Salsa dancing at Centro Asturiano, Salsa Caliente

Join us and dancers from all over Florida for our next monthly social at the Centro Asturiano!  It's an absolutely incredible venue - tons of space to dance, wood floor, ICE COLD A/C (seriously, bring a jacket), plenty of free parking, and a full bar!   As always, we will have a professional photographer, so dress to impress!

This month, we're featuring international instructor, performer, and choreographer Joby Brava.  A pioneer of LA-style salsa, Joby co-founded the first salsa dance company in California, Salsa Brava, in 1994.   In addition to salsa, her dance training encompasses modern, jazz, ballet and hip-hop.   In her 19 years of experience, she has traveled to over 40 different countries, trained some of the best salsa dancers in the world, and worked with well-known artists in videos, movies, television, film, and stage shows.   Now as Joby ‘Brava’ Productions, she offers electrifying choreography, hot but easy dance instruction, salsa career training & consulting, and 8 instructional DVDs.

Last but not least, don't forget about our incredible vendors!  Dazzlin' Designs specializes in blinged-out shirts, and Tampa Dancewear offers Gabellini and Ballo dance shoes at fantastic prices!  Both accept cash and credit/debit cards.

July Noches de Salsa Caliente social

When:Friday July 27, 2012
9pm - 2am

Where: Centro Asturiano

1913 N. Nebraska Ave.
(corner of Palm & Nebraska in Ybor City)

Cost: $10 (includes class)

Schedule:
8:45pm
Doors open

9pm - Footwork & Styling class with Joby Brava (LA)
10pm-2am -Social dancing with DJ Jonathan Otero

11:30pm -Performances by:
Joby Brava (LA)
Salsa Caliente Semi-Pro Team (Tampa)

Gino's Italian Restaurant Review, Tampa, Florida

Review of Gino's Italian Restaurant and Bar


A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of reaquainting myself with a nice Italian restaurant located in north Tampa.

Here is the address

Gino's Restaurant and Bar
10006 N. Armenia Avenue
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 933-1089

I came here one time about 10 years ago after one of the famous full-moon skates in Tampa with a bunch of friends of mine.  And soon as I walked in I remembered that I had the Mussels Fra Diavolo as a late night appetizer.  It's amazing what you can remember once you jog your memory a bit.

And I remembered it being good, so this time I tried the Seafood Fra Diavolo as a main course.  It is mussels, shrimp and scallops served over linguine with a nice and spicy red sauce.  And there is plenty of sauce that is left over that can be mopped up with the bread.

The entrees will come with some garlic bread that is warm and oozing with butter and garlic.  They even brought out more once we devoured our original basket.

The salad comes with a nice homemade, vinigarette sauce that was a little on the sweet and tangy side, but good.

The red '"fra diavolo" sauce was perfectly spicy, not too overpowering, but it had a nice kick.  Fra Diavolo means "By the Devil" in Italian to signify spicy dishes.  It was exactly as I remembered it from about 10 years ago, which is amazing that it was so consistent.  My only complaint is that the linguine should have been a little more "Al Dente" which is my personal preference (and how most Italians are taught to eat their pasta growing up), and the scallops could have been a little better quality, but other than that, it was great.

Picture of the Seafood Fra Diavolo - the restaurant review continues after the pic

Beer and Wine

They have a nice beer and wine selction, of course, I had a nice glass of Chianti with my meal which goes perfectly with the fra diavolo sauce, although it is not typically paired with any type of seafood.

Service at Gino's Restaurant

The service was very good, you can tell that they are well-trained and attentive.  The front staff was even very accomodating as we had to change the number in our party at the last minute.

Prices

Here is what they have on the menu:

House specialties ($12 - $20 range)
They have meatloaf which I want to try next time, along with Eggplant Parmesan and Steak Marsala, etc.

Pastas ($10 - $16 range)
Baked Ziti, Ravioli, Gnocchi, etc.

Seafood ($16 - $22 range)
Seafood Pasta, Grouper Picata, Shrimp Scampi, etc.

Chicken / Veal  ($16 - $18 range)
Picata, Marsala, Parmigiana, etc.

They also have Burgers, Sanwiches and Wraps.

It is a nice Italian restaurant / bar / good place for a date, or to go with a group of friends, or go after work.  You can even sit at the bar.  It has a nice bar-look to the place with wooden decor.  They even had the Rays game on TV.

They are open for lunch and dinner.

Dessert - Cannoli!

For dessert, I had the cannoli, which was awesome, the mixture of ricotta and sugar was perfect, the cream was nice and airy and the shell was nice and crispy, and it was beautifully presented.  This was on par with cannolis that I've had in New York and Italy.

I definitely have to come back to this place, and not have it be another 10 years.

[Picture of the Cannoli - as you can see it was delicious!]

Salsa Caliente, 1 year anniversary at Centro Asturiano

Saturday night salsa dancing in Tampa
When:  Saturday, June 9th, 2012

This looks like it will be a lot of fun!

Please join us THIS SATURDAY as we celebrate the 1-Year Anniversary of our Noches de Salsa Caliente monthly socials at the Centro Asturiano!  It's an absolutely incredible venue - tons of space to dance, wood floor, ICE COLD A/C (seriously, bring a jacket), plenty of free parking, and a full bar!

