Havana Estudio > Salsa Division > Events
Above: Havana Estudio's Salsa Social every last Saturday of the month, since Aug 2003. |
Havana Estudio's Salsa Social is every last Saturday of the month. It's a great place for current students, previous students, and friends who love the comforts of our studio. Come practice your moves, feel the grooves, and have a great party. RM10 includes the workshop, pizza, coke, water, and all dancing!! Our studio opens at 8:45pm. SalsaSam gives a beginners workshop 9:00-9:30pm and then DJs the whole night 'till about 1:00am. Sam and Aisha spend a lot of personal time to setup and run the party, and after each one they're super exhausted. But when they see so many of their students dance and have a great time, it's really enough motivation for them to do the next one. See you on the dance floor! |
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Above: Our students dancing away during our Salsa Social (Jan 2011) Check out our Facebook page for the latest info on salsa events & parties and more Salsa Social party pictures! Our archive of Salsa Social party pictures from 2003 to 2009 can be found at Jalbum here!
Above: Salsa Night Friday at Little Havana, Kuala Lumpur (Jun 2009)
Above: Friday Night Salsa at Paradize The Lodge, Kuala Lumpur (Jun 2010) |
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Salsa Classes We have Salsa "Beginner 1" classes starting every month. Our intake start dates are here. We always encourage new students to drop by our studio, check us out, and if you like what you see, confirm your spot with full payment RM240 cash for the next 8 weeks and you'll be all set!
Salsa Clubs in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, and the Klang Valley
Above links will direct you to Google Maps for salsa club venues. All info here is current at time of publication and will be updated from time to time. For latest info, check out Havana Estudio's facebook page. |
Above: Sam and Aisha teach social dancing and are always dancing with their students at Salsa clubs in KL.
Above: Aisha and Sam dancing at Paradize The Lodge on Salsa Fridays (until Dec, 2010). |
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Student Performance Groups (2003-2010) All choreography and costumes by Artistic Director Mr. Sam Sopiee and Creative Director Mz. Aisha Mansoor. All our student dancers are trained from zero experience, from Salsa "Beginnner 1" to our "Intermediate 2" performance level.
We also celebrated Havana Estudio's Anniversary Parties:
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5th Malaysian Salsa Festival
Above: Calle Revolucion's Shines and Rueda formation.
Above: Calle Revolucion's Bachata Ladies montage, left to right: Yvonne, Aisha, Rose, Julianna, Gina, and May (Aug, 2010).
Above: Calle Revolucion's Salsa Group ending spins & pose, left to right: Raj, Mian Li, Martin, Emily, Kevin, Wen Nie, Ruben, Regina, Sean, Azzura, Swee Puan, and Ani (Aug, 2010). |
At 2010 Malaysian Salsa Festival, Havana Estudio sent the largest contingent of dancers of 70+ dancers. Opening the festival with our fusion of Bachata and Salsa, Havana Estudio's 18-strong "Calle Revolucion" danced to Domenic Marte's "She Used To Say She Loved Me" and Calle Real's "Comos Calle Real". Dancers (in alphabetical order) included: Aisha Mansoor, Ani Leong, Azzura Hassan, Chen Mian Li, Chok Wen Nie, Emily Chua, Gina Lee, Julianna Wong, Kevin Pook, Martin Quah, May Tan, Regina Neoh, Ruben Embasegaram, Rose Omar, Sean Kong, Steven Raj, Tung Swee Puan, and Yvonne Chung. Every year, we bring new dancers into the Kuala Lumpur Salsa scene and this year, we showcased Havana Estudio's "Young Stars". Dancing to Tito Rodriguez's Sun Sun Babe. Big thank you to Mr. James Quah and our students for the pictures.
Above (left to right): Dominique Kee, Irene Abdullah, Tan Jie Liang, Vong Tze Yee, Jerry Lee, and Stephanie Lua.
