Although we were not able to talk to all of
the instructors and performers, we did get a chance to meet
up with "GoGo" Earl Rush and Omar Clinton to learn
a little bit more about them and their involvement in the
salsa scene.
"Go Go" Earl Rush,
...who got his name when he was a teenager dancing to
Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers, was born and raised
in Washington, DC.
Some of you might also know Earl as "Stuck
On Salsa", one DC's biggest promoters for
salsa events in the area.
With a background of dancing in jazz, tap, ballet
and hip-hop, Go Go Earl decided one day to do
something different and get himself out of the
"clubs" with the youngsters and do something more rewarding.
He signed up for free salsa lessons with Ricardo
Loaiza and hasn't looked back since.
Even though he has never done an actual performance
for an event, he said he would definitely consider it
if asked. But his most memorable event where he was on
stage would go back to the Stuck on Salsa All Star
Salsa Cruise. Image a private beach party with all
your friends and salsa family and introducing Grammy
Award winning Spanish
Harlem Orchestar!!! "I actually went
backstage and cried afterwards it was so
overwhelming" says Earl.
Go Go Earl's Words of Wisdom to new dancers...
- "Take salsa lessons... but go home and
practice what you've learned as well afterwards"
- "Don't be intimidated by other dancers,
there is always gonna someone better"
- "Have fun, don't worry about making
mistakes"
Author: A. Gaskin
Omar Clinton
Born in
Goldsboro
,
North Carolina
and his father in the Air force, growing up as a
military brat Omar was able to go from the East Coast
to West Coast in
Utah
and even to the lands of Europe in beautiful
Italy
. Upon returning to
North Carolina
, Omar extended his education by
attending the
University
of
North Carolina
majoring in Communication and a minor in Exercise
Physiology.
Now a personal trainer with
Triangle Personal Training in
Durham
,
North Carolina
Omar extends his education and experience of working
with the body to his dancing through body isolation
and flowing movement.
Omar has dance On2 salsa now for
about 6 years, initially learning under Betto Herrea
of Mambo
Dinamico and the Copa
Brothers and has been teaching now workshops on
dance skills and body movement for about a year. More
information about his upcoming workshop in April 2008
can be found at www.danceskill.com.
When recalling his most memorable
salsa event, Omar’s big bright smile gleamed in the
sunlight as he told us about his first visit with a
friend to the 2007 New York Salsa Congress
performances and how unforgettable they were. If only
we were all so lucky to of experienced it…
Words of Wisdom from Omar Clinton
to Dancers…
“Become comfortable with rhythm
and learn to move and control every joint in your
body.”
Copyright 2007-2008 SevenCitiesSalsa.com. All rights reserved.
Seven Cities Salsa, Inc., its editors
and members are not affiliated with any DJs, dance studios, night clubs or any other
organizations.
