Dancing with God
When I meditated on the word Guidance
I kept seeing ‘dance’ at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn’t flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.
It’s as if two become one body, moving beautifully. (more…)
Salsa Night
It’s been awhile since I last step into a Salsa Club and it sure felt good going to Salsa Havana last Saturday. Many familiar faces and familiar songs that rocked the night away. (more…)
StrippedSteph’s Northumbria University Convocation
StrippedSteph came back to KL over the weekend for her own Graduation and I just had to be there to be part of that memorable moment.
The long wait at the lobby and the speeches was worth it. Sadly, at the group photo session, the official photographers was a bit bias, they allowed the friends and families for the group from Penang to take photos of the group session but rushed us off when it comes to the group photography session for KDU Petaling Jaya.
(more…)
Malaysia World Salsa Congress 2009 Update
The Malaysia World Salsa Congress 2009 is all set to take off come May 2009.
If you’re interested in Salsa and would love to take part in the festivities, drop me an email at zique76 [at] hotmail [dot] com and I’ll provide you with the necessary form and price listing.
The event is confirmed to be held at Sunway Pyramid and the respective participating hotels from the 1st to the 4th of May. More updates will be posted as we get nearer to the Congress date.
One of the most look forward to Performer and Instructor for this year is non other than Salsa Y Punto after their excellent workshops and performance in the 2008 Congress. The other notable performers and instructors for the Congress are Imagen Latina and Colombia Union. Check out this video of Salsa Y Punto for a taste of what you can experience at the Congress. (more…)
The Passing of Pedro “Cuban Pete” Aguilar
Was informed by a fellow Salsa dancing friend about the passing of Pedro “Cuban Pete” Aguilar, one of the leading mambo dancers of the 1950s, He was 81.
The mambo legend passed away Tuesday at the Sinai Plaza Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Miami, said Barbara Craddock, his longtime dance partner. Craddock described his cause of death as heart failure but said it could be related to his diabetes.
Aguilar was born in Puerto Rico in 1927 and grew up in the New York barrio. He picked up the nickname “Cuban Pete” in 1949 at the Palladium Ballroom in New York. The nickname referenced a Desi Arnaz song, and Arnaz himself later endorsed Aguilar’s use of it.
Aguilar first rose to fame by winning scores of dance competitions in the 1950s with his partner Millie Donay. He continued to dance professionally for nearly his entire life, whether he was teaching lessons, hosting workshops or judging competitions.
Aguilar was a choreographer and consultant for the 1992 movie, “The Mambo Kings,” starring Antonio Banderas and Armand Assante. Aguilar and Craddock served as choreographic consultants and instructors for the Miami City Ballet’s “Mambo No. 2 a.m.”
Another legend has left us but definitely will not be forgotten. Only thing I know of this legend is what I read online and from online videos. Nevertheless, he will be missed. (more…)
Happy New Year!!!
AT this moment, I’m on my way to Port Dickson to celebrate the New Year. While I’m doing that, this is something that I got off youtube, was bored and decide to check out some dance videos online and decided I rather just look at some dances that will make us all laugh instead.
Happy New Year !! May your 2009 be a fruitful one and gain bountiful of wealth, both in life and in career. (more…)
Dejavu
A great stress reliever aside from alcohol is dance, well, to me it is. These days, aside from dancing and futsal, I don’t do much other type of exercise or sports related activity. With work piling up and deadline getting near, I start to feel the pressure of it all, not that it’s bad, I like it actually as it only means that I’ve to be kept on my toes and be on a constant move. It’s better that way than sitting at home doing nothing, right?
Sometimes, too much of these type of pressure isn’t good too. I find that the only way I could really let go and release all these pent up stress is through dancing. Unlike all the other sports where I have to think and plan to win, in salsa, I don’t have to, just invite a girl onto the dance floor and just dance away. Unlike futsal, I don’t get tired easily in dancing too, could dance all night long if the club remain open and there are dance partners around. (more…)
Most Embarrasing Sex Moment
I know, I know, it isn’t an original post whatsoever, just thought I’d post up something for anyone who comes in here to read. Well, at least until I get to Singapore and get some stuff moving. Packed schedule ahead so need to get my schedules sorted in this trip. Back to back meetings all the way!
