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Happy New Year to all!  A lot of changes in Salsaland already happened and are forthcoming this year, and I wish everyone the best year ever!  Some details below.

Check out the party pictures from Sophia's at http://www.salsaboston.com/gallery/arcadia/gallery.cgi

Tonight: Raul Nieves' 50th Birthday surprise party at Temporada Latina, Ryles.  See you there!

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In this issue:
***************
- Farewell to Sophia's, the doors have closed
- BCCA update
- Salsa Night on Wednesdays moved to An Tua Nua (Note: new class times, 15 min. earlier)
- SalsaBoston events
- mailbag

Farewell to Sophia's
--------------------
Well, you heard it right...  Sophia's is CLOSED.  Locked.  Boarded up. fini.  New Year's Eve was the last night.  Those of us there didn't know it at the time, but it turned out to be more than a New Year's Party.  The management wishes to express their thanks to all the patrons who have made the place what it was over the years.  Unfortunately, as I heard it, the building itself presently requires an investment too large to make sense, to bring the building up to code and to solve the never ending AC problems once and for all.  I can understand the decision, though it is indeed a loss to the community.  However, in short order I expect that some new places will open up to replace what was lost.  Wednesdays of course have already reopened at An Tua Nua, and the response has been great!  More details on that below or at www.salsaboston.com/antuanua  Stay tuned for details on other new nights as they open.

BCCA update
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Thanks to all that came to the Holiday Party for BCCA!  Over $2000 was raised, and thanks to the many donations to the silent auction and congratulations to the bid winners.  BCCA's future is still uncertain, but presently it is still there, and the dancing is going on.  This week is open house week, and new classes start next week.

Over $42,000 has been raised for the building fund so far, including nearly $30,000 in December.  The target is $100,000, and every penny counts.  For more, visit the BCCA web site at www.bccaonline.com.  In addition to donations, BCCA is seeking individuals who can assist with securing the mortgage for the property.  If you are interested, please contact olaf@salsaboston.com or call 617-513-9841 for details.


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Salsa Night at An Tua Nua with SalsaBoston
every Wednesday
*******************************************

Have you checked out our new home yet?!!  It's a great space, and we are going to get the floor redone, as well as other improvements!

835 Beacon St., 1 block outbound from Kenmore Square, near Fenway Park
SalsaBoston: (617) 513-9841
An Tua Nua: (617) 262-2121 (for directions only)
More details and directions: www.salsaboston.com/antuanua

7:45pm: Casino Rueda Lessons with Jam'Nastics, all levels
8:45pm: Salsa with Johnny and Kelly, beginner and intermediate NOTE!!! Classes start 15 minutes earlier now because we have to close at 1am.

10pm-1am: Salsa Dance with DJ Hernan and DJ D. Martinez

$10 cover, $12 with lessons, 21+
Call 617-513-9841 for details about Salsa Night
For a discount coupon, visit the website.

An Tua Nua is a great contemporary Irish bar & grill on Beacon Street just outside of Kenmore Square (only about 3 blocks from Sophia's).  In the back they have a dance club about the same size as the upstairs at Sophia's, with a sizable dance floor that holds about 150 people, a bar, and plenty of lounge seating. 

Close to the green line (St. Mary's on the C train), plenty of street and lot parking.

Irish/America/Bar food available until 10pm.  I have eaten there, it is tasty and modestly priced.

Note: they have Karaoke in the front portion of the bar when you walk in, but don't let that scare you... Salsa is in the back room!  Full Bar.  Please check your coat.

More info and directions: www.salsaboston.com/antuanua


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 Noche de Salsa @ BCCA
 Saturdays!
**************************
  BCCA  14 Green Street, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
  9:30-10:30 Salsa lessons, all levels, no partner needed.
  10:30-2am, dancing, upstairs with DJ's D. Martinez and Hernan,
           and periodic guest DJ's
ALL AGES
www.salsaboston.com/bcca

Q: Where can I find more info about the night, parking, lessons, etc.?

