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| MARCH, #0308 |
DON'T MISS IT!!! Giju & Pantea Salsa BootCamp 3/29
LAST CALL FOR TODAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 29th!!
Giju and Pantea join forces to bring you a Sizzling On2 Salsa BootCamp - covering shines, styling, partnering and more...
No partner necessary. Bring a friend. =)
Date: Saturday - 3/29/08
Time: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Cost: $40
*purchase at door
Where: Susan's Dance Studio
2146 Ringwood Ave
San Jose, CA 95131
(408) 435-1889
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Giju Brings U.S. Salsa to India
2008 PROMO TOUR SUCCESS
Salsa Workshops Kick-off in Bangalore
Giju is back in California after his 6-week long working and promotional tour across India to promote his music, "Dream Teamz" dance production company and new music video project.
Along with partner Kristen Nolan, Giju taught workshops, conducted interviews and performed in 5 cities across India including Bombay, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai.
The primary leg of the tour was a collaborative effort between Giju and Lourd Vijay, Salsa pioneer, promoter and founder of Lourd Vijay Dance studio based in Bangalore, India. Lourd was in charge of media coordination, arranging media interviews and appearances for Giju and Kristen.
Lourd is also the director of India's biggest Salsa festival, which will be held in Bangalore (August 2008). He will be bringing our world-Salsa ambassador, "Albert Torres" to host the event.
WATCH MONTAGE ABOVE: BANGALORE SALSA WORKSHOPS
“I was very impressed with Lourd’s professionalism and his dedication towards cultivating world-class Salsa talent in India”.
Lourd Vijay's Dance Studio
http://lourdvijaysdancestudio.com
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Salsa India in Bombay
BRIDGING SALSA NETWORKS
Another promoter that Giju collaborated with for workshops and shows in the Bombay region was Kaytee Namgyal, a very popular instructor, performer and founder of esteemed website Salsa-India.
“It was hectic, but very productive as well as exciting ... and I enjoyed every moment of it. I effectively met almost all the business objectives that I had set out for this trip, and for the most part, in a manner that exceeded my expectations." -- Giju
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Giju w/Pop Music Star Shibani Kashyap & Film Director Pradipto Nandy
DANCING WITH THE STARS!!
Bombay and Delhi
A big name now in India is Shibani Kashyap, recognized as a top performer on the pop music scene. A highly talented vocalist, she has composed and actively performs on the
Bollywood movie circuit. Look for exciting future collaborations between Shibani and Giju!
OUR NEW INDIA-BASED MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTOR
After a long and exhaustive inquiry into the best possible action to accomplish Giju's new music video project, the decision was made to film the majority of the project in India.
The Beyond Dreamz Entertainment India-based director is Pradipto Nandy, of Aditude Productions in Mumbai (pictured above). Pradipto facilitated meetings with all key contacts in Bombay and Delhi, as well.
"The creative team led by Pradipto Nandi is supported by an able and resourceful team of talented professionals."
Pradipto Nandi, Aditude Productions
http://aditudeproductions.com/default.aspx
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TOUR DATES
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| DATE |
CITY |
TIME |
VENUE |
ACTION |
| March 29, 2008 |
San Jose
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2-5pm
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SALSA BOOT CAMP /Susan's Dance Studio
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| TBD |
Bay Area
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Stay Tuned For Spring Performance Schedule
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Ringtones and More
BEYOND DREAMZ MOBILE SERVICES
Coming in April!!
Select song samps from Giju's album will be available as Ring-Tones next month!
Pics, Video and Lesson Clips to follow...
Check back here to download your favorites. =)
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Share This Newsletter With a Friend
YOUR SOCIAL NETWORK SCENE
Help With World Tour
Social Networking is the new, ever-evolving and best way to connect, share and express yourself.
Beyond Dreamz has supporters in a growing number of social networks around the globe - but we need active participants like you to help spread the love of Salsa too!