Anyway, want to share your most embarrassing sex moments?
Here’s a write up from news.com.au recently. I’ll just cut and paste the whole thing here. The original is here. Well, like I said, I’m just putting it up to take up space and for you to have a good read even if it’s not written by me. It’s still a good read right?
IT has happened to all of us, whether we are over-enthusiastic youngsters or experienced players in the sack. It’s those embarrassing sex moments.
If you watch Hollywood movies having sex is supposed to blissful, problem free but the reality is so different and this applies, from time-to-time, to almost everyone who does it.
And of course it is downright embarrassing.
No one wants to put someone down in the lovemaking stakes and the truth is that most sexual partners will forgive and hopefully forget.
To help overcome the bedroom, office and car blunders in sext, it’s advised to remember the following:
Sex Can Be Clumsy
Whether accidentally knocking heads, pulling hair or taking an elbow in the eye, it’s important to remember that our movements aren’t as well orchestrated as that of a symphony.
Bodies bumping up against one another can get out of control and out of sync.
This is especially true in tight quarters, like one’s car, where lovers feel lucky just to move around. In freeing a limb or swinging a foot or trying to turn over, something is going to be in the way.
Don’t make a bigger deal out of the klutzy situation than is warranted. Just kiss the boo-boo, make it feel better, and get on with things.
A Full Bladder is No Fun (more…)
Do you think you can dance?
I’m on my way back to KL now, in the meantime, someone showed this video to me recently and I just have to share it here.
Check out the way So You Think You Can Dance contestant, Robert Muraine pop and lock like no one else.
So do you think you can dance? Looking at the timing of things, I should be back in KL in 5 1/2 hours time.
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Sensual Bachata Performance
Firstly, to all Malaysians, Selamat Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan!
…. back to original purpose of the post
One of the form of dance I’ve always been intrigue and like is the Bachata with my fav. song being Michael Buble’s Home (there’s a Bachata mixed of this song!).
The basic is fairly simple to do and anybody even those without a proper dance background could easily execute it. Especially if the person is a lady!
Here’s a look at how the dance is executed. This video is 2 years old yet I could never have enough of it. So do enjoy this as much as I do!
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Salsa for Life!
Wednesday was quite memorable as we’ve a huge group of Salsa dancers from all over the Klang Valley coming together at Hush Bangsar to dance as well as donate to a good cause. Ticket sales, cupcakes as well as food from Hush went on sale to the patrons of the place as well as to the dancers in the hope of raising some money to help Amy Lazim who is fighting ovarian cancer (stage 4).
We even have kind souls coming out with their own precious posession to auction off to the dancers there in trying to encourage everyone to do a good deed. Among the things put up for auction is a semi accoustic guitar which was emaculately kept but was auctioned off to raise money for Amy. Further separate donations are encouraged and can be conveyed to Amy via Lin at +zero one two 318 1202. (more…)
Dancing the night away
It’s been 2 months since I last got into Salsa Havana due to the things I’ve been doing outside of dancing. I’ve to admit that Saturday was the day I wanted to just laze at home and watch some EPL games but thanks to some friends who’s persuasion is very good, I got off my lazy ass, changed and drove down to KL to dance the night away.
The packed Dance Floor
Stepping into the club, it felt fantastic! The people, the music, the dance! Was greeted by familiar faces majority of whom asked whatever happened to me cause so long never see me in the club as well as some new faces as Salsajay brought out the new students into the world of Social dancing. (more…)
Bachata Workshop @ Salsa Havana
Over the recent weekend, Dance Spirit organized a 2 days workshop at Salsa Havana to teach newbies about Bachata, the basic steps as well as some simple turns and dips.
(Fasilito teaching the participants)
I didn’t go for the 1st day as I was at another venue but on Saturday, I was there. As proof, I had an accident on that night too!
(Assisting the workshop for the non-english speaking participants)
It was definitely a good workshop session as some of the new dancers get to learn more about Bachata and the proper way to dance it as before this, there’s quite a lot of awkwardness by new dancers when it comes to Bachata.
