Boogalu Prod.: R. Borell: Cuban Dance Instruction */****

Un Trio Inseparable.
instruction in the traditional popular dances of Cuba danzón - son - chachachá

with maestro
Roberto Borrell
with dance partner Viola Gonzales

"Un Trio Inseparable" is a master class for all lovers of salsa, Latin dance, and Latin music, who want to learn and fully explore the three essential popular dance forms of Cuba from which all modern styles of salsa developed - the danzón, son, and chachachá.

Leading the class is musician, dancer, and teacher extraordinaire Roberto Borrell, a Cuban gentleman who embodies his culture and has dedicated his life to perserving and passing on Cuba's rich traditions. Captivated by the music as a teenager, Roberto learned to dance and play music in the vibrant dance salons and social clubs of Havana in the early 1950's.
Over the past 20 years while residing the USA, Roberto has developed a comprehensive system of teaching the traditional popular dances of Cuba inspired by the manner in which he learned - the old school "open your eyes, open your ears" method. It's a simple approach and yet you will be challenged to listen to your feet, to the music, and to become part of what Roberto calls the inseparable trio of the music, man, and woman.
Accompanying Roberto is his favorite dance partner Viola Gonzales. Viola, along with her partner Garry Johnson, are professional dance teachers, and offer salsa classes in the San Francisco Bay Area.

DVD Segments
dance instruction for danzón, son, and chachachá
28 chapters - 60 minutes
~ dance demonstrations with music
~ posture and basic steps
~ slow and big turns
~ open & close moves
~ open to separate moves
~ men's & woman's steps broken down

interviews & demonstrations
12 chapters - 60 minutes
~ personal history
~ life as musician-dancer in Cuba
~ dance partner Viola Gonzales
~ danzón history & characteristics
~ danzón music example & explanation
~ dance memories in Cuba
~ son history & characteristics
~ chachachá history & characteristics
~ demo of dancing using cues from the rhythm instruments
~ the inseparable trio: music - man - woman
~ advice for learning to dance
~ demo of correct technique and common mistakes

1) The inseparable trio: music - man - woman
the dance couple along with the music form a music/dance unit.
2) Knowledge of the music structure and instrumentation is crucial for dancers
3) Observe, do what you see, listen to your feet.
4) Go slowly, step by step, and practice alone.
5) The danzón, son, and chachachá are an interrelated group and it is important to learn them in the proper order.
DVD: instructional & demonstration ENGLISH * TRT: 60 minutes of dance instruction + 60 minutes of interviews and demonstrations

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