Above: Young Star's beginning dance pose (Aug, 2010). Havana Estudio's Pro/Am Perrormance Team presented a 2-couple high energy super-blockbuster show to Chamaco Ramirez's "Asi Son Bongo". Dancers included (in alphabetical order): Chen Mian Li, Chok Wen Nie, Martin Quah, and Sam Sopiee.
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Above: Havana Estudio Pro/Am Performance Team bringing the house down at the 2010 Malaysian Salsa Festival (Aug, 2010). |
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The 2009 Singapore International Salsa Festival showcased our largest international performance group of 14 dancers to Javier Vazquez's "Crocante Habanero". With lots of dancing, goegeous styling, spins, lifts, tricks, and a kick-ass Shines section for the guys and ladies, we brought Malaysian style dancing to the international stage! See our video:
Dancers (in albhabetical order) include: Aisha Mansoor, Ani Leong, Chen Mian Li, Chok Wen Nie, Emily Chua, Gina Lee, Julianna Wong, Martin Quah, May Tan, Regina Neoh, Ruben Embasegaram, Sam Sopiee, Sean Kong, and Steven Raj. Thanks to Gloria Maria C (Singapore) for the glorious pictures and our incredible supporters for phenomenal energy and encouragement! |
4th Singapore International Salsa Festival
Above: Havana Estudio's 2009 Performance Team performing at the 2009 Singapore International Salsa Festival performance at Downtown East, Singapore (Nov, 2009). |
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3rd Malaysian World Salsa Congress
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The 2009 Malaysian World Salsa Congress was set at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre. Havana Estudio's 2009 Performance Team danced to Chamco Ramirez's "Asi Son Bongo". This is Havana Estudio's most ambitious routine to date with a lot of spinning, high-energy Shines, aggressive dancing by the guys, and a lot of styling by the girls. Dancers (in alphabetical order) included: Kevin Pook, Kim Heinimann, Sean Kong, Tan Suet Mei, Tung Swee Puan, and Yvonne Chung. |
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| At the 2008 Malaysian Salsa Festival, Havana Estudio produced two student group performances and a world-premier of Sam & Aisha's Salsa routine with Afro-Jazz Shines:
Our 20-strong Rueda Student Performance Team of dancers (in alphabetical order) include: Aisha Mansoor, Ani Leong, Cindy Cheong, Denise Yiu, Gina Lee, Joey Ng, Kevin Pook, Lee Ming Siang, Michael Soon, Melanie Yeap, Melissa Wong, Ong Swee Lyn, Phang Shueh Miin, Rajah Rajendra, Ruben Embasegaram, Sam Sopiee, Steiner Siow, Steven Seah, and Yvonne Chung. Havana Estudio's 2008 Performance Team danced to a Menique's classic high-energy "Manigua". Dancers includes (in alphabetical order): Chen Mian Li, Chok Wen Nie, Emily Chua, Martin Quah, Ong Tou, Priscilla Wong, Sean Kong, Tung Swee Puan.
Above: Our 2008 Performance Team ending pose. |
Above: Havana Estudio's Rueda Student Performance Team bringing up the energy at the Latin Gala Night at the 2008 Malaysian Salsa Festival. Our dancers posing with Mz. Lin Hamid and Mr. Roslim Che Tah (LinLine Productions).