A: Several places:
- Scroll down to the Mailbag item 1 for more reopening info
- Check out www.salsaboston.com/bcca
- Check out the BCCA website www.bccaonline.com
- Call Olaf at 617-513-9841 to make group reservations and if you have specific
   questions.
- Call BCCA at 617-738-2800 for general information about BCCA, classes, workshops, sponsorship and contributions, and studio rentals for private parties and workshops.

Q: Is there alcohol?

A: No, not at present due to licensing.  However, we don't intend to let that detract from the party, as past experience has shown!  Furthermore that allows the night to be open to all ages, particularly the college people who are left out in the dark by the nightclubs.  BCCA is in the process of seeking a liquor license so that patrons may enjoy some drinks, but this is a long and involved process.  Juice, soda, and water are available, as well as some snacks.  If there is demand, we will be looking into light food service like pizza slices and empanadas, etc.



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 This Week's Mailbag
****************************

1) Salsa Y Control Party and Workshops with Seckou McMiller, at BCCA Jan 15
2) Classes with Johnny and Kelly
3) Free Casino Rueda practice nights at VFW Thursdays
4) MIT Casino Rueda IAP workshops
5) Dancing in Western Mass
6) "The Fernando Show" on public access TV--check out a show about the local "scene"!
7) April update, Sundays and classes
8) Masa on Thursdays


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1)
   Saturday, January 15th 2005
   Salsa y Control Anniversary Party

Come celebrate with us the welcoming of a new year and the anniversary of Salsa y Control doing what we love to do, teaching, performing and dancing SALSA!!!!

Join us at the BCCA for an evening of Performances and Dancing Salsa, Chachacha, y mucho mas!!!

BCCA 14 Green St. Coolidge Corner, Brookline

Special Guest Dancers:
 Seckou McMiller from Chicago
 Magna Gopal from Toronto
 Hacha y Machete Dance Company

Spinning the best SALSA:   DJ D. MARTINEZ      www.djdmartinez.com
Salsa Lesson 9pm –10pm                              Dance Performances @ 11:00pm
All Ages Welcome                                                     Cover $12 in advance  $15 at the door
More info:  www.salsaycontrol.com              617-312-6464 / 508-951-1298


  Saturday, January 15th 2005
  Salsa y Control Workshop Series

Is learning how to dance or improving your salsa dancing, one of your new year resolutions?  Well, join on us at the BCCA from 2pm to 5pm for three hours of intense salsa workshops by Salsa y Control and invited guests!!!!

    BCCA 14 Green St. Brookline MA near Coolidge corner T stop

Special Workshops designed for ALL LEVELS
                                By Seckou McMiller from Descarga Caribe Dance Co. (Chicago)
                                      Johnny and Andres Giraldo from Salsa y Control (Boston)

     ************Register in advance and $ave…..Details Below*********

1:30pm – 2:00pm  Workshop Registration
2:00pm – 3:00pm  Beginner Footwork Challenge  On1 
2:00pm – 3:00pm  Intermediate/Advanced Men’s and Ladies Styling On1 and On2
3:00pm – 4:00pm  Beginner Partnering On1
3:00pm – 4:00pm  Int./Adv. Partnering with Style On1 and On2 4:00pm – 5:00pm  Special Workshop wih Johnny, Andres and Seckou
                      Int./Adv. Footwork Challenge On1

Pricing

Workshop            Advanced         At The Door

Take 1                          $20                     $25
Take 2                          $35                     $40
Take 3                      $40                     $50
Party                              $12                      $15
Full Package             $50                      $65  ***Best Deal*** Includes all workshops and
                                                                                           evening party w/ lesson and performances

To register in advanced send a check payable to Salsa y Control Dance Company to:
   
    Salsa y Control Dance Co.
 119 McClellan Hwy
    East Boston, MA 02128

More Info:   www.salsaycontrol.com     or     617-312-6464 / 508-951-1298

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2)
Weekly Salsa Classes with Johnny and Kelly
    Start the New Year with some HOT SALSA!!!

