How, why and when did you get into salsa?
In 1989 I came back from a year researching dance in Brazil, and I had had the time of my life. After being in such a warm, and ‘carinhoso’ culture I felt something was missing, and wanted to re-create some of the fire of Brazil in London! I managed to persuade Rene Lee, to organise a huge Brazilian Festival with myself and one of Brazils’ top dancers, Dongo Montiero. It was a huge success and I was immediately back in Heaven.
We then got together with Ze Indio and opened a club together called ‘Club Brazil ‘on Holloway Road. It was the first club in London to teach Salsa and Lambada. It was a very exciting time!
Who first taught you to dance salsa?
It was Rene’s idea to ask Daniella Robinson and Nelson Batista to teach Salsa in our club. I was taught by Nelson and soon became addicted to Salsa and eventually assisted him in class.
Did you have any dance training prior to salsa?
From 3 years of age, I studied Ballet, Tap and Modern Dance. I took a degree in Dance and Post Graduate in movement analysis at the Laban Centre. All my studies of Dance were nothing compared to my year in Brazil on the Lisa Ullman Dance scholarship analysing Latin dance, and subsequent training in Body-Mind Centering and Hellerwork.
Learning how to move from within my body has been the key for me.
Tell me a little about Key2Cuba. When, why and how did you set it up?
WHEN - By 2002 I had led 20 trips to Cuba and had fallen in love with the way Cuba made me feel, especially on the dance floor. The atmosphere was electric in the clubs as the live music took me and my clients to another level. As a Hellerwork practitioner I was also able to continue my research into why Latin dancers have more fluidity and grace on the dance floor. Each trip opened new doors - the Rumba, Son, Santaria, and Afro–Cuban Dance. I realised that Cuba was going to always be a big part of my life and there was always going to be more to learn.
WHY - At the time, I felt restricted by the travel companies that I had been working with. I wanted to create holidays that went deeper into the culture and were far more experiential and off the tourist track. What was really important to me, was to create a structure that could deliver the dance tuition to a very high level and an itinerary that could be flexible enough to go with the flow; Cuba changes by the minute!
HOW - I had forged close relationships with my Dance teachers, Ildoylidia Ramos, Orlando Gonzalez, Papito, Harold Williams, the infamous orchestra, Los Van Van and the artist Salvador Gonzalez and his wife Marisa. They all encouraged me to follow my dreams and go for it. So in 2002, I opened Key2Cuba.
It was fantastic to have full control and choice aspect of the holidays. I choose my favourite hotels, I was able to work with the top Dance company “Raices Profundas” and the holidays began to sell so well, I began spending five months of each year in Cuba. The key player in all of this was Angela Johnson, who had the managerial and administrative skills to make it all happen. She is a great production manager, and in my biased opinion, along with Javier, the best Cuban DJ in town.
Rohan Brown has also helped me spread the word and it has been magic to have him with us on so many trips! We are now a big family, and still going strong.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Anyone, or anything that touches my heart or spirit.
Who do you admire?
Those who create and take risks!
Anyone who makes a difference to others!
In the Salsa world, I am totally in awe of Juan De Dios, the head of Raices Profundas, who safe guards the original techniques and style of all the Afro-Cuban dances in Cuba. He is over 60 and dances like a 19 year old.
Here in the U.K. I love and respect:-
Rohan Brown, who is a consumat professional and brings a heart of gold to his work!
Cressida Childs, who has brought the most fun and Salsa to the U.K. through the SEXY instituition - Pontins!
Miguel Valentino , from Cuba U.K. and Havana Nights, who really understands Cuba from within, is a stand for Cuban style and for total quality in everything he does. Working with him on our Cuban Congress in the castle in Wales is so exciting!
Paul Young, who has put the U.K. on the map, as a leading contender in the world of Salsa.
Juan Carlos Pacheco- the ultimate Cuban dance professional, meticulous in his craft.
What’s your favourite track at the moment?
Haila - Quien Fuen?
What are your all time favourite tracks?
Los Van Van - Te pone la cabeza mala, Yes, Depues
de Todo and Agua
Marc Anthony - No Me Ames
Bamboleo - Ya no Hace Falta - the Latin ‘I will survive song’
What are your favourite albums?
Chapeando - Los Van Van
Chisme - Bamboleo
Noche de la Rumba - Clave Gua Guanco
Haila - Differente
Canciones Ineditas - Chucho Valdes
Song Bird - Eva Cassidy
What was the last CD you bought?
The best of the Cuban music awards 2006- Havana Masters.
What music is in your car/cd player/tape player at the moment?
Angela de Cuba’s compilation of the latest Cuban Salsa and Reggaeton,
‘Rompe’, ‘Gasolina’, and ‘Yunay, como te gustan los yumas.’
Who are your favourite artists?
Bamboleo, Los Van Van and Carlos Manuel.
If you were not a successful Promoter/Teacher/DJ, what would you be doing instead? Or if you also have a full-time job, what do you do?
I teach Communication and Body Language in the corporate world and have a Hellerwork practice in London and Hamburg. Right now however, I’m enjoying my new son Harrison who is 13 weeks old, and who has already been to his first Salsa Congress.
Tell me something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I have a passion for ‘Watsu’. It is the most orgasmic form of movement, massage and dance underwater. You feel like a fish, totally free of gravity as you twist and turn in a trance, like you are in another world. It is an incredible way get into the core of your body and feel alive!......a bit like Cuban Salsa after lots of Havana Club!
I also got squeezed by Antonio Banderas, but that’s another story!
What’s your all time favourite salsa club/event that you have played/taught/danced?
I was invited by Bent Michaelsen to a Cuban weekend in Stravanger in Norway. I travelled with Osbanis, Katrin Voss and her band La Mecanica. We were like one huge family. I loved teaching the classes, had a great rumba performance with Os, and partied late into the night. It was like being in Cuba only we were covered in snow.
What has been your most memorable moment?
In Cuba: dancing in a small Son club in Cuba with no roof, a live band playing, my group dancing with all the locals and being so happy I though my heart would burst!
In the U.K.: Presenting the winners of the Cuban Dance Awards at our Congress in the Castle last November as voted for by the public. It was great to celebrate and acknowledge all the talent here in the U.K. and party afterwards with the clan, in a dance space that resembled a Robin Hood movie.
Have you had any embarrassing/nightmare-ish moments in salsa?
I once got booked at the last minute to perform stage and TV with Roberto Pla and his orchestra in a Cathedral. The dance partner they had arranged for me perform with refused to practice with me and told the head of the dance troupe he was a world class professional, and didn’t need to rehearse. When I got on stage I realised he couldn’t dance a step of Salsa, although he looked fantastic in his white suit! I had to improvise real hard!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Writing this has made me realise how much being involved in Salsa has brought so many wonderful people and experiences into my life.
I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me in any way, and all those who work hard, and play hard in Salsa to keep us all moving with a smile on our face!
Kerry Ribchester
Contact;
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Tel. 07767 313 168
For workshops, holidays in Cuba and the Congress in the Castle visit www.key2cuba.com
See Kerry performing ‘Son’ on You Tube with Juan Carlos.
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