Rodchata, LLC and Alberto Papi Archilla will be hosting the very 1st Hawaii Bachata Vacation in Honolulu, Hawaii: promoting Latin dance. Performers and teachers from all over the world will unite and join forces to celebrate bachata on the weekend of Halloween October 28th until November 1st, 2010.

Following the success of Reno Bachata Festival and San Francisco Bachata Festival, Rodchata, in partnership with Alberto Papi Archilla and in collaboration with Hawaii Bachata Meetup Group and local promoters, Hawaii is going to have its first Hawaii Bachata Festival on a Halloween weekend in Waikiki.

Bachata is a musical style and dance developed in the mountains of the Dominican Republic. Some common themes in its songs are those of lost love, lost hope and betrayal — all delivered through sexual innuendos which originally gave bachata a bad reputation that kept it hidden in the lower class barrios of its own nation for decades. It wasn’t until the 1990’s that bachata became a socially acceptable music on radio stations and in the clubs in the Dominican Republic.

As Rodchata was the first to host such dance festival in Reno, USA, he went further by hosting the biggest and longest bachata festival in the world, San Francisco Bachata Festival. “Everyone was inspired and fired up after the festival. They started forming their own bachata dance teams, enrolled in a dance studio, and some of them even took the risk of organizing a bachata festival in their own city,” said Rodney Aquino, owner of multiple festivals around the world.

“The dance community in Hawaii is small, but dance studios, websites and venues such as HawaiiSalsa.com, Hawaii Bachata Meetup Group, SalsaNoKaOi.com, Alma Latina Productions, Son ‘d Hawaii, Hawaii Salsa Fest, just to name a few, are the very core of what makes the Latin dance community unique, strong and growing. In fact, in a successful collaboration, they recently hosted bachata artist, Domenic Marte in Honolulu. Such collaboration is a good sign of a growing and healthy dance community,” said Rodney Aquino, world renown bachata promoter.

The Hawaii Bachata Vacation will be featuring top DJs such as DJ El Guapo from San Francisco, DJ Smooth from San Jose plus other top DJs locally and nationally (we will keep adding the line-up). Bachata Singer, FREDDIE MUNOZ and Bachata Dance greats such as Jorjet Alcocer from Houston, Ataca y La Alemana from Tampa, Omar Tirador from Puerto Rico, Zeke El Fabulosa from Chicago, Camille Yanantuono from San Diego, Ben and Julianne from New Mexico Nino Acosta from the Dominican Republic, Jorge and Leslie from Los Angeles, Christian Sola from Orlando, plus other excellent teachers and performers locally and all over the world are coming to participate in this exciting event.

The event will be held in the fabulous Prince Kuhio Hilton Resort just a few steps away to Waikiki beach. Dancers of all levels are invited to participate in this exciting event. There will be dance workshops all day (salsa, bachata, merengue, chachacha, bolero, tango) as well as performances and social dancing at night!

“This is going to be the best bachata vacation, ever, ” boasts Aquino

Tickets are now sale at http:// www.bachatahawaii.com.

Join our growing FB Group here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=320047731787

For more information, please visit www. BachataHawaii.com, or email JOJO, Festival Manager - jonna.ocampo@yahoo.com

Look no further other than Rodney Rodchata Aquino, one of the pioneer of bachata dancing in the USA and multi-owner of bachata festivals and events all over.

Want more info about him? Click here…

And Read His Exclusive Interview here...

Re: 1st Annual Steven’s Steakhouse Bachata Championship - April 14, 2010

My name is Rodney Rodchata Aquino and I am one of the pioneers of bachata dancing here in the USA. I started dancing and learning the culture of bachata and merengue 13 years ago. In the year of 2002, I started teaching the dance and have travelled all over USA and the world teaching bachata bootcamps.

