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PROFILING FELIX EL NEGRO ZURITA
A shocking hit to the Southern parts of our Salsa scene has been Felix EL NEGRO Zurita. A true
original and a great supporter to all Salsa events from the very first of our scene.
He has been around almost from the beggining of it when it started in Salt Lake City, and has been
one of the first ones to take Salsa to the Provo and Orem areas. Leading with great attitude towards
the future, and making sure that more people are learning, he is a true inspiration to many
that have started in those areas and some even in other parts of Utah. It is a pleasure to introduce
to you, Felix Zurita from Mamboholics Productions.
First of all, Can you please give us some information about yourself?
My name is Felix Zurita, I am a painter as well as a dancer. I love Salsa very much, uhmmm... I like to teach
it, and I do in different parts... and I am from Mexico, I was actually born in Veracruz, it would be to the
East, around the Mexican Gulf.
What is your marital status?
I am not married yet, but I will be married in this year, that's one of my projects... hehehe... I have a
beautiful girlfriend, very pretty... and I am getting married soon.
What are your future projects to improve the Salsa scene in Provo, Utah?
One of my main goals is to teach more people, and to keep the people that we have and get better on their
dancing, and not just Salsa, but also learn Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia and more. I am working right now with
BYU Salsa Club (Brigham Young University), and we are working together to teach every Tuesday night to
expand the scene in this city. This goes every semester, and we hope that we'll be there for a long time.
Why did you pick Provo, Utah to expand your Salsa, what was your initiative?
Well, as I remember... a couple of years ago, there used to be a lot of people, even more than today involved
in what it is Latin dancing. More people would go dancing to the local Club, but they wouldn't really dance
the style that Salt Lake City was getting into, so I wanted to teach a couple of people here that style.
I went to learn some here and there, and even some to Los Angeles, and started to teach the L.A. style Salsa
here in Provo. So you can say that my initiative was to teach others what I learned in my ways.
How did you get involved in Salsa, is there a lot of Salsa in that part of Mexico?
Where I am from... Veracruz, we dance Salsa. My grandma is Cuban, and although my parents are Mexican, I remember
that we used to go out and see the Salsa Carnivals. I remember that even people from Cuba would come to those
Carnivals.
Is Salsa your hobby or full time job?
Well, at the moment it is a hobby. I have a full time job right now, but I do try to dedicate plenty of my time
to it because I do love to dance Salsa very much, in fact I dedicate many hours a week to it nowdays.
How did it feel competing in this scene?
It was very much a fun experience for me, I remember that I received third place and I hope to do it again
sometime. That was quite a while ago, and I remember that before there were not that many dancers and not that
many people who could judge as well as now. I know that we need to improve in our judging, but I think that
now is definitely better than what we had before. I see that now we have fallen into a streak of bad organizational
from the part of some clubs in putting competitions together, but I see that they are now worrying more about
making them better, specially in the judging part. Also what I see is that we have a lot new dancers, and that
is so good for our scene, we get to see new faces in there competing and not the same old ones.
How did you like the last competition?
The last one I witnessed was the one at Fusion for the Advanced Level. And as everyone
knows it I was one of the judges, I still remember that night, and I think that the
person who won, shouldn't have. I respect that person a lot, and I think he is an
good dancer and all, but I believe the first place should have gone to someone else.
How do you see the difference in the Salsa scene from when you started to dance to now days?
The music itself is still great, it hasn't changed much because they still put some great songs out
there. But regarding to the people and the amount of dancers, now THAT has changed a lot... also in
the ammount of people going out. I remember that before there was more people going out dancing, but
now I see fewer people going out dancing, but more people dancing the style that we dance. I really
don't know if less people are going out, or that has to do to the many clubs that we have out there
today. Before you could pack the one club that was good on Friday, and the one club that was on Saturday. But
now we have so many options, and that is probably why it seems that not many people are going as before,
we are just more spread out... maybe.
Do you think is hard to teach and learn Salsa in Provo?
You know... it is... it is, but it is getting better. It used to be that many people would say this and that,
but now is not that much. Everyone should just go for what they want, and try it for themselves. If they like
the teacher they got, then let it be.
Before, they used to overcharge people and take advantage of people,
which got Salsa a bit of bad rep on the money side, and people thought that some instructors are only after
the money. But since we are young, I think we should first show people some and then if they want to further
their knowledge then of course it is up to us to decide wether we want to charge or not. It should be a
descision that is up to each and every instructor I think... in my part I like to help people. Simple!
Do you think you contributed to the Salsa scene in Provo, Utah?
Well, I could say yes. I remember that I would call my friends so we could practice here in Provo. I remember
showing some of those people here and there how to do some moves, and then it got bigger and bigger. So I do
believe I did contributed to the scene here in Provo, including now with BYU and the after parties. I am always
trying to put a good time with no entrance fee, because I like to see more people dancing.
Do you admire someone here in Utah?
I always admired many dancers here in Utah, but I think we are still learning so I couldn't really say anyone
in specific... there are many of the locals that could go so far. But I would like to say if I were to choose
someone worldwide, I always admired Salsa Brava Dance Company... they are just so great to watch and to
see them doing business. They really know how to treat people and to be out there with everyone else... not
above, but just there with everyone. Very important.
So what is in the future for Salsa in Provo, Utah?
Hehehe... I couldn't really answer that right now... I have been worrying and taking a lot of time in my
job lately. But hopefully soon I can get back and start teaching as much or more than before. I really
need to get back into it, I miss it.
Can tell us your thoughts about UTAHSALSA.COM?
Wow, very well done, I just have to tell you that this was something that we were missing. Utah really needed
something like that... We never had any webpage that told us where to go out or what was happening on the
scene before you guys came along. It is our window, and the people here in Provo need to get more involved with
it because you guys have put Salt Lake City on the map, and now it is also our turn. We need to check on
the events that are happening and also be present in there, specially when things are going on in Provo.
Anything else that you would like to say?
Provo... check the website, and let's make some noise so we are also acknowledged in there. Let's leave our comments
in there too. We need to get our city in that webpage and see you guys soon. Thank you.
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