EDWIN RIVIERA
DJ & MUSIC PRODUCER
Edwin Rivera is one of the most influential artist in today's Latin dance scene. With a career spanning over two decades, Edwin has made an influential impact as a dancer, DJ and music producer throughout the world. He is also the artistic director to some of today's premiere Latin dance events, "The New York International Salsa Congress, "The Texas salsa congress", "The Baltimore Salsa & Bachata Congress”, “The Japan Salsa Congress”, Maui Salsa & Bachata Congress” and “The 1st annual Mother City Latin festival” in South Africa. Edwin is also the producer of the 2nd longest running congress in the world, "The Los Angeles salsa festival", “The Children's teen salsa congress" in Puerto Rico and co-produced the worlds largest Latin dance competition, “The world Latin dance cup”.
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ALICE LEE | A.K.A "DJ AL"
DJ
Hailing from cosmopolitan Singapore, Alice Lee packs a ton of drive and passion in her petite frame. Since discovering and falling in love with Kizomba in 2014, she has been working tirelessly to evangelise the Kizomba music and dance scene in Singapore. Alice has undergone training at DJSenter Singapore, and has achieved beyond what most DJs have in a short time, showing much versatility and impassioned drive. As one of the first few Kizomba DJs here in Singapore, she has been constantly and actively contributing to the kizomba community by sharing her music at socials, parties and festivals in Asia; extensive experience also came from being invited to DJ at Kizomba Extremo SG 2014/15/16, SLE2017, Kizomba Infinity-MY 2017, ALFA-MY 2017/18/19, SILF 2018, Muxima Kizomba Festival, New Delhi 2018/19 and KIK Kizomba Festival, Kolkata 2018. The musical style of DJ AL can be described as soulful, melodious and full of depth, transporting you into a world of aspiration and beyond.
De'Jon & Clo
DANCERS / INSTRUCTERS / PERFORMERS
De'Jon Polanski and Clo Ferreira are International Professional Latin Dancers/Instructors/
Performers that are know for their diversity and explosive energy. Their diverse style stems from adventurous training with multiple masters via private lessons and exclusive master camp training with people like the King of Mambo, Eddie Torres and Afro Cuban Master, Marisol Blanco, Jose Serrano and Tomas Guerrero. De'Jon's extensive bachata training started at home due to his Dominican Background, but extends to privately training with Masters such as Jorjet Alcocer (Dominican Bachata), Alma Latina (Urban/Sensual Bachata), (Korke y Judith), Daniel y Desiree (Sensual Bachata), and many more. De'Jon teaches Salsa on1, Salsa on2, Cuban Style Salsa, Dominican Bachata, Urban Bachata, Sensual Bachata, Bachakizomba Fusion (Bachakiz), and Urban Kizomba, and so much more. This dynamic couple is very popular at congresses in the US and are excited to bring their magic to South Africa. Check them out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugtZxYzaXsg
INSTRUCTER / PERFORMER
Erika Saucillo
Erika Saucillo was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She started dancing at the young age of four. Throughout the years, she trained in various dances such as folkloric, jazz, and hip hop. Erika began her Latin dance journey at the age of 21, when she first trained with "Alma Latina Los Angeles" directed by the world renown Sergio Jasso and Gaby Equiz. Erika quickly became the director of one of the largest Salsa/bachata team in Los Angeles, "Quest Salchata Crew". She is currently one of today's top rising instructor & performer. Erika has taught & performed at major clubs & dance festivals throughout North America and overseas.
Erika is a champion and top finalists at some of the world's most important Latin dance competitions. She won 3rd place at the World Latin Dance Cup Cha Cha Cha division, 2nd in the Top Female Bachata Social Dancer, and won first place at the 2016 LA top Female Salsa Social Dancer. From Los Angeles to New York to Cuba she has inspired many with her dancing. Her hard work and dedication has allowed Erika to become one of today's top dancer throughout the world. She'll be bringing a ladies styling performance bootcamp to the Mother City Dance Festival! Check her out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY9Rvyz1q5c
Junior & Emily Alabi
INSTRUCTERS / PERFORMERS
Junior and Emily are a brother and sister team originally from San Francisco and now living in Los Angeles, California. They have performed, taught, and competed all over the world and are one of the hottest couples on the International Salsa circuit. Their electrifying routines have blown the roof off events around the world and through their dancing, they have traveled and toured through the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and now Africa. They are 8-time National and International Salsa Dance Champions and have graced the cover of various Latin magazines, as well as being the face of many International Salsa Congresses around the world. They have worked with Celebrity Artists such as Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, and Selena Gomez just to name a few. Their television appearances include (among others): • Dancing With The Stars – USA & Italy • America’s Got Talent • So You Think You Can
They are very excited about bringing their unique and energetic style of dance to the Mother City Dance Festival!
