For the month of November, I also reviewed Ralph Giordano’s two-volume set, Social Dancing in America: A History and Reference. Go to the Articles or Resources page to read the review, then visit the Joy in Motion Dance and Music Resources Store to check out more social dance books, videos, and music.

If you do not already subscribe to the Joy in Motion newsletter, use the sign-up box on this page to do so now. The newsletter will notify you of updates to the Joy in Motion website. The month of December will feature Part 2 of Flow Seekers: The Characteristics of Flow in Social Dance. (You can read Part 1 on the Articles page). December will also include a review of Brian Winter’s book, Long After Midnight at the Niño Bien: A Yanqui’s Missteps in Argentina. Don’t miss out; sign up for the newsletter today!

Beginning Salsa
Fridays, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
1st series: September 19 - October 10, The Alaska Club West
2nd series: October 24 - November 14, The Alaska Club South
Each four-week series is $40/members, $60/nonmembers. Sign up at the front desk of The Alaska Club West (for the September series) or South (for the October series).

There will also be plenty of opportunities to get your Argentine tango fix from guest instructors in the Anchorage area this fall. Put these dates on your calendars:

September 2-8
Richard & Collette

October 10-13
Tomas Howlin & Shorey Myers

November 14-19
Susana Miller

Schedules and cost to come shortly. Check out Dan Boccia’s website as well as the Alaska tango group on Yahoo for updates and details.

Hope to see you there!

Visit the Resources page for a new review of Christine Denniston’s absorbing book, The Meaning of Tango. You can also read some quotes from her book under Argentine Tango Quotes on the Articles page. Then visit the Joy in Motion Dance and Music Resources Store to check out The Meaning of Tango and more books on Argentine tango featured for the month of June.

For Anchorage locals looking to experience Argentine tango, please also check out . . .

Argentine Tango Workshops in Anchorage!

For Anchorage locals, you can experience Argentine tango for yourself June 24 through 26 when Felipe Martinez teaches guest workshops! See Dan Boccia’s message below for more information. You may also visit Dan’s website at www.tangotrance.com for more tango events in Anchorage.

Hello Tangueros -

Felipe Martinez, who has taught here several times in the past with rave reviews, will be in town for 3 evenings to teach workshops in June. The schedule is:

Tuesday, June 24, 8 - 9:30pm “Turns in 2 Directions” for intermediate dancers (6 months of regular attendance at milongas or more)

In this class we will work on classic left and right hand turns, including the right hand turn from overturned ocho which hasn’t been featured in any of the workshops I’ve organized recently - now’s your chance! These turns are golden classics of social tango applicable to all variations of embrace and personal style worldwide.

Wednesday, June 25, Felipe will teach the lesson before the milonga at Club Soraya from 7-8pm for all levels, including those new to tango

Thursday, June 26, 8-9:30pm “Rhythm and Walking Turns” (prerequisite: Felipe’s Wednesday class or 2 classes with Dan and Hiroko in June on Wednesdays)

In this class we will work on turns in which one or both partners are walking either forward or backward around each other, with and without corriditas (little rhythmic runs). These are very popular and useful turns that have become very popular with dancers from all over the world recently. Come get a fresh outlook on turns!

Tuesday and Thursday classes will be at Hiroko’s studio (4300 Rendezvous Circle) $20 or $10 for full time students with current student ID. Wednesday will be the normal $10, or $5 for full time students with current student ID (price includes milonga following lesson on Wednesday)

For more information about Felipe, visit http://tangonnection.blogspot.com/

Dan

Enjoy!

For those of you who are interested in learning more about the percussion instruments in Latin music and how they create the rich and complex rhythms of salsa, merengue, and cha-cha-cha, I have just posted a new review of Poncho Sanchez: Fundamentals of Latin Music for the Rhythm Section (2005). Visit the Articles page or the Resources page to read more and purchase Poncho’s DVD and music. Then check out other Latin music, books, and videos recommended by Joy in Motion. If you have a favorite that isn’t listed, be sure to email me by visiting the Contact page.

Welcome, and please be sure to check out all the features on this site, including the articles, links, resources, and the updates you will find on this page. Since this site is in its infancy, please email me your feedback on the content and functionality as well as any ideas you may have for ways to improve and grow.

I would like to thank all my current newsletter subscribers for their support of Joy in Motion thus far. I would especially like to thank Heather, Latingal, Sarah, and Richard (a.k.a. Dad) for their feedback and encouragement during the early stages of planning and developing this site. And a huge thank you to Taughnee, my fantastic web designer, for all her hard work.

Enjoy!

You may also visit the following websites for places to learn and dance this summer:

* Tango Trance

* West Coast Swing Alaska

* Ritmovida Dance Partnership

* Alaska Dance Group