Valentines Bachata Festival 11-13 February - more information

Message from Marcela

The 11-13th of February we’re turning Stockholm into the number 1 Bachata city. It’s going to be an intensive, fun and sweaty weekend filled with inspiring and challenging workshops, crazy theme parties with spectacular shows, hilarious animacion’s, great music played by Stockholm’s top dj’s and lots of breathtaking social dances with enthusiastic dancers from all over the world. It will be held at the spacious Quality Hotel Winn Handen to get that real international congress feeling. It will be a weekend you’ll never forget.

Prepare yourself for a trip thru Bachata!

Here are some pages about the festival:

Webpage: www.mdans.net/valentine
Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=126024827447888
Friday’s Kizomba workshops: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184058064957983

- WATCH THE OFFICIAL FESTIVAL VIDEO by Bettina Braesch-Andersen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGZgM8IQk88

When I today asked about the party dresscode - last year it was read and black - I got this answer:

Marcela:

You know me, always complicating stuff! It's so much more fun ;)

- Friday: Dress to Impress
(Put on those fancy clothes you never use for dancing, the fancier the better)
...- Saturday: Ladies & Gentlemen from the 20's Jazz theme
(Paljett & Frans dresses for the women and smokings or skirts with rolled up sleeves, suspenders and wests for men. Hats & feathers are perfect accessories)
- Sunday: Military
(For extra cool pictures on the Men vs. Women)

I like when when dance festival managers really care about the photographers work situation :)

My tickets are reserved. Train up Thursday. Study visit Friday and then party.  Couch sleeping at least one night then perhaps hotel. I am looking forward very much. Last years festival was one of my best dance experiences ever.
Gabriel had an accident a few weeks ago but will be Ok for the festival. I am so happy for this. His classes was the best I ever had. What an energy and charisma!

  

Valentines Bachata Festival and Status of the day

I haven't blogged anything here since new year and the reason is 'busy in life'. Lots to do at work and the evenings are spent on my last video project.

I am trying to make a fun and sensual video from last years Valentine's Bachata Festival at Stockholm. But it i hard to not making very sensual dance into 'porno'. Right now the sixth 'final' version is up on Youtube. I sincerely hope it is the last one.

All teachers was magnificent.  I grew specially fond in "Factoria de Baila" (the ones most seen in the video. Since I was there photographing and not for recording (an other guy did this) I have little of these other teachers. It was first class in bachata tango that made start up recording - else there would have been no video at all. It made me shiver ....so impressed by the sensuality and flow in the classroom.

So keep in mind while watching - the other teachers are equally great and bachata tango is only one style presented. But 90% of the video   and is definitely bachatatango
Full screen at Youtube



The Valentine's Bachata Festival is taken place 11-13 February at Stockholm. I will be there for photographing as well as dancing. It is a very friendly & warm weekend. Marcela and her family is running the whole event excellent. Happiness, joy and warmth is the remaining memories from last years event. This was what I wanted to tell by this video - not the more spectacular show or dances. The Fun & sensuality is most important. And happy people!

Business & salsa
Yesterday @sokmotorkonsult put me on a list of Twitter people generating lots of new followers. I feel really honoured.

"250 riktigt skarpa hjärnor du måste följa på Twitter: http://bit.ly/eGJnMx "
or
"250 really sharp brains you need to follow at Twitter":

The link points to a blogpost called http://www.naknasanningen.com/twitter-249 (the nude truth). Thanks Magnus Båt! You made my Saturday night even greater than it was before. Salsa dancing with Tito and Tamara was at Falken enough - you added some more sugar on it. And lots of new followers....

Thanks Fabian for a magic night!
Videos will be processed soon.

In life I am pretty content for the moment since work has become fun again. I am surfing on small spirals of fun.


 

Salsa dance & club introduction

This is a quick salsa & salsa club introduction. The videos are from my favourite salsa socials - Falken & Salsabor (Henriksberg) Gothenburg Sweden.

At Falken you pay 4$, get the best dance floor in town, the nicest people and tons of fun. Here the only liquid available for drinking is two containers of water. So if you dear reader by some reason believe people are "hot" because of drinks or other kinds of drugs - you are definitely wrong. The only drug these people are on is joy and of course some endorphins and dopamine.

And this - almost no drinks - is typical for salsa communities all over the world. You cannot dance if you drink too much. And if you have spent a few hundred dollars per season on classes you do not want to spoil everything by alcohol. Dancers here in Sweden do not not even smoke. It is amazing.

To interact on the dance floor you need a sharp brain and working reflexes. There are lots of things to consider. Beat, musical interpretation, planning the tours (for guys) and not gettin hurt by the couples beside. The guy need to make it comfortable for the girl - make her relax by showing her "I protect you from the evil neighbours that might make you fall right on the dancefloor". The girl - if she is relaxed - gives everything. Both regarding dance and interaction.

