MTV Unplugged

On March 6th, Julieta Venegas recorded her MTV Unplugged at the Churubusco Studies in Mexico City, where she presented new songs besides interpreting some of her greatest hits in an intimate atmosphere to a live audience.

This production counts on important and interesting collaborations like two time Oscar winner, Gustavo Santaolalla, who accompanied her with the banjo and sang the chorus of the song "Algun Dia (Someday)". Brazilian singer, Marisa Monte featured in song "Illusion", a new and beautiful song that combines the Spanish and Portuguese language.

Also Mala Rodriguez joined Julieta and included a strong hip hop movement to the song "Eres Para Mi (You are for Me)", whereas the vocalist of Porter, Juan Carlos had a unique participation in "Algun Dia (Someday)".

In addition, the very talented Natalia Lafourcade comprised of the orchestra and played several instruments during the night, whereas the talented musician and composer, Jacques Morelenbaum accompanied Julieta on the cello in "De mis Pasos (From my foot steps)".
Customer Review: La re-invencion musical de Julieta Venegas - una joya musical
Este no es cualquier acustico. La multi-talentosa Julieta Venegas aprovechó esta oportunidad para crear una propuesta musical nueva, re-inventando sus canciones, llenándolas de nuevos sonidos a través de excelentes y novedosos arreglos. Ademas, selecionó muy bien sus invitados, basandose en su calidad artistica y no en el nivel de fama de estos. Fue un verdadero "dream team". Para comenzar, tiene entre sus musicos a la tambien talentosisima y multi-instrumentista Natalia Lafourcade. En "eres para mi" invito a la hip-hoper espanola La Mala Rodriguez, (hermosa y sexy por demas!)haciendo gala de su destreza y fuerza en el escenario. Otra agradable sorpresa fue Juan Son. Les confieso que no sabia quien era, pero que voz mas impresionante! Ademas, le tocó cantar una de las mejores canciones de Julieta - "de mis pasos" de su primer disco -. Como si fuera poco, tuvo de invitada a Marisa Monte, para muchos la mejor cantante de su generacion de la musica brasileira. Con su habitual seguridad y elegancia la "tribalsta" se lució como siempre con su increible voz y modo de interpretar. Luego subio a la tarima su antiguo productor, el Rey Midas del Rock en español y ganador de dos Oscares, Gustavo Santaolalla,.Para cerrar con broche de oro, la acompañó en la co-dirección y co-producción Jaques Morelenbaum; ¿quieren una referencia? este violonchelista es el director musical de Caetano Veloso. En síntesis, Una produccion impecable, que la disfruten...

Two of my favourite Ballroom Dances would be The Jive and The Samba.

The Samba is a composition of several different South American dances that were practiced by slaves bought into Portugal in the 16th century, like the Catarete, Embolada and the Batuque. These dances were considered vulgar by the Europeans and one of the dances, the Batuque was so popular that it was outlawed. The Batuque was danced in a circle with steps resembling those of a Charleston with a solo dancer in the center of the circle.

Eventually, carnival steps were added and the dance was modified to use the closed ballroom position and considered a proper dance by the Europeans.

The Samba appears to be a combination of all these dances (and probably others) and is danced to a heavy hitting rhythm and its main moves are walking and side steps and incorporates a lot of hip action. For this reason, it is thought that The Samba a perfect party dance.

In the Samba, Ballroom Dancing Judges look for accuracy and passion in the Volta (crossing in front of the body), the Samba Roll (moving the upper body in a circular motion while going through a six step turn) and the Botafogo (traveling walk that includes a direction change). Judges always look for outstretched arms and the distinctive climax of the Samba where the dancers throw their heads back and their arms are splayed out to the side.

The fastest of the Latin Dances, The Jive is believed to have originated in New York's Harlem area although some believe it originates in the southeast United States.

The Jive is a face paced, rhythmical dance which has been influenced by other styles including Boogie, Rock, African American Swing and the Lindyhop. The Jive is also known as the Cake Walk, because in the late 1800's the Negroes in the south held competitions where the prize for the best Jive was a cake.

Although dancers appear to have their legs and feet flying everywhere when performing The Jive, they're feet are directly under the body with the knees always close together. The woman is twirled a lot and there are a lot of kicks.

The Jive is generally performed to music known as Ragtime. The reason the music is called Ragtime may be because the dancers dressed up in their finest clothes ("rags") or because the syncopation of the music giving it a ragged feel.

Both the Jive and The Samba are wonderful dancers that are a joy to watch.

About the Author

Charly Leetham has an abiding interest in Ballroom Dancing with both of her children undertaking Ballroom Dancing classes and performing exceptionally well.

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