ZALZA : The Next Step (Fitness DVD from Flavia Cacace-Mistry and Russell Grant)

Hi everyone :-)

Just thought I'd write a bit of a review of the new Zalza Fitness DVD from Flavia Cacace-Mistry & Russell Grant. Those of you who follows me on Twitter will probably have found it hard to avoid my tweets about it over the last few days ;)

I already have the first Zalza DVD which I did pretty regularly, but when I heard there was a new Zalza 2 (The Next Step) coming out I was really looking forward to giving it a go.  Spring is coming up and I was needing some motivation to kick start my new keep fit campaign, so what better way than with a new fitness DVD from the ever Flavulous Flavia, and the lovely Russell :-)

This DVD is definitely more challenging than the first Zalza so as the title suggests, it is a good 'next step' for anyone who was already doing some form of dance/fitness exercise.
The routines are pretty full on with some tricky (but easy enough to pick up) moves. Flavia is a brilliant teacher and carefully explains each step in a straightforward way, so after a couple of attempts at the individual moves, the routines kind of fall into place.

In this DVD because it is a bit more challenging than the last, Flavia's friend Sam takes the place of Russell when it comes to the actual routines although Russell takes part in the instructional sections with both Flavia and Sam.
A great thing about Zalza is that it is really only as challenging as you want it to be as there are different step/spin/arm options for a lot of the moves if you would rather do a more gentle workout.

What also makes this one different from the last (and also from other dance fitness DVD's) is that the routines are all dance FUSIONS which is fab as we get to do two different dance styles in one, so although the routines are pretty long they are great fun with the changing styles and tempo's, and all danced to some brilliant tracks.

I'll give a quick run down on what is included on the 2 discs...

Disc 1: 6 Fusion routines plus warm up and cool down sections.

Tango/Toning
Merengue/Salsa
Salsa/Samba
Paso Doble/Cha Cha
Rumba/Cha Cha
Jive/Quickstep

I have done bits of ALL of the above but have only completed the Merengue/Salsa so far. I like to try each of them out just for a feel of them but then go back and work on one so that I have pretty much learnt it all before moving on to the next. Each routine lasts for maybe 6 or 7 minutes (maybe even more), so it takes a good bit of stamina to do the whole number. It took me a few attempts before I managed to complete one but now that I have, I'm looking forward to moving on to my next one :-)

Can't wait to get to the Jive/Quickstep but think that will be the last on my list as it definitely seems to be the most full on of them all.... I have it in my sights though and is what I am aiming for.

Disc 2 : Zalza 80's Party

Set in a disco/club and jam packed with 80's music, this disc would be great fun when having friends around.
There is an 80's Jukebox if you're looking for some good background music, and there are some group routines with partner dancing where you can move from one dance partner to another, so is a great way of mixing and getting to know people while having a good bit of fun too.
I'm actually looking forward to taking this to our next family party as I know the kids will love it (and the adults too) ... I can already imagine the chaos :D

All in all it is a brilliant DVD and I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a good fun way of keeping fit while dancing.
Good clear instructions to follow, fab choreography from Flavia and great routines to master... I'm already looking forward to doing some more :-)

If you're looking to try it out for yourself, it is available through QVC

I will of course be tweeting my progress so look out for me excitedly yelling that I'VE FINALLY DONE THE JIVE/QUICKSTEP... if I still have the energy to tweet that is :D

xxx

Dance 'Til Dawn - Eastbourne Congress Theatre (20th Feb 2014)

Hello all :)  I haven't written any blog updates for a LONG time but thought I might resurrect it with a few lines about the new Dance 'Til Dawn show, starring Flavia Cacace-Mistry and Vincent Simone.

Anyone likely to read this blog is also already likely to know just how excited I've been about this new show and how much I had been looking forward to it, and so will probably not be very surprised to find that I cannot stop talking about it, haha.

I don't want to give too much away with so many of my twitter/scd friends still to go and see it, so I will just sort of skim over the actual contents of the show and just give a few little hints etc....


To cut a long story short, last year I had arranged a few days in London with my friend Holly but things fell through when we couldn't make it, but then we re-arranged our trip for February this year which worked out perfectly as it meant we could jump on the train to Eastbourne and make it to OPENING NIGHT of Dance 'Til Dawn. YAY!!

While in London we saw a couple of truly amazing shows. First night we went to see Les Mis, which I had been dying to see for ages ever since seeing the film and hearing the soundtrack.
We had brilliant seats and the show was everything I had hoped it would be and more. Seeing and hearing those fab songs sung live on stage was truly spine-tingling.