(Spinning Spinning!)
As for me, I spend most of the time behind the Deejay console, but I still get my fair share of dancing before we call it a night at 5am. For photos of that night, click here.
(Bachata dancing with a lady I don’t know…)
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Meeting Antonio Vargas
Sunday night, I had the privilage of meeting the Dance Maestro behind Mission Impossible 2, Strictly Ballroom as well as Tiempos Mejores. That’s none other than Mr. Antonio Vargas himself. Born in Casablanca, Antonio Vargas was attracted to Flamenco at a very early age. His inborn musicality could equally have drawn him to become a concert cellist or a percussionist. However his passion for the art of Flamenco and the full realisation of its potentials have been the driving force behind his long and brilliant career.
The list of Antonio’s works is extensive. From opera to film, from small stage performances to big festivals, from solo performances to productions with the best artists that Spain has to offer at the moment, Antonio has done it all, including a television show with the Beatles (Granada Television, 1964); he played the Fiddler in a London production of Fiddler on the Roof (Her Majesty’s Theatre, 1967); he has created his own Flamenco Dance Theatre works and adapted well know plays and novels to the Flamenco repertoire. (more…)
ANTONIO VARGAS @ WhiteRoom Bilique this SUNDAY!!
Taken from Mambochinita…
We have a VERY SPECIAL GUEST in town this weekend and he will be coming to The WhikeRoom Bilique tomorrow night!
Antonio Vargas, one of the grandmasters of SPANISH FLAMENCO will be dropping by to chill at our Sunday social while on holiday in KL. Senor Vargas has an impressive resume that spans a couple of decades. He is also a pioneer in the field of Flamenco dance theatre and has traveled and performed extensively around the world, changing the lives of those who perform with him. Being in high demand, this man has also choreographed for movies like Strictly Ballroom & Mission Impossible (just to name a few). I highly recommend catching him if you can….great people like this are hard to meet in Malaysia!
Now you may say, so HOW IS THIS RELATED TO SALSA? Salsa & Latin America are linked to Spain…..and one of the national dances in Spain is…yep Flamenco! In addition, the posture, poise, grace, expression and level of mastery will surely INSPIRE you to be a better dancer! (whether its socially or as a performer)
Besides, Senor Vargas will be indulging us in a brief intro to Flamenco and an impromptu performance. I was told it will happen around 10:30pm+ 
Really, you don’t want to MISS this opportunity! To dance is to live!
Dance is the hidden language of the soul. ~Martha Graham
Dancing is the loftiest, the most moving, the most beautiful of the arts, because it is not mere translation or abstraction from life; it is life itself. ~Havelock Ellis
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World Latin Salsa Congress 2008
It’s been a week since the World Latin Salsa Congress was over in Penang. To me, it was a huge success as tons of people came to me and say how much they enjoyed the workshops and parties we organized for them.
As for myself, this is one of the most tiring event that I’ve involved in thus far. With a grand total of 6 hours of sleep from Friday to Monday, I was actually running high only on Salsa, from attending the workshops and parties that was held throughout as well as running about making sure all the instructors’ needs are met and all the participants’ complains are dealt with. I didn’t know the word tired until Tuesday itself when I finally relaxed and slept.
One of the most cherished moments from this event is the fact that I’ve made so many new found friends through the congress, from within Malaysia as well as from all over the world, Japan, Australia, Canada as well as Venezuela. (more…)
Appeared on MHI
I was informed by a friend via Facebook that I was shown on MHI this morning dancing salsa.
Why wasn’t I given prior warning about it so I could have recorded it down!! WHY WHY WHY!!! ARGH!
My 5min of fame and I missed my own show. Sigh.
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Gerardo Rosales & Our Latin Groove is here!
Gerardo Rosales & Our Latin Groove has finally arrived in town a day after Bobby Dickerson and what better way to welcome them by having a small get together to drink and dance the night away. Yes, I know it’s a Wednesday night but heck, at some places, it’s known as the Mambo Night too!
Not only do we get to have a taste of what to expect at the Congress by these guys, the lucky few even get to learn some new tricks from Bobby too earlier in the night.