In January 2009, I organized the very 1st International Bachata Festival in USA (Reno). This is what many claims started it all in the USA. San Francisco Bachata Festival came a few months later on July 2009 and several bachata festivals came after, organized by the very people that participated in Reno and San Francisco, notably Jorge Contreras and Leslie Ferreira along with Alejandro Rey on whom I consider bachata experts.

Today, I’m inspired that upcoming Bachata Festivals, (5 of them I’m organizing) are now spreading throughout USA (Reno, SF, Hawaii, Chicago, DC, Dallas, Seattle, New Mexico, etc).

I am also the president of International Bachata Competitor’s Association (IBCA). This is an organization responsible for bachata competition with rankings and cumulative points system ensuring fair competition and judging, and is about to launch its 1st World Competition.

On March 24th, I got an invitation from one of your staff to judge your 1st Annual Steven’s Steakhouse Bachata Championship, April 14, 2010. Although I was organizing a local event at the time, I considered the invitation important and accepted it. My agreement with your staff was that “I will be judging if all the other judges are bachateros.” There were 3 judges in total planned (which were enough in the first place).

It is important to note that I have helped your staff with several of the following:

- Provided judging criteria and judging sheet based on IBCA
- Provided “contest rules” taken from IBCA
- Helped answer questions including providing other information regarding running a bachata competition in general.

On April 14th, I found out that you have hired a last-minute additional judge for the competition. I expressed my cautiousness (with your staff) with the selection since the additional judge happened to be a pro salsa dancer and not a bachatero. I foresaw a potential problem with it. Of course, It was too late for me to change my decision in judging the contest. (I prefer running a bachata contests with bachata judges only for obvious reasons.)

When the contest started, I was impressed and inspired by the competitor’s skills, yes, everyone of them. But as judge, not every competitors can win and I had to select and award high points to couples that fitted the judging sheet criteria accordingly.

There was one couple whom I had problem with, they danced bachata to a reggaeton song. Although I was impressed with their dancing skills (and will be welcomed to perform at all of my bachata festivals) and given them points on several criterias, I could not justify giving them points in musicality which relates the contest rule: “80% must be bachata song.” This is based on my expertise with bachata and as an experienced judge on other dance competitions for 15 years. As a result, after the contest, someone had informed a competitor couple that I had given certain couple zero points for musicality.

According to your staff, after tallying all the scores of the judging sheet, score sheets would not be publicized. (FYI, This is not an IBCA rule - we publicize each scores in every criteria). I didn’t mind publicizing it, actually.

Several days after the competition, I found out that that judging sheets were made public that not only created a commotion, but also created a big controversy of several judges, including me. Insulting comments via facebook and websites such as “I didn’t have a clue as what bachata is” “Who the hell are these judges?” “That is f***d up that you gave them zero!” “The judges are amateurs” were posted.

Earlier today, I found out that not only you reversed the results of the competition (disrespecting and ignoring judges decisions and scores) awarding a couple that didn’t even make top three, awarding them $500 and placing them 2nd along with original 2nd place winners (two 2nd place winners). This is a big disappoinment to the judges and to the bachata competition as a whole.

Another bigger disappointment: You posted all the videos of the competitor’s routine, encouraging an online voting as to “who really won the contest.” This is an absolute insult to the judges, to the competitors, to the competition and to the bachata world.

I respectfully request for Steven’s Steakhouse Management regarding the 1st Annual Steven’s Steakhouse Bachata Championship to NOT CHANGE the judges decision and competition results. This is for the respect of your future contests, your reputation, honoring the judges and respecting the competitors and for their sportsmanship.

I await your kind response in this matter.

Sincerely,

Rodney Rodchata Aquino
Rodney@rodchata.com
IBCA - President
www.rodneyaquino.com
www.rodchata.com

Rodney Rodchata Aquino is excited to host the widely popular SFBIF once again on July 12-19, 2010. It will be 8 days celebration of Latin dancing in downtown San Francisco’s Parc 55 Wyndham.

