LOS ANGELES, CA — A few years ago, dance teams in Los Angeles seemed to be popping out of nowhere and everyone was a dance professional or director passing out business cards all over the L.A. clubs (not that anything has changed by now), and so the quality of dancing was really deteriorating. Los Angeles dance professionals who had left L.A. for Europe would come back to visit and would be amazed at how low the quality of dancing was in Los Angeles, and how everyone seemed to be learning their dancing from intermediate dancers, promoters who now taught their classes, or even DJs who felt they were good enough to teach as well. So, it was evident in the social environment and on the dance floor when shows were presented that just about anyone was trying to make a buck in the salsa scene (and now, with the economic recession, almost everyone is rushing to Fedex Kinko's to print their business cards and start cashing in). Point being, our salsa scene has struggled and seems to be continuing on that path. 

But in the midst of all that, there were two individuals with a vision and who would come to the Los Angeles area to revive and try to restore what used to be 'salsa dancing' in Los Angeles. Gaby Equiz and Sergio Jasso, from Tijuana, Mexico, had demonstrated at various big events that their Alma Latina dance teams (ranging from kids to adults) were dancing at higher levels than all the L.A. teams or teams from other areas or states as well. You could see and feel the vibrant love that those kids, youngsters, and young-adults had for the dance and how they were truly skilled and well-trained when they presented themselves on any stage. Coming from impoverished rural areas of Tijuana, their huge hearts and talents were motive of joy for all of us who watched them do so well everywhere they went!

Since last year, people in San Diego, CA, began to realize that what Gaby and Sergio were doing was something to cherish, and being so close to the border, a new dance team was born: Alma Latina San Diego. This team, on their first routine, demonstrated how truly spectacular the teaching methods that Gaby and Sergio were implementing really were. These were dancers we knew, some more advanced than others, but once performing and under the umbrella of "Alma Latina," they shined and appeared to be true professionals who truly had a knack for body movement. It was, indeed, the teaching style that Gaby and Sergio had what was making all of that happen. Intermediate or beginner dancers looking way more advanced in choreographed routines, than they probably really happened to be. Surely, anyone who has ever been part of a dance team or has taken dancing seriously in competitive or social arenas knows that this is no easy accomplishment! 

Today, with the recent creation of Alma Latina Los Angeles, and the fusion of both teams (San Diego and Los Angeles) into one team: Alma Latina California, Sergio and Gaby have continued to demonstrate that the brand of 'Alma Latina' has really taken the forefront and has cemented itself at the top of the ranks of best teams in Los Angeles. 

On Sunday, July 25, 2010, at Stevens Steak House, which is the most popular salsa dance venue in Los Angeles and is a mecca for the most prominent dancers in the area, Alma Latina faced off against teams like Angeleno Funk, Tropical Rhythm, and Amicitia Dance Company, amongst others, in the 1st Annual Salsa Team Competition at Stevens Steak House. And with decisive talent and performance, Alma Latina took the first place and demonstrated once again that they are the best in the west. 

Alma Latina is the same team that last year won first place at the World Mayan Salsa Team Competition, where they also beat former Mayan champs, Tropical Rhythm, and aspiring team Angeleno Funk, as well as many others. The Alma Latina dancers truly dance the routines on-stage with fluidity and demonstrate their skill stupendously. Their technique is over the top and excels in every aspect of salsa dance, which makes them simply superior to other teams that often appear robotic or not fluid in movement, and this is clearly perceived by all the awards, recognitions, and the expanding popularity of the name 'Alma Latina'.

We are very certain that Alma Latina will continue to climb to new heights and hopefully, they will survive and be in effect service to our Salsa community for numerous years to come. Many have been the great salsa dance teams that have existed in the past, some have vanished and others have dismantled as their dancers aged and worried about real life matters (family, kids, finances, etc)...more than Salsa. Alma Latina seems to have an arsenal of young dancers, so if they manage to maintain good control of them, we will be sure to presence the evolution of L.A. Salsa dance by all the new things they will create. Congratulations to Gaby Equiz and Sergio Jasso! Certainly, many must be the individuals who still want to see more in order for Gaby and Sergio to be accredited with the continued evolution of Salsa dancing within Los Angeles and California, as well as the world. And judging by their track-record, they leave no sign of slowing down and will continue to improve as time goes on. Keep it up, Alma Latina!! Great job!

Alma Latina Winning Performance at the 1st Annual Salsa Team Competition (Stevens Steak House)

Get more information and find out how to join Alma Latina or received dance lessons from them:

http://www.almalatinadancecompany.com
http://www.almalatina.com.mx
http://www.almalatinalosangeles.com
http://www.myspace.com/almalatinadance
http://www.youtube.com/almalatinadanceco