10 Minute Latin Dance Mix
30th April
Clip from the DVD available on our websiteChristmas Traditions
30th April
Santa Claus
The origin of Santa Claus begins in the 4th century with Saint Nicolas, Bishop of Myra, an area in Turkey. By all accounts St. Nicholas was a generous man, particularly devoted to children. After his death around 340 AD he was buried in Myra, but in 1087 Italian sailors purportedly stole his remains and removed them to Bari, Italy, greatly increasing St. Nicholas’ popularity throughout Europe. His kindness and reputation for generosity gave rise to claims that he could perform miracles and devotion to him increased. St. Nicholas became the patron saint of Russia, where he was known by his red cape, flowing white beard, and bishop’s mitre. After the Reformation, European followers of St. Nicholas dwindled, but the legend was kept alive in Holland where the Dutch spelling of his name Sint Nikolaas was eventually transformed to Sinterklaas. Dutch colonists brought this tradition with them to America in the 17th century and here the Anglican name of Santa Claus emerged.
Other countries feature different gift bearers for the Christmas or Advent season: La Befana in Italy, The Three Kings in Spain, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, Christkind or the Christ Child in Switzerland and Austria; Father Christmas in England; and Pere Noël, Father Christmas, or the Christ Child in France.
In 16th-century Germany fir trees were decorated, both indoors and out, with apples, roses, gilded candies, and colored paper. In the Middle Ages, a popular religious play depicted the story of Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden.
Christmas Trees
It is thought that protestant reformer Martin Luther first adorned trees with light. While coming home one December evening, the beauty of the stars shining through the branches of a fir inspired him to recreate the effect by placing candles on the branches of a small fir tree inside his home.
The Christmas Tree was brought to England by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert from his native Germany. The famous Illustrated News etching in 1848, featuring the Royal Family of Victoria, Albert and their children gathered around a Christmas Tree in Windsor Castle, popularized the tree throughout Victorian England.
Christmas Stockings
According to legend, a kindly nobleman grew despondent over the death of his beloved wife and foolishly squandered his fortune. This left his three young daughters without dowries and thus facing a life of spinsterhood.
The generous St. Nicholas, hearing of the girls’ plight, set forth to help. Wishing to remain anonymous, he rode his white horse by the nobleman’s house and threw three small pouches of gold coins down the chimney where they were fortuitously captured by the stockings the young women had hung by the fireplace to dry.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe was used by Druid priests 200 years before the birth of Christ in their winter celebrations. They revered the plant since it had not roots yet remained green during the cold months of winter.
The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe to have magical healing powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility, and to ward off evil spirits. The plant was also seen as a symbol of peace, and it is said that among Romans, enemies who met under mistletoe would lay down their weapons and embrace, hence the origin of the kiss under the mistletoe.
Holly and Ivy
In Northern Europe Christmas occurred during the middle of harsh winter weather, when it was thought that ghosts and demons could be heard howling in the winter winds. Boughs of holly, believed to have magical powers since they remained green through the harsh winter, were often placed over the doors of homes to drive evil away. Greenery was also brought indoors to freshen the air and brighten the mood during the long, dreary winter.
Legend also has it that holly sprang from the footsteps of Christ as he walked the earth. The pointed leaves were said to represent the crown of thorns Christ wore while on the cross and the red berries symbolized the blood he shed.
Poinsettias
A native Mexican plant, poinsettias were named after Joel R. Poinsett, U.S. ambassador to Mexico who brought the plant to America in 1828. Poinsettias were likely used by Mexican Franciscans in their 17th century Christmas celebrations. One legend has it that a young Mexican boy, on his way to visit the village Nativity scene, realized he had no gift for the Christ Child. He gathered pretty green branches from along the road and brought them to the church. Though the other children mocked him, when the leaves were laid at the manger, a beautiful star-shaped flower appeared on each branch. The bright red petals, often mistaken for flowers, are actually the upper leaves of the plant.
