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| October 2008, #1008 |
It's A Wrap
Giju's Latest News
Wrapping Up India Tour Oct. 2008
I’ve
unofficially become a "Mumbaikar". =)
I’ve been staying here for
almost over a month, being part of the Mumbai experience – Mumbai
traffic, day long meetings, hobnobbing at ‘Barista’ (a coffee shop
chain), living in a flat, late night outings at clubs and other
eateries, home cooked food by ‘bai’ (maid-servant). Got to admit, this
city has a certain spirit to it that draws you in completely. Even
though I can’t see myself settling down here, I do understand why a lot
of my Mumbaikar friends want to move back to Mumbai. This city gives
you lot of options to ‘live’ your life.
Be sure to take a look at my BLOG below to check out my first Red Carpet music industry event!!
From
the video productions, to Dreamz Team activities, performances, new
friends and music industry buzz, this has been a very successful tour.
I have to bid a fond farewell to Mumbai and India . . . for now.
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7th Annual SF International Salsa Congress
JOIN GIJU & THE BEYOND DREAMZ DANCE TEAM !
November 20-23, 2008
Oakland Marriott City Center & Hotel
Oakland, CA
PB&G PRODUCTIONS , INC.
www.sfsalsacongress.com
Don't miss a special Beyond Dreamz Entertainment performance with "Vasilli" of Children of the Revolution, in an exclusive stage event at the 7th Annual SF Bay Area Salsa Congress !!!
Watch this space for more exciting details . . .
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DJ Spotlight
Feature Interview
DJ BoriQua: One-On-One Exclusive
by Marie Gunter
"Let the rhythm of Salsa fuel your soul."
- DJ BoriQua
** To take full advantage of the multi-media functions in Giju's Music News, upgrade to Flash Player 9. It's easy . . .and free! **
DJ BORIQUA'S FEATURE SET
--> Click on PLAYLIST above to listen <--
Feature Interview with DJ Super Chino
Feature Interview with DJ Fab Fred
Intro
DJ BoriQua
Hailing originally from Puerto Rico, DJ BoriQua (a.k.a. Orlando Felix) has been largely inspired by an infectious enthusiasm his father imparted to him as a child. "I definitely have a lot more to learn about Salsa . . . but I also have much to share from the knowledge and experience I've been so fortunate to attain." As it is with several Bay Area Latin DJs, one of his primary goals in this role, is to help educate about the music - with its rich history, culture and the diversity of the artists who have contributed so greatly to the Latin music movement.
DJ BoriQua speaks to some of the differences we may barely notice or acknowledge about the music we hear played on the radio, at Latin music and dance events, and in the clubs that we attend. Most likely, it's because most of us have no idea what we're REALLY listening and/or dancing to! You might be in a popular San Francisco club playing old school salsa (salsa in its purest form); then just twenty minutes down the peninsula, you could find yourself in another club, bathed in a Central or South American salsa flavor with music that comes out of Colombia!
For additional information on DJ BoriQua visit:
DJ BoriQua on MySpace
Photographs, Music and links in this feature provided courtesy of DJ BoriQua
Marie Gunter, Editor (all rights reserved.)
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Kristen's Corner
STAND STRONG
Posturing for Dance
GOOD POSTURE
Having good posture is extremely important when it comes to your dancing. Good posture is straight vertical alignment of your body from the top of your head, through your body’s center, to the bottom of your feet. Good posture relies upon having strong and flexible back and abdominal muscles, and balanced hip, knee and ankle joints.
Your back should have three natural curves. First is a slight forward curve in the neck, second is a slight backward curve in the upper back, and third is a slight forward curve in the low back.
STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY
Strong and flexible muscles also are essential to good posture. Weak and inflexible hip, abdominal, and leg muscles cannot support your back’s natural curves. Hip, knee, and ankle joints balance your back’s natural curves when you move, making it possible to maintain good posture in any position.
Poor posture distorts the body’s vertical alignment and the back’s natural curves. This also effects your dancing and how confident you appear. While dancing with proper posture, chest, and head lifted, you are able to do movements with more strength and technique which will appear more attractive to your partner.
EXERCISES FOR GREAT POSTURE
Here are examples of exercises to strengthen your muscles and help you achieve great posture:
#1 - Lower Abdominal Work
Stand with your back against a wall and your hands on your pelvis. Rock your pelvis forward through engaging your glut muscles and pressing your upper and lower abdominal muscles towards your spine. You should rock your pelvis forward until you can see the backs of your hands.