Next time you're on one of your favorite blog or social network sites, be sure to share news about Giju and Beyond Dreamz Entertainment.
Forward this Newsletter to a friend by clicking on "SEND TO A FRIEND" at the bottom of the page.
Be sure to share the Beyond Dreamz website too!!
http://www.beyonddreamz.com
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Giju's Travelogue
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, SPREADING SALSA LOVE...
As you have read and seen....this was an incredible tour.
SEE MONTAGE OF MORE TOUR PICS
Highlights:
The most valuable aspect for me was the gain on a personal front – meeting and interacting with new people. I’m essentially a people-person and I have met and befriended some amazing, talented individuals on this trip - and with whom I’ve established strong bonds.
First and foremost, I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in Kristen. Amazingly talented dancer that she is; it was her first time in India and she was thrown into a cultural and social whirlpool without much time for acclimatization. She constantly impressed me and everyone around with her accommodating nature and outstanding dance and social skills. Thanks Kristen, for being so wonderful.
KERALA
After a short stint in my home town "Kerala", we flew to Mumbai, India’s entertainment capital. We stayed at my good old friend Sandeep’s place.
Sandeep and I went to high-school and pre-college together and were best buddies. He was my partner in crime for many escapades!! He is now a successful writer in Bollywood currently venturing into film Direction. We were meeting after long 14 years..!! Luckily he was having a few weeks of break from his work. So he agreed to come along with us in our tour and also film the whole journey..!! He and Nalini, his wife, were our wonderful hosts in Mumbai.
Pradipto Nandi, our appointed music video director in India whom you read about above - is an established and highly successful ad-film maker with many years valuable experience. This guy, I got to say, was a blessing from heaven for me. Not only was he so helpful and friendly, he facilitated meetings with a lot of key players from the music, media and film industry for me.
Through one of his contacts, Kristen and I were offered a reality dance show on "Star One" Channel. They were very keen on roping us in and it sounded pretty exciting too. But we had to commit three months starting from March which I couldn’t do. So we declined. Kristen was still very excited over the fact that within one week being in India, she was featured in a tv show (in Kerala) and was offered a reality show on a top national channel..!!
Bragging rights, for sure..!!! =)
KOLKATA
After two eventful days in Mumbai, replete of meetings and discussions, we flew to Kolkata for our first workshop. Our hosts in Kolkata, Aditya and Shaneel, were so hospitable.
Adi, a very talented and ambitious dancer, is doing an excellent job along with Shaneel in elevating the level of salsa dancing in Kolkata. We had a great time teaching salsa and some Cha-Cha to their students and performing at their event as well.
ARTS IN MOTION
The next morning, we flew back to Mumbai for our second workshop. It was at Arts in Motion, a prestigious dance school boasting a great line of highly qualified instructors and lots of talented students. We had a blast teaching a 4-hr Cha-Cha workshop. They were being exposed to cha-cha “on2” for the first time and were picking up things fast and asking for more..!! I also spotted one female dancer from that class who seemed fit to be featured as one of the dancers in my next music video.
DELHI
The next morning we flew to Delhi. Towards early morning, Kristen got an upset stomach and she became quite ill.
Upon landing, after we met up with Samir, the Salsa promoter in Delhi, we went straight to sandeep’s sis-in-law’s place and Kristen pretty much slept for 4 hours waking up only to drink some electrolytes. Or rather have me force it down..!!
Samir and his partner Kash took excellent care of her. The turnout for this workshop was huge and highly charged with enthusiasm. I started the 4-hr workshop on my own. We all had such a great time with Cha-Cha.
Kristen was such a trooper. Surprisingly, she somehow mustered up the energy and made a short appearance to go over the ladies styling and also did the performance after the class.. hats off to her. A word about the promoters. Samir has such a colorful and caring personality. Both he and Kash worked so hard to ensure that we had a great time in Delhi.
