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We have just received word that two of our clients who were booked on the September holiday are now unable to come.  We therefore have two places available on this Sold Out trip.  If you’re interested in joining us in Cuba 7-21 September, visting the likes of Los Van Van, Bamboleo and Clave y Guaguanco, please contact Kerry on +44 (0)7767 313 168.

Hola Salseros,

Kerry and I have just had a wonderful weekend at this year’s Carnival de Cuba in Southwark Park, London.  The sun came out to play and we were treated to an array of Cuban artists on stage, along with lots of Cuban and International food and drink on tap.  It was also the weekend that we decided to launch our own competition.  We are offering a free salsa dance holiday to Cuba next Valentines.  Details will be available on the website shortly, so please enter.  We’ll also have details of our last competition winner and her experience so watch out for this.

The weekend was highlighted by Cuba’s favourite boy band Charanga Habanera headlining the Carnival on both nights.  Watch out for video clips on line soon.

This weekend sees the return of Kerry’s Cuban salsa workshops concentrating on body movement.  Please check out the website for details.

Thanks for visiting the Key2Cuba stall over the weekend and special thanks to Mandy, Anna and Dianne for their help.

Hola Salseros,

We will shortly be closing our bookings for the salsa dance holiday in Cuba this August.  It would be great if you could join us as we still have a few places left.  Our September trip is almost sold out and bookings are coming in thick and fast for the New Year holiday with a third of places already booked.  So, don’t leave it too long…it looks as if we’re about to have another sell out year this year.  A sample itinerary is available on this link .

We’ll be advertising dates for 2009 shortly so if you can’t join us this year, make sure that you prepare to join us next year.

Hola Salseros,

We’ve been offline for a while, but we’re back and raring to go.  Since our last post, both Kerry and I have been busy enjoying the best of Cuban in the UK.  Firstly, last month, we had the Pontins Cuban weekender.  With over 800 Cuban salseros, we bought Cuban dance to the heart of Blackpool.  For me, the highlight of the weekend was watching the Rumba stand off in the early hours of Monday morning.  It was great to see our favourite Cuban dancers feeling at home.  Kerry has also just returned from Cuba with lots of exciting news and we’ll be sharing that with you over the coming weeks.

However, this Sunday, Kerry re-starts her summer workshops beginning with a 4 hour workshop in Salsa and Rueda with Rumba with the latest moves from the streets of Havana.  To book, call Kerry on +44 (0)7767 313 168 or email her at kerry@key2cuba.com.  Workshops starts at 2.00pm and takes place at:

Chisenhale Dance Space
64-68 Chisenhale Road, London E3

Check out the website http://www.key2cuba.com/workshops.html for more information.  Check back soon, we’ll be updating the blog again shortly.

Saturday night in Cuba, doesn’t get more atomic than this.  Los Van Van, the most celebrated and influential orchestra in the history of Cuban music, are playing at the sexy Salon Roja, a classy joint in downtown Havana, which still holds all its 1950s glamour and charm.  The pulsating atmosphere is intoxicating to the senses and the crowd are dancing and singing along to every word.  After 3 weeks in Havana and having heard over 10 Cuban salsa bands playing at world class levels, I am struck by the extra quality of the sound production and the pure, unique musical genius that is Los Van Van.  The spirit of everyone present is uplifted onto another level.

At the end of the night, Samuel Formell,  the percussionist and Musical Director, displays his virtuosity in a solo that excels beyond time or rhythm.  Where he goes when he is playing at these moments, only God knows, but wherever he is, the crowd are there with him, embodying every second of every beat.  His father, Juan Formell, the most important figure in the history of Cuban music can be proud…..

To read more of this interview with Samuel, click here >>

with Kerry Ribchester, Leo Charanga & Eddy

Free Rueda party in the park after each workshop - bring a picnic and some rum!

Reggaeton & Salsa
Sunday 16 March 10.00am - 2.00pm
with guest teacher Leo

This workshop is dedicated to enriching your Cuban salsa style with the body movement of Reggaeton, Templeque, Despolote and Rumba - the ultimate class for Cuban body movement and styling for men and women.  Kerry will release your body into the technique and then Leo will give you all the latest moves.  Together, they will show you how to fuse the two.  Putting Reggaeton into your Salsa will give you the edge in Cuban style!

Put the Cuban X Factor into your Salsa
Sunday 30 March  11.00am - 3.00pm

This workshop will cover everything you need to know to make your style 100% Cuban.  The Casino style demands wit, passion, charm and an element of surprise to keep your partner inspired.  We will be recapping all the juciest parts of the X-Factor series; get the whole package in one.

