CY-IWANDER by Caroline Yung

Photographer. Traveler. Wander. “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller cy-iwander.com [email protected] @cy-iwander.com

[cy-iwander]

AFROCUBANDO - JANUARY 21st

Join us this January 21st for the first edition of Afrocubando!

From West Africa to Cuba to Ottawa.  Bailando presents for the first time, a special full-day event with multiple genres of african diaspora dance, featuring four workshops: afro-cuban orishas, rumba (guanguanco) with salsa, reggaeton, and afro-beat taught by celebrated instructors from Ottawa and Montreal!  

Your evening entertainment will include a large social in true Bailando Ottawa fashion with kizomba, afro-beat, salsa, timba, bachata and cha-cha. Come celebrate Afrocubando this January! 

WORKSHOPS: 2-6:30 PM

1:40 - 2:00  - Doors Open & Registration

2:00 - 3:00  - Afro-Cuban with Sharqiru (OTT)

3:00 - 4:00  - Rumba con Salsa with Issam and Sarah (MTL)

***

4:00 - 4:30 - HEALTH BREAK

***

4:30 - 5:30 - Reggaeton with Emilie Phaneuf (OTT)

5:30- 6:30 - Afrobeat with Lindsay Hutton (OTT)

SOCIAL: 9:30 PM - 2:00 AM

Potpourri - We will have several kizomba sets throughout the evening, featuring DJ Calypso, and DJ La China will also play a mix of salsa/timba/bachata and cha-cha throughout the night.  And true to form, we will sprinkle in some rumba, afro-cuban and afrobeat:

KIZOMBA/SEMBA/AFROHOUSE 25%

SALSA/TIMBA 50%

BACHATA/CHA-CHA- 20%

PERFORMANCES: Info coming your way shortly

PRICES:

FULL-PASS

$40 super early bird pass, until December 30, 2016  (ONLY 15 available)

$45 early bird, before January 16, 2017 

$50 until January 21, 2017 (midnight)

HALF-PASS

$30 - 2 workshops of choice plus social

AT THE DOOR  (purchases to be made on the day of, cash tender only)

1 WORKSHOP - $20 

SOCIAL ONLY -$8

HALF-PASS $35

FULL-PASS $60

 LOCATION:

St. Anthony’s Banquet Hall

523 St Anthony St, Ottawa, ON K1R 0A6

 HOW TO REGISTER?

You can purchase your tickets online: 

[cy-iwander]

LA RUMBA PARA SOBREVIVIR - RUMBA TO SURVIVE

Better late than never, so they say...

Below is the short documentary I produced nearly a year ago through the SAW Video JumpStart Mentorship Program. It's far from perfect, but something I'm proud to have accomplished.

'La Rumba para Sobrevivir/Rumba to Survive' - provides an overview of the rich genre of music and dance that is distinctly Cuban. Rumba remains a source of livelihood for 'los rumberos', musicians, dancers and teachers of the art.

Hopefully it will answer some questions you may have about rumba.  If you have 16 free minutes, please check it out!

[cy-iwander]

LA RUMBA PARA SOBREVIVIR - RUMBA TO SURVIVE

Better late than never, so they say...

Below is the short documentary I produced nearly a year ago through the SAW Video JumpStart Mentorship Program. It's far from perfect, but something I'm proud to have accomplished.

'La Rumba para Sobrevivir/Rumba to Survive' - provides an overview of the rich genre of music and dance that is distinctly Cuban. Rumba remains a source of livelihood for 'los rumberos', musicians, dancers and teachers of the art.

Hopefully it will answer some questions you may have about rumba.  If you have 16 free minutes, please check it out!

[cy-iwander]

La Rumba Para Sobre Vivir - Rumba to survive

Better late than never, so they say...

Below is the short documentary I produced nearly a year ago through the SAW Video JumpStart Mentorship Program. It's far from perfect, but something I'm proud to have accomplished.

'La Rumba para Sobrevivir/Rumba to Survive' - provides an overview of the rich genre of music and dance that is distinctly Cuban. Rumba remains a source of livelihood for 'los rumberos', musicians, dancers and teachers of the art.

Hopefully it will answer some questions you may have about rumba.  If you have 16 free minutes, please check it out!

[cy-iwander]

7 DAYS IN HAVANA

For someone who has enjoyed long stays in Havana, my recent one week trip to Havana this September, was only enough to wet my appetite.  Trying to make the most of my time, I ran myself a bit ragged slotting in as many dance classes, live concerts and shows as I could in a week (less a day on account of food poisoning).  The time that remained, I spent sharing  espressos or traigos (drinks of rum) with friends.  Food and sleeping at my dodgy hotel on Prado weren't very high on my list of priorities. 