New Session, All Levels Starting********January 10th*******

     Multiple TurnS                                 >Drop-Ins Welcome
     Turn CombinAtions     
  Leading and folLowing                  >Sign up for 5 Classes and Save       
         Feel the muSic
 Footwork CobinAtions                      >Classes $15

Beginner

Mondays                                    
BCCA                    
14 Green St. Brookline 
Near Coolidge Corner T stop    
7:00pm – 8:30pm        

Thursdays
Dance Complex
536 Mass. Ave Cambridge
Near Central Sq. T stop
8:00pm – 9:30pm

Advanced Beginner  ****New Location****

Mondays
BCCA
!4 Green St. Brookline
Near Coolidge Corner T Stop
8:30pm – 10:00pm

Intermediate/ Advanced

Tuesdays
Boston Dance Compnay Studio
550 Mass Ave. Canbridge
Near Central Sq T Stop
9:00pm – 10:30pm

More Info:  Johnny  617-312-6464    Salsumba1@aol.com
                   Kelly     617-522-7443   kelly@salsaboston.com

Also don’t forget Salsa Nights @ An Tua Nua every Wednesday lessons 9:00pm-10:00pm

An Tua Nua  835 Beacon St.
Near Kenmore Sq and Fenway Park

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3)
Submitter:
Jose Barretto
Email:
jbarrett@nmhschool.org
Info:
Thursday nights in January with Jose Barretto and friends:

     free practice sessions of ...
RUEDA de CASINO / Salsa from 8 to 9 p.m.
RUEDA de BACHATA from 9 to 10 p.m.
      Beginners especially welcome!
at the VFW, 299 Green Street, Cambridge
(next to the Green Street Grill)
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4)
Latin Jazz, salsa, merengue, boleros, danzon ~ 11 January 8 p.m. at the REGATTABAR, Charles Hotel, One Bennett Street, Cambridge, Harvard Square   with

Hector Cuevas & The Boston Latin Band


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4)
IAP Workshop Series

                         MIT CASINO RUEDA GROUP
                      SALSA AND RUEDA IAP WORKSHOP SERIES!!

Saturday, January 15, 2005, 12 PM to 3 PM
        La Sala De Puerto Rico (Student Center, 2nd floor), Building W20
        77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA.  For a map click here:
        http://whereis.mit.edu/map-jpg?selection=W20&Buildings=go

Saturday, January 22, 2005, 12 PM to 3 PM
        Lobdell Food Court (Student Center, 2nd floor), Builoding W20
        77 Massachuetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. For a map click here:
        http://whereis.mit.edu/map-jpg?selection=W20&selection=W20&Buildings=go

Sunday, January 30, 2005, 12 PM to 3 PM
        Lobdel Food Court (Studnet Center, 2nd floor)


COST: $10 ($25 if attending all three workshops)
      $8 with student ID ($23 if attending all three workshops)

No partner is necessary!  Participants will be split up into three levels: Beginner, Advanced Beginner, and Intermediate/Advanced. Note that these levels are designated in terms of rueda rather than salsa.  If you dance salsa but have never danced rueda, you should start at the Beginner level.

Beginner: No experience neccessary! Teaches the basics of Salsa and
  Rueda, lead/follow technique.
Advanced Beginner: Assumes a knowledge of basic Rueda moves (e.g.
  Enchufla, Dame Una, Adios/Prima), teaches advanced beginner-level Rueda
  moves.
Intermediate/Advanced: Assumes the dancer has knowledge of beginner and
  advanced beginner-level Rueda moves and has a good lead/follow
  technique.  Students in this group should be comfortable
  leading/following moves 'on the tap' such as Siete.  Teaches advanced
  moves.

Remember, workshops are formal instruction, so be sure to bring comfortable clothes, your jazz sneakers/dancing shoes, your water bottles, and plenty of energy to burn for 3 hours straight!

Please RSVP by sending an email to zarixia@mit.edu with the following information (RSVPing is not required but recommended):

Name:
Email:
Estimated Level:
Leader or Follower**:

(** note that the leader is typically the male and the follower is typically the female, particularly at the beginner level.  More advanced students may choose to learn either role if they wish, as balance permits.)