AGRA - TAJ MAHAL
The next day morning we rented a cab and took off to Agra. That’s where Taj Mahal resides..!!! It felt good to have a break from the hectic schedule. The beauty of Taj Mahal can’t be expressed in words.. the way you feel the moment you step out of the main gate and see the monument standing majestically at a distance, it’s inexplicable.. something you have to experience in person.
JAIPUR - LOCATION SCOUTING
After spending few hours in Taj Mahal, we went to Jaipur, another historical and colorful city in the neighboring state of Rajasthan.
The main purpose of visiting Rajastan was to scout some locations for my video.. It has some beautiful palaces and forts. Sandeep is also working on a fun music video and a documentary based on all these locations.. watch out for those videos soon.. ;-)
MUMBAI
We got back to Mumbai for our second workshop in the city. We taught a 3-hr salsa workshop for Kaytee’s students. I pretty much lost my voice and on the verge of getting sick from all the running around.
KERALA - HOUSEBOAT
Feeling better the next day, we headed back to Kerala. It was “houseboat” time..!! if you ever get to visit India, you must go to Kerala and spend a day and night on a houseboat.. it’s an experience like no other.. fully furnished, with all amenities, it also comes with your own cook and captain at your service.
BANGALORE/CHENNAI
After our relaxing time in Kerala, we were off to the second segment of our trip – Banglore and Chennai. This was Lourd’s hood..!! The 4 days that we spent in B’lore and Chennai were the best. Lourd took care of us so well, we didn’t have to worry about a thing.
I can safely make this statement, I’m sure Kristen will agree as well, that the best Salsa dancers we encountered were from B’lore. They have excellent techniques and style.
Lourd along with Richard and Sneha - who are the team leads – are doing a great job shaping up a top class dance community in Bangalore. Right after we left, Sneha got into an accident and broke her leg. =(
I wish her a speedy recovery.
I am definitely considering featuring some of the Bangalore dancers in my next video. =)
We had a remarkable time in Chennai as well. Our hosts were Divya, Lekha and Nikhil, some of the most fun-loving, genuine and caring people that I have come across. We hit off well right away. Divya is a trained dancer and performer. And Lekha is an upcoming actress, popular VJ and a sculptor.
BACHATA WITH A STAR!
After Chennai, we came back to Mumbai for our last gig. We performed at this grand opening event for a high profile club, organized by Kaytee. The performance and my music video were received very well. I spotted a tv star among the crowd, whom I had a crush on when I was growing up. And I asked her to dance bachata..!! ;-) that was sweet.. by the way, Bachata has a huge fan following in India.
Kristen left for Kerala the next day where she had to catch a flight back to US. I stayed in Mumbai for a couple more days for some business meeting. My new friend Shibani Kashyap, invited me to the movie premiere event of “27 Dresses”, which was very sweet of her.
Had a great time hanging out with her and other celebrity friends. Thanks Shibani.
BACK TO THE U.S.
Went back to Kerala for one more day before I left for US. Mamma was very sad that I was leaving, like every time. I really wanted to stay back a couple more days to spend with my family. But I couldn’t afford to, due to my work. But I found solace in the thought that I would be coming back within a few months for my video shoots. So I will be seeing them and all of my new friends soon..!!!
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU!
To all the wonderful people who made this trip so special for me and for Kristen as well:
Lourd Vijay, Pradipto Nandy, Shibani Kashyap, Sandeep, Nalini, Kaytee, Jimmy, Rajesh, Arun
Sneha, Richard, and each and everyone of the dancers (you know who you are...), – Banglaore
Divya, Lekha, Nikhil, Naveen – Chennai
Aanchal, Haanssa, Rajiv, Shaneen, Ashwin, Avan – Mumbai
Samir, Kash, Reshu – Delhi
Aditya, Shaneel – Kolkata
Albert, Geetanjili – Sony Entertainment
Anita, Sawan, Bipasha, Siddharth Kannan, Harry, Annu
Peace,
Giju
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