The weather is getting nicer! feels like Spring is here, flowers are growing back!!  How about you? people are feeling happy and with new energy, after being inside enduring the rain and the cold for Months. I think this is the time to move! to get up and just move!! people are used to work on the computers all day  then they feel tired when they get home, have dinner, sit on the couch and watch TV.... I feel people don't move enough in this society, they are shy about what people are going to say, what is correct or not, dance anywhere! dance on the streets,  dance in the office!  the body needs to feel motivated, to feel healthy. It is time to get up and dance, awaken your body, don't be shy, DANCE like nobody is watching:)    Gustavo Ferman

 Now days, there seems to be so much commercialism on Valentine’s Day.   There  is far too much "Hype" around ‘Couples ‘and the need to have "that special someone to Love.  It’s all about Buying cards, going for a romantic dinner, or getting the right gift for that special person in your life.   Although this is a great day to celebrate people you love, we often get caught up in the "Hallmark" Version of this day.
  As we all know, there are many Variations, and different kinds of Love.  You have LOVE for your Parents, you LOVE your children, your friends, some of us LOVE our pets, you get the idea, or....you can LOVE what you do.

   Growing up, I was a very passionate boy, always daydreaming, creating songs or practicing new dance moves.  As I grew older, this passion led me to my  future career. 
 
One time I was performing in Calgary with the Artists Elite Company. They are a performing Arts company that showcases upcoming talents in music and dance.  I was very excited that my mom had come to visit me and see my show.
I remember the night of the performance, waiting backstage from behind the curtain. I could hear the crowd clapping and screaming from the group that just finished.  I could feel the energy, the buildup inside...the anticipation. 
  I saw myself on stage before I even went out!   It’s that moment behind the curtain...before it goes up...the high! The
LOVE!! The pure joy and excitement rushing through my body.  I was so moved with an overwhelming emotion, tears rolled down my face.  I knew at that moment I was IN LOVE! In LOVE with LIFE and this feeling!....PERFORMING!   I knew, this was my calling, what I was meant to be doing.  
The MC of the night introduced me..."And now", He said..."Gustavo Ferman"  performing one of his original songs....I RAN out on stage, my whole body  FLYING!  those happy tears still filling my eyes, I was PUMPED full of energy!. 
I had such an INTENSE LOVE, the feeling was amazing.   I grabbed the mike, and as I stood on stage...looking out over the crowd, I could see my Mom in the audience. "I want to dedicate this song to my Mother who has come to see me tonight".   I said.
I had an amazing performance, everyone loved the show, and I finished the evening fulfilled and thankful to God for this opportunity, that I was able to  share my passion with others.   That night will always be a night I will remember with such emotion. 

So, on this day, Take time to LOVE...Love what you do...something you do, you love, that makes time stands still, where nothing else matters but the joy of  the moment, and the joy it brings to you and others.  Live in the MOMENT.  
 
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ALL!! 


 

