Welcome to my homepage. This English page is not updated often; only the Japanese page is updated regulalry with specific event information.

However, general event information in English can be found by clicking on "more info" on the right side of this page, under the corresponding event.

If you would like more specific information, please email me.

CONTINUES

Everything continues as before, except that I won't be DJing at Salsa House in October (there will still be a party -- but with another DJ). As for the following month I will be in Kobe on 22 November! More info to come on that.

1st Saturday: Shine (Shinsaibashi) INFO
2nd Saturday: Tokyo Shine (Akasaka) INFO
3rd Satruday: Salsa Paradise (Umeda) *Except October*
Every Thursday: Salsa Sol (Nagahoirbashi) INFO
2nd & 4th Thursday: Wakana's workshop (salsa on2 or Pachanga) INFO

SAVE THE CHILDREN JAPAN FUNDRAISER 17 JULY 2008 NEW

Coming up is Salsa Forte, on 27 July. As you may know, Carlos is no longer available to join us. Frankly, it is difficult to have a successful party without him, and due to my own schedule which has become very busy, I have decided to temporarily halt SALSA FORTE. Therefore, the 27 July event will be the last one for the near future.

Having Carlos as a guest instructor was always a special feature at SALSA FORTE. I would like to make this last SALSA FORTE a special event for everyone by inviting you to come for free. As a token of thanks for your support, there will be no cover charge! Naturally, there will be free soft drinks and snacks as usual, and beer for 300 yen.

I will make SALSA FORTE special in one more way. In partnership with Save the Children Japan, I would like customers to consider donating to this NGO, which has various projects around the world aimed at making a better future for children. At SALSA FORTE there will be brochures detailing the efforts of Save the Children Japan, as well as a donation box. Since there will be no entrance charge, I hope you can make a small donation for a worthy cause. One hundred percent of your donations will go towards a worthwhile project run by Save the Children Japan.

flier download

I hope you can come for this last event at Studio forte in Nishinakajima Minamikata. Remember, it is free! I look forward to seeing you there. Thanks for your support!

> Access & Event Info
 

LONG WEEKEND AT SALSA HOUSE 15 JULY 2008

This weekend at Salsa House, I will be deejaying on both Saturday and Sunday. First on Saturday is my regular gig with lessons by Kanae. On Sunday there will be a special event since Monday is a holiday. I will be spinning together with DJ Ajad. It should be lots of fun. See you there!

JULY TOKYO SHINE 15 JULY 2008

I had another fun time at Tokyo Shine. Many thanks to all the people who came. Tokyo Shine continues in August but please note the date has been changed to the 4th Saturday, which is 23 August. This will only be for August. In September, the party will be on 13 September.

I look forward to seeing you at Sam & Dave Akasaka again on 23 August!

> Event info

AUGUST OSAKA SHINE 15 JULY 2008

Osaka Shine continues next month at Std! There are some small details I am still working out, but it is good news that Shine can continue there! Stay tuned for more information.

Salsa Forte: No Carlos 29 JUNE 2008

I haven't been able to update my HP for a little while due to some technical problems. Sorry if you have been waiting for updates.

This Sunday is Salsa Forte in Nishi nakajima Minami Kata. Unfortunately, Carlos is no longer available. So there won't be any workshop. The party goes from 5pm to 9pm with free snacks and soft drinks. Last month was a lot of fun and I hope you can make it this Sunday too!

OSAKA SHINE: 5 July! 29 JUNE 2008

download flier

Shine is coming up! It's next Saturday on 5 July, at STD in Nishi-Shinsaibashi. STD is a huge, interesting bookstore with a very spacious cafe. Shine will be using the cafe area; it might seem like a strange idea, but I think it will work very well. There is a lot of seating; and beer, cocktails and soft drinks will be served. (There is also some delicious ale from Nagano!)

There is a wooden floor and the ceiling is high. It will be a non-smoking party. It opens at 9:00pm and closes at 4:00am. I think it will be fun. The cover is only 2000 yen (incl. 1 drink). I hope you can join me there for a long night of salsa fun!

> More info on the OSAKA SHINE page

June Tokyo Shine

Tokyo Shine on 14 June was a huge success with 200 customers. Thanks to everyone who came; it was a lot of fun. I look forward to the next one, on 12 July. The bartender is very talented with his fire juggling, isn't he? If you missed it, check out the video on youtube:

> Tokyo Shine @Sam & Dave Akasaka (v2) video

> TOKYO SHINE

Osaka Shine! 3 JUNE 2008

I am pleased to announce there will be an Osaka SHINE event in July. I appreciate everyone's patience and support for the re-opening of SHINE.