Christmas Cards
A form of Christmas card began in England first when young boys practiced their writing skills by creating Christmas greetings for their parents, but it is Sir Henry Cole who is credited with creating the first real Christmas card. The first director of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, Sir Henry found himself too busy in the Christmas Season of 1843 to compose individual Christmas greetings for his friends.
He commissioned artist John Calcott Horsley for the illustration. The card featured three panels, with the center panel depicting a family enjoying Christmas festivities and the card was inscribed with the message: ”A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to You”.
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
The Chicago-based Montgomery Ward department store, had been purchasing and distributing children’s coloring books as Christmas gifts for their customers for several years. In 1939, the owners asked one of their own employees to create a book for them, thus saving money. A copywriter, 34-year old Robert L May wrote the story of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and 2.4 million copies were handed out that year. When May’s brother-in-law, songwriter Johnny Marks, wrote the lyrics and melody for the song “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” in 1947, the Rudolph phenomenon was born. The song sold two million copies that year, going on to become one of the best selling songs of all time, second only to Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”.
Christmas Carols
Carols were first sung in Europe thousands of years ago, but there were not Christmas carols. They were pagan songs, sung at the winter solstice celebrations as the people danced round stone circles. The word carol actually means dance or a song of praise and joy.
Early Christians took over the pagan solstice celebrations for Christmas and gave people Christian songs to sing instead of pagan ones. Soon after this many composers all over Europe started to write carols. However, not many people liked them as they were all written and sung in Latin. This was changed by St. Francis of Assisi when, in 1223, he started his nativity plays in Italy. the people in the plays sang songs or “canticles” that told the story during the plays. The new carols spread to France, Spain, Germany and other European countries. Most of the best known carols such as Once in Royal David’s City and Away in a Manger are relatively recent having been written in America during the 19th century.
Isn’t history fascinating? Want to learn more? Come join boomeryearbook.com
www.boomeryearbook.com is a social networking site connecting the Baby Boomer generation. Share your thoughts, rediscover old friends, or expand your mind with brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join today to discover the many ways we are helping Boomers connect for fun and profit.
Dr Karen
http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/christmas-traditions-727758.html
Salsa Videos of Jorge Cookie Rojas & Jenessa Peterson dancing Mambo at 2008 SF Salsa Congress
29th April
http://www.cookierojas.com
Jorge Cookie Rojas is a known salsa performer, competitor and instructor. He began dancing at young age. His first passion was break dancing. After he graduated from high school, he accepted a scholarship for a formal dance training to become a professional ballet, modern and jazz dancer. He studied for 4 years at University of the Arts and The Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet. The companies he has performed with are: Ohio Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet and Oakland Ballet.
Since he comes from Dominican Republic, he returned to his Latin roots and began studying salsa dance in 2005. Jorge is actively performing and competing on various salsa conventions. His salsa style is unique because he fuses various dance styles he learned during his formal dance training. In 2009, he placed in the finals at the World Salsa Championship. Besides performing he understands the basic techniques of teaching and tailors his salsa dance lessons according to his client’s goals and needs, He teaches social dance styles like salsa, bachata, merengue, cha-cha. He also offers wedding dance programs.
Duration : 0:3:43
How to Dance Salsa : Beginners
29th April
Here is one of the first episodes of us teaching you how to dance salsa. Learn to dance salsa for free with our online salsa dance video lessons. Salsa dancing and latin dance.
http://addicted2salsa.com/videos
Duration : 0:1:40
Beautiful Brazilian Women – Why Men Around the World Love Them
28th April
Men often wonder if there is any explanation for the unimaginable concentration of extraordinarily stunning women, all in one hot, exotic country like Brazil. Actually, there are a multitude of reasons. Brazilian women are the descendants of generations of racial mixing, including Portuguese, Africans, indigenous peoples. In the 20th century, these mixed-race beauties combined with more recent immigrants from Germany, Italy, other Latin American countries, as well as from China and Japan. In a recent census, Brazilians were asked for the first time to write in their “race” instead of checking a box for African or Caucasian. The response led to over one hundred different categories, from “caramel” to “chocolate” to “café au lait.” While everyone can agree Brazilian women sound delicious, the truth is bare to the eyes: Brazilian women have an exotic beauty that is simply incomparable anywhere else in the world.