As Rodchata was the first to organized such festival in Reno, USA, The 1st San Francisco Bachata Festival was truly the event that popularized it. “Everyone was inspired and fired up after the festival. They started forming their own bachata dance teams, enrolled in a dance studio, and some of them even took the risk of organizing a bachata festival in their own city,” said Rodney Aquino, owner of multiple festivals around the world.

Bachata dance is now this infectious dance that has dancers addicted, they keep coming back. Three steps to the left and a foot tap takes you in the opposite direction again. Repeat in the other direction. It’s a simple yet addicting dance. “They like to “wedge” and “swerve,” said Aquino, the inventor of such moves that likens a snake swerving and wiggling.

“It’s going to be a one week festival. Dancers not only will get to enjoy bachata, but will get the opportunity to enjoy learning other dance as well. We are going to have at least 70 pro workshops for beginners and even advance dancers. We invited, at least, 40 top dance artists in the world! You name me a big name in the bachata (Teachers) industry and they’re part of the line-up! We have Troy and Jorjet, Ataca y La Alemana, Frank and Alina, Zeke El Fabulosa and more!” explains Aquino.

The festival is created for the absolute beginners to get inspired and to learn to dance, but it is also for the advance dancers that love to perform and compete. Bachata, salsa, merengue, bolero, tango, zouk and kizomba will be taught by top teachers in the world during the festival.

The festival also features the bachata sensation, award winning, DOMENIC MARTE AND HIS FULL BAND in concert, as well as soulful bachata singer, Freddie Munoz (full band), Avance, Mazacote, Son De Cana, Vassili, and the popular, Montuno Swing - 7 Latin Bands performing LIVE!

On July 19th, the festival is organizing a Bachata Bus Tour from San Francisco all the way to the wine country and back.  ”It wouldn’t be fair if we don’t host a tour of the city. I mean, this is one of the greatest city in the world,” said Aquino.

Recently announced, SalsaCrazy has joined the 2nd Annual SF Bachata Festival to include his popular salsa summer series, 2nd Annual SalsaCrazy Summer Salsa Festival.  Salsa Bands and Salsa Dance artists such as Magna Gopal, Ismael Otero, Ava Apple and others, are now slated to teach and celebrate along with bachateros in one place, one hotel and one location - IT IS NOW A MEGA FESTIVAL!

So If you’re looking for a memorable vacation and can’t wait to have fun with inspiration in mind, you simply cannot miss the 2nd Annual San Francisco Bachata International Festival (http://www.sfbif.com/). This spectacular one-week happens on July 12-18, 2010 at the luxurious Hotel Parc 55 located in downtown San Francisco.

2nd San Francisco BACHATA International Festival

July 12-19, 2010

Hotel Parc 55 Wyndham

Buy Tickets here: http://www.sfbif.com

 

BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS TO RENO AIRPORT - http://www.hotwire.com

http://www.renoairport.com/

Free Shuttle Service

Event Presented and Produced by Rodchata, LLC and BB of Salsa Reno

What’s so fun about dancing a dance in a side to side manner with twings and twangs of the guitar?

This is what non-bachateros ask us. I am sure you heard such question before, right? You could still remember their smirk and mocking facial expressions.

But you see, bachata dancing is beyond side to side steps… It’s being ONE with the music.

I didn’t realize it then, but in my 12 years of dancing bachata, it had become an eye-opening journey. Based on my extensive research, my article, “Bachata Dance, an innovative approach” (search google), I wrote how innovation as an intensive process, a journey, a life changing experience.

Today, as I travel the world over, teaching bachata, I have seen and experienced it all; Dominican bachata, bachatango, European style, Modern, Moderna, tracidional, bachata rueda, the lists goes on and on…bachata has grown and is growing fast!

Bachata is also now being recognized by DJs, clubs, Latin promoters, Grammys, and mind you, even the current president of the United States (Obama honors Aventura, search google).

