CALLE REAL (Gast)
ZUM ERSTEN MAL IN ENGLAND AUF DEM CUBANAFEST 2009

LA CUBA RITMO (Gast)

Der Bandleader, der kubanische Violinist Gabriel Fonseca, studierte Violin an der Nationalen Musikschule in La Havana, bevor er dem Philharmonischem Orchester in Santiago de Cuba beitrat. Später spielte er in zwei der berühmtesten Bands Kubas.
"Original de Manzanillo" und "Cándido Fabré y Su Banda", mit denen er eine Aufzeichnung, sowie eine Welttournee durch Musikclubs und Festivals machte. Gabriel hat mit vielen latainamerikanischen Stars Bühne geteilt, unter ihnen Los Van Van, Oscar D'Leon, Grupo Niché, Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Paquito de Rivera, und kürzlich mit Eliades Ochoa, einem Original vom Buena Vista Social Club. Jetzt in London ansässig, hat Gabriel mit mehreren latainamerikanischen Bands gespielt, und ist in Orten wie Ronnie Scott's, dem Jazz Café, dem Barbican und Bridgewater Hall aufgetreten.

Die Band mit seinem elektrischem Violin anführend, ist Gabriel, mit seiner makellosen Technik, grossartig beim Improvisieren von Melodien.

Die sechsköpfige Band Cuba Ritmo spielt eine Mischung aus moderner und traditioneller kubanischer Musik. Gabriel am Violin und Backgroundgesang, Rene an den Tasten, Backgroundgesang und Arrangements, Yuri als Leadsänger, Oscar am Babybass, Randy an der Conga und Michel an den Timbales. Zusammen bilden sie eine stimmungsgeladene Atmosphäre, und haben mit ihrem Talent dafür gesorgt, in England bereits als eine der heissesten Salsabands zu gelten.

ALEXANDER CARBO
CUBA/ITALY (invited)

Alexander began studying ballet and modern dance at the age of ten years old and six years later he developed a passion for Afro-Cuban dance, which led him to study in Havana at the prestigious National Academy of Dance. He arrived in Italy in 2001 and began his career as a Master of Salsa, dancer and choreographer. He has performed at the most prestigious Latin events including 'The Summer International Salsa Festival;' the Salsa Festival in Rimini and 'The World Salsa Festival' in Rome and Bologna. He has also participated in numerous TV broadcasts including "The Life Direct". " He currently teaches at his dance school "Clave y Rumba" in Italy and performs shows, which he has choreographed himself, at major Salsa events across the world.

ALICE ATZENI- ITALY (invited)

Alice Atzeni began her formation at 'The Academy of Classical Dance' in Genoa, Italy and following her graduation worked with some of the best dancers and dance acts in the world and was the winner of several International dance awards. In 2006 she became a lead dancer with the famous group Salsachè, with whom she combined, Salsa, Hip-Hop, Afro Cuban, and classical and modern dance. In 2007, she became the first dancer of Chiquito's new dance troupe, who was presented with "The Best International Dancer Award' in 2007 by the great Edie Torres (The Mambo King). With Chiquito she studied Cuban Salsa, Afro, Rumba, Timba, Hip Hop and combined them with classical and modern dance.
Alice teaches Salsa, Chachacha, Female styling, Rumba, Latin pop, Latin jazz, smooth, and many other dance forms.

PERLA - Italy (invited)

Perla began her dance formation in modern-jazz and contemporary dance at a leading dance school in Italy and starred in a number of musicals including "Grease," and "Chorus Line".She studied Cuban dances at 'The Academy of Cuban Salsa', founded by teacher and choreographer Lazaro Martin Diaz and joined the Cuban folklore dance group Azucar Negra, with which she perfored at major events across the world including "Festival Latinoamericano 2007" and "Salsitaly 2007", to name but a few.
She is an incredibly talented dancer of Cuban Salsa, Latin-Jazz, modern dance and artistic gymnastics. IN JULY 2008 she joined Chiquito's dance group, Dominican Power.

CUBANAFEST MASTER OF CEREMONIES:
WILSON CASTRO
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC/UK (confirmed)

Wilson has danced since the age of six and is one of the most charismatic and exciting teachers we have ever worked with - he has a huge personality and is a natural entertainer. He graduated in ballet, jazz, salsa and folklore dances such as Merengue and Bachata in the Dominican Republic. He was six times undefeated Salsa champion, in the Dominican Republic, and a celebrity on TV all over South America, dancing and competing in Salsa, Merengue and Bachata competitions. He has fifteen years experience of teaching, choreographing and entertaining at major Salsa events and his lessons are incredibly popular. At the Congress, he'll be teaching Merengue and Bachata as a fun alternative to Salsa, and he'll loosen everyone up with his fun lineups.

