NY Style Salsa meets Philly at Stardust - June 28th

Save the Date!!!!

Saturday, June 28th we will be having the party of the year as World Renown Salsa DJ Henry Knowles will be guest DJ'ing at the Stardust.

Free Mini NY Style Workshops from 8-10pm with Dance Instructor Melanie Torres from NY's "Dance on 2", Duplessy and Al Zagami. Men and Woman's Partner work on 2, NY Style Cha Cha

3 Rocking Dance performance featuring Melanie and Partner, Duplessy and Partner and Sabor Latina a really hot all female dance group.

Prizes will be raffled through out the night.

Jeans dressed with Style will be allowed for this dance and during July and August.

Admission $20. includes free mini workshop.

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Henry Knowles:


Admired as the DJ’s DJ, Henry Knowles, known as the world’s #1 Salsa DJ, spins a tension-building beat, filling dancers with ánimo. With la clave in his heart and the music in his veins, his passion for Latin culture and music translate in his work, making this very special disc jockey's mixing abilities unmatched and respected worldwide. His breadth of knowledge about Salsa music and its history combined with his music library and ability to read his audience, creates un ambiente caliente and has made Henry the Salsa community's most beloved disc jockey.
Born in New York City’s ‘Spanish Harlem’ and of Puerto Rican descent, Henry's love for the music that makes his blood flow was born during family parties in New York City and childhood summers in Puerto Rico. It is here on this tropical island and in the clubs of New York City where he found his soul and learned to dance Salsa. A dancer, practically all his life—"My heart beats on clave" —he is known to hold his own on the dance floor and understands how to honor and inspire a Salsero. Henry has worked as a disc jockey, master of ceremonies, sound engineer, video jockey and promoter in major nightclubs and venues around the world throughout the span of his career. He spreads the beat and his love for Salsa rhythms on a global scale in what could be touted as Salsa evangelism! His extensive travels include appearances in over 40 countries and 250 cities & islands throughout the United States, Canada, Caribbean, European Regions, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mexico, Central and South America and even Asia. He believes his travels are an opportunity to share his skills, talents and experience with aspiring disc jockeys. Henry has held workshops, sharing with his comrades how he works the floor and the latest and most effective mixing techniques.
Aside from producing events, music remixes and productions, Henry tours the world working with the most important names in the Latin music industry. His background includes promotional work for major recording labels, such as BMG, WEA, RMM, for artists such as; Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Christina Aguilera and representation of artists such as; Marc Anthony, Ruben Blades, Spanish Harlem Orchestra and the legendary New Swing Sextet, for which he is the executive producer behind their CD release titled “Back on the Streets” under the Cotique/Fania recording label.
As the first official disc jockey for Salsa congresses held around the world; most notably the Bacardi World Salsa Congress, Henry is the consummate professional with more than 25 years of experience catering to the serious Salsero. He has created remixes and compilations for the RMM recording label, including the popular Bacardi Salsa Congress compilation, which is still sold in record stores around the world. Some recognitions and awards include: LaMusica.com Recognition Award (Copacabana, NY 2001), Andy Award (Puerto Rico 2002), Top Int’l DJ Award (UK 2003), Lifetime Achievement Award (Los Angeles, CA 2003), Latin Beat Magazine Honoree “Siempre Salsa Fest” (NYC 2003, 2005, 2006) & Int’l Salsa Ambassador Recognition (Eilat, Israel 2006)… just to name a few.
For over four years, Henry promoted and hosted “Simply Salsa Mondays” at El Flamingo, which was recognized as New York City’s hottest Salsa dance party. Live music was featured every Monday and frequented by Salsa Lovers from all over the world. Some acts featured include names such as: Johnny Pacheco, Spanish Harlem Orch. with Ruben Blades, Andy Montañez, Larry Harlow, Azuquita, Lebron Brothers, Johnny Colon & New Swing Sextet…to name a few. Henry now continues to host parties at Taj Lounge in NYC, Vintage in White Plains, NY and El Morocco in NYC and his goal is to maintain the presence of Latin music in NYC by introducing it to the Salsa dancers…especially the newcomers.

Salsa...Fuel for the Soul!

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Melanie Torres:


Melanie Torres was born and raised in Spanish Harlem. As her mother’s only child, she was encouraged to pursue a career in law or medicine. While she always excelled in school, Melanie’s passion for dance could not be ignored. All throughout high school and college she constantly took dance classes, but she did not discover her true passion, Salsa, until she was a freshman in college. It was then that she was asked to perform a Salsa routine with her father. Not wanting to admit that she did not know how to dance Salsa, Melanie called her father and asked him to teach her choreography in just two weeks. She recalls that day as if it were just yesterday, “I’ll never forget my first performance. It was at the Alpha Phi Alpha Semi-formal at Binghamton University. I think my Dad chose one of the fastest Tito Puente tunes, or at least it felt that way. But no other music had ever spoken to me like that before. It was an instant connection and I quickly fell in love with this beautiful music and dance”.
While pursuing her law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Melanie performed with such Latin legends as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, El Gran Combo, Ruben Blades and many other noted artists. After passing and being admitted to the New York State Bar Association Melanie practiced law for a little over four years. This was not enough for her. Towards the end of her law career, Melanie met someone else who changed her life, writer/director Lee Davis. With Davis, Melanie co-wrote and sold her very first screenplay to Miramax called “On 2”. On 2 is a fictional story inspired by her father, Eddie Torres. A new creative world was opened to her and she also landed a role in her very first feature film starring Danny Glover, Pam Grier, and Michelle Rodriguez.

Shortly after selling her screenplay, Melanie opened up her own dance studio, Dance On 2, and has weekly Salsa lessons including Open Shine, Turn Pattern, and her very unique Ladies’ Styling classes. “I never thought that I could affect so many people in a positive way doing something that brings me so much joy”. She is also the Director of the world famous Copa Girls at the legendary Copacabana performing Tuesday and Saturday nights. Melanie can also be seen at the Apollo Theatre this coming October as the choreographer and lead dancer of the very first ever play starring El Gran Combo.

Duplessy:


More info to come.

See you on June 28th.

If you have any question contact us by visiting Salsaflava.com and sending us a message.