#2 - Back Exercises
Reverse Flys
http://www.realjock.com/article/922/
Cable Rows
http://www.realjock.com/article/966/
Lat Pull Downs
http://www.realjock.com/article/441/
#3 - Hip, knee and ankle exercise
Squats
http://exercise.about.com/od/exerciseworkouts/ss/howtosquat.htm
Please refer to our previous newsletters for more of Kristen's Tips:
June Newsletter for Part 1 - Spinning Techniques
July Newsletter for Part 2 - Spinning Techniques
August Newsletter for Isolation Techniques
September Newsletter for Benefits of Cross-Training
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Kristen Nolan is the co-director of the Beyond Dreamz dance production team with GIJU, founder of Beyond Dreamz Entertainment and Kristen's professional salsa dance partner. She performs and teaches around the globe with Giju, and with the SF Bay Area based Salsamania dance company. Kristen is a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She assists dancers and the general public, providing personal training to individuals who seek a higher level of physical fitness, performance, or who would like to achieve specific health and wellness goals.
For information about Personal Training Sessions, contact:
Kristen Nolan
925-209-1482
krinolan@gmail.com
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Giju's Blog
CHANGING GEARS
Click on MONTAGE to view Giju at BIG Music Red Carpet Event!
Now for my music update. I have been meeting up with all of the top record labels in the past month. Invariably, all of them were very much impressed by the quality and ingenuity of both of the new videos. That is all except for one label, for which my music was not in sync with the type of music that they promote; the rest of them loved the feel of my songs.
After a couple rounds of discussions and brainstorming sessions, I have narrowed down my choices to two major labels. Currently I’m looking at an early 2009 launch – around February. I want to make a formal announcement of my final selection of the label in next month’s edition; so wait and watch this space for that. ;-)
The Indian pop music industry is definitely going through a lean phase. Every month, roughly around 20 new artists get launched and the vast majority of them fail to make any impact, despite some being extremely talented. This is primarily due to the lack of proper media exposure, interest and coverage. Bollywood music dominates both print and visual media. The two music channels – MTV and Channel V – which were pretty much the only channels which gave ample space for pop music have shifted lanes into reality shows and movie-based programs. Because of this current trend, the music labels are in a fix. As much as they want to promote Indian pop and alternative music, they can’t seem to break into the market without proper media support. Anyway, it’s a phase that we all believe will be over fast. In a way, it’s good. Now we have to think of new and creative ways to market the album. It’s more challenging, and that’s the way I like it.
GIJU MAKES IT "BIG"
Now about one of the grandest moments of my life, which took place on the 7th.
I was invited by BIG Music (part of RELIANCE corporation) to perform at an awards function hosted by Tina Ambani, head of the NGO - Harmony for Silvers Foundation - and wife of Anil Ambani, one of the topmost industrialists in the world (He was recently in global entertainment news as well for buying out a major chunk of Dreamworks and signing Steven Spielberg for a string of movies).
Needless to say, I was thrilled at the opportunity to share the stage with my good friends Shibani Kashyap and Jimmy Felix, but I was in for a major shock when I saw some of the celebrities that came for this event. It was an invitation only event, so the stage was set really close to the audience. I was there on stage performing a remix version of the old classic – Yeh Chand sa Roshan Chehra – with some awesome dancers and I look at the first row, who do I see – the evergreen Dev Anand, Jaya Bachchan, Waheeda Rehman, Tina Ambani (for those who don’t know, these are some of the legends of Indian Cinema), Shobha De (writer/columnist), Amar Singh (politician), Pam Bajaj among other distinguished guests!!!
Aware of my salsa background, the choreographers had incorporated some Latin flavor in the choreography. So, I got a chance to bust out some salsa moves as well! It was so fulfilling to see these eminent faces beam and applaud throughout my performance, and for the rest of our show as well. For the last part of the act, all of us singers performed together to the immensely popular “Om Shanti Om” and we even got Dev Anand and Amar Singh to sing along with us, thanks to the ever-enthusiastic Jimmy!!! Priceless!!
I’m including some behind the scene pics, so be sure to check out the Montage above. I’ll have pics of the performance for you in the next edition.
I’ll be heading back to the US shortly after finalizing the details on the contract and the launch schedule. I’m very much looking forward to start working again with my Dreamz team for the SF Salsa Congress show! The way we have planned it, it’s going to be another spectacular event. I’ve invited Vassili, an amazingly gifted singer-guitaritst, and his band (Children of the Revolution) to collaborate with Beyond Dreamz for the SF Salsa Congress. More details in next edition. :-)
Until next month, Adios y paz
Giju
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A Few of Our 2008 Sponsors & Supporters
Few of Our 2008 Sponsors & Supporters
 
  
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