“The SHP Project” is a story about the power of friendship, brotherhood, love and redemption. It’s a story about dance, life, passion, soul and the difference between simply being alive and truly living. Two childhood friends, Victor and Machito, once regarded as the cities best salsa dancers are separated after the death of Victor’s father. Years later while working as a banker in Dubai, Victor returns to NY. Although there for work, he is reunited with his past and joins his childhood friends in an effort to save the neighborhood they both grew up in – Spanish Harlem.

In the full length version there will be lots of dancing and an actual event called “Represente”, where the best dancers from each city represent their city in a global dance competition. Although this will certainly showcase lots of dancing the way we all experience today, “The SHP Project” is still a story focusing on the journey of the lead characters. This film will be in theaters worldwide at the end of the year.

Please leave comments, feedback, thoughts on the short film “MANO” and the upcoming full length feature film “The Spanish Harlem Project”, starring some of Hollywood’s biggest named talents. MANO is only a 24minute short film and is separate from the “The Spanish Harlem Project.

WATCH MANO: http://www.manothefilm.com/

(You need to register and pay some minor donation, but it’s worth for the hard work the producers have put.)

Blog: http://www.manothefilmeng.blogspot.com/

DanceinCity is supporting “The Spanish Harlem Project” and the “MANO” movie in the spirit of Salsa and bringing the updates related to this project directly from its producer in Hollywood.

The film centers on three children – Rose, a 13-year-old choir singer; Nancy, a 14-year-old dancer; and Dominic, a 14-year-old xylophone player. They are members of the Acholi tribe, living in the remote northern Uganda refugee camp of Patongo, which is under military protection from the Lord’s Resistance Army, a terrorist group that has been rebelling against the government for the past two decades. In 2005, the camp’s primary school won its regional music competition and headed to Kampala to participate in the annual National Music Competition. War/Dance focuses on three of the eight categories: Western choral performance, instrumental music, and traditional dance, where the students perform the Bwola, the dance of the Acholi. Over the course of three months, the film’s creative team observes the three youngsters as they prepare for the event and gain their confidence enough to have them discuss the horrors they have experienced and express their individual fears, hopes, and dreams.

Here at danceincity.com we are sharing the trailers for War/Dance here.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2saj4gJ4Lvw[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUAxDAJa-ro[/youtube]

War/Dance” may not give us every gritty detail of the atrocities in Uganda, but it gives us an emotional understanding about them, and a glimmer of hope that even after such horrible circumstances, life can still go on. We highly recommend watching this movie.

Movie’s Official Site: www.wardancethemovie.com

Other Site: www.wardance.org

Doesn’t make sense… So just make do with the fact that dancing is good for health…keeps you on the Wow list…

Well enough of amateur jabbering, I m here to cover some of the most talked about Hollywood GEMS…the movies with dance in them…SO here goes the Hollywood’s most talked about movies…they are supposed to make u twirl…that too in perfect circles…

Dirty Dancing – There is more to Dance then Swaying…

A hot Sensational movie that sets you rocking. Starring Jennifer Grey & Patrick Swayze it’s a bubbling romance…Set in the 1960’s it’s a story about a common Dancer Jhonny who want to innovate the Shows he is supposed to work on but is opposed by the holiday centre owner…some of the moves are yummy…

But We are talking about dance…so back to shop talk

The first lesson that we learn is FRAME is all imp..

This Whiplash comment is earned by the heroine when she dares to have a lousy frame…

Johnny: Look, spaghetti arms. This is my dance space. This is your dance space. I don’t go into yours, you don’t go into mine. You gotta hold the frame.

Second lesson elegance and balance is the name of the game

Execute and imitate the steps as they are meant to be…or you may landing trouble

Johnny: Don’t put your heel down; don’t put your heel down…

Last but not the least is….dancing is not confined to class rooms and stage it’s a wild untamed urge and nature is as always the best teacher…

Techie talk…a person who is a novice may at least familiarize himself with the manes of certain dances like mambo etc…

Well some trivia …the movie grabbed an oscar and still remains a vital addition to your romance CD’s…

To start off with the event list, Hong Kong Salsa Festival is just around the corner, for those not in Asia, do not be alarmed if you hear of heavy snow fall and public service disruptions in China, rest assured Hong Kong is least affected.

However, weather forecast says its going to be cold, somewhere between 55 to 60F or 12 to 15C so do be prepared if you are out shopping during the day.

Next in line would be Salsa India Festival, in the first weekend of April, with an exciting line up of instructors and in the party capital of India, Mumbai Salsa India Dance Company will bring to the world for the fourth year a promise of a weekend to party all night long!

For the third year we strongly urge you to attend the Malaysian Salsa Festival. Why? Plainly because this is a festival where you will have more fun and feel less worried about when the next workshop is. We will soon be sending out a more details on this in a weeks time, however we thought if you need a reason to call +65 6226 0214 to start booking or buying passes then you should know:

We are coming up with more exciting news and events that will give you more reasons to travel in world for salsa. Till then stay tuned!