What Men & Women Want
& what they don’t want on the dance floor
Sunday 20 April  11.00am - 3.00pm
with guest teacher - Eduardo cos Melian

Find out what the other sex is really thinking as they dance with you.  How can you give your partner the most inspiring Cuban dance Sabor and take their breath away?  Ask yourself, what’s the gossip you would most like to hear about your dancing and make it happen.

Men will be taught with Eduardo, women with Kerry and then they will swap over to reveal the secrets of what men and women really want and don’t want.  This includes technique, posture, musical interpretation, etiquette and styling.  The content of this workshop is the result of research and feedback from over 200 Salseros worldwide.  Discover all the secrets of making your partner feel amazing.

Cost
£30 per workshop
Places limited, please book to avoid disappointment

Venue
Chisenhale Dance Space
64-68 Chisenhale Road, Bow, London E3 5QZ
Bethnal Green/Mile End Tubes
Buses:  8 / 277 / 379 / D6

Free parking on Sundays
www.chisenhaledancespace.co.uk

How to Book

Send a cheque payable to Key2Cuba
89B Victoria Park Road, London  E9 2JJ
Email: kerry@key2cuba.com

or Text/Call Kerry on 07767 313168

Dates for Key2Cuba Holidays 2008

Spring:         27 April - 11 May (limited availability)
Summer:     17-24 August
Autumn:      7-21 September

Spring in Havana, Cuba

Hola Salseros,

This is your final chance to join us in Cuba this April for the salsa dance holiday of a life time.  We must close the holiday this weekend!  We have a fantastic itinerary in place (see HERE ) as well as joining Alberto Valdes’ salsa group from Italy for one of the largest Beach Rueda parties in Havana! 

So, come along and join us.  We have a special offer for one male who wants to share, so please call Kerry Ribchester on +44 (0) 7767 313 168 or email info@key2cuba.com for more information.

Hola Salersos,

We are still taking bookings for our holiday to Cuba this April.  This is going to be a trip for the history books with special guest, Tania from Bamboleo joining us as a guest teacher before we see her live at Casa de la Música. This year’s itinerary is more exciting than ever, and completely off the tourist track. We spend every night in the heart of Havana, salsaring to the world’s leading Salsa bands. 10 nights are spent in Hemmingway’s hotel and 4/5 nights at a beautiful beach resort just twenty minutes down the coast.  Click here to check out  our sample itinerary and join us for your dance holiday of a lifetime.

Spring in Havana, Cuba!

Hola Salseros, 

This is your last chance to join us in Cuba this April and still claim your Early Bird discount.  Join us for 10 nights in the heart of Havana learning how to improve your salsa with Cuba’s top dance instructors and 4 nights chilling out at all inclusive beachside resort. 

The Early Bird booking finishes on Friday 8th February so be quick and book today.   For more details, please go to the holiday section on the Key2Cuba website.

Starting Sunday 3rd February with Kerry Ribchester
2.00 - 6.00pm
  

I have just returned from 3 phenomenal weeks in Havana, Cuba. As well as training with Juan de Dios and dancing for a minimum of 8 hours a day with my team of dancers and Key2Cuba clients, I had the honour of interviewing Samuel from Los Van Van and Tania, the lead singer and Queen of ladies styling from Bamboleo. Listening to their life stories, and their experiences of performing Salsa/Son has been all inspiring and I am ready reveal everything I have learnt and what  I believe to be the latest secrets of Cuban styling. This is a whole new level of class I am about to teach. Why not join us for the first class and kick-start your Cuban Salsa for 2008! The first workshop ‘The 7 Secrets of Cuban Styling’ will set the tone by deepening your understanding of the principles of Cuban technique, style, attitude and body movement. It is designed to make you look and feel as sensual and graceful as a true Cuban dancer.  

Benefits

• Increase your confidence
• Develop greater fluidity in your body
• Have more awareness and sensitivity to your partner
• Move effortlessly from the core of your body
• All the latest moves and trends from Havana

For Whom
Open to dancers from all Salsa styles who know the basic steps. If you are already a Cuban style addict, this will greatly deepen your expertise. If you are New York or LA style, this will be the most authentic fast track course to extend your body movement and technique in Cuban style.

Cost
£30 per workshop / £150 for the whole course (£30 discount if you book for the whole course in advance)Venue
Chisenhale Dance Space
64-68 Chisenhale Road, Bow E3 5QZ
Bethnal Green / Mile End Tube
Buses 8 / 277 / 379 / D6
Parking free on Sundays
MAP: http//www.chisenhaledancespace.co.uk How to Book
Send a cheque payable to Key2Cuba @ 89B Victoria Park Road, London E9 7JJ
Or Email  kerry@key2cuba.com
Or Call Kerry on 07767 313 168