The country of Brazil has so much to offer the world and actively welcomes outsiders into its culture. You’ve probably heard about Carnival-the largest and most authentic Mardi Gras party in the world. You may even have heard of Brazilian music like bossa nova or tropicalia, and dances like the samba that, although invented in Brazil, today have enthusiastic followings worldwide. But without doubt you have heard (and seen) the beauties that are Brazilian women, by and large some of the most gorgeous women in the world. Supermodels like Gisele, and a new wave of popular singers like Bebel Gilberto and Maria Rita, combine good looks and an indescribable charm.
Brazilian girls, especially those living along the coastline in cities like Rio de Janeiro and Salvador de Bahia, value both their physical and mental appearance. They are in top shape and not ashamed to parade their gorgeous figures around in the trademark Brazilian string bikini or thong, popularly called fio dental (”dental floss”). Yet they are also modest women. Though you can see just about everything hanging out from these bikinis, you won’t find topless girls on the beach in Brazil, and nude beaches are only in designated locales. American girls who try to dress like Brazilian girls often come off looking low-class, but Brazilian women have an effable elegance and grace that carries them as true ladies. Their smiles are nothing less than divine, a window into an inner sweetness they share with their lovers and soul mates.
So what are Brazilian women like? They’re phenomenal! Brazilian girls share a profound love of life, they smile constantly, and they know how to have a good time. They don’t take life’s problems with any more seriousness than necessary, and they always “know” that good news is around the corner. Their optimism is balanced by a deep sense of compassion, family, and togetherness. While young girls like to play around and experiment, women in committed relationships are faithful and adoring. Women aspire to marry, and marriage is a large family affair. They expect to feel loved and return that love back to you tenfold. They are sensitive, sensual, and affectionate women, whose passion will turn you on and intrigue you from the first second.
The way to a Brazilian woman’s heart is through charm and honesty. Brazilian girls look for a sense of humor above all, and want to be proud of their companion. They admire men who are educated, responsible, and authoritative in the workplace, but soft and sweet in private. Brazilian women are fascinated by foreign men, especially those who show an active interest in their culture. Learning just a few words in Portuguese, or listening to famous Brazilian artists like Caetano Veloso, or Gilberto Gil, are guaranteed to get you in. “Você é gostosa!” – You are stunning – is a good start when learning Portuguese. Dancing and music are also important to Brazilian girls. Don’t worry if you can’t dance- let her teach you! The samba is both a dance and a type of music, a combination that is very sensual and worth learning together.
Many Brazilian women want to practice their English, and make great pen pals until you can meet in person. The Internet has really taken off in Brazil and is a fabulous way to get to know someone. Brazilian girls are friendly and affectionate, and it is easy to understand when they are interested in someone of the opposite sex. If you travel to Brazil, you’ll find that it is common to meet girls through friends or relatives, but it is just as common to meet them on the beach, in school, or in an upscale boite, or club. [A note of caution: stay away from bars that are known to cater exclusively to foreign men because these are generally filled with prostitutes, not the women you are looking for. They are easy to spot because there are 5 women for every man - a real club is more mixed].
However you meet your Brazilian girlfriend, treat her well. She will expect you to share in her culture and her family, and she will reward you with a lifetime of beauty, smiles, and optimism- treasures that cannot be found easily anywhere else in the world.