Check them out here: https://youtu.be/LU1tzNOBMQw
DJ Danny G
DJ
DJ Danny G - San Jose, California
Danny G has been DJing since 1984 in different Clubs and other big Events in the Bay area.
"My goal is to try to reach as many dancers as possible with the music selection I played which includes Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and Chachacha and more Latin Beats." He has been a resident at number of clubs and venues across the San Francisco bay area for a many years.
Major Salsa events include (among others): Portland salsa congress - 2013 to 2018 / Los Angeles Salsa Congress - 2014 to 2019 / San Francisco Salsa Congress - 2015 to 2019 / World Latin Dance Cup - 2014 to 2019 / Aventura Dance Cruise LA - 2018
He has also played at concerts and festivals with big name artists and bands such as: New swing sextet / Jimmy Bosch / Luis Vargas / Domingo Quinones / Bobby Valentin / Elito Reve y su Charangon / Michael Stuart / Tito Rojas / Orq. Poncena / Shakira. We are very excited to have DJ Danny G joining us for the Mother City Dance Festival.
Leonardo Osorio
LATIN DANCE TEACHER
Leonardo Osorio is a Latin dance teacher born in Cuba. In Santiago he learnt classical dancing at the Tropicana School of Dances and Arts. Only his love for salsa could bring Osorio to leave his island in 1999. The first time he left Cuba was to work in Paris as an assistant dance arranger to a movie titled ‘Salsa y Amor’ (by Joyce Bunel). He remained in France working on various projects but returned to his beloved Cuba regularly. In 2004, Leonardo moved to Cape Town to start a new life as a fashion model. He felt so welcome that he decided to stay. Soon he would be seen on the cover of magazines, on billboards and in television ads. Two years later, Osorio founded Sabor Latino in South Africa. In 2009 he returned to France to pursue his television and dance career. When not shooting for TV, Osorio can be seen dancing across Europe on the most prestigious stages of Salsa festivals in Germany, Luxembourg, Italy and Norway to name a few.
In 2018, Leo – as his friend call him – opened a French school of latin dances which he naturally named ‘Paris Latino’. The school kept growing ever since. We look forward to having Leo join us at the Mother City Dance Festival and adding his Cuban 'Sabor' to our event.
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Manuel Dos Santos
A.K.A Dr Kizomba
INSTRUCTOR / PERFORMER
Manuel Dos Santos aka Dr Kizomba
Angola/Canada
This guy needs no introduction and is a long time friend of the South African dance community.
Known for his flamboyant personality, Manuel is a versatile dancer, instructor and performer and will be bringing his knowledge of Kizomba, Semba and Koduro to the Mother City Dance Festival this September!
DJ Marcos Edson
DJ
We would like to present a man who needs no introduction to the Kizomberos of South Africa!
Straight-out of Luanda/ Angola, Marcos Edson started as a hip-hop dancer and singer at a young age. In 2011 joined the Salsa Community by the School of dance PéD Salsa and Since then Marcos Edson has been focused to optimize the connection Salsa vs Kizomba around the Latin Community in Angola. Marcos Edson is DJ certified from the Cape Town Academy and rapidly became known for his traditional Kizomba mixes. Addicted to Kizomba & Semba, Edson is committed to taking the flavour of the Angola Suburbs around the world with Traditional Kizomba, in Angola they call him DJ Tarraxudo as he manages to bring the crowd together with the sensual Tarraxinha. Marcos Edson will be hosting the Kizomba room and he promises to convert the mother city floor into an Angolan Suburb with Traditional Kizomba, Semba and Tarraxinha.
Patricia Cardoso
INSTRUCTOR / PERFORMER
Patricia Cardoso - Mozambique
This lady is no stranger to South African dance floors and has one of the most sparkling personalities in the Southern African dance scene! She started dancing Kizomba in 2012, at K-Dance school in Maputo, Mozambique and found herself moving to South Africa in 2013.
After settling in Johannesburg, she started teaching Kizomba and immersed herself in learning Salsa & Bachata at the same time. Soon her unbridled talent could not be held back and she began her solo career in 2018. She's been spotted teaching at a number of festivals including:
Kaya Festival - Mozambique / Kizomba Sensacao - Kenya / Danzibar - Zanzibar / The Johanneburg Afro-Latin Festival - South Africa. She also recently co-ordinated the Kizomba World Project Flash Mob in Johannesburg for World Kizomba Day with 140 dancers taking part.
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Kike
DANCERS - Kenya
Leigh Nathan
KIKE Dance Company is a collective of creative influencers who use dance and other mediums of art to tell stories. It was established in 2015 by Agnes Wangui, Muthoni Mahihu, Alice Wangari and Marion Munga. KIKE is the Swahili word for female. The founders created a safe haven for dance training that encourages dancers to perfect their craft, and build confidence.