How is bachata suppose to be danced anyways?

From what I’ve seen so far, bachata is danced with different interpretations. Most students interpret the dance and music on their own, and some just follow their teacher’s instructions.

But I have been noticing something (that doesn’t fit) that I am compelled to note here… There is no feeling, no passion and flavor is missing. It is becoming mechanical. What gives?

Let me offer a few solutions (concepts I teach in my workshops)…

- Listen to the music. A vital ingredient that must be included during a dance. For example, some salsa dancers fail to listen to the beat. When there’s a pause or break, they fail to recognize it and still doing innumerable patterns and spins. It’s also becoming of bachata dancers.

- No connection with the partner This is why I always emphasize the ABC’s of connection in the beginning of all my classes. Just like in a love relationship, connection is a must otherwise, there’s no emotion and relationship becomes boring. Dancing bachata is a 3 to 4 minutes relationship. It’s a short journey that can go long for more without being aware that the music has ceased.

- Recognize the Trinity, 3 in 1 The music, you and your partner…you are three yet one while dancing. 1 x 1 x 1 = 1 and not 1 + 1 +1 = 3.

-Have you tried closing your eyes when your heads touch together? You’d be surprised at the dramatic effects and transformations while dancing.

- Get to know every bachata songs played. Put ‘em on iPod and listen to them everyday. Especially for non-Spanish speaking, google the songs and translate the lyrics. Your Dominican style footwork will improve tremendously and you will be able to feel the music more.

- Listen to the instruments of the music; congas, bass, guitar, etc

- Complicated patterns are designed to IMPRESS. You dance bachata not to impress but to FEEL.

- Relax, no pressure! If you can’t move your hips, don’t move your hips! You don’t need to move your hips, but if you are able, do it! Dancing bachata is meant to be fun and in a relax manner.

- If you are not performing, do not do performance tricks, jumps or acrobats on the dancefloor It’s is about feeling the music and it’s being one with your partner, closed position or open position, it makes no difference. Bachata dancing is fun, energetic at times, or emotional and sexy as well.

Dance like no one is watching. Most importantly, bachata is not a set form and it’s not just one form.

To quote Bruce Lee who was once a Chachacha champion, “Don’t get set into one form, adapt it and build your own, and let it grow, be like water. Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless — like water. Now you put water in a cup, it becomes the cup; You put water into a bottle it becomes the bottle; You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” -

http://www.rodneyaquino.com - http://www.rodchata.com

Renown dance teachers, Rodchata and Camille Yannantuono recently teamed up to go on a world tour for the remaining year of 2009.

Get ready and learn from the best. Rodchata and Camille will be offering dance workshops of bachata, salsa, bolero, tango and merengue.

Schedule:

August

- California Bachata Congress , Los Angeles

- Latin Dance Bootcamp, Honolulu, Hawaii

September

- Chicago

- Bachaturo Poland Festival, Warsaw

- Lithuania Bachata Festival, Vilnius

October

- Brusells (TBC)

- Norway

- Sexy and Sensual Festival - London

Stay tuned, more to come…

LATIN DANCE STIMULUS DVDs, Buy ‘em here...

RODCHATA DANCE SOCIETY GROUP AND “JUST DANCE” BALLROOM PRESENTS:

BACHATA DOMINICANA Y MODERNA, a weekly classes starting this August 7th, every Friday

Taught by Rodchata + Guest Instructors

LEARN THE FOLLOWING FAMOUS MOVES BY RODCHATA…

ALL LEVELS WELCOME

Gentlemen, learn and train how to get close, lead and hold a woman!

Ladies, learn how to EXPLOIT every lead that is offered and knock his socks off!

- Wedge
- Jeison Wrap
- Charge!
- GBH
- Back Pedal
- 360
- ATW
- Sensuality 101
- Roll With Me
- Dominican
- footwork
- Modern
- Fusion
- plus much more

NON-INTIMIDATING!

