This morning... I actually did the math.... I've been in Xalapa for (just shy of) 6 months. Wow, que rapido, no?! I remember telling my crew in GDL that I would aim for 6 months. I diiiiid it! To be honest, I do not know how much more time I will be spending here. Regardless, I made it 6 months! Woooot!
Last Sunday, I had a GREEEEAT performance at this years Festival Raices! It was one of the best shows I've done here in Mexico. The crowd was GREAT, so much love and positive energy (jaaaaa, que hippy!). I can definitely say, I did my best tap performance here in Mexico! The acoustics of the performance space were amazing. Yesssss. The rest of the night was fun! We were fed (YUMMMMMMY) homemade food and given Kwamas to keep us happy. I was finally able to see Los Aguas Aguas, a staple music group here in Xalapa. They put on a good show, and I got to dance with shortest man I've ever seen. I just couldn't say no! All the good times aside, it was a serious trip to go back to the festival. Don't get me wrong- I saw lots of people I met at the last one and had a GREAT time. Its just... Last year's festival, in late July, was my first time in (the area of) Xalapa. I had just gotten to Mexico, knew nothing of Xalapa and the dance/music scene in it, let alone spanish. Ja! And now, 8 months later, I performed at the festival. What a trip, no?!
For your listening/Dance Dance Dance party pleasure.... Los Aguas Aguas!
In other news, I spent Good Friday with my friend and her family, where she made a DELISH Vegan feast! She had just gone to a Taller de comida vegana y cruda and daaaaamn, was the outcome gooood! Vegan Mango Ceviche and Vegan sushi rolls! yes Please!
Something I bet many didn't know... Balkan Music is HUGE here in Mexico. Yes, when I say balkan music, I mean that goofy circus sounded stuff with an accordion and a lot of yelling. After the feast, we went to a tiny Cafe to see a band from DF named Balkanour play. And, i must say, it was rad! I freakin' love the accordian! It gave me flashbacks to the street music of Belgium... I liked!
This week has been a bit slow. Xalapa has been good to me, but I'm really beginning to crave the BIG city vibe. We'll see.
In the mean time, as many Zapateado Dance classes as possible!!
XO- Vanessa
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Teachin' in Xalapa!!
So, the past 2 weeks were pretty busy ones. All good, though!
Like I said, I was subbing some dance classes for someone who was out of town. So, I had 3 classes a day, and LOVED it. In the AM, I taught some jazz/soft shoe tap, semi Broadway stuff. Think Chorus Line, Shim Sham, Fred Estaire. I did this type of dance for yeeeeeeears, and it was great to be able to work with it again. I taught an easy version of this classic swing phrase. There is also a tap version that I will be teaching soon... but more info on that later.
In the evenings, I focused on Afro Brazilian and Samba Reggae. It was a HIT. Nothing like this exists here, and everyone REALLY loved the rhythms I was working with. It makes me want to find my own space to keep going with it. We'll see....
Anyway, from one of the classes I was teaching I got in touch with a woman from Germany who owns a studio here in Xalapa. Well... I got invited to see her space, and after 10 mins of chatting she asked if I'd like to give a Tap Intensive during Semana Santa (Holy Week). Yesssssssssssss.......! So, Next week, I will be teaching my first tap dance intensive here in Mexico!! Raaaaaaaaaaaad! Now its just a matter of organizing my thoughts, and finding a place to get tap shoes made in this town!!
On top of that, I have another show with my Afro Cuban company this coming Sunday, so we're back to rehearsin' every day this week. Yes.... It'll be a busy one, but all good!
Aside from all the dance dance dancin' I've been doing, I had a seriously awesome weekend and am falling more and more in love with Xalapa. Friday, I went to a potluck at my friend Aranza's new BEAUTIFUL house, then taught Yanvalou for the first time. Followed by a Saturday in The cute town of Coatepec (neighbor of Xalapa), a Fandango/dance party, and Salsa dancin' with the Cubans at Bembe (the Cuban Salsa club here) till 4am. Sunday, with new friends, cocinando and watching Kill Bill, then off to se BOMBA ESTEREO play in Xalapa for the first time. Such a great show! Sweeeeeeeeeeeet!! More fun than I could've asked for in 3 days. I've met amazing people here in Xalapa, and this weekend was a great reminder of that.
For your listening pleasure.....
I'm pretty excited to see what the next couple of months are gonna bring. Xalapa has been good to me so far...
<3 <3
Like I said, I was subbing some dance classes for someone who was out of town. So, I had 3 classes a day, and LOVED it. In the AM, I taught some jazz/soft shoe tap, semi Broadway stuff. Think Chorus Line, Shim Sham, Fred Estaire. I did this type of dance for yeeeeeeears, and it was great to be able to work with it again. I taught an easy version of this classic swing phrase. There is also a tap version that I will be teaching soon... but more info on that later.
In the evenings, I focused on Afro Brazilian and Samba Reggae. It was a HIT. Nothing like this exists here, and everyone REALLY loved the rhythms I was working with. It makes me want to find my own space to keep going with it. We'll see....
Anyway, from one of the classes I was teaching I got in touch with a woman from Germany who owns a studio here in Xalapa. Well... I got invited to see her space, and after 10 mins of chatting she asked if I'd like to give a Tap Intensive during Semana Santa (Holy Week). Yesssssssssssss.......! So, Next week, I will be teaching my first tap dance intensive here in Mexico!! Raaaaaaaaaaaad! Now its just a matter of organizing my thoughts, and finding a place to get tap shoes made in this town!!
On top of that, I have another show with my Afro Cuban company this coming Sunday, so we're back to rehearsin' every day this week. Yes.... It'll be a busy one, but all good!
Aside from all the dance dance dancin' I've been doing, I had a seriously awesome weekend and am falling more and more in love with Xalapa. Friday, I went to a potluck at my friend Aranza's new BEAUTIFUL house, then taught Yanvalou for the first time. Followed by a Saturday in The cute town of Coatepec (neighbor of Xalapa), a Fandango/dance party, and Salsa dancin' with the Cubans at Bembe (the Cuban Salsa club here) till 4am. Sunday, with new friends, cocinando and watching Kill Bill, then off to se BOMBA ESTEREO play in Xalapa for the first time. Such a great show! Sweeeeeeeeeeeet!! More fun than I could've asked for in 3 days. I've met amazing people here in Xalapa, and this weekend was a great reminder of that.
For your listening pleasure.....
I'm pretty excited to see what the next couple of months are gonna bring. Xalapa has been good to me so far...
<3 <3
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