And nothing speaks better about the night other than dancing the night away to the songs by band as well as some favorite songs of my own (after I took over the deejay console from Martin).
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Gerardo Rosales & Our Latin Groove
The World Latin Salsa Congress is just around the corner and the excitement is building up in Penang especially Tanjung Bungah Hotel where the event will be held.
One of the most looked forward to aspect of the event other than the workshop is the LIVE BAND that’ll be entertaining all Salsa dancers at the Beach Party on Saturday night.
This year, we have none other than Gerardo Rosales & Our Latin Groove all the way from Venezuela. Check out this video of the band.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdzkKkOB_YE]
For those of you who hasn’t and have plans to attend, here’s some good news. If you are planning to attend only the Saturday afternoon workshop + Beach Party, we have a promotional package of RM800 (single room) and RM600 (twin sharing) with a 1 night stay at the hotel. So you can party like crazy and then just sleep over and head back to KL on Sunday after checking out at 12pm.
Have you registered your participation yet? If not, write to me and we’ll arrange for you now! My email’s zique76 [at] hotmail.com
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Bachata Workshop with Zain
On Saturday, Whikeroom Bilique had a guest all the way from San Francisco. He’s none other than Zain Khandwala of RicaSalsa. A professional Salsa and Bachata instructor and Performer, Zain came by Malaysia in his travels to check out the scene here and decided to have a short Bachata workshop to cater to some of the curious minds here.
The whole workshop was short yet, he was able to deliver over a few steps as well as footwork to us. Which is nice, the only way I know how to dance bachata is the very basic so with what he taught, I can say that the number of moves I know have also increased. IF only I won’t forget it by the end of the week.
If you’re interested to meet up with him, there’s one great way to do it. Come to the Salsa Congress in Penang this April 18th – 21st and watch him impart some of his knowledge to the participants of the workshops and parties. For more details regarding the Congress, you can drop me an email at michael@worldlatinsalsacongress.com. For more photos from the workshop, you can check out the facebook’s photo gallery here.
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World Latin Salsa Congress 2008 Press Conference
The 2nd Malaysia World Latin Salsa Congress 2008 kicked off with a bang with a Fun and Dance filled Press Conference held at Salsa Havana, KL. The Cuban Embassador was there to grace the event with short sweet speech to officiate the whole event. This is a change compared to some of the local VIPs speech which could last for hours (That’s how it felt like).
The Cuban Ambassador to Malaysia.
Of course, we also had Martin Reyes of Salsa Havana KL to give his take on the Salsa Congress in April. Huge crowd will be expect on the 18th – 21st April so if you’ve not registered yet do hurry up. Drop me a message to find out more about the prices and the registration forms.
Martin Reyes.
Apart from the speeches, it’s never complete without Salsa Performances for a Salsa related event, right? That’s where we had the Ritmo Latino’s dance team performing…
Ritmo Latino
Followed by Bailanismo.
Bailanismo.
After the performance, there’s of course the usual mingling around and party. Want to check out the action? click here.
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Happy Chinese New Year 2008
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Salsajay Open Day
Saturday, 4pm. That’s the time I reach Shangri-La hotel in KL. What I did from that time until the whole thing start, I shall not reveal, I can tell you this though. About 5.30pm, the Salsajayers start to arrive and like worker bees, start to rearrange the Johore Room into a big (not big enough though) dance floor.
As for me? Apart from being the smuggler that brought in all those contrabands from Wee’s car, I man the Deejay Console and goes around to taking photos. Yup, that’s basically the task I was assigned to do for the night. Did I do a good job? I think I did great with what I have! 
I also believe that I have the rights to praise myself in here as this is my own blog after all. 
Anyway, DJ Mambochi came by around 9pm to take over the Deejay console thus freeing me to go around taking photos without dashing back and forth between wanting to snap some photos and cue-ing the next song to be played.
The crowd for the night was incredible, why I say that? Johore Room wasn’t big enough to accomodate those that attend the free trial, workshops and performance! I must say that there was about 200+ people there that night!
