Enjoying Life to the Fullest!

charanga sustantivo femenino = brass band

I found the definition of charanga in the Diccionario Espasa Calpe, © 2000, the best Spanish-English dictionary. A charanga is basically an ensemble of Cuban dance music, which includes flutes and violins. A charanga should not to be confused with charango, which is a small Andean instrument, much like a ukelele or small guitar.

Unfortunately, there is no definition for charangeando; I imagine that the noun was turned into a verb by people who love Latin orchestra music, otherwise known as "Charanga."


The Pocket Oxford Spanish Dictionary © 2005 Oxford University Press defines "gozar," the infinitive form of gozando as the following:

gozar (verbo intransitivo): gozar de algo = to enjoy something;
gozar de la vida = to enjoy life;

So if you want to "Enjoy life to the fullest" while listening and dancing to some great "Charanaga," or lively, energetic, Latin music, come down to the Ballroom in Blueberry have some fun!

Dancing is one of the best exercises there is! Not only does it beat the winter blues and help you escape from "cabin fever," but you can also burn off over 300 calories an hour!

Pick a class and a time that suits your interest and schedule.

Monthly Dance Classes in February

Wednesdays, Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24

7-8 pm Ballroom Basics 1 for Absolute Beginners

8-9pm Swing, level 1

Fridays, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26

6-7 pm Ballroom Dance for Youth (4th-8th grade)

7-8 pm Intro to Salsa and other Latin Dances

Saturdays, Feb 6, 13, 20, 27

7-8 pm Argentine Tango - Beginners

8-9 pm Argentine Tango - Intermediate

Ballroom in Blueberry Location: Go on Eddie Hoffman, toward the airport from town, past the Post Office until you reach Arctic Chiropractic, then turn right on Alex Hately.

Go 1 and a 1/2 blocks on Alex Hately and you will see the dance studio is on the left, at 199 Alex Hately. There is a sign near the driveway. Please park in the driveway.
$10 per night drop-in, $35 monthly for a four-class pass,
$60 Ballroom Basic Series, $10 off each additional class.

No partner needed. Come by yourself or with all your friends!

Salsa Dance Craze Sweeps the Tundra

At 7 pm on Fridays in February, people in Bethel have the opportunity to have fun while learning the basic moves of one of the most popular dances in the world: Salsa! Bethelites can join salseros from all over the world in dancing this exciting dance, with it origins in the Caribbean.

Wherever you travel in the world of salsa, from Puerto Rico, New York, San Francisco, Caracas, Venezuela; Zurich, Switzerland; Greece, and even to China and Japan, you will hear the expression, “Todo bien” among the dancers at salsa classes, clubs and concerts. “Todo bien,” which means “All is well” in Spanish, emanates like a mantra reflecting the positive, happy energy of the salsa music. Salseros forget the daily troubles of life and have fun, responding with the affirmation, “Todo bien” with a smile.

Here on the western edge of Alaska, locals are fortunate that dance maestro, Chester Mark (and also a Physician Assistant for YK Health Consortium) is here to share his love for Latin rhythms with the people of Bethel. In the weekly salsa dance classes, there is an atmosphere “Todo bien” that recreates the sense of fun and “All is well” with the world.

Salsa dancing is great exercise; not only does it develop a sense of rhythm and coordination, but it also develops flexibility in muscle groups that are not often used in many other exercises.

Salsa has a quick, quick, slow pattern, with three steps in a four count beat. This is the heartbeat of the music that provides the structure as dance partners make the fun turns and spins look easy. Occasionally dancers will open up and begin freestyle moves while maintaining the three steps in four beats of the music. As the speed of the music increases, the fourth beat becomes a short pause, leaving a distinctive pattern to salsa music. The Latin orchestration adds complexity and beauty to the rhythm of the music. A variety a percussion instruments can be heard along with a mix of horns, wind and string instruments, as well as piano.

Salsa began in the 1920s and 30s, mixing Latin rhythms, including mambo, charanga and rumba, with Afro Cuban beats a big band sound. The tropical salsa beat captures the essence of these Caribbean flavors so clearly you can almost hear the waves crash on the Malecon and see the palm trees sway in the wind as you listen to the music.

Coming to Salsa class in Bethel is like entering another world, where you can hear these beats and learn new steps in expression to the music. Mark plays a variety of music during the classes, including bands and salsa artists, such as Celia Cruz, Max Ruiz, Juan Lebron, Charango Habanera, Los Van Van, Havana NRG, Maraca, bands which continue to demonstrate that the rhythm of salsa continues to emanate from the Caribbean. Yet the salsa dance craze has spread across the globe and it clearly has found its way to Bethel, Alaska.

So if you are looking for a rhythm that echoes from the palm trees, beaches, and crashing waves along the Malecon of Havana, come down to the “Blueberry Ballroom” for lessons in this rhythmic Caribbean dance, that will definitely help you forget your troubles for a while and discover that feeling of “Todo bien,” --All is well in Bethel...in spite of the cold.