Garrett Williams
Dance your Way Fit
28th April
Copyright (c) 2007 Jess Harley
If the only time you dance is at weddings, you have no idea what you are missing out on. First of all not only is dancing fun, it is also exercise! Think about your moving your feet, your arms, your twisting away and giving yourself a full body workout. Ever noticed how sometimes the day after a wedding, your body is a little sore, especially if you do not workout before hand? Celebrities, who take part in Dancing with The Stars, have reported an increase in weight loss. The most traditional way of getting a good dancing workout is to turn on some music and let yourself go and boogie down. It is also an excellent way to incorporate some bonding time with your kids too if you included them. There are days when Ill turn on the radio and me and my daughter will just dance our feet off.
There might be some of you, who are looking for something a little more structured and instruction. Not to worry there is something for you also. Gyms all around the world are starting to offer dancing classes. Starting off there is Cardio Salsa. This class if offered at The Crunch gyms nationwide or you can look for it on DVD. It is a low impact high intensity workout that combines the hottest latin dances such as the cha-cha, mambo, samba and more with traditional dance steps such as the grapevine, lunges and arm raises. What women are loving about this workout is that they can take what they learn on the videos or classes and take it to a night club if they want to!
Cardio Capoeira is also becoming another popular dance workout. It was featured briefly on the cool down segments of the hit exercise video Turbo Jam, but has come out on its own as a great workout. In fact for fans of the hit Movie Oceans 12 might remember it being featured as the Night Fox dodges the lasers to get to the goods, or you might remember Catherine Zeta-Jones using a similar dance in the movie Entrapment. Cardio Capoeira is a basically a form of martial arts that is disguised as dancing. It was used to train Brazilian slaves martial arts without letting their captors know. It requires a lot of kicking, spinning and even cartwheels. What makes this workout so powerful especially on your buttocks and quads is the move the ginga which links one movement to the next so you will find yourself doing this often.
Cardio Striptease is another dance workout that is sweeping the nation. There are a number of DVDs out that offer a cardio striptease workout. This routine is part burlesque, part yoga, and part gymnastics. There are no concise steps and the whole point of the routine is to allow you to move freely and beautifully and learn to express yourself. You never have to worry about holding any sort of poses but move from one move to another by using slow moving hip and butt circles. The aim of this workout is to tone the hips, buttocks, thighs calves and abs.
Of course you can always go the more traditional route and sign up for ballroom dancing classes which will still give you a great workout. Which ever one of these you choose, you will burning fat and calories while having a great time. You wont even know you are exercising, thats how much fun you will have.
Jess Harley
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/dance-your-way-fit-257716.html
Learn Salsa Dance : Intermediate Steps
27th April
http://addicted2salsa.com/videos
Hope you are enjoying our dance video lessons. This dance lesson will basically cover some simple dance moves that are basically universal — that everyone who does salsa knows how to perform. It is interesting to note that some of the more complicated salsa dancing moves actually end up being variations of these combos.
Duration : 0:4:6
Dance Masters 2010 – IDSF Romanian Open – latin final
25th April
The best 6 dancing couples of Dance Masters 2010, Bucharest, Romania. Latin final with rumba, cha cha, samba, jive, passo doble. Couple 316 won the first place. Couple 340 won the second place.
Duration : 0:9:42
Lee el gringuito in Sexy & Sensual Latin Dance Festival 2009 by www.peynao.es
25th April
Lee el gringuito in Sexy & Sensual latin dance Festival 2009 by www.peynao.es
Duration : 0:5:49
How to Do the Latin Bachata Dance : Learn the Closed Position in Bachata Dance
23rd April
Learn the closed position in Bachata dance in this free latin dance video.
Expert: Rodney Lopez & Amalia Maldonado
Contact: www.dancemanhattan.com
Bio: Rodney Lopez and Amalia Maldonado are both accomplished dance instructors. Rodney was team captain of the Addie-Tude Dance Company, and Amalia’s dance team, Furia latina, was featured at the West Coas
Filmmaker: Paul Muller
Duration : 0:1:9