Above: More of our crazy student supporters who screamed out with superhigh-energy encouragement for our 2008 Performance Team on the 1st night of the 2008 Malaysian Salsa Festival. |
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At the 2008 Salsa Cruise Asia Launch, Havana Estudio premiered our 16-strong "Swing La Havana" Shines Performance Group to New Swing Sextet's "Pico Swing"! See below for our trademark Men's Lean pose and more group pictures:
Dancers (in alphabetical order) included: Aisha Mansoor, Andrew Tng, Chen Mian Li, Emily Chua, Gina Lee, Julianna Wong, Kevin Pook, Martin Quah, Michael Soon, Ong Tou, Priscilla Wong, Sean Kong, Tan Suet Mei, Teng Xiao Sun, Tung Swee Puan, and Yvonne Chung. We also had a fun performance by our Rueda students who danced to Puerto Rican Power's "Me Tiene Loco". Dancers (in alphabetical order) include: Ani Leong, Chau Chun Quan, Denise Yiu, Lee Ming Siang, Melanie Yeap, Ong Swee Lyn, Regina Neoh, Rose Omar, Sam Sopiee, Steiner Siow, Steven Raj, and Steven Seah. Kudos to some of them with only 8 weeks of Rueda class! See our video:
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2nd Malaysian World Latin Salsa Congress
Above: Our students at the 2008 Malaysian World Latin Salsa Congress (Apr, 2008). |
Mr. Martin Reyes and Mz. Simrin Patel (Salsa Havana) invited us to represent Malaysia at the 2008 Malaysian World Latin Salsa Congress. Getting praise from international participants and the Cuban Ambassador, we performed a Cuban-style Rueda performance and were the only Malaysian group to share a stage with international stars at the congress Beach Party.
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At the 2007 Malaysian Salsa Festival, the organizer Mz. Lin Hamid invited Havana Estudio to perform the opening performance. Sam & Aisha dances to Ruben Blades' "Juan Pachanga". See our video:
Havana Estudio proudly presented their 3-couple 2007 Performance Team in Black & Gold "Gangsters & Divas", performing to Tipica 73's "Baila Con Baila" (video coming soon):
Dancers (in alphabetical order) include: Aisha Mansoor, Chen Mian Li, Chok Wen Nie, Martin Quah, Ong Tou, Tung Swee Puan. Thanks to James Quah and Swamigee for incredible pictures! |
Above: 1-month newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Sam Sopiee Directors of the Havana Estudio Salsa Division invited by Lin Hamid (LineLine Productions) to dance the opening performance at the 2007 Malaysian Salsa Festival (Aug, 2007). |
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1st Singapore International Salsa Festival In 2006, Havana Estudio was honored to be the only Malaysian group invited to perform at the 2006 Singapore International Salsa Festival.
Dancers (in alphabetical order) included: Aisha Mansoor, Andrew Low, Kenneth Tan, Martin Quah, Peggy Wong, and Wendy Tan.
Above: Our fantastic supporters crossed into Singapore with us cheered like mad for Malaysia and our student performance team. |
Below: Havana Estudio's "Team Malaysia 2006" invited by Jackson Tan (JJ SalsaRengue) and the NTUC Club of Singapore to perform at the 2006 Singapore International Salsa Festival. See our video:
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International Performances (2004-2005) Our 1st international performance at the 6th Japan Salsa Congress in Tokyo, Japan was a 1-year project with blood, sweat, and lots of practice, we put Malaysia on the salsa map. We danced to Ray Barretto's "Indestructible" with an unforgettable entrance, cool dance moves, Shines, and an explosive finale (see picture on right). See our video:
Dancers (left to right) included Sally Oh, Robin Koh, Anita Tan, Masaru Toya, Sam Sopiee, and Aisha Mansoor. Special thanks to Mr. Leow (Sally's husband), Mz. Leow Tsu Yen, and Mz. Urara Sekido for videos, pictures, and lots of support! Robin is now teaching and managing Salsa Noche in Shangai, China. Anita is now making waves in Dubai. Masaru is teaching in Kyoto, Japan. Sally is now also teaching. Sam and Aisha continue to spread their love of Salsa in Malaysia and the world!
