Latinlover NEWS

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Sydney Festival Program Manager Danni Colgan describes him as the “Holy Grail”, and for good reason. Interview By Alexander Cork	MANU CHAO - Sydney Festival Program Manager Danni Colgan describes him as the “Holy Grail”, and for good reason. He puts on fiercely energetic shows and whips up crowds into a party like atmosphere. He has travelled to many parts of the world where his music leaves a lasting impression but for the very first time, Manu Chao is coming to Australia. “He’s been quite the Holy Grail in Australia, trying to get him out. It’s my first year at the Sydney Festival so it felt like a great opportunity to try really hard and get him out here.” Danni said. It took a lot of patience and persistence by Danni and the team from the Sydney Festival to convince Manu Chao to come to Australia but she knows he is worth the effort. “He’s brought together countries from around the world, Spanish, French, Portuguese, South America. He’s crossed boundaries from around the world so it’s great, that opportunity to bring him to Australia for Australians to experience.” Chao has been making music since the late 1980s, starting out as the leader of rock outfit Mano Negra and then moving on to a solo career. His songs are written in English, Portuguese, French, Spanish and Italian and he finds inspiration for his music in street culture and local bar scenes. Danni is hoping the Sydney Festival goers will see Manu Chao La Ventura and other visiting artists as not just ‘World Music’, but for the talented musicians that they are. “What I hope to see is that they’re [visiting artists] not just confined to that world music definition, which is so often the case for these fantastic Latin American or non-western artists who come out to visit Australia – they kind of fall under this world music bill. It’s great to be able bring out these artists under the banner of great music and great musicians and not having to pigeon hole them into a certain style of music.” Chao’s first solo album, Clandestino, released in 1998, sold in excess of four million copies worldwide to become the second biggest-selling world music album in history after Ry Cooder’s Buena Vista Social Club. His next album, 2001’s Proxima Estacion: Esperanza ('Next Stop: Hope' – a reference to an announcement on a Madrid train station) consolidated his place as one of the world's most successful recording artists. Danni believes Manu will extend the appeal of the Sydney Festival to bring in an audience “who loves to do dance to Latin beats” as well as young musicians to see a master at work. Manu Chao La Ventura is performing exclusively at the Sydney Festival at The Domain on January 7th and to an almost sold out Endmore on January 9th. By Alexander Cork Jan 2012
	Wrap Up Story Nov 2011: Byron Bay Latin Festival   By Alexander Cork A Latin festival proved to be the perfect excuse for many work weary dancers to spend the first weekend of November at the relaxed beach side town of Byron Bay in New South Wales. It was the sixth time Byron Bay has hosted a Latin Festival and it continues to grow as much for the calibre of workshops and social dancing as for the sun and the beaches. The Festival was kicked off on Friday night with some fantastic performances by Alex Bryan and Laura Anderson and the Kokoloco dance school from Canberra. The capacity crowd enjoyed the night but packed dance floor proved to be a sign of things to come for the Saturday workshops. Everything from Yoga for Dancers to Kizomba was on offer for Saturday’s workshops with larger than expected turn outs for Fabrice and Joanna’s Bachata, Adilio Porto’s Zouk and Jorge Acevedo’s Timba salsa class. Some festival goers opted for the beach or a nap before taking on another night of solid dancing into the early hours of the morning. The performers again impressed with Adilio Porto and local teacher, Donna Wild, wowing the crowd with some incredible lifts. The Melbourne-based Flavored Rhythm team proved why they continue to rise to the top in performances and Eric and Chantal Turro Martinez performed beautifully yet again. Perfect Sunday weather kept some people closer to the beach than the dance floor but for those who went, the Samba and Adrian Medina’s Rumba classes had people talking. The after party went long into the night at Donna Wild’s studio and the spirit and smiles of everyone there again showed why the Latin dance community is loved by so many. The Byron Bay Latin Festival is looking to grow next year, let’s just hope they can find a bigger venue to make it happen!   Archive of event
	The Australian Bachata Championships held in Sydney over the weekend have proved to be another big step forward for the quickly growing dance style. The end standings were dominated by the Sydney locals, taking out the Amateur Division, Team Division and Professional Division. What was on show was the variety of Bachata styles that are now being incorporated into competition routines. Dominican style and Moderna were noticeable as were some hybrids of Bachatango and some sharp Bachata Hip Hop moves. No doubt other states will be back in force next year to try and claim some of the titles held by the Sydney champs.   A full list of winners and judges is below: AMATEUR DIVISION Australian Amateur Bachata Champion 2011 PETROS TAPPOURAS & NICOLE McPHERSON (Latin Dance Australia, Sydney) 2nd Place – Andrew Meszaros & Lisa Madeira ( Victoria) 3rd Place – Christian Castillo & Anne Saab (Latin Dance Australia, Sydney) TEAM DIVISION Australian Bachata Champion Team 2011 MODUS VIVENDI (Sydney) 2nd Place – Latin Motion Dance Academy (Sydney) 3rd Place – A Touch Of Salsa ( Sydney) PROFESSIONAL DIVISION Australian Bachata Champion 2011 OLIVER PINEDA & VALI DAMASKOU (Latin Motion Dance Academy, Sydney) 2nd Place – Juan Carlos Ospina & Yulay Perez ( Latino Grooves, Adelaide) JUDGES: Juan Ruiz Lidia McMahon Ben Benedictos Becky Lee Marcia Pinheiro Percival Krin Bajough Fernando Providel
