Zouk Nation

Interview with Featured Instructor Shani Mayer

Nicholas Bambo — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:00:29 +0000

For the last Featured Instructor of this year, we thought it might be nice to cast the light on a Zouk instructor who is teaching within the United States. L.A. Zouk’s Shani Mayer instantly came to mind for all the amazing work she has been doing out on the West Coast, having a hand in creating not only a Zouk community in Los Angeles, but in San Francisco and Sacramento as well. Her endless energy and boundless enthusiasm for Zouk has resulted in her often being compared to an “energizer bunny” by her colleagues. Join me as I sit down with Shani to talk about her career as a dancer, how she first became enamored with Zouk, and some of the challenges she’s faced in starting a Zouk scene in the United States. Click here to read full interview.

Workshop with Larissa Thayne in NYC

Nicholas Bambo — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:33:38 +0000

On Thursday December 22nd, 2011, Zouk NY will present workshops with Larissa Thayane from Brisbane’s Rio Rhythmics Latin Dance Academy. The workshops will be at Sparks Studios located at 161 W 22nd Street.

December 22nd, 2011

6-7 PM Ladies styling ($25)

7-9 PM Partner work ($40)

Both workshops ($50)

Followed with the Zouk NY Holiday party. The party will start at 9 pm and run until we all go home. The cost of the party is $10.

For more information about the workshops check out the Zouk NY website.

For more information about Larissa Thayne check out her website, www.kadularissa.com.

Dance Quote of the Month

Nicholas Bambo — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:53:01 +0000

“Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching, and live like its heaven on earth.”
– Mark Twain

Ali Angel Live in NYC, Fri. Jan 13th, 2012

Nicholas Bambo — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:48:00 +0000

Ali Angel LIVE @ Pranna Lounge in NYC – FridayJan. 13

Friday January 13, 2012, Zouktimenyc & International Zouk Party presents:

Ali Angel performing LIVE @ Pranna Lounge in Manhattan NY (79 Madison Ave & 28th Street) his hits “Ali & Marisa”, “Sexy Lady”, ” Juste Nous”, “Panne de Coeur” and new release “Mwen Paré” from new album “Hit Me Again”.

After performance, Dj Guelas from Lights Out and Dj Most Wanted will spin the best of kizomba, kompa, zouk, kuduro and more until 4am!!!

Advance ticket purchase on eventbrite.com.

Dance Quote of the Month

Nicholas Bambo — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:50:24 +0000

“So you can’t dance? Not at all? Not even one step? How can you say that you’ve taken any trouble to live when you won’t even dance?”
– Hermann Hesse

Happy Halloween, Brazilian Style!

Nicholas Bambo — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:05:12 +0000

Occasionally, here at Zouk Nation, we like to take a break from things and run an article which, while may nothing to do with dance, pays tribute to the culture in which Brazilian Zouk originated. The following article from the New York Times is one example. It was passed along to me by a colleague of mine and seemed strangely appropriate given that Halloween is just around the corner.

So enjoy, and Happy Halloween. bit.ly/nelEpM

Dance Quote of the Month

Nicholas Bambo — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:38:55 +0000

“Oh, ’tis jesting, dancing, drinking
Spins the heavy world around.”
– A. E. Housman

Interview with Nelson Freitas

Nicholas Bambo — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:33:29 +0000

He is one of the biggest names in the Zouk recording industry with a long list of hit singles under his belt including, “Deeper” and “Rebound Chick.” He is also the owner and producer of Ghetto Zouk Music, one of the most successful Zouk record lables around today. Join me as I sit down and talk with the legendary Nelson Freitas.

Click here to read the full interview.

Dance Quote of the Month

Nicholas Bambo — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:36:16 +0000

“In life as in dance: Grace glides on blistered feet.”
– Alice Abrams

Dance Quote of the Month

Nicholas Bambo — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:17:15 +0000

“Dancing can reveal all the mystery that music conceals.”
– Charles Baudelaire