When I was young, around 8 or 9 yrs old, My oldest sister took me under her wing to get me prepared and looking good  for my first school dance party.   It was the era of Disco, She cut my Hair like John Travolta, from Saturday Night Fever, but MINE was parted in the middle, and gelled back.    She dressed me in my best dress shirt, a white ( "guayavera" - what is known now as a Havanera.) ,and black bell bottom pants.   I looked "FLY".!  My sister was so proud to send me out to my first school dance party.
I walked all the way there by myself, strutting like John Travolta in the opening scene of Sat. Night Fever.  I felt "Ready" to take over the dance floor , even though I was nervous to dance.  I had never danced with a girl before.  
When I arrived, I walked into the gymnasium, and as soon as I entered the room, my eyes locked on to a beautiful young girl with black flowing silky shoulder length hair.  She was so beautiful! She was standing in the back of the room talking to her group of girlfriends.  All of a sudden I could feel my heart beating out of my chest! , my pulse was pounding fast, my palms sweating, I was so nervous.    I wanted to  ask her to dance, because I KNEW I looked GOOD! and smelled good.   The walk across the gymnasium floor to her, felt like a thousand miles! but once I was standing in front of her, I reached my hand out to her and asked her to dance.    I was so afraid she would notice my sweaty palm if she took a hold of it ,and that she would say no! but to my relief, she said yes, and started walking to the dance floor, as I followed.  
We started dancing to a fast disco song, and we wouldn't dare look at each others eyes!  The song didn't last long, and right away a slow song came on.   I felt my heart sink with nervousness, and I asked her if she wanted to still dance,... she said yes!!!!  In my nervous state, I reached out and held her waist, she put her arms around my neck and rested them on my shoulders.   We started to dance, I wasn't sure how to lead or slow dance!.  Hmmmm she smelt sooo good, I was distracted and nervous!, I could no longer hear the beat of the song to follow.  She kept looking somewhere over my shoulders, and I kept looking at the floor.  All of a sudden she broke the silence.... "Ouch!" she said!,  I asked what was wrong, and she replied "You stepped on my toes!" . I appologised, but soon I heard her scream again, "Ouch!, Ouch!" It kept happening! , I couldn't stop stepping on her toes!  "You don't know how to slow dance do you!" she replied.  "Why did you ask me to slow dance, if you don't know how.? " and she pushed me away.  She left me standing there, in the middle of the song, alone on the dance floor.  I was so embarrassed, I could feel the heat rising from my chest into my face.  What was I going to do? 
 Instead of being cool and just walking away and asking someone else to dance, I decided, best thing for me to do?.... ..."RUN!". 
 I ran outside the gym, and ran all the way around, circuling the school.  I couldn't stand to show my face at the party again.  I was so humiliated and embarrassed, I walked all the way home.  It was a long sad walk.   An hour later, I arrived at home with my head down, my hair a mess, and my shirt drenched in sweat.   My sister was so supprised to see me home so soon.  "What happened?" she asked, "Why are you home so early?".  I told her the whole humiliating story, and she started to laugh!.  She had a good laugh about it, but also felt so sorry for me.   "Don't worry", she said, "I will show you some cool moves that you can use when you dance next time".   My sister saved me. 
That was the first and last time I was ever humiliated and embarrassed on the dance floor again.    
From that day forward, I was confident, and poised, on the dance floor.  I must admit, I have never had any girl say no to me since. 
So Remember, even if your nervous on the dance floor, or nervous to take that first step  learning how to dance, everyone starts somewhere, practice makes perfect, don't let fear stand in the way.!

Hola everybody, hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy new year!
Get ready for 2013, there is lots of cool Latin Funk Dance classes happening!
A loco funky deal with Social Shopper.
 Gustavo will be doing his one of a kind dance parties once again and he is in the works planning 
an amaizing dance, music and comedy show coming up next year!! 
Make sure you check his funky website and suscribe to his newsletter for updates.

I'm back in Vancouver from a great Summer break in San Diego! now I'm ready to raise the Funk Latin style once more! new cool moves, funky choreography, more entertaiment!!  I'm also excited to have a talented group of Latin Funk Dance Instructors teaching around the city on top of my own regular dance classes.  
check the Latin Funk Dance and Salsa for couples schedule on my website   www.latinfunkdance.com
Remember to always dance from the heart!!  Corazon!
Gustavo " King of Latin Funk"

Gustavo will be teaching a Pussycat Dolls/Burlesque Dance lesson and Demo at the Polish Hall this Saturday May 12th for Mother's day! Ladies free before 10pm!

"Our men’s group booked a two-hour Latin Funk workshop with Gustavo, and invited some friends to join us.  Most of us had little or no experience dancing  but, within minutes of our arrival, we were all up moving with the music.  We  worked up a good sweat, grooved to some great Latin sounds, and learned to dance  from our hips and our hearts.  By the end of the packed two hours, we could feel the beat and remember some great dance sequences we could take with us.  We  became more cohesive as a group.  

The guys raved about the workshop and everyone  wanted a business card… “Gustavo is Awesome! He moves
with the grace of a cat  and the power of a lion. His sense of humour and camaraderie made me feel  welcome and wanting to dance! ...  Gustavo's dance classes are a great way to  spend some fun time getting a little exercise and
lots of useful pointers on how  not to make a fool of yourself when you want to relax doing some Latin dancing.  I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a good time while learning to feel the  dance fever. …  Great event! It was a blast!

...  Great dancing lesson!  I had a  lot of fun. It helped me to loosen up a bit and I learned some moves that I will  definitely be trying out soon. Thank you!”     Paul Miniato, Professional mens' group, Vancouver, BC