	PAPRIKA (Cutucada/Que Saudade/Sabrosa Som Sistema/Mighty Highness Records) Paprika's a passionate music lover and one of Australia's leading exponents of the 'futurelatinjazzfunk & afrobrazilian beat'. Currently in Brisbane, he comes from a musical family (His mother a classical multi-instrumentalist, cousin classical Violinist with OV, and Grandfather being Roger Bell - well known Dixieland Jazz musician/trumpet). He's currently been spending lots of his time playing drums/percussion with several brazilian groups as well as an instrumental jazz/funk project. His passion for music started with his fathers' record collection (mostly Jazz/funk/fusion and some latin bits)...this developed into the constant search for old and new music on vinyl that was a form of 'education' for someone growing up in isolated Ipswich/Brisbane....as percussionist and drummer - the search encompassed many different genres and rhythms....This lead to parties such as Cutucada (in Brisbane and Melbourne), and Que Saudade. He recently joined fellow Brisbane vinyl enthusiast Pepe Sol's 'Sabrosa Som Sistema' - a dj sound system performance, showcasing the vintage tropical sounds of cuba, colombia and other Caribbean and equator bound countries (including Africa). The sound system helps give new life to the forgotten gems within Descarga, Guaguanco, Cumbia, Palenque, Descarga, Guaguanco and beyond. (check Pepe Sols' 'Bailables Tropicales' mix here) Paprika's recent performances include supports for Gotan Project, Chukale, Mexican Independence Day, Havana Club & Buena Vista International Dance Academy..... - myspace.com/paprikasounds - online radio/blogcast
	Top Dancing LA Style Australia is again leading the way in the world of Latin Dance and on 14 August 2011, Helen Gramotnev (Smooth Latin Groove) flew our flag high as the first Australian to compete in the prestigious ‘L.A.’s Top Female Salsa Dancer Competition’ (now in it’s 5th year). Held at Steven’s Steak House in LA, each competitor gave their all in hope of being awarded the top prize. Helen’s result: Third place in the Semi Pro Division (click here for results/videos). Happy with her performance overall, Helen wanted to push her boundaries as a performer, choreographer and dancer by experiencing and competing in the strongest Salsa scenes in the USA. Feeling privileged and honoured to have shared the stage with other amazing ladies and world champions, Helen was also impressed by the Salsa social scene. Apparently chivalry is not dead in LA and according to Helen “ladies don't get a chance to catch their breath at the US Salsa clubs”.
	Phoenix Dance Studio invites everyone to their special 'Cuban Live music night' at their Richmond, Melbourne studio. Start the night with a Group Salsa class starting 7.30pm then continue the night dancing to Cuban salsa and son band Carino Son from 8pm.  Entry $15/$12 concession Level 1 656 Bridge Rd. Richmond p. 03 9428 7875 Check out Phoenix Classes here.
	Famed Colombian singer Alvaro Jose Arroyo, composer of such salsa classics as "La Rebelion" and "Echao pa'lante" and "Tania," died Tuesday after a month long hospitalization. He was 55. The singer, whose given name was Alvaro Jose Arroyo, died at a hospital in Barranquilla, where he was being treated for hypertension and fluid in his lungs, his manager, Luis Ojeda, told The Associated Press. Arroyo composed some 200 songs and performed with artists including Celia Cruz and Shakira. He first appeared in the 1970s with the orchestra "Fruko y sus Tesos," and formed his own band in Medellin in 1981 called "La Verdad." Two years later, he moved to Barranquilla.
	NEWS: THE SPOT CLOSURE The closure of the popular Thursday night and short lived Saturday nights on Sydney Rd, North Fitzroy in Melbourne, has regulars in disbelief and reflecting on good times had here. Owner John Murone shared with Latinlover "...it's been great for the last 7 years, but we have decided on closing with a possible renovation. We plan to re-open at some stage but It's still not confirmed so anything can change, but what is for the sure is the last Latin night on the 21st July"
	NEWS:      SYDNEY LATIN FESTIVAL 2012 "I am jumping out of my skin with excitement " writes  Marcia Pinheiro Percival The Sydney Salsa Congress as some may know it, is held each year at the end of January. This year, organisers annouced a change of name with a cause - to open this event to a wider audience to include more festival days and include Film, Tango, Arts, food and more. "We are at the moment meeting up with Promoters, Zumba Australia, Film Festivals, Art Gallery owners and more…and for the festival itself we have already contracted these amazing artists: Adrian & Anita, Tony Lara & Daniela Francesco, Leonardo & Layssa, Jordan & Tatiana and Marco Ferrigno & Nathalie Lopez." writes Marcia Pinheiro Percival one of the organisers of this most anticipated event.   Keep in touch with Latinlover and visit  www.sydneylatinfestival.com.au