SIMPLE MOVES!

LEARN BACHATA, ENHANCE YOUR BACHATA, DANCE BACHATA…

COST: $10 + PRACTICA

LOCATION:

JUST DANCE BALLROOM, 2500 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA

 

Rodchata,

Just wanted to thank you for being out there and trying to promote the heck out of bachata….remember that message I sent about an advanced bachata workshop you were going to teach. I asked in a manner that was probably interpreted as “what’s so advanced about bachata?”. Well, just the fact that I saw the words “advanced” made me think what I never bother to. I spend every moment of just about every day thinking how I can be a better salsero. I never thought to myself, what can I do to make myself a better bachatero?

Thus, I commited to taking your Bachata Cornerstones workshop at the Dallas Salsa Congress. Despite the fact that I’m a salsero who LOVES turn patterns, I turned down some Santo Rico patterns for a class that I didn’t think I’d get anything out of (crazy right?). I was thinking maybe, just maybe, there’d be something new to me. Even though it didn’t say “advanced“, I had to see what there was about bachata that I hadn’t seen before. I figured “There just had to be if someone was gonna teach a workshop on it right?” We’re talking about the dance that I show most of my students the basic concepts in about 5 minutes. I never thought of bachata as advanced. I know eveybody dances different and I remember when you once told me the 3 main types of bachateros out there. I know it’s supposed to be sensual but unless my partner is somebody I’m comfortable with or someone I’m dating, I don’t. I dance sensual when I think it’s called for, do footwork when I need space, and turns if the ladies want them. But even with hammerlocks, turns, footwork, hand tosses and other moves I was able to convert from salsa to bachata I wasn’t sure if I’d be up to par where I could say I’m an “advanced” bachatero.

If there’s anything I hate, “yes HATE is a strong word but it applies here” is when I want to achieve a level of greatness in something that I do, and not be sure of how to measure my skill level. Every girl can say I’m a great dancer but if there’s a syllabus, requirement, etc…I want to know. I want to be great to them…and to the requirement…that’s just how I am. I know dance is supposed to be fun…but why not be fun dancer and great dancer all in one. I took the class thinking I wouldn’t get anything out of your workshop…………and I want to thank you.

About 30 minutes into it, I told myself “Damnit Rodchata, you better teach me something I don’t already know“. It bothered me because I turned down a workshop from one of the best salseros out there and didn’t see myself learning anything new besides the one thing that I had already picked up from one of your myspace vids….you know, the leg humping looking move. After the workshop, I searched my innerself for more and told myself “you better be a badass bachatero whether there was new stuff or not….you took a bachata workshop….you better be looking better out on the dance floor now. If this workshop wasn’t labeled “advanced” there had to be more out there.” Then it hit me…..I was about to take for granted some important advice that nobody ever told me about bachata, and all of it all made sense.

Point in case..bachata is lead from the hips….I can’t tell you how much more stuff I’ve made up just because somebody finally told me that. And what I already knew looks better. When you have your arms around someone, it’s easy to want to lead w/your arms….especially as a salsero. Leading from the hips is waaaayy better. I try to lead just about everything from the hips.

Then you addressed to squeeze the ladies legs between ours if she feels insecure about support. HUGE difference!!! Most of the back and forth leans have them on one foot and although I know I won’t drop them, they always don’t. This had helped alot.
Just the fact that me and my partner connected more this weekend brought out the beast in us….I busted out some new turns..dunno where they came from because I can’t seem to convert those into salsa. If I would’ve had one more bachata on Saturday I would’ve been checking my pants….you’re the man bro. I now know advanced….or do I? Let me know when you have a bachata event…and if you need performers, count me in…..I’ll even send a video to qualify if I have to. 

El Bachatero Guerro “yes I just coined that”
aka “El Pollo Loco” or
Richard Ortiz http://www.myspace.com/richsalsa