And what is happening then?
Salsa is a kind of old mating "ritual". Men becomes men and women women. The guy chases the girls and they of course say "no no no" and at the same time they show off. Exposing every curve using hips, bobs, belly, butt and glittering eyes. You look the guy deep into his eyes. You smile.You flirt, you tease you might even seduce for usually 2 x 7 minutes. But when the you leave the dance floor - it is like nothing ever have happened.

It is like a theatre or a game. What ever happening at the dance floor is its own entity. What is happening at the bar - another one. But of course inviting for a dance is a great way to start a chat with that awesome girl or guy. And you may have her/him in your arms and see if you want more.

Salsa

Salsa Weekend 2009, all included - classes, shows, fun & socials. Lot´s of salsa styles, different leveles of dancers all from newbies to stars

There are two main styles of salsa - Cuban and Line style (X-body, pronounces cross body). Line-style is danced on two different timings: on-1 and on-2. The dance is the same - it is just where you put the feet in the beat that differs. Here in Sweden most people dance on-1 but on-2 is coming. In New York on-2 is dominant.

Cuban is easiest to learn. So any newbie - start with this style first. You get to the point of FUN much quicker since this dance is less "intellectual". Needs less planning. You move around your partner and do not as easily bump into couples around you as in line style when you go back and forth on a imaginary line.

You have to listen to become a great dancer - both to the music and to your current ladies needs. If you start up with Cuban this is easier to achieve. If you however startup in the other end you can get a great dancer anyhow. Just be patient and listen....

If you start dancing Cuban and finally finds a bit boring - it usually do after a few years since it is easier - it might be a good idea to start dancing X-body or line style. This is a more intellectual kind of salsa but also more expressive. In cuban the girls hands are stuck almost all the time - in X-body you may shine that is show off all by your self.The guys shines as well

Now to some other dances at a salsa club.

Bachata




Bachata is a intimate dance but always danced with respect. Anyhow as far as you stay at a salsaclub or dance studio socials. But if you go to a place for salsa wannabies - a Latino party club for example - serious grinding might happen. That is sex with clothes on and has nothing to do with dancing. Not funny at all...

In bachata you get very close and this means that there might be people you refuse to dance bachata with. And people who perhaps not dance bachata with you. You have to respect that - this doesn´t necessarliy mean they do not like you. That girl or guy just do not want to be that intimate with you or is perhaps just very sweaty for the moment.

Well performed bachata is very nice - soft sensual and relaxing. You are very very close but there is always a few inches in between (a fact people sometimes miss while just watching). It is sensual and yes and you might feel sensations perhaps not wanted or wanted indeed. But as with salsa - that magic disappear when you leave the dance floor. If you want to get laid for real you have to start the game once again beside the dance floor.


What to wear?
Clothes that breathe - you will get sweaty. An extra T-shirt is often brought by the guys that cannot undress as much as the girls. There are nice looking sport T-shirts in fabrics made for breathing. Look at the golf section for example. Make sure the T-shirt/shirt is nice to touch for the girls - some synthetic is awful.

Girls - make sure shirts, skirts, tops, shoulder straps and everything is dance prof. Make sure theys stay in place while shaking your hips, bobs or spin. Never have a bare back where the guy is supposed to put his hand. You get sweaty here as well. It has to be comfortable for him too.

On feet wear firm shoes but not rubber shoes. You must be able to twist, turn and spin without hurting you knees. This can be hard to foresee if you do not know the floor. Different floors behave differently with same old shoes. Experienced dancers always bring two pair of shoes. One fast and one slow.

Shoes with synthetic soles works mostly fine. Or very old "dried out" rubber shoes with no floor grip at all. Try at home and pick the fastest ones.

Why do no one carry a wedding ring?
It is simple - it hurts to wear rings while dancing. You may even hurt your partner with a fancy ring. As a matter of fact you need to be careful with all kinds of accessories. Like bracelets, necklaces, earrings, belts with sharp decorations. So do never presume marital status based on ring or no ring at a dance club

Cha cha cha
This dance is not for new beginners. It is very sensual despite the distance. You flirt - you seduce like never before. And you have time to express all feelings since it is slower than salsa.

This is THE best dancers in Gothenburg. Nina also a member of hiphop group Twisted feet. She has taught me some styling - something she really knows. Philippe does everything for his lady. He moves like a panther - dyamic and explosive. When connected he moves around the girl all the time - making her feel precious and great. His eyes is aways there - checking you up. Watching you deep deep in your eyes. Making you feel desired even if you know it all is a game.






Merengue
is a simple beat 2 dance. It is energy - flesh and body and great fun. It is very simpel to learn the basis. So simple you can even teach a dog.