Jeamie, Darren and Fasilito gave a brief yet impactful workshop on the basic of Salsa, Cha Cha as well as Bachata to the guests and then there was the performance! Belly Dancing as well as a Salsa number by Jeamie, Fai and Jac thrilled the crowd.
Not only that, the lucky guests also walked away with some gifts with the biggies from AirAsia for a trip to Phuket as well as one for Bangkok! Congrates to the lucky bunch but wait, you might think the night would end there but NOooooooooooooooooo…. 11.30, we rush all the guests out of the Johore room, packed up and then head on over to Salsa Havana for the party! Yup, those that came by for the Open Day also get free entrance + 1 free drink at Salsa Havana and I can tell you this, the place was packed to the brim and we practically start sweating just standing there.
Of course, finding spaces here and there also allowed us to dance! And dancing the night away we did but Missmynx and I had to call it a night at 3.00am as we were tired and hungry. So… yeah, that’s the end of the night for us. What we eat? Stay tuned to the next post! I didn’t know my photos was so sought after until I received quite a few nasty comments telling me off for being slow in uploading the photos. Well, I’ve got it up! And you can look at the photos here! There… Happy?
Footnote: It’s quite sad that no one take photos of me dancing, I couldn’t find much photos of me dancing (only had like 3 or 4…). Note to self, must start to force anyone with camera (at the club) to take photos of me when I dance.
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News from the Salsa Congress Organizer
“Uniting the world thru music and dance”
Greetings from the 2nd Malaysian World Latin Salsa Congress 2008!
Malaysia’s ONLY Salsa Congress is back !
THIS YEAR WE WILL ENSURE YOU EXPERIENCE THE BEST SALSA EVENT OF THE YEAR …..WITH LIVE MUSIC, THE BEST INTERNATIONAL INSTRUCTORS AND ONCE AGAIN THE “BEST BEACH PARTY EVER” (quoted from all our international instructors- Jaime Jesus, Bobby Dickerson etc).
To all of those who attended our Congress in June 2007…a BIG BIG THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
It was our first time and we know there were a few rough edges…. this year however, we are in full swing and we GUARANTEE YOU A GREAT SALSA WEEKEND OF POWER PACKED WORKSHOPS ( at least 15 to choose from everyday) AND GREAT NIGHT PARTIES WITH A SALSA BAND AND LOTS AND LOTS OF PERFORMANCES !
We would like to share with you all the good news and the latest on this amazing SALSA event.
The Congress will be held in Penang and Salsa Havana has secured the beautiful Bayview Beach Resort Hotel!
From the 18th to the 20th of April 2008, you will enjoy the luxury of an international resort located on the Beachfront. The resort overlooks the tranquil and scenic bay of the “Foreigner’s Rock” or “Batu Feringhi”
Sun, sea and salsa…….It is the perfect getaway for sun-loving Salseros and Salseras!
Besides dancing the day and night away, all participants can enjoy the full amenities of the hotel should they choose to, which include a serene, tranquil spa with traditional massage therapies, a sunken pool bar, a beautifully landscaped pool, horse-riding and watersports.
The Bayview Beach Resort Hotel is a private hotel with 300 well appointed guestrooms. The hotel offers beautifully landscaped gardens and large open spaces with breathtaking sea views and hill views. Check it out: http://www.bayviewbeach.com/
Interested in improving your salsa and overall dance skills, we have got a packed workshop schedule !
The details of workshops will be released a little later as we still have a few instructors that have not confirmed. BUT WE HAVE MORE THAN 30 WORKSHOP SLOTS CONFIRMED AT THIS TIME The actual number may change closer to the date of the Congress.
A MINIMUM OF 7 WORKSHOPS A DAY! MORNING FITNESS WORKSHOPS AND EVENING WORKSHOPS BY THE BEACH AND THE POOLSIDE, DETAILS TO BE REVEALED CLOSER TO THE CONGRESS DATE. Check our website for updates www.worldlatinsalsacongress.com
We would just like to give you a little information on our confirmed instructors. We will provide more details soon as we have more instructors still to be confirmed !
NEW INSTRUCTORS……..and there are so many of them
THIS TIME WE HAVE PRETTY BOYS AND GIRLS (PB & G DANCE PRODUCTIONS) coming to perform and teach at the Malaysian World Latin Salsa Congress 2008!
