Danzon lessons

Anita · Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Posts: 1

I just 'googled' my way to this site.....
I just returned from Mexico where I had the chance, again, to listen to a band play danzon music and watch people dance. Since seeing the movie "Danzon" a number of years ago, I have been totally captivated by this dance and the music. I would love to learn danzon. My reality is that I am not a good 'ballroom' dancer having come of age in the 60's when there was not a lot of partner dancing...and that gives a clue to my general age range. But I would love to have this new experience.
I live in Oakland and am wondering if there is any place that offers lessons now. Also, where could I go to hear this music?
Thanks, Anita

Bob · Joined: 05 Oct 2003 Posts: 6 Location: Oakland, CA

Hi Anita,

This is Bob, the pianist with La Moderna Tradición. Roberto Borrell, co-founder of the group, is a master dancer as well as percussionist, and he teaches danzón. Earlier this year, Roberto relocated to Lima, Peru, and I don't know if there's anyone else teaching danzón in the Bay Area. Even if there is, Roberto is a hard act to follow - he has an amazing breadth of knowledge of both the music and the dance, and he teaches dancers how to really listen and respond to the music.

Unfortunately, you just missed him - he returned to the Bay Area for a month of teaching from mid-November to mid-December. Check our web site occasionally - he'll probably visit again at some point, and you could get an intensive introduction to the style. (By the way, I don't think you need to be a good ballroom dancer to study with Roberto; he starts everybody out on basic steps which I think are pretty unique to danzón.)

As for hearing this music, we're the only group I know of in Northern California that plays danzón. You can get on our email list, or check our schedule for upcoming dates. We'll be at the Elbo Room in San Francisco on January 27. With the recent addition of vocalists, we play somewhat fewer danzónes than in the past, but they're still a solid part of our repertoire. If you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

raul_herrera_b · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

Anita

I am the director of Grupo Folklorico de Santa Paula.
In our groupe we teach to our members mexican folk dance, Danzon, and social dance
like cumbia, rock and roll (los teen tops, los huuligan, etc.)

We are base on fremont CA.
you may want to try come over some time.

Raul

Tregar · Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Posts: 14

Raul, This is Tregar, director of orq. la moderna tradicion. That is good news that there is some danzon happening in the east bay! We play mostly cuban danzones, but also play some mexican style danzon as well. whenever you want to come see us play I'll try to schedule in some Veracruz style danzones.

I work at Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center in San Pablo (Richmond area) where we play and teach tradicional mariachi, rancheras, son jarocho, cumbia and a little rock. Have you heard about los cenzontles? I am interested to know more about your group. Is is ballet folklorico? do you have a center?

hasta pronto -tregar

trotamundos104 · Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 1

I would be grateful to hear if anyone has experience of danzon classes and/or salons in Veracruz or knows of any teachers there at present. Alternatively such details for Mexico City? Would a knowledge of tango be any help in learning?
Trotamundos104

Gordon Cole · Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Oakland, CA

Anita, my name is Gordon and i recently arrived back from Mexico City where I spent two weekis and was also enchanted with Danzon dancing.
Did you find any lessons being taught. I hyad one day of learning these steps but i am really interested as well in learning more about this dance?

I do cajun and zydeco dancing but i am interested in learning danzon as well as Argentinia tango.

let me know what you've found,

Gordon

lv2dance · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 3

Last Friday my wife and I took are first Danzon lesson at the Music Center in Los Angeles, Ca we loved it!!!!!!!. They played both Cuban and Mexican Danzon music WOW We both liked the Cuban music. The teacher has classes in Lynwood. Ca at 6:30 little for us. Does any know a class in the San Fernando Valley.

Claudia Arroyo · Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 1

My name is Claudia and I want to invite all of you to come to learn Danzon from the 3 times National Champion in Mexico, Ramon Garcia.

Ramon and his wife learned Danzon in Mendoza Veracruz at a very young age and now they are giving free classes in Garden Grove all Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

If you want to have fun and learn to dance Danzon, send us an e-mail send us an e-mail to:
clubinternacionaldedanzon@live.com or call us at: (714) 612-3934.

You will love it! Laughing