MIAMI BEACH – Already known for its sultry climate and risqué night clubs, Miami Beach is now being referred to as a Mecca for Latin music.  On Monday, May 6, ¡BAILANDO! The Hope and Harmony Dance Party kicked off Billboard's Latin Music Conference, a week of festivities featuring Hispanic musical performances and awards.  The premier event, held at the area's exciting, new music venue, Billboardlive, benefited the University of Miami's Diabetes Research Institute and raised more than $50,000 for the cause.

Not unlike the fusion of flavors and ingredients in authentic paella, more than 500 Latin artists, top music executives and adoring fans came together to celebrate the musical style that has become popular across the United States.  Morning radio host Footy of Y-100 emceed the event, which attracted the attendance of Willy Chirino, Luis Enrique, Hansel, Lissette, Tito Puente, Jr., Tito Nieves, Nestor Torres and Roberto Perera. Also present was Emilio Estefan, Jr. who received the 2002 Hope & Harmony Noteworthy Award, acknowledging his lifelong contributions to the music industry, his numerous philanthropic endeavors, and his support of the Diabetes Research Institute. BMI president and CEO Francis Preston introduced and presented Estefan with the award.

  "It is an honor to receive this award from the Diabetes Research Institute," said a delighted Estefan. "When you get involved with a charity or a cause, you aren't looking to receive anything.  Rather, just give back.  However, it's wonderful to be acknowledged, especially when you know you're doing something good for the community and for our children."

 Revelers poured into the multi-level dance club to watch the evening's program, which began with Isaac Altman of the World Salsa Federation.  Colorfully clad dancers tantalized the audience as they gyrated hips to the heart-thumping rhythms of Torres, Puente, Chirino and Perera.  Torres performed his hit song Café Cubano with Enrique on the congas.  Perrera gave a classic rendition of Que Sera on the piano.  Then, Puente performed his father's renowned hit, Oye Como Va.  Guests continued to dance the night away to songs by Hansel and Lissette with Chirino.  Nieves kept the crowd pumping to the very end with his hit songs De Mi Enamorate and I Like It Like That.

Many generous organizations lent their support to this event including, Billboard, BMI, Heineken, National Music Publishers' Association, Harry Fox Agency, Phoenix Touring, Warner Music Latina, Sony Music International, Roney Palace Beach Resort, The Vidal Partnership, Bacardi, Dewar's, Billboardlive, and the World Salsa Federation.

Diabetes is a serious chronic disease, which has reached epidemic proportions worldwide.  Launched in June of 1999, the goal of Hope & Harmony is to unite the Latin music industry against diabetes, which affects approximately one in every 10 Hispanic adults.  It is estimated that in excess of one million Latin Americans living in the United States have diabetes.

The Diabetes Research Institute is a world leader in cure-focused research. Pioneering new technologies in islet cell transplantation since 1971, the DRI continues to develop ways to speed promising findings from the lab to the patient, and recently announced progress in clinical trials aimed at allowing patients to live without using insulin.  For the millions of families affected by diabetes, the Diabetes Research Institute is quickly becoming the best hope for a cure.  For more information about the Diabetes Research Institute or its supporting foundation

SALSA STAYS SPICY

Name a dance and all too often it is associated with a particular generation, age or ethnic group.  In fact one of the hardest obstacles DanceSport has to overcome is the association of a particular genre of music with a particular dance.  This continues to prevent one entire generation from even trying out a dance, since the music of that generation is often disdained by the next or misunderstood by the last.  Latin music and rhythms of old still remain popular and survive largely because their culture has ignored this American trend of looking for the new and discarding the old.  Attendance at a recent World Salsa Federation convention seems to confirm this view.  Students of all ages, sizes, manners and dress attended the event and were obviously excited to be there.  T-Shirts extolling the many virtues of being Salseros were in abundance, and the mood was light, with partners changing at the mere suggestion of trying out a step with someone new.  Participants included the young and old, amateurs and professionals, and all with a common goal of learning a few new steps and having a good time.

Beginning classes firmly establish the Salsa as a dance of turns.  There were right turns, left turns, lady’s turns and man’s turns.  Turns in front, turns behind, go across, and come back through.  It was dizzying for many, but the instructor, Angel, kept the pace, kept them moving, and most of all kept them happy.  This same instructor was careful to explain that even a dance as social and earthy as the Salsa had to be concerned about the “look”.  Natural, but looking good, not twisted; style was discussed, even in the beginning class, then demonstrated and explained.  All are told it will matter even more, later.  As the music comes back on even the newest of the beginners try to strike the same pose that the instructor showed just one time to make sure all got the point.  Steps were lost, timing forgotten for a few minutes, but all who tried the pose were satisfied that they now had the look.

Left to their own devices to practice the last step added to the class amalgamation, few couples leave the floor.  Music is playing and some continue to try those latest steps.  Others feel emboldened and ready to mix the moves, dips and even a drop or two that obviously were introduced in earlier sessions.  The result was mixed.  Some ran right through the material, others would obviously need more instruction before trying this stuff out in the real world, but all kept the enthusiasm and the excitement was refreshing.  Break time and they are off…to the bar, to the mall, to their room to rest for the evening’s activities.

Definitions are for dictionaries, but it did not take long at this event to be considered one of “those”.  “Those”, meaning one of those ballroom people.  It is true I was recognized immediately by one of those other ballroom people, but not for any lack or proper accent as many other gringos attended as well.  It was most likely because I was recognized from past ballroom events that I have attended.  Is it true ballroom dancers are snobs and Salseros are fun loving, non-competitive and super friendly? Are they aficionados of a current past time whereas ballroom dancers are followers of a gothic ritual?  Some of the Salseros would certainly claim so.  It may well be true that any past time that hangs around long enough to gain traditions of excellence may also be around long enough to breed snobs.  That shouldn’t make it a requirement for the DanceSport elite to become one.  Many ballroom dancers would do well to relax and just enjoy themselves as much as these people do.  After all it is just dancing.  Not rocket science, not brain surgery, not life and death.  This stuff is about fun, and few things in life are more fun than moving rhythmically with a partner to the beat of your choice, the melody of your dreams and music of your heart.  If you still consider Salsa, Country-Western, and/or the many variations of Swing novelty dances you might just be missing the best reason of all as to why the world will be a better place when everybody can dance.

Michael S. Reichenbach

AMATEUR ATHLETIC UNION

GIRLS N SPORTS 2003

The Girls N Sports 2003 started as a cloudy day, but quickly became and fun day for all.

The dancing by the World Salsa Champions Isaac and Laura Altman, had all the scouts and leaders dancing and enjoying themselves while learning dances from different countries.

Eight year old Ashley Hoppen sang the National Anthem and brought the house down. Carla Cantu Golf Pro was our motivational speaker had so much fun and has promise to come back next year to head up a Golf Clinic, David Trumbulls' Taekwondo team made a superb demonstration at opening ceremonies as well as the Jump Rope Team who stole the show and if that wasn't enough we have the Magic Dancers who closed the Opening ceremonies and then signed autographs for the scouts.

Baton and Gymnastics were also two new sports participating in this one day event and have quickly become two of the girls courts favorites.

Basketball, Volleyball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Baseball, Track the old time favorites also had a busy fun day.

All in all, everyone had a good time, and all went home happy. Until next year, wish we promise will be better than this year, see you then!

Milly Ramirez, Tournament Director
Frank Lett, Lead Clinician