This is probably the only opportunity you will get to see them perform as a group in Asia and we encourage you to come and witness this amazing group.
This year THE SEXY SULTRY JOSIE NEGLIA FROM LOS ANGELES will be here in Malaysia FOR THE FIRST TIME, TEACHING AND PERFORMING! She is one of the most experienced dances in Los Angeles. She dances the fast & explosive LA-style salsa and is a thrill to watch on the dance floor. She teaches every year at the Los Angeles Salsa Congress. Josie has become well recognized as a Salsa expert and has produced a series of seven instructional videos called Dance Hot Salsa Videos 1&2″ and “Salsa Merengue 123″, “Night Club Cha Cha”, “Latin Style & Technique for Ladies”, “Advanced Salsa Variations” and “Salsa Line Dancing.” The videos are being distributed and sold worldwide and Josie Neglia has become recognized for her easy-to-learn teaching methods and spectacular performance ability.
Josie may be bringing a dance performance team from her Josie Neglia Dance Academy. (Wait for further updates !)
Krin Bajough and Yvonne Goldsmith are Australia’s newest international Salsa couple, bringing together training in a range of dances from Jazz, Afro-Contemporary and street Latin. Together they represented Australia at the Puerto Rican World Salsa Open in July 2007, where they brought the house down and made it all the way to the semi-finals. They will also be representing Australia at the World Salsa Championships in Orlando this December 2007, in the On2 division, after winning the Australian Salsa Classic. Their style is sexy, full of fire and energy and their workshops and performances will leave you wanting more.
Many of you may not know Johnny Sanchez, Carmen Gonzalez and Jullie Ramirez (Salsa Y Punto), Check their website www.salsaypunto.com
Famous in Spain and in Puerto Rico where his style and tricks while dancing with two ladies has made him a legend. THIS IS PROBABLY THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY YOU WILL HAVE TO SEE HIM IN ACTION AND LEARN FROM HIM. HE WILL ALSO BE TEACHING AFRO-VENEZUELAN SALSA WORKSHOPS WHICH IS SOMETHING VERY NEW IN ASIA.
Cynthia Hung from Taiwan now based in Melbourne. She successfully created the Salsa Taiwan Association and Dance Dimensions Inc., handling multiple dance studios nationwide to help spread her love for Salsa. She has confirmed to bring a performance team with her !!
NOTE:- WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR-
-TWO MORE INSTRUCTORS FROM CUBA TO CONFIRM
-FOUR MORE INSTRUCTORS AND PERFORMERS FROM AUSTRALIA TO CONFIRM
-TWO INSTRUCTORS AND PERFORMERS FROM INDIA
-ONE INSTRUCTOR FROM INDONESIA
-ONE FROM THAILAND
Last year we also had the pleasure of hosting Bobby Dickerson (USA) and Alberto Alonso (Cuba) as workshop instructors and performers. Both of them are coming back and are preparing student dance performance teams to come with them for the 2008 Congress. Both Bobby and Alberto are very friendly. Bobby is the live of the party and last year he was a great MC and did a sexy performance at the Beach party which all the girls loved
DON’T FORGET WE ALSO HAVE A WHOLE GROUP OF EXPERIENCED SINGAPORE INSTRUCTORS AND OUR VERY OWN AMAZING AND EXPERIENCED MALAYSIAN INSTRUCTORS THAT CONTINOUSLY DO SO MUCH FOR THE MALAYSIAN SALSA SCENE. ALSO DON’T FORGET OUR MALAYSIAN SALSA DANCE PERFORMANCE TEAMS!!
COME AND SHOW THEM YOUR SUPPORT AND BE PART OF A SPECTACULAR EVENT ORGANISED JUST FOR YOU !
You don’t know what you’re missing if you don’t come…SO BOOK NOW AND GET HUGE DISCOUNTS!
That’s all for now but we will continue to share more fun info about the upcoming MWLSC 2008 soon! To register for the Malaysian World Latin Salsa Congress 2008, contact me @ zique76 [at] hotmail [dot] com!
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