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Above: Havana Estudio's "Team Malaysia 2004" invited by Mr. George Watabe (Salsa Hotline Japan) to perform at the 2004 Japan Salsa Congress in Tokyo, Japan. |
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Above: Havana Estudio's "Team Malaysia 2005" invited by Mr. Albert Torres (Albert Torres Productions) to perform the opening act at the 2005 West Coast Salsa Congress in Los Angeles, USA (May, 2005). |
Our 2nd International performance was at the prestigious 7th West Coast Salsa Congress in Los Angeles, USA. We danced to Latin Black All-Stars instrumental Jazzy Salsa and received praise from organizers for a very good opening performance. Dancers include (in alphabetical order): Aisha Mansoor, Anita Tan, Gan Cheng Lin, Jason Sirimanne, Masaru Toya, Mika Nagai, Ray Sagoo, Robin Koh, Sally Oh, Sam Sopiee, Melanie Parabakaran. Special thanks to Bryce Lee for mirculous re-energizing massage that allowed Sam to dance 5 days non-stop, Mr. Leow, and Nik Zalma Abdul Majid for their support and encouragement! |
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KL Caliente - Malaysia's 1st Rueda Performance Group (2003-2004) After "The Best Salsa Club In Asia" El Nino closed down in April 2003, we opened up our TTDI Studio. Sam, Aisha, and some of our hardcore students formed Malaysia's first all-Rueda performance team, Havana Estudio's "KL Caliente!" Dancers (in alphabetical order) included Amar Sanadi, Anita Tan, Bala Murali, Charissa Tan, Desmond Lee, Farrandy Iskandar, Jashida Kamal, Jason Sirimanne, Jeff Lee, Jessica Low, Kenneth Tan, Kua Lay Theng, Leow Sue Yen, Mabel Chan, Masaru Toya, Nadia Bustami, Ng Tsu Mae, Nini Ooi, Robin Koh, Sherena Razaly, Shivakumar Raju, and many more! We had many many performances in 2003 and 2004, had a great time, and really worked hard and bring our love to audiences everywhere...
Above: KL Caliente at Thursday Salsa Night relaunching party at Viva, Eastin Hotel, Petaling Jaya (Aug, 2003).
Above: KL Caliente invited to perform at Telekom Malaysia's Latin Nite Annual Dinner at Istana Hotel, Kuala Lumpur (2004). |
Above: KL Caliente at the Lady Salsa Showcase in Genting Highlands (Oct, 2003).
Above: KL Caliente at the Outrageously Pink! Breast Cancer Awareness street party in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur (Jun, 2004).
Above: KL Caliente at Havana Estudio's 6th Anniversary Party in at the Bukit Kiara Club, Petaling Jaya (Apr, 2004). |
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HE Anniversary Parties (2006-2008) In 2006, we celebrated Havana Estudio's 8th Anniversary with many student performances, a Salsa Contest in 3 Categories - Beginners, Improvers, and Intermediate - plus lots of social dancing! Music by DJ Sam and DJ Joe. Pictures by Johan Sopiee.
Above: Havana Estudio's 8th Anniversary Party "Masquerade Carnival" Poster designed by Jason Sirimanne. |
Above: Sam & Aisha social dancing at our 8th Anniversary Party at the Bukit Kiara Club, Petaling Jaya (Apr, 2006).
Above: "Masquerade Girls" with Sharie, Sam, and Aisha (Apr, 2006). |
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Above: Rueda social dancing, a KL Caliente! adhoc revival with Havana Estudio students and alumni/ae (Apr, 2006). |
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Also at our 8th Anniversary Party, Sam called an impromptu Rueda on the social dance floor with KL Caliente alumni/ae with performance moves and old choreography! Suddenly, everyone had to be on their toes, ready for whatever was called! Dancers included (in alphabetical order): Aisha Mansoor, Jason Sirimanne, Kenneth Tan, Mabel Chan, Nadia Bustami, Ng Tsu Mae, Robin Koh, Sherena Razaly, and Shivakumar Raju. We also showcased Salsa-Jazz Ladies Shines Performance, choreographed by Aisha Mansoor to Eddie Palmieri's "Cafe". Dancers included (in alphabetical order): Chok Wen Nie, Denise Yiu, Emily Chua, Erin Wong, Gan Cheng Lin, Ivy Chan, Melanie Parabakaran, Ong Ming Yen, Peggy Wong, Priscilla Wong, and ...
