Masha, Paso/Cha Cha. • Latin Fire • Danza Latina, Salsa
DJ's: DJ's: Giancarlo (Salsadance.co.nz) & Reuben (Danza Latina)
MC: Warren (Latin Fire)
Prices
Workshop Prices PRE-PAID x1 workshop $20 x2 workshops $35 x3 workshops $45 x4 workshops $50 Please register with payment at Latin Fire or Danza Latina dance studios during class times.
Workshop Prices ON-DOOR x1 workshop $25 x2 workshops $40 x3 workshops $50 x4 workshops $55
Party Prices: • $18 on the door • $15 if paid with workshops
Latinissimo Salsa DVD's
At the workshops and party there will also be Salsa instructional DVD's by Giancarlo & Masha available for purchase, these range from beginners to advanced levels. “Special offer for CHCH will be available on the day. Note – this offer is not available online.” More about their DVD's here>
About Gian & Masha
Youtube link to Latinissimo's Promo Video. Click here >
Giancarlo is a Swedish national with Peruvian background and is no stranger to Latin music and dance. It has always been a part of his life and culture, but it was not until 2001 when a friend took him to a Latin nightclub in Stockholm when the passion and addiction to Latin music and dance really begun. Giancarlo has had jazz and gymnastics training since the age of 11 and has been an active professional photographer since the age of 21. He arrived to the Australian continent in 2002 to further his photographic knowledge and experience, as this was his main goal in life. But as his passion and creativeness for photography grew, so did his salsa dancing and he quickly realized the advantages of being a photographer and a dancer. Although his intension was to excel in photography, he could not let go of dancing and co-founded Latinissimo Dance Company in Melbourne in 2003. The aim was to put his dance school on the international salsa circuit and with his background in jazz and gymnastics combined with amazing coordination, athleticism, and agility – it did not take him long to make his salsa dancing impressive and unique. By 2004 the first step towards his goal had been achieved, he got an invitation to perform at the renowned West Coast Salsa Congress in Los Angeles.
Masha represented her native country of Slovenia as an elite rhythmic gymnast 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 over 23 years of disciplined dance training with immaculate dance and gymnastic techniques. Masha is an incredibly passionate dancer, performer and instructor. In fact so passionate that she wanted to understand more about dance. She studied Physiology, Nutrition and Anatomy as part of the Bachelor of Dance degree at Auckland University of Technology in 2001. Besides receiving numerous awards in rhythmic gymnastics in Europe, Masha also has a NZ Latin American Dancesport title.
Giancarlo and Masha perform with style, energy, professionalism and precision. Both nationally and Internationally, they are known as New Zealand’s #1 salsa dance couple by setting a standard each time they perform. They also lead the most successful student performance troupe in the country – TEAM Latinissimo.
Both Giancarlo & Masha featured as salsa & mambo choreographers for TV3’s “So You Think You Can Dance”, main dancers and characters in music video "Insane" by The Sagittarian and continuously receive invitations to perform and teach in various cities around the world such as – Sydney, Wellington, Bangalore, UK, Miami, Brisbane, Hong Kong and more.
Further information about Giancarlo & Masha (Latinissimo) on their website http://www.latinissimo.co.nz
Facebook Link http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=54531256481

Dates: Sunday 22nd March
Bachata workshops with internationally recognized "Bachaotearoa" (Nikal and Nirico)
• WORKSHOPS Part 2 - Sunday, 22nd March
IMP/INT BACHATA DIPS - 1:00 pm Suitable for people who have learned bachata basics or higher, we will teach proper leading and following techniques for sexy dips, waves, and body movement.
BACHATA MUSICALITY - 2:15 pm Also suitable for people who have learned bachata basics or higher, we will focus on listening to the music and dancing with musicality - knowing when and how to hit the accents and pauses, and when to add in some funky footwork!
COST: $15 for one workshop, $25 for two
These are the only 4 workshops they are able to run before they head to Sydney to teach at the Bachata congress.
Registration: None required, just turn up
Contacts: Nikal 021-1543180 (Bachaotearoa)
Location: Danza Latina Studio - 160 Manchester St, Level 1, see the location details & map here>

• Start date: Tuesdays 10th March 2009
• Time: 6:15 - 7:15pm (every week for 8 weeks)
• Teachers: Nikal & Reuben
Salsa Class (Linear salsa On1) Learn Salsa dance basics and motion. No Dance partner required & no experience needed. This course is purely Salsa. You can join anywhere up to week2 if you have never danced Salsa! ...tell all your friends so they can join in!
	Join in Now, 1st CLASS FREE >
Danza Latina Studio Location: 160 Manchester St, (Cnr Manchester & Hereford St Upstairs- Level1) Christchurch, New Zealand. See the map for further details.

• Start date: Mondays 6th April 2009
• Time: 7:30 - 8:30pm (every week for 8 weeks)
• Teachers: Vikki & Reuben
Salsa Class (Linear salsa On1) Learn Salsa dance basics and motion. No Dance partner required & no experience needed. This course is purely Salsa. You can join anywhere up to week2 if you have never danced Salsa! ...tell all your friends so they can join in!
	FREE 1st Class - Join in Now >
Danza Latina Studio Location: 160 Manchester St, (Cnr Manchester & Hereford St Upstairs- Level1) Christchurch, New Zealand. See the map for further details.

Easter Weekend - 10th-13th April 2009, Wellington
Three Days and nights of parties, shows and workshops held in Wellington NZ
Featuring some of the top salsa dancers in the world. The Congress aims to give New Zealander's the chance to experience the international world of salsa styles and music and showcase teams and couples from all over New Zealand.
In 2009 the congress will be featuring world class couples from Puerto Rico, Columbia, Cuba, USA, Australia & Peru!
Be inspired during the day and dance all night in a super friendly atmosphere with people of all levels from all over New Zealand.
International teachers include: This year we would like to present some of the very best in Latin American Salsa: Tito and Tamara – Direct from Puerto Rico, masters of the smooth sensuous Puerto Rican style and “Royalty” of the Salsa World. You Tube Link > Ricardo and Viviana - Direct from Columbia, 2005 world Champs, masters of the quick footed Columbian Salsa style, unbelievable dancers and teachers. You Tube Link > Kadu and Larissa – Brazil/Australia, stunning Zouk/Lambada and Samba de Gafieira experts. You Tube Link >
Accommodation Deals, Contact Vikki Now. (details below)
Join Danza Latina at Congress In previous years going to the Congress has been left up to the individual. This year Danza Latina is getting more involved, we are working with the organisers of this event to help you with travel, accommodation, deals & bookings. Further more we will be encouraging Danza Latina students to join us for dinner etc to keep a group spirit at the Congress. If you are thinking about coming or have decided to come to the congress this year, or perhaps you have booked already. Please register your interest with Vikki from Danza Latina, she will assit with your bookings, help with accomodation and travel. Register your interest NOW! Please call or txt Vikki on 027-2399400
Support your dance school when registering; Please mention ( Danza Latina ) where ever you can on registration.
Website goto www.nzpacificsalsacongress.co.nz

Join facebook - leave messages, find dance partners, find friends in your salsa class, find out who is going to which salsa dance events and more... This link below goes directly to the Danza Latina Facebook Group
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5699922561

~ All glory comes from daring to begin. ~ Eugene F. Ware