KIKE seeks to inspire other young ladies and women in society by providing opportunities for them to plug in and foster growth through self-development. KIKE believes that by sharing dance, they improve the well being of self and society while preserving culture by learning and adapting movement from other cultures. Through ongoing projects the company seeks to adapt aspects of African culture, aesthetics and values with Latin training. KIKE dancers have performed at: Istanbul Festival in Turkey / Berlin Salsa Festival in Germany / Croatia Summer Salsa Festival in Croatia / Tandawazi Festival in Kenya / Cape Town Salsa Festival in South Africa / San Francisco Festival in USA / West African Music and Dance Festival in Nigeria / SalsaFari Festival in Kenya / The Koroga Festival in Kenya / The Machweo Festival in Kenya.
We are very excited to be hosting these amazing ladies at the Mother City Dance Festival!
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INSTRUCTOR / PERFORMER
Leigh Nathan is the director and principal teacher of the Salsa Addicts Studio in Johannesburg, where she has been teaching and performing since 2011.
While her teaching focus is on Cross Body Style Salsa and Bachata, she has also studied Mambo, Cha cha, Kizomba, Samba, Ballet, Modern and Tap dancing, and believes strongly in continued learning and development both as an individual dancer and in the dance community at large.
As a performer and choreographer, her Salsa Addicts Ladies Team has been performing for the South African Salsa community for 5 years, and she has been a member of popular Afro-Latin entertainment group Candela Jozi since 2016.
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PERFORMERS
Imara
Imara - South Africa/Tanzania
Imara is a salsa team with Afro and urban influences.
Imara is Swahili for strong/grounded – which is fitting as they aspire for strong technique, with style grounded in their African heritage. The team was founded by Maria Mvungi in 2018 after she embarked on a solo dance journey. Missing a team and wanting to share her love for dance, she started a performance course. The course participants quickly bonded and wanted to carry on with the synergy of the group – hence Imara was born. Although a young group, Imara is known for their unique and fresh take on choreography. Imara has since performed at various venues and socials in Cape Town, as well as the Johannesburg Afro-Latin festival in 2019.
We look forward to having Imara grace us with their presence.
DJ Niko A.K.A "The General"
DJ
Currently based in Athens, Greece, "The General" needs no introduction to Cape Town Salseros and was a regular fixture in Cape Town’s Salsa scene for over 15 years. He was one of the first deejays to play Salsa in the Mother City and is the maestro of all things tropical including Cumbia, Merengue, Boogaloo, Latin Jazz, Bachata and Reggaeton. His first love however and genre of specialty is SALSA!! Salsa music and dance were introduced to Cape Town at the legendary “Bossa Nova” nightclub. Niko soon followed with the first ever ongoing Salsa Sun-downers event in Cape Town in 2003 at the Riviera restaurant in Camps Bay. This event evolved into Sunday Salsa Fuego at Buena Vista Social Cafe which ran for more than 12 years which turned the venue and DJ Niko into a Cape Town Salsa institution. We look forward to having this Cape Town legend back with us for the Mother City Dance Festival.
DJ Taliep
DJ
Our first DJ that we would like to present needs no introduction to the Salseros and Cape Town!
Taliep has been around the Latin scene in the Mother City since its inception and has mentored and inspired SA's top Latin DJs. In his own words: "I stumbled across the Mambo purely by accident when I was living in New York in 2000 and my girlfriend nagged me to go to a Salsa lesson with her. I realised then that I’m not much of a Salsa dancer but I had a big thing for the (music) that is Mambo. When I returned to Cape Town in 2002 I literally fell into Dj’ng when a Latin club, Bossa Nova, opened in Greenpoint. The Latin beat slowly morphed into a Mambo beat and before you know it I was playing a full Salsa set. I was later joined at Bossa Nova by my esteemed creative partner and friend Dj Nikos,which was the beginning of a collaboration that flourished for over a decade. The two of us started the Sunday night Salsa at Buena Vista in Greenpoint and it quickly became the premier weekly Salsa event. Other engagements ensued at various other venues but for me the heyday of the social Salsa music scene will always be Buena Vista Greenpoint."
Marzanne Le Roux
& Vuelta Crew
DANCERS
Marzanne Le Roux & Vuelta Crew - Cape Town, SA
Marzanne is no stranger to the Afro-Latin dance community of Cape Town and she says "Vuelta Crew is honoured to be taking part in the first annual Mother City Dance Festival".
Founded by Marzanne le Roux in 2009, Vuelta crew has since been crowned SA champs 7 times and has achieved many outstanding results representing South Africa Internationally. Marzanne started her dance school in Cape Town (South Africa) at the age of 21 and has since achieved many successes but none more prestigious than being crowned the Hip Hop World champ in 2008. Marzanne le Roux will be entertaining us at this years Festival with an introduction class to Hip hop. We are very excited to have her joining us!