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Above: Havana Estudio's "Masquerade Girls" performing at our 8th Anniversary Party (Apr, 2006). |
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Above: Our "Masquerade Girls" performing three flavours of Shines to different parts of the music. |
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Above: The winners of the Beginner Salsa Contest - Ashrith Marla and Sandra Anne Selvaraja.
Above: The winners of the Improver Salsa Contest - Andrew Tung and Josephine Ngiam.
Above: The winners of the Intermediate Salsa Contest - Martin Quah and Chen Mian Li. |
One of the most important things our principal, Sharie Dekorte, reminds us all the time is that in Salsa, the most important thing is social dancing. You can be a great performer, but at the end of the day, Salsa is about dancing what you feel, without a fixed A-to-Z routine, and working off the chemistry between you and your dance partner (whoever they are). Based on these principles at our 8th Anniversary Party, we organised a casual "2006 Salsa Contest" in three categories - Beginner, Improver, and Intermediate. A random song is played, to the level of the dancer, and for 3-5 minutes, we look for timing, lead/follow, technique, difficulty, partner chemistry, musicality, and of course the X-Factor which makes a champion the best in the category. The winners of the Havana Estudio social dancing Salsa Contest were given a trophy each, and all participants were given a certificate for their sportsmanship. Hey, you get to put it on your wall for all to see, because it took a lot of guts to do this!
Participants (in alphabetical order) includes: Andrew Low, Eddy Pun, Edward Chin, Gina Lee, Ian Albert, Jennifer Tan, Leong Kai Wen, Mok Pei San, Ng Ai Ling, Ong Tou, Roben Lum, Sio Yiow Hui, Sylvia Ong, Tan Shu Wei, Ti Chin Lai, and Zoe Scott. Special thanks to Johan Sopiee and Azmin Mohd for the pictures. More pictures coming soon! |
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Above: We premiered Havana Estudio's 2007 Performance Team at our 9th Anniversary Party (May, 2007), who went to perform on an international stage at the 2007 Malaysian Salsa Festival (Jul, 2007).
Above: A glitzy affair with the gangsters and divas of the Havana Estudio mafia clan (May, 2007). From left to right: Wafa Dekorte, our founder and principal Sharie Dekorte, Bert Dekorte, Zarul Dekorte, Sam Sopiee, and Aisha Mansoor. |
In 2007, we celebrated Havana Estudio's 9th Anniversary with a "Gangsters & Divas" theme in black and gold! We had a really fun Merengue workshop for all levels, the premier of our 2007 MSF performance team, plus lots and lots of social dancing! Music by DJ Sam and DJ Joe.
Above: Havana Estudio's 9th Anniversary Party "Gangsters & Divas" Poster designed by Ong Tou. |
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Above: Sam and Aisha teaching a really fun Merengue workshop for all levels of dancers at our Havana Estudio's 9th Anniversary Party "Gangsters & Divas" (May, 2007). |
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Above: Aisha and Sam as Saloma and P. Ramlee in their fusion Twist / Bachata / Salsa performance (Dec, 2008).
Above: Rueda Student Performance Team and Ladies Shines Performance Team dancing at our 10th Anniversary Party (Dec, 2008).
Above: Sam leading everyone in a surprise-request Twist dance during our Salsa dance party (Dec, 2008). |
In 2008, we celebrated Havana Estudio's 10th Anniversary looking East to our own shores for inspiration. Sam & Aisha incorporated a fusion of the classic and street latin dancing to a medley of P. Ramlee songs: "Bunyi Guitar" (Twist), "Dari Masa Hingga Masa" (Bachata), and "Kwek Mambo" (Salsa)! We had two student Salsa performances from our Rueda and Ladies Shines program. Dancers (in alphabetical order) include: Aisha Mansoor, Ani Leong, Chau Chun Quan, Denise Yiu, Emily Chua, Gina Lee, Julianna Wong, Kim Heinimann, Regina Neoh, Rajah Rajendra, Rose Omar, Sam Sopiee, Steven Seah, and Tan Suet Mei. Havana Estudio HQ showcased our other dances (below): Tango, Tap, Hip Hop, and Flamenco.
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