Oddly, I have no photographs of where I spent most of my time (with friends and dancing). I did mange to capture a few interesting spots and events including: a very beautiful boxing gym (Rafael Trejo) where the manager was training his team for an upcoming competition, my friends working out at Ojo de Cyclone, using perhaps the most beautiful 'universal' I've ever seen (good job Leo); and on my last day, I spent a few moments with kids playing in the street in recognition of CDR Day (Committees for the Defense of the Revolution), which is a national holiday.

CDRs were created to promote social welfare and report on 'anti-revolutionary' activities, and on September 27-28th, all around the city, neighbourhood streets were closed to traffic, children were out playing, and large pots of caldoza (stew) were being made and shared.

And while it seems that outside of Cuba, the country is on the verge of great and rapid change, the sentiment amongst those I spoke to in Havana, is that change is coming very slowly and has still quite a ways to go. The most noticeable difference I found, was significantly greater access to the internet.  

Wi-fi cards had decreased in price by up to 200% if purchased in the street, although hotels still sold them at a premium.  Not only had prices gone down, but coverage also increased.  Previously internet was only available in hotels, etecsa buildings and in select homes, but now  wi-fi was found in a number of outdoor parks and squares. 

Parks that were previously busy with individuals playing chess, arguing about baseball, or just hanging out, were now full Cubans camped out by the dozens with laptops, headsets, tablets and phones surfing the web and in some cases chatting online with friends and family abroad. Those who couldn't find a spot at the park sat lined-up on the curb across the street, on the of losing connectivity. A reggaeton singer I met one night, told me that his latest song was called 'everyone is connected'. After walking by this square, I couldn't help but agree.

If you are interested in joining us for our week long dance holiday in Havana this February 2016, we still have space! Check the Bailando Cuba event page for more info.

[cy-iwander]

No better way to finish the evening, than with our friend #vanwinkle12 #bourbon .@beton_99 #ottawa

[cy-iwander]

Sometimes I like to look at the floor when I walk.

[cy-iwander]

#boston 2

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#boston commuter (train). #cy_iwander

[cy-iwander]

Guess what this means? #ottawa #pride

[cy-iwander]

My gal Amy talking about the link between nutrition and mood; fighting your hanger. #amylongardnutrition #hubottawa #happinesshabits613 #cy_iwander

[cy-iwander]

Enjoying some #merryderry #ottawa #summertime #igrsottawa

[cy-iwander]

BAILANDO AUGUST EDITION; 6 MONTH ANNIVERSARY PLUS SEMBA WORKSHOP AND DANCEOFF

BAILANDO'S SIX MONTH ANNIVERSARY! 6 HOURS FOR 6 MONTHS!

BAILANDO AUGUST EDITION 

This August is Bailando’s 6th month anniversary! It’s hard to believe that half a year has passed already =).

We have two great activities for you this month, plus an extended party until 9 PM.

1) SPECIAL SEMBA WORKSHOP (3:00 - 4:15)

David Espinosa from Amigos do Semba (Toronto) will provide an intro to semba workshop from 3:00 to 4:15.  Are you crazy about Kizomba? If so, don’t miss this special workshop on semba, an angolan dance that kizomba was derived from.  What's more is that David will be partnering with Ottawa’s own, Lindsay Dance for the workshop!  (Cost of the workshop and social $20)

2) BAILANDO DANCE OFF - This is your chance to shine!

This is a chance for Ottawa's best/most daring to share your individual style with the Ottawa dance community.  Everyone is a winner and there are no formal judges.  All participants receive free entry to the social. 

How it works:  

- The dance off will take place at 8 PM sharp during the salsa social  - Each participant (or pair) will perform a 30 second chereo/improv.  - Time permitting, we can have a second round of battles for those who want to keep going.   - Incorporating other genres outside of salsa is permitted and encouraged (but your overall performance should still have a salsa flavour).

How to participate:  Send a private message to Bailando Ottawa by Tuesday, Aug 4 to confirm your spot.

Note:  The song will be published on Thursday at noon (it will be a salsa dura piece); The order of performers will be determined the day of Bailando.

