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Japanese Salsa Dancer / Kaku / At Salsa Lab

I visited “Salsa Lab” in Fukui City.

It is located in the central part of Fukui city,

about 10mins walk from JR Fukui station.

 

It was established in 1999. This is the only and the best salsa studio in Fukui.

Not only Japanese people come, but many foreigners also visit here as well.

The owner of this studio can speak English so everyone can relax and enjoy

without worrying about not being able to communicate.

 

Besides the dance lessons and salsa parties,

there are music live shows, dance performances and so on.

At almost every weekend, he has salsa parties

and salsa dance lessons which are taught by many great experienced instructors.

 

Moreover, in every summer, there is a party at the beach on a large scale

and many people from all over Japan come.

Therefore Salsa Lab now, represents not only the salsa of Fukui

but it also represents the salsa of Hokuriku region.

 

 

Salsa Lab is also definately taking an important role in salsa culture in Japan as well.

It is becoming well known more and more every year.

Because of the owner's personality which is kind, friendly and fun,

and the steady effort of his supporters,

many top salsa dancers have come to Fukui and performed in last 16 years,

from all over the world including Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, New York City, Australia and so on.

 

Ms. Kaku is one of them. She performs all over in Japan.

She is now becoming a Japan’s favorite salsa dancer.

I got to take her lesson, a video and interviewed her.

 

 

My first impressions about her were charming, beautiful, pretty and stylish.

 

Lesson for the day, she taught us “shines”

in which dancers use fancy footwork and body actions, and dance in separation.

 

As soon as the lesson began, everyone’s concentration went up.

The atmosphere became tense but yet full of excitement.

It was similar to the feeling that you are about get into a ride in the amusement park.

 

Shortly after 3 hours of teaching dance lessons, her solo dance shoot was started.

Even though she had just taught many students for 3 hours in a row,

she was still being energetic. She danced beautifully.

 

 

I could never imagine how energetic and powerful she can be, with her pretty appearance.

Stay tuned for her lesson and solo movies.

 

Please see below for more informaion.

<Salsa Lab>

Address: 2-24-2 Toyoshima, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, Japan

Salsa Lab
Salsa Lab Facebook

 

<Kaku>

Kaku E-Mail

Kaku Facebook

 

 

T.F

”The voice of the sea"

The song ranks top on websites for download music now.
It is a commercial song and modeled on Urashima Taro
who is the main character of a famous Japanese fairy tale
about Dragon Palace Legend at the bottom of the sea.
The singer Kenta Kiritani, actually he is an actor as well,
whose voice matches the lyrics and the music.
Listening to this song reminds me of THE BOOM's song "Shimauta".
He also plays sanshin with singing and played live in a popular TV music show
and at an open-air music festival in Ishigaki Island with BEGIN who composed the song. (H.S)

Drum Circle Fukui

Back in September 20, I went to see a performance of "Drum Circle Fukui" held at the Fukui prefectural Comprehensive Green Center in Maruoka town.

 

Then I was very impressed because it was not just a musical performance, but kind of a "field" where all the people including the audience created a primal rhythm together. And anyone who wanted to participate could do.

 

The full version video with an interview will be uploaded later.

 

T.S

Congas

There is the only salsa dance studio in Fukui city called Salsa Lab. Last weekend, I danced and played with a drum there. Conga drums are originally from Africa, but born in Cuba. Generic name of the drums are Tumbadora. When they arrived in America, they were mistakenly called Congas. Since then they are called Congas.

 

There will be an outdoor music festival, Park Life Festival at Maruoka Green Center in Fukui on Sep.20th.  The group called Drum Circle will be playing there.  I can't wait!!

 

T.F

Sanshin: Traditional Okinawan three-string instrument

 

A Chinese three-string instrument introduced in Okinawa at the end of 14th century and changed into sanshin. And then it was introduced in Osaka in the 16th century and developed into shamisen which is the typical Japanese stringed instrument. Originally, the body of sanshin is made from python but nowadays artificial leather is also common and everybody can get one easily from online shops. You can enjoy the sound of sanshin through Paikaji family’s live show on this site. Here is another good one featuring sanshin by BEGIN from Okinawa.(H.S)

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