This month, we're featuring international instructor, performer, and choreographer Jerome Ramos.  Originally from New York, Jerome's dance training encompasses African, Cuban Rumba (Yambu, Colombia, Guaguanco), Salsa/Mambo on 1 and 2, Cha Cha, Boogaloo, Pachanga, Lyrical, Jazz, Ballroom and Hip Hop.  He was a student of Eddie Torres for 20 years and one of the original members of David Melendez’s HeartBreak Boyz.  Later, he had the privilege of performing with the world-renowned Abakua Dance Company directed by Frankie Martinez.  He currently teaches and performs all over the world.

We'll also be celebrating Erika's birthday tonight, and as always, The Scene Media will be in the house taking photos, so dress to impress!

Last but not least, don't forget about our incredible vendors!  Dazzlin' Designs specializes in blinged-out shirts, and Tampa Dancewear offers Gabellini and Ballo dance shoes at fantastic prices!  Both accept cash and credit/debit cards.

Salsa workshop in Tampa with Jerome Ramos

Please note this workshop has been rescheduled to June 9th!

Salsa workshops in Tampa - June 2nd, 2012 - June 9th - This looks like it'll be really worth checking out!

Salsa Caliente Dance Studio is hosting some salsa workshops with international instructor, performer, and choreographer Jerome Ramos on Saturday June 2 at Atelier of Dance, 1110 W. Platt St. in South Tampa.

Originally from New York, Jerome's dance training encompasses African, Cuban Rumba (Yambu, Colombia, Guaguanco), Salsa/Mambo on 1 and 2, Cha Cha, Boogaloo, Pachanga, Lyrical, Jazz, Ballroom and Hip Hop.  He was a student of Eddie Torres for 20 years and one of the original members of David Melendez’s HeartBreak Boyz.  Later, he had the privilege of performing with the world-renowned Abakua Dance Company directed by Frankie Martinez.  He currently teaches and performs all over the world.

Here is a video of him with Melissa Rosado at Mambo Mayhem, Club Roses, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 11 March 2011



2:30-3:30pm
Body Movement & Isolations

This class teaches both men and women of all levels how to be more aware of their body movement and how to apply this movement in their dancing. Students will learn how to isolate different parts of their body and how to combine these movements into a combination done to music. The class will begin with an in depth body movement warm-up consisting of head, shoulder, rib cage, and hip isolations, followed by a detailed explanation of how to technically execute head whips, body rolls, hip rolls, and combinations of these movements. Jerome then provides specific examples of how and when to apply these movements and isolations in shines and partnering and provides the accurate timing and counts for each movement.

3:45-4:45pm
Spinning Technique

This class offers men and women the foundation to execute spins accurately and consistently with grace and style. This workshop is excellent for anyone that wants to improve their technique and balance while spinning and dancing.  The class begins with a detailed explanation of how to find your “center” and then progresses to a description of the concept of “spotting” for both stationary and traveling turns.  Additionally, Jerome places emphasis on the lead and follow of spinning, which consists of finger technique, arm placement, and tension levels.  Students will develop a greater awareness of their body and learn the intricacies of spinning, controlling momentum, and stopping.

5:00-6:00pm
Mambo Musicality

This class teaches all levels of dancers how to read the rhythmical patterns and structure of a song and how to create movement that best suits the music.  This is an excellent class for anyone that wants to be more creative and musical in their social dancing and on stage.

Pricing

In advance
1 class $12
2 classes $22
3 classes $30

At the door
1 class $15
2 classes $27
3 classes $36

My friend Greg just let me know of an event that looks pretty good for Memorial Day.

Salsa Dancing at St. Pete Pier

Monday, May 28, 2012
5:00pm until 9:00pm
Salsa, Merengue, Bachata y Mas!

Memorial Day, Monday, May 28th
from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Unfortunately, the St. Pete Pier is being torn down in 2013, so this will be the last Memorial Day Summer Celebration @ the current Pier. If you have attended in the past, please return to celebrate this event, if you are just learning about this event, you do not want to miss it.

Dancers from all over Tampa Bay attend this event and dance together (the way it should be), so it doesn't matter where you learned to dance, just come out to the St. Pete Pier and have fun.

Meet Your friends and make new ones!

A FREE, Family-Friendly Event brought to you by Bay Area International Latin Events (B.A.I.L.E.)

I just found out about a new Latin night in Tampa for Wednesday nights.

Hopefully this will be around for a while, it sounds pretty good: Every Wedsnesday A Night Of Extravagance @AjA Channelside In DownTown TAMPA, FL

AjA's Own DJ PAPI spinning the hottest in Latin Flavor.

Doos Open At 9pm...FREE, YEA! WE SAID FREE LATIN DANCE LESSONS (bachata,salsa, merengue and lots more) FROM 9p-10p. Provided BY DANCIN' MOTION.

Ladies $5-DRINK FREE Til 11pm Gents- $10 All Night Drink Specials GROUPS OF 10 WOMEN GETS FREE BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE!

AJA Channelside
290 South Meridian
Tampa, FL 33602