Often at clubs there is a salsa class in beginning of night. Here you see lots of different skills - everything from white to black belters.

So why do I dance salsa?
It makes me happy, makes me meet a lot of friends, gives me great low intensive cardiovascular training, makes my body burn fat and it gives me a chance to flirt with "safety belt on". It is a kind of sex with clothes on but you get no sexual diseases and no unwanted pregnancies. I only get the fun part and there are no bad side effects. It makes me feel like a very attractive women. I get respect, sensualism, lots of friends and have FUN!

Favourite lunch & some words about Twitter

I just had to try lunch blogging again today while eating lunch at favourite sushi bar.

The snow is melting. It is back to 'ordinary' Swedish winter. Sadly. My arm is better - I can both drive and type today. Yesterday my family thought it was a fracture considering my screams. But sleep and painkillers did a great work this night. I presume it only is an inflammation in the tendons controlling the fingers.

Now my project probably will make me sleepless instead. Losing one day was really bad.

I have started too like Twitter. I get information I need to improve at work. I also have got a few really good friend :-) . I like the "over hearing" communication as well as short private mails.

You have to skip the bullshit if you want to say something on Twitter. You have to THINK before you send. Something I very often find very hard since I usually think when or after I have spoken *giggling*.

Now off for a meeting at other side of the region.

 

I think I prefer not to understand

"there is also another side of the other side" I read on Twitter a few days ago. A fact I sometimes think I am too aware of.

In general I chose not to draw any conclusions about occurrences, problems & happenings I do not know enough about. My kids hate me for this since I never take any ones side when discussing "external" relational problems. I say "the only thing we are sure about is that we only know a fraction of what is needed". So why then even bother to judge other peoples acts & behaviours?

But sometimes when things get too bad I have had another strategy. But it doesn´t work all the time.

Original post written May 2010
The reason why I republish this post is that I feel this is a dilemma I will experience again. And probably you too...

---

Why do we always struggle to understand?
I wonder so.

Why can’t we just rest in the fact that some things are not understandable? Like where the universe stops? Why do so many people starve? Why is there such a thing as war? Or why do my kid wants homemade lunch for the day trip tomorrow instead of a prefabricated salad in a hygienically box?

I use to think that if you have a lot of observations and riddles in life you cannot make fit together – find a few possible solutions and then pick one. Be content with that choice. Never admit you chosed the wrong one. Stick to it and be happy! But today I cannot make such a choice. For a long while I haven’t been able to comprehend a few things in my life. I have been lost in my self and a mind drowning in lots of “whys” and “wonderings”. I haven’t been able to pick one solution and be happy with it.

A few days ago I picked up the coin, tossed it furiously up in the air and it landed with the other side up. And there it was. The solution. It had been there all the time - I just had been blindfolded to see it. The other side of the coin.

For the first time in my life I have come to a point where I resign. I will never understand and that is nothing bad. I lie happily - well almost - on my air mattress on the ocean of non-understanding and not comprehending. The weather is perhaps no the best but it will get warmer. It is calm and the sea gives peace in my mind. And the rippling waves makes my muscles relax.

There are things I will never understand and I finally accept I can live my life without it. I think it is better than locking my mind in something that is wrong. And I feel content about it…well mostly anyhow.

It is like when reading a big nice book. The journey is enough – I do not need to know the end of the saga. I do not need to understand every word, every course of events or every character of that book. With an open mind and a good author I do not need to rush. Like when I for the first time read Steinbeck’s “Sweet Thursday”. I cried when I finished that book.

If one day I find the answer myself…
I will never admit it to myself. I will keep it to myself and presume I have locked my mind into wrong conclusion. And I will be happy with that.

If one day anyone tells me the answer …
I will perhaps even refuse to accept it. Who knows – I can be damn stubborn.

If one day anyone can tell me the answer…
I´d like to have a choice - to listen or not to listen. Or else I might come to a point where the almost same amount of work has to be done once again. And I will simply not manage it once again.

Nevertheless – I think I wish to get that choice one day. In time. After a year. Or When I´m old and gray haired mama. Or in next life. Who knows. But not now. That is for sure. I simply cannot recalculate all informations once again. I think...

Until then – the day that probably never will come - the day I’m not waiting for - I stick to my air mattress and the ripples of the ocean. And I will be happy.

When I came home from work something really non-comprehensible was happening in my kitchen. Big kid was cooking American pancakes for dinner. And there was three times as much than needed. So lunch for tomorrow’s day trip is ready.

---

One month later I finally understood the true meaning of what a Japanese koan is.
A koan is a riddle where there is no answer. It is the question that is wrong or the perspective of the problem. 

---

Art on top: Kjell Engman´s Contradictory