Program

Monday 11 February – Festival Grand Opening

For one week in the year, Salsa Festival Fever hits Hong Kong and the party starts in earnest in Lan Kwai Fong with live

percussions and music and dancing in and around the venue.

Program Rundown
9:00pm     Door Opens + Dance Party
10:00pm     Live Percussion

Venue        Club’97, G/F, 9, Lan Kwai Fong, Central
Admission    No Cover Charge

Tuesday 12 February – Festival Club Party

International instructors will give you a taste of salsa with a free lesson at the start of the night, and the international

djs will play you the best salsa rhythms from around the world. Alternatively just relax, drink and take in the great sounds

and dancing of world class professional dancers and novices in one of Hong Kong’s premier night clubs.

Program Rundown
8:00pm     Door Opens
8:30pm     Dance Lesson
9:30pm     Dance Party till late

Venue        Q97, Basement, California Tower,
30-32, D’Aguilar Street, Central
On Door Ticket    HK$150

Wednesday 13 February – Festival Club Party

International instructors will give you a taste of salsa with a free lesson at the start of the night, and the international

djs will play you the best salsa rhythms from around the world. Alternatively just relax, drink and take in the great sounds

and dancing of world class professional dancers and novices in one of Hong Kong’s premier night clubs.

Program Rundown
8:00pm     Door Opens
8:30pm     Dance Lesson
9:30pm     Dance Party till late

Venue        Q97, Basement, California Tower,
30-32, D’Aguilar Street, Central
On Door Ticket    HK$150

Thursday 14 February – Festival Street Party

The biggest Salsa Street Party in Hong Kong and indeed Asia will once again take place at the famous Avenue of Stars

promenade. Just follow the sounds of the Latin rhythms to reach the hot spot of demonstration, fun and spontaneous dancing.

Program Rundown
6:00pm     Free Dancing
6:15pm     Dance Demonstration / Performance + Dance Lesson
7:30pm     Free Dancing

Venue        Avenue of Stars, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon
Admission    Free Admission

Thursday 14 February – Festival Salsa Valentine’s Party

Dance to the best salsa music and other Latin rhythms as played by award winning international Djs and enjoy the romantic

live music of international singer with recordings for Putumayo, Laurent Hounsavi. Featuring sensuous performance of world

class Brazilian dancers and a class in bachata by international bachata dancing superstars Tony Lara and Daniela De

Francesco, this is going to be a fabulous Salsa Valentine’s night.

Program Rundown
8:00pm     Door Opens
8:30pm     Dance Lesson
9:30pm     Dance Party
11:00pm     Performances
11:30pm     Dance Party till late

Venue        Q97, Basement, California Tower,
30-32, D’Aguilar Street, Central
On Door Ticket    HK$150

Friday 15 February – Asian Salsa Open Championships
Champions from various countries face off in Hong Kong in the most thrilling competition ever to be held in Asia. To see the

world’s next dance competition craze, come and watch the powerful yet graceful and totally exciting competitors battle to

claim the crown of Asian Salsa Open Champions. Followed by World Salsa Party featuring top international djs.

Program Rundown
7:30pm     Door Opens
8:00pm     Amateur Category Competition
8:30pm     Professional Category Competition
9:00pm     Intermission
9:20pm     Performances
9:45pm     Prize Presentation
10:30pm     Dance Party till late

Venue        Room 401, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wanchai
On Door Ticket    HK$250

Program Rundown
10am-4pm     See Workshop Schedule for Full Details

Venue        Room 403-408, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wanchai
On Door Ticket    HK$480

Saturday 16 February – Int’l Salsa Performances Night 1 + Dancing

Spectacular international dance shows guaranteed to make you jump out of your seat with excitement.
After the shows, its a World Salsa Dance Party with International award winning Djs.

Program Rundown
7:30pm     Door Opens
8:00pm     Performances
8:40pm     Intermission
8:50pm     Performances
10:00pm     Dance Party till late

Venue        Room 401, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wanchai
On Door Ticket    HK$350

Sunday 17 February – Dance Workshops Day 2
All day Salsa dance workshops with top international Salsa instructors for novice to professional levels. Want to dance like

a pro, or just be able to dance? This is a must for you.

Program Rundown
10am-4pm     See Workshop Schedule for Full Details
Venue        Room 403-408, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wanchai
On Door Ticket    HK$480

Sunday 17 February – Int’l Salsa Performances Night 2 + Dancing

International live music performances together with the finale of spectacular dance shows and the farewell World Salsa Dance

Party will leave you yearning for the next Hong Kong Salsa Festival to come around quickly. Don’t miss the great finale to

Hong Kong Salsa Festival 2008.

Program Rundown
7:30pm     Door Opens
8:00pm     Performances
8:40pm     Intermission
8:50pm     Performances
10:00pm     Dance Party till late

Venue        Room 401, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wanchai
On Door Ticket    HK$350

For any query feel free to write to nitin@danceincity.com