**Dance off participants attend the Bailando social free.  Performers who attend the semba workshop pay $14 

TO SUM UP OUR SIX HOUR EVENT:

SEMBA WORKSHOP: 3:00- 4:15 PM KIZOMBA SOCIAL: 4:15 - 6:00 PM SALSA SOCIAL: 6:00 - 9:00 PM

******************* COST:

SEMBA WORKSHOP AND SOCIAL: $20 SOCIAL ONLY: $6

MUSIC PROVIDED BY:

Kizomba social: DJ Addiction of A2K Addicted 2 Kizomb Salsa social:  DJ La China 

******************************************************************* Mark this in your calendars folks, and please invite your friends!

For more info: cy-iwander.com/bailandoottawa _______________ *drink specials ($5 Mojitos!) *kitchen is open in case you get hungry  *free street parking available, as well as free indoor parking at the World Exchange Centre (45 O'Connor Street)

[cy-iwander]

BAILA RUEDA! - NEW RUEDA DE CASINO CLASSES IN OTTAWA AUG 5-29

 Building on the great response for the post-bailando Cuban workshop on July 12, we're excited to announce a new session of rueda de casino classes during the month of August.   What’s more, all classes will be followed by social dancing at Salsa at City Hall!  Details: Aug 5 - Aug 26 (4 weeks) 6:30 - 7:30 pm class at Art’s Court (2 Daly) 8:00-9:00 pm social dancing and practice at Salsa at City a Hall outside (weather permitting); dancing is moved indoor in the case of rain. Cost $50 for the session ($40 for students/sliding scale) $15 drop-in (no sliding scale) The session will end with a Cuban social on September 2 (details to follow) Classes will be taught by Warren Eaton and Caroline Yung; bios coming soon. Once we're all on the same page, we'd like to bring back The Rueda Project in the fall for more workshops and social dancing!!  

[cy-iwander]

A WEEKEND IN THE COUNTY

It's been a while since I've posted anything non-dance related, but if this blog is about where I (CY) wander, then I shouldn't limit it to dance, nor to places in Latin America.  Sometimes there are fun gorgeous destinations, seemingly in your backyard.

For years I'd heard about a beautiful white beach somewhere between Ottawa and Toronto.  And when I saw photos of 'said' beach at Sandbanks national park, it looked almost tropical.  In the last few years, I heard also about the great restos, cheese shops, and wineries of Prince Edward County (PEC).

Finally, this June, just in time for the recent launch of their Drake franchise (you know its hip when...). If Toronto is NY, then PEC is the Hamptons =).  Take that for what you will, but truly, it's a beautiful weekend getaway and a reasonable drive from Toronto/Ottawa. You can easily spend a few days meandering around the various estates, but if you want to be ambitious, best to set up a plan of attack, as well as a designated driver.

Here are a few photos from the weekend. Unfortunately, I forgot to capture images of my favourite winery Domaine Darius.  I was too busy appreciating their 'limited' selection (they only bottle their own grapes), and admiring the country 'kitch' in the garden.    

Special thanks also to our wonderful hosts Christophe and Vincent of Maison Depoivre, and their great recommendations.  We rented their entire place (all three rooms) for the weekend, and I had the best sleep in months.

Images below from top to bottom: (1-4 Gilead Distillery; 5-7 Lighthall Winery; 8-15 Exultet; and the bottom two, Waupoos Cidery (worth the drive, just for the view!)

[cy-iwander]

Que vive la música cubana #havanadeprimera #toronto #panamia #pan-am #VSCOcam

[cy-iwander]

RUMBAKWA - A TASTE OF AFRO-CUBAN FUZION IN MONTREAL

In April I was invited by Sophie Giraud to film and photograph La Charanga Habanera's concert in Montreal.  My intention was to get some supplementary footage for my documentary on Cuban rumba, but I left with so much more. 

Although I used very little footage from the concert for my film, the memories (digital and non), I will have for a lifetime.  Footage from La Charanga to come, but rather, I wanted to take a moment to share a clip of an amazing local group, Rumbakwa who premiered and opened for La Charanga. Rumbakwa fuses Afro Latin rhythms with music from around the world and electronic beats, but still keeps a flavour of traditional Cuban Rumba, and its incredible.

Amado Dedeu Garcia, formally with Clave y Guanguanco is a latin grammy winning musician and the artistic director of this group.  Amado along with other talented Cuban musicians including Julio Hong, Niobalys González, Marlene Delis, Thomas Morelli-Bernard, Yan Morelli-bernard, and others are passionate and talented musicians.

Here is a short clip I pulled together from their performance at Club Soda, Montreal as well as some photos from their performance in April, but if you can, check them out live!

They are playing this Saturday, July 4, 2015 at Centre Phi as part of a showcase of emerging artists. Facebook invite is found below:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1651816038374670/