Lawrence Garcia is featured in this edition of Dance Spotlight! He is an influential dance instructor and performer based in Phoenix and he serves as Director of Con Clave Dance! Lawrence was nominated by Ed “Bachadicto/DJ Fnf” Huerta. Ed said, “He is my business partner and the one who created DJ Fnf. He asked me to DJ at one of his socials and the rest is history. He has invested many years in Phoenix teaching and developing the Salsa community. He is a consummate student of the genre and avid proponent for growth and training. We need to hear what he has to say.” Check out some fun and interesting facts about Lawrence including a recent dance moment that made him feel proud and why it’s important to not limit ourselves in dance.
What (or who) originally inspired you to try Latin dancing? OR What are your first memories of latin dancing?
I started later in life. It wasn’t something I grew with unfortunately. I was inspired after I saw local Salseros doing their thing in a Latin night club here in Phoenix. I remember thinking there was just so much style and smoothness too it. It was love at first sight.
Describe a moment in your dance life that made you feel proud?
Too many to count. While I’ve enjoyed many personal moments of satisfaction. My proudest moments are seeing my students accomplish milestones in their own dancing.
Recently, I was proud of my team perform a rather difficult choreography at the Phoenix Salsa Bachata Congress. A lot of them have never performed at that level of difficulty and they did outstanding. You never know what you can do if you don’t go after it!
What makes a social dance fun for you?
A fun social dance, for me, includes several aspects:
a.) Good technical connection
b.) A good song choice
c.) A partner who knows the music and the genre(s)
You recently shared a post on Facebook discussing dance and commitment. Why do you think commitment is important in dance?
Commitment is vital because dancing requires great technical skill. Technical skill requires years of training. If we aren’t committed to the process then often we will lack the discipline necessary to stay with it through the ups and downs of life.
I can also tell from your Facebook posts that you read a lot of books and articles on dance. Are there any particular books or articles that you’d recommend for dancers? If so, which ones and why?
For the Salsa dancer I cannot recommend Ned Sublette’s “Cuba and It’s Music” enough. It’s a very exhaustive account of Salsa music and it’s African roots. Necessary reading in my opinion.
Why is it important to be a ‘dancer’ first and not a ‘Salsero’, ‘Bachatero’, ‘Kizombero’ etc?
It’s human nature to categorize ourselves for identifying reasons, so I sympathize with labels. However, as dancers if we limit ourselves to one style or genre we run the risk of not maximizing our personal fulfillment and enjoyment. We must always be on guard against a closed mind.
What are your current favorite songs to dance to? Top two or three…
That’s tough…
1. Johnny Ventura’s “Dilema”
2. Alexander Abreu’s “Que Sopresa”
3. Alain Perez’s “Cuentale A La Luna”
Favorite dance video you’d like to share?
Man, anything with Terry “Salsalianza” Tauliaut. That dancer is in a league of his very own. An absolute alien!