Boogalu DVDs in Iraq

SSG Luis Cruz AKA Salseronegro, Pablo Racheal, Noah, Barranco, Lugo, Cruzito, Leon, Odunator. Known as the Ramadi Rumbero's OEF class of Aug 2005.
My unit, the United States Army 2nd Infantry Division 2-17 Field Artillery Battalion out of Camp Hovey, Korea 20 miles from the DMZ (demilitarized zone-North Korea) was sent to Ramadi a province in the western part of Iraq known as the Sunni Triangle.

It was not easy for us but we hung in there. I then felt like I could build morale by teaching salsa. To make a long story short salsa started and the lessons grew and before you knew it Army, Marines, Air-Force, Navy, civilians and Iraqi nationals were in my class dancing when we could in between the sad and fearful times.

Your Boogalu videos that I had with me were enjoyed by so many people. It would take us away to a place of comfort and happiness. All we talked about was going home and showing what we had learned during our war time in Iraq. In closing I would like to say thanks for your wonderful dance DVD's they helped us get through some tough times.

Tibor K. - Croatia
I am a great fan of your work and I must say that your videos are definitely the best when it comes to bringing Cuba and Cuban culture closer to the world. You have helped me very much in my effort to learn how to dance Cuban dances in an authentic way.

E.C. - New York
I'm really looking forward to the new DVD. I already own "Mueve La Cintura" and "Casino Cubano", and I can't tell you what they've done for my salsa dancing. These DVDs, demonstrating the old Cuban dances, danzon, son, mambo, cha cha cha and rumba, have started a renaissance in my and my wife's salsa dancing. So much so that we've been turning heads at the clubs in New York where we dance (LQ, Copacabana and the Westgate Lounge). These wonderful DVDs are helping to keep Cuban music and dance alive and exposing it to a whole new generation.

Meghan J. - Australia
I have been searching the net for a while looking for real cuban salsa instructional dvd's or videos and didn't find anything that seemed like the genuine thing, until I stumbled across Boogalu. I've been doing latin american dancing for a few years now and everything I come across seems to be LA, New York or ballroom latin, and although they still look ok for what they are, they are nothing in comparison to the rhythm, movement and atmosphere of cuban dance. After watching your dvd's, I've been re-inspired. Thank you !

Nicholas - England
I have just received the dance DVD's; Casino Cubano & Mueve La Cintura and am very satisfied. I already have Rueda De Buen Ache, Rueda Fresca & Salsa Suelta DVD's from Boogalu and a number of other Casino dance DVD's from other sources. I dance Casino regularly and have visited Cuba on a number of occasions and find the DVD's a very useful dance aid for both personal use and instruction and hope that more Casino instructional DVD's will follow from Boogalu, perhaps including advanced partner combinations.

I feel that Cuban Salsa (casino) is becoming an increasingly popular style of Salsa once more in the UK and Ireland, and hope that its popularity continues to increase, hopefully with the help of productions such as Boogalu providing inspiration for both dancers and non dancers alike. Keep up the good work.

MC - Spain
Well, yes, in my town there are many people who love Cuban style salsa. We are a group who love to dance, and we don't like the other styles like L. A. I think that this (casino) is the real style....el auténtico!! And I want to find always ways for to learn more...I'm so glad that I could find your website.

JCG - Cubano Americano, Florida, USA
Hi Boogalu!, yesterday you kept us attached to the screen. First I started to watch "Tremendo Vacilon " alone in my bedroom. As I started to play your DVD I couldn't get away from it for a while. After a half hour or so, I realized that my parents and my brother have to see it as well, so I went to the living room and played it there for all. The results amazed me. My dad and my mom had a real joy watching your work... you made our day.

But not only that, I felt respect for your approach and compassion and high validation also for our culture. For us it was like rediscovering the unofficial Cuban cultural life. The real joy of the nonprofessionals playing guaguanco in that narrow "pasillo", the dancing couple in Santiago (where she wears yellow) is the climax in the dance section. The images you got of them are strong ones. I could see "mi gente" again.

I'm really glad that you are having results from your effort, and glad also of the respectful way in which you manage to portrait our life, our people. It speaks well of you as a person, and speaks well also of your goal as an artist. Looking at the early batting practice: grand dad- grand son, that you shot, remainds me of the importance in the simples pleasures of life. There is so much that can be spoken about it, but no matter how much you do, the message in your footage, in your perspective, it speaks all by itself.

A. G. - USA
I enjoyed the salsa DVD with so many different steps (thank goodness) done as a line dance. Authentic, for sure! Many instructional videos have too many reps and too few steps. If I want more advanced stuff, I have to buy more. Your DVD has it all.

P.W. - USA
Thanks for the DVDs. I have enjoyed them tremendously. I can see why you are so stoked with the work you are doing. You capture the music and dance beautifully but what comes through with amazing power is the presence of the people: such character in their faces. I think of the old singer on the Rumba DVD, the one with the almost mask-like face, thin, sculpted. I think of the water barrel magician on the carnaval DVD. I think, of course, of the vibrancy of the many beautiful women, the delight in their faces. Wonderful.