I don't really know him, and them, personally but I get the impression that Juan Ruiz and his Los Bachateros down in Australia are doing some serious kick-ass advancement for the bachata cause. On this page you'll see that they've got a workshop coming up that's going to be teaching not one.....but two different styles of bachata.
It sounds like something I'd really enjoy but, of course, I can't make it.
Juan Ruiz is known for his 'bachata moderna' style of bachata but the 'bachata dominicana' teacher will be Airagdin Pavon More, AKA: "El Moro", who has his own dance company in Australia, is teaching the 'bachata dominicana'.
I've seen Troy and Jorjet doing that style of bachata and it does look like fun.
Yeah......no doubt, bachata is really proving to be a very diverse style and one which lots of dancers have been very receptive too. I don't think there's any doubt that the recent growth of the popularity of bachata in the last couple of years is due primarily to one guy, Jorge Elizando from Texas.
I remember when Jorge had to beg promoters to let him teach. All he wanted to do was have a chance and he gave the promoters a totally 'no risk' guarantee regarding the money, etc. I won't go into that but suffice it to say that he doesn't have any problems getting bookings now.
The only other big proponet of bachata that I know of in the US is Rodney Aquino. I think Rodney was heavy into bachata too but I don't believe he went out on a limb financially to promote it like Jorge did and I don't think he was travelling worldwide like Jorge did.
Jorge quit his 'day job' after just his first year in bachata. I remember when he'd sleep on my couch when he came to Houston to do some of his first workshops that I helped him promote. Now of course, he travels worldwide and, rumour has it, is even found a nice young lady who's fixing to be his partner for life (if you know what I mean).
But that's not to say that any one of these guys is better than the other. Actually it all goes to prove what I always thought....i.e. that there was room in the market for another dance. Everybody was all wrapped up and focused on salsa because that's 99% of what was being promoted and taught. But these guys, Juan, Jorge and Rodney have created and grown a whole new dance culture and one that I think offers a lot more to more people than salsa does.
For what it's worth, I think we're going to see something similar with both kizomba and rueda. Notice I didn't limit it to 'casino rueda'? But I won't go into that now.
Anyway........this workshop in Australia looks like it'll be a good one. Make it if you can.