CESAR PACHECO - CUBA/UK (confirmed)

The only Cuban dancer to win two awards for; Rueda and partner dance at the International Salsa competition in Havana. He spent two years performing on Cuban TV, and was resident choreographer at Teatro America

Cesar is a fully qualified dance instructor, all the way from Cuba! He teaches popular Cuban dance (Cuban Salsa, Casino Rueda, Son, ChaChaCha, Mambo and Salsa Cabaret), along with body movement, concept and technique. Cesar has developed his own style of innovative teaching methods and is dedicated to delivering the best to his students, ensuring that his lessons are professional but at the same time enjoyable.

YERSIN RIVAS - CUBA/UK (confirmed)

Yersin Rivas, born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Yersin started dancing at an early age. For the last 7 years he has been teaching Cuban Salsa, Cha Cha Cha and Afro Cuban in the UK. As well as as his passion for dance, Yersin is the resident Cuban DJ at Babylon Lounge Club in Brighton. Yersin is an energetic person who brings excitement and joy through his dance.

Yersin Rivas, born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Yersin started dancing at an early age. For the last 7 years he has been teaching Cuban Salsa, Cha Cha Cha and Afro Cuban in the UK. As well as as his passion for dance, Yersin is the resident Cuban DJ at Babylon Lounge Club in Brighton. Yersin is an energetic person who brings excitement and joy through his dance.

MOE FLEX- UK (confirmed)

Recently crowned the UK’s 'Most Popular Cuban Salsa Teacher 2006’, Moe Flex is one of the most exciting, inspiring and entertaining characters in the international Latin dance scene today. In feedback from our last Congress, his workshops received an average rating of 'excellent' and our highest overall score ever. The man with the biggest smile in salsa can always be found at the heart of the biggest salsa nights, weekenders and congresses. Moe divides his time between teaching, choreographing and performing salsa, throughout the UK and overseas. Moe also has extensive reggaeton, hip hop, locking, bachata, cha cha cha and On2 skills which he regularly incorporates into his classes and shows. Moe’s professionalism, enthusiasm and excellence in such a wide variety of disciplines have established him as one of the best teachers around, encouraging and mentoring everyone from first time beginners to professional dancers in his inimitable "all good" style.

RICHARD FALLON - UK (confirmed)

Medals in ballroom and Latin dance as a
youngster plus a healthy teenage passion
for bop, jive and sharp funk moves led to
Richard's eventual abduction by salsa dance
and music in 1997.

Teaching and DJing since 2000 in a wide
wide variety of London Clubs, Richard's two-year stint with dance troupe Cudance saw him performing a range of Cuban popular dances at events nationally and internationally, including Cuban Day at the Royal Festival Hall and The Festival of Cuban Culture in Paris.

Over the years, Rich has taught residencies and guest slots at many of the capital’s sweetest salsa nights as well as at weekend events.

DJ JAVIER DE LA ROSA, CUBA/UK (confirmed)

Javier, winner of the "Most Popular Cuban Salsa DJ " Award 2006 and finalist in the Bacardi DJ Competition 2003, he is one of the most exciting Latin DJ's on the scene. He came to the UK five years ago from Havana, Cuba, where he worked at the Castillito Cultural Centre and was involved in various musical activities. He has been DJing in the UK since his arrival, playing Salsa and Timba Cubana, Reggaeton, Latin Hip-Hop and R & B to suit the occasion.. He featured in id London magazine (October 2005 edition) as one of the UKs leading emerging acts in the urban Latin music scene. Currently, you can find him playing at various clubs and events in London and the UK

DJ JIM - UK (confirmed)

As well as being a highly skilled teacher of Cuban salsa with 9 years experience, Jim is also a celebrated & vastly experienced Latin music DJ, specialising in cutting-edge Cuban salsa & timba. He regularly plays at many of London’s top salsa venues & is resident DJ at The Afro-Cuban Lounge (at the Buffalo Bar), London’s foremost weekly Cuban salsa night. He also regularly hosts dedicated Cuban rooms at many of the UK’s largest salsa events, as well as playing DJ support at live concerts by visiting Cuban artists such as Los Van Van, Manolito & Azucar Negra. His first compilation cd Bar Cuba will be released on Nascente Records in June 2007. Jim has been a regular visitor to Cuba since the mid 1990s & is cofounder of Salsa Caribe Productions - London's leading promoters of authentic Cuban salsa.

DJ SHORTY, UK (confirmed)

After giving up dance school to concentrate on University, DJ Shorty soon got itchy feet to dance again and Salsa was the answer. Hooked after her first class in 2000; she hasn't looked back. DJ Shorty has been DJing among the Cuban DJ royalty of the UK ever since. Experienced in DJing for all Salsa audiences, she is best known for wowing the Cuban crowds with her eclectic mix of Timba Cubana and Salsa, whether cutting-edge or classic, and receives wide acclaim for her talent. Currently, you can find her playing at various clubs nights and weekenders across London, the South-East, and UK-wide. She is a regular DJ for AfroCuban Pati, Salsa SOS, and Club Cubana, as well as her residencies and individual event appearances. Oh, and if she's not DJing? You can guarantee she'll be shaking it on the dancefloor...