Feel free to visit our web page for more information about the group and rueda in general:
                          http://web.mit.edu/rueda/www/

SEE YOU ALL THERE!!
                              MIT Casino Rueda Group


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5)
It is winter and very cold in Western MA.  I hope everyone is keeping warm.  However if you are not: Salsa Dancing is the way to keep yourself sizzling hot! That’s right! Salsa Dancing is global. Wednesdays TULLY O’REILLY’S 1 Pearl Street Northampton, MA.
413.584.4100

The Salsa Beat goes on at TRUMPETS DANCE CLUB, MEMORIAL DRIVE IN CHICOPEE.  If you do not get enough Salsa Dancing on Wednesdays, join us every Friday at the Hottest Club in town; Trumpets Dance Club in Chicopee.  We begin the night with a Salsa class at 9:00 pm-10:00 pm, followed with dancing until 2:00 am.  The Salsa class is FREE!  Ladies get a FREE drink from 11:00 pm – 12:30 am.

Admission is $5 after 11:00 pm.  You must be 21+ and have proper ID.
Dress to impress             
If you have any questions please call 413.575.0719 or email me at chicossalsa@yahoo.com

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6)

Brand New one hour Television show......
Starts January 7, 2005
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
BNN channel 9

For more details please go to
www.elshowdefernandito.com

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7)  From April

Some exciting changes in 2005 for Wepa Sundays at Ryles: 
* Wepa will be every Sunday starting January 9, 2005.
* Our new format for the year includes a dinner buffet (chicken, rice, salad, and
more) catered from the popular S&S Restaurant.
* Admission is $10 and that includes the Salsa lesson.  Buffet is only $5 per
plate.
* We can stay open an extra hour till 11 pm.
* DJ Rob and visiting DJs will keep you on your dancing feet.
* 6 - 7 pm Salsa lesson.
  7 - 8 pm Dinner Buffet ($5).
  7 - 11 pm Dancing to the best Salsa, Merengue, Cha Cha, & Bachata.
* 18+
* Ryles Jazz Club, 212 Hampshire St, Inman Square, Cambridge.  Free parking.

January classes will begin January 10 and 11, 2005 in Cambridge.  Hope to see
you all there!  
* Mondays at the VFW , 288 Green Street, downstairs in the back room
  7 pm Level 1 Beginners
  7 pm Level 2 Advanced Beginners
  8 pm Ladies Styling with April
  9 pm Level 3 & 4 Intermediate/Advanced
* Tuesdays at the Dance Complex, 536 Mass. Ave, Studio 2
  8 - 9:30 pm Mega Salsa Workshop   All Levels

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8)
Submitter:
mohamad el zein
Email:
masarestaurant@hotmail.com

Info:
To whom it may concern,
         We have started a Latin night over at Masa Restaurant.  Every Thursday at 9:30 we have Manolo's band  performing live till 1:00 am.  There's salsa dancing, tapas, margarita's, sangria, mojitos, and more.  Great night, lots of energy, and a perfect playground for those who want to display their Salsa skills.

Masa
439 Tremont st.
Boston, MA
02116

Phone: 617-338-8884
Fax: 617-338-6019
Website: www.masarestaurant.com

[SalsaBoston's Review]
Check out Masa on Thursday nights!  Featuring live latin jazz starting around 10pm, which "decays" into Salsa later.  It's a great place in the south end, a "high end" southwestern (meaning somewhat spicy latin and american food) restaurant.  However, they serve $1 Tapas until 11pm--I tried a selection and they are AWESOME!  Order about 5-8 or so, and it's a decent meal.  They also serve a variety of house specialty Mojitos and Margaritas for about $8-$12 as well, a little pricy, but the Tapas make up for it.  No cover.  If you're willing to spend about $25-$20 in a nice loungee atmosphere, have a few drinks, eat some great food, and some latin music and dance, check it out.  Tell them you heard it here.


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