Second night we went to see The Bodyguard, which was another one that we both were looking forward to seeing. I had saw the film a few times and loved it, and had heard a few good things about the stage show. Beverley Knight plays the Whitney Houston role and was brilliant.... another great show with fab singing and great songs. Who knew that I knew so many Whitney Houston songs? Not me!

Anyway, last but most definitely not least let's get to DANCE 'TIL DAWN ....

With two truly epic shows already under our belts, to say that this was the one we were both looking forward to the most should give a little indication of how high our expectations were.... we weren't disappointed! It was INCREDIBLE!

Dance 'Til Dawn is the second show produced by Adam Spiegel Productions and directed by Karen Bruce that Vincent & Flavia have starred in, and with Midnight Tango being such a huge success for them it was always going to be a hard act to follow.  I had been to see Midnight Tango many many times and had wondered just how on earth they would manage to create something that little bit different, but which would be every bit as good... if not better.

I was already loving the new Dance 'Til Dawn cast who are so very friendly with their twitter chit chats and had looked at some of their profiles on the Dance 'Til Dawn website and could see from that just how talented they all were.

Our front row seats were brilliant and we were right behind the musicians in the orchestra pit ( so close that we could read the song titles on their sheets of music!)...I tend to jump in and get front row tickets, and then kind of regret it as sometimes it can be hard to see the entire stage from there, but with the musicians in between us and the stage it didn't seem quite so bad and the whole stage could be viewed perfectly :)

I'll keep the storyline of the show very brief, and only say what has already been mentioned before in press interviews etc, so that I'm not giving any spoilers.
It is basically centered around a film set in 1940's LA, where a romance unfolds between a Hollywood couple (Vincent & Flavia) but things aren't plain sailing for them with murder, mystery, suspense.... and a LOT of comedy inbetween.  The interaction between other cast members (Tommy and Lana) is brilliant and definitely worth a special mention, as is the singing by Oliver Darley.

The set designed by Morgan Large is amazing and there are lots of props used throughout the show to brilliant effect... so many funny moments including the use of clothes rails, boxes and even lampshades (to name just a few) that will have you laughing out loud at the comedy antics from the cast.

The timing from Flavia and Vincent is BRILLIANT with these props and it is hard to believe that they hadn't really done any acting until starting in theatre. Multi-talented doesn't quite cover it when it comes to the cast of this show.
The cast members are all singing-all dancing and work incredibly hard throughout from beginning to end. Some very hi-energy routines which are exhausting to even LOOK at, and danced while singing too! Unbelievable!

There is a massive variety of music in this show which ranges from some old numbers, to some new numbers and I *think* maybe even one or two which have been especially created for Dance 'Til Dawn but I'm not 100% certain on that one.  All fab songs though and fit perfectly with the style of the show.

Another thing I had been dying to see were the costumes and in particular all the new dresses.... they were GORGEOUS and some very beautiful jumpsuits and playsuits! All cleverly styled to create the 1940's feel, while having that bang on trend touch too. Loved them all and would be a very happy owner of ANY of them :D Flavia had amazing costumes which included a tennis dress, fur collared coat, sparkly fringed number.... and even a swimsuit! Yep, you heard right... a swimsuit!

Caroline Hannam, who is head of wardrobe on the show (and was the same on Midnight Tango) is a whizz with costumes/styling, and between her and the DSI team everyone on stage was looking ultra glam and every inch the Hollywood superstar.

The solo routines from Vincent and Flavia are as incredible as ever, and they treat us to a whole assortment of dances including a Quickstep, Jive, Charleston, Waltz, Foxtrot, Salsa, their wonderful Argentine Tango (which no show would be complete without)... and a very moving Rumba to Mi Mancherai which is beautifully sung by one of the cast.

Another which stood out for me was the fab 'Feelin' Good' number which Flavia and the cast danced on Royal Variety Performance at the end of last year. It was great to see that danced live and is one I can't wait to see again.

All in all it is a MUST-SEE show. The whole production is truly amazing and every cast member whether singer, actor, musician, dancer, or behind the scenes crew have done a truly magnificent job and I definitely predict a  West End run will follow at some point.
I had high hopes as I know that anything Vincent & Flavia do is only ever going to be brilliant... This is brilliant and then some! This is BRILLIANT-ER! :)

I hope I haven't given too much away, and I would love to write more about the actual story and dances etc but I'll write another blog update next time I see it (Edinburgh) as by then a lot of you will have been to see it yourself and won't mind me giving away too many details.

Anyone going to see the show is in for a HUGE treat, and anyone who hasn't booked tickets already... what are you waiting for? GO DO IT! ... ;)

http://www.dancetildawnonstage.com/

(Twitter : @VFDanceTilDawn)