Kizom-what?- An interview with Eddy Vents- Part 1

Kizomba. What is it, and why are more people talking about it?  The word itself seems to stir up a whole range of reactions from those who have never danced it.  Some of my favorites are:

“Oh, is it related to Zumba?” 

“You’re referring to that NEW dance, right?” 

“Yeah, I think I’ve seen it and it reminds me of high school dancing. Not much to it.” 

“Oh, I can’t do THAT, being glued to a partner that way?”

“It looks so simple.”

I laugh, not just at the reactions, but at how I can relate to them because, before I started learning kizomba myself, I’m sure some of those thoughts ran through my head as well.  But it didn’t take long for me to realize that there is so much more to the dance than what it appears to be from the outside.   In fact, all of those perceptions above disintegrate when the magic of the true kizomba takes a hold of you. 

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A window to dance…- by MC Stewart

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“The reason I started dance goes back to when I was very little- about four years old.  There was a mall by my house, and whenever my mom would go grocery shopping, there would be this this big window nearby.   And I’d always run away from my mom and go stand in front of the window to watch the breakdancing classes going on inside.  I had a lot of energy, so my mom asked, “Do you want to try it out?” And I just got into it really fast.

Dance was more than just a hobby for me.  Right from the beginning, I really looked forward to going to class.  I played sports and stuff, which is fun, but it’s not the same.  There’s just a different environment and a different vibe when you’re in a dance class compared to when you’re playing basketball, or football, or soccer or whatever.  So why do I dance?  I just kind of fell in love with it right away.”

                     -MC Stewart – age 16 – from The Freshh Crew

On a good night out dancing…

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“When I’m having a good night out dancing, I feel confident, playful, and a little bit sexy.  And along with my own feelings, if I get the connection I want with my partner in the dance, she’ll (heck, sometimes “he’ll”- haha!) feel those same emotions as well.  Sharing those feelings, even if only for three-and-a-half minutes at a time, can be a touch magical…and/or really hot.  I also like to follow in salsa and bachata when I get the opportunity. It’s a total mind bender to hold the other end of the communication line. It’s fun in its own right, and it makes me a better lead, too.”

-Geoff Gariando

Photo by Jeff Mendoza of  Commence Vision Studios