Stay tuned for more info!

NEW SHINE PAGE 2 JUNE 2008 UPDATED

I have made a new page for the Tokyo Shine event. There is also Japanese Tokyo Shine page.

UPDATE: TOKYO SHINE FLYER!
> Download it here! (.pdf file: 340kb)
(Japaese version)

SAM & DAVE 5 CLOSED FOR RENOVATION 12 May 2008

Please note that since Sam & Dave 5 is closed for renovation this week (15 May) ther will be now Salsa Sol party. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Sam & Dave 5 will re-open next week week (22 May) with improved speakers and a new look and, of course, a salsa workshop by Wakana who will have just arrived back from New York! Don't miss it!

Thanks for Tokyo Shine 14 May 2008 NEW

The first Tokyo Shine at Sam & Dave Akasaka was a success! Thanks to everyone who came! I had a fantastic time and it was fun working with the Sam & Dave Staff, who were juggling bottles and blowing fire! It looks like the club was happy with the event, so I think I can continue there on a regular basis. I will confirm that once I know for sure. Stay tuned for the next SHINE in Tokyo!

If you missed it you can see what it was like by checking out the TOKYO SHINE video!

Again, thanks for supporting Tokyo Shine.

TOKYO SHINE 26 APR 2008

I will be having a special salsa event at Tokyo Sam & Dave (Akasaka) next month, 10 May (Sat). Nothing special (no lesson or show), just me spinning all night long!

Sam & Dave Akasaka is a place to SIT, TALK & DANCE (Osaka style)! Come and enjoy it with me...

Downoad flyer

UPDATE: FLYER!
> Download the flyer here! (.pdf file: 340kb)
(Japaese version)

10 May (Sat)
Open: 9:00pm - 5:00am (MAMBO ALL NIGHT LONG!)
Cover: 2000 yen (incl 1 drink)

More info to come.
> Sam & Dave Akasaka HP (Access info)
 

TRIP OF LOVE 11 April 2008

I saw a Trip of Love recently. It is a dance musical inspired by hit songs of the 1960s, showing only in Osaka. The songs were great, as were the costumes and dancing. I had lots of fun watching it. There was a part with "Girl from Ipanema" but it would have been really nice if there was at least one more latin song, like an early 60's salsa or boogaloo. Anyway, it was great. Have a look at the Trip of Love homepage if you are interested.

Coming up 25 Feb 2008

This Thursday (28 Feb) is Wakana's Cha Cha workshop at "Salsa Sol" Sam & Dave Nagaghoribashi! More info here...

And this Sunday is SHINE, finally! It should be a great event!

Please note that the last chance to buy SHINE advance tickets will be at Thursday's Salsa Sol. Advance tickets are 2500 yen.

Wakana workshop 7:30 start 8 Feb 2008

Coming next week: Valentine Salsa (Sam & Dave Nagahoribashi)

I am pleased to announce that the workshop by Wakana will be extended by 30 minutes! There will be a special beginner's level class from 7:30 to 8:00. It costs only 1500 yen (and includes 1 drink and the party from 9:30 to late). From 8:00 to 9:30 is an intermediate level class, and the price remains unchanged at 3000 yen (includes 1 drink and party from 9:30 to late). Persons taking the intermediate class can also take the beginner's class for free! So come early!

Valentine's Salsa Sol at Sam & Dave 5
salsa workshop by Wakana from Tokyo

7:15 Open
7:30-8:00 Beginner's lesson on2*
8:00-9:30 Intermediate lesson on 2 (shine & pairwork)*
9:30-1:00 Dance party

3000 yen (workshop+party+1drink)
1500 yen (beg. lesson+party+1drink)

*Free Valentines Salsa Sol CD for every person who takes the workshop!

Wakana is a very talented instructor that I invite to Sam & Dave every 2nd and 4th Thursday. I encourage you take her wonderful lesson!

>More info here

See you at Sam & Dave!

SHINE! 2 Feb 2008 New

I am happy to announce a special SHINE event on Sunday March 2.

Unfortunately I have not been able to find a suitable venue for a Saturday event, but I have tried and tried to no avail. That is why I finally decided to do it on a Sunday. Still, I think it will be a wonderful party. The venue is beautiful and spacious. My special guest will be Carlos, who will teach a one-hour lesson of a pairwork routine made especially for SHINE. Also, Miwa and Kana will give a performance!

I am asking for your kind support of SHINE, even if Sunday is a little inconvenient. Please come and dress up for the occasion -- I am sure you will have a great time. I look forward to seeing you there!

For more information check the SHINE page.