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LIZ PARSONS from Sweet Azucar! Latin Dance has brought laughter and great workshops to Salsa Tumbao for 5 years now!
This year she is back to bring us a fabulous Cha Cha Cha Workshop - so we can add more sass and style to our moves.
I chatted to Liz about Italian coffee and her passion for all things dance.
First and foremost, how do you take your coffee?
"I'm fresh back from Italy, so I like my coffee lots of different ways! If she's a hot day, then I love a Shakerato (best served in a cocktail glass, although no alcohol content), or a Caffe Crema (kind of like slightly runny coffee ice cream).
Anything cold and icy is my pal. For a hot version? Serve me up an Americano with a little pouring cream or milk, Or a Piccolo coffee. Short and mighty. Just like me! And don't forget the Affogato. Yum! I've never tasted a cappuccino better than the ones served in my little Italian town of Amantea, by the way. The challenge has been set!!"
Liz created Sweet Azucar! Latin dance in 2012. She created a dance company that includes the best characteristics of all the studios she'd danced in . She then added her own unique flavour which means Sweet Azucar is inclusive; professional; fun; technical; creative; and supportive.
Truly a dance studio where passion meets inclusivity.
Cubans speak of sabor (flavour) when they talk about dancing. When and how did you find your own personal style in dance?
"I've danced many genres for years now, so not sure about the 'when' for Latin Dancing. What I do know, is that watching certain women dance brought me to my knees, and it was then that I realised that it was ok to move the way that I liked to move and that it was definately ok to evoke emotion and tell the stories.
Special mentions to Australia's Ellicia McDonald, Serena Cuevas of the USA and in my first couple of years, Gabi Equiz of Mexico."
A multi-award winning international instructor, performer and competitor, Liz has a real heart for dance and everyone in it. And with 26 years as a radio/tv broadcaster, she clearly has entertainment in her blood!
Describe a move that you love / that is part of your typical style?
"Always with the eyes! The eyes tell you where to look.... 'Oh, look where I'm pointing. My arms are doing cute things. Oh. see my hips, they're being minxy'"
Liz multi-tasks as director, head instructor, content creator, choreographer and often the costume designer at Sweet Azucar. She has a soft spot for working with women to find their love of themselves and their bodies again.
With Liz, it's safe, correct technique and entertainment EVERY TIME.
Liz works closely with her mentor in the USA Serena Cuevas, travelling there most years to further her knowledge and skills.
What elements of dance add flavour / style to Cuban dance?
In my opinion, well actually, lots of things do, but here's a couple:
Honest body movement that YOU are comfortable doing.
Also, eye contact. Let's be clear, not a stare down! But eye contact, either towards your dance partner or the crowd if performing/competing.
My biggest tip here is to differentiate between what's required when dancing socially and when performing. Socially? Stay present. No need to perform. Quit it!!!
(That's for the guys and gals who keep checking themselves out in the mirrors when they're social dancing. Eyes back to your partner!)
Liz Parsons and the Sweet Azucar! Latin Dance team teach on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Edmonton Primary School, Te Atatu.
Find them on Facebook and Instagram
Or their Website is www.sweetazucar.co.nz
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