We have fixed the dates for The 3rd Middle East Zouk & Latin Festival >>
Wed, 20th Nov to Sun 24th Nov 2013!
Mark your calendars, inform your boss and book your flights to Dubai!

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Dubai, 29th Nov 2012

Dear all,
What can we say… it has been a fantastic atmosphere with wonderful people and we have received overwhelmingly positive responses from artists, students and international guests and so many already telling they will be there next year again. We like to thank all of you for your support and positive energy as well as saying thanks to Hilton, City Hotel and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Authority for their kind support. Below we like to share some of the feedback we received and will add the links to picture galleries, videos etc. as well.

Hope to see you all soon again,
Your Zouk Me Team (Samantha, Nayan, James & Kathe)

 

Feedback on Facebook:

FROM OUR ARTISTS:

Antonio Hernández Sánchez (Barcelona, Spain)

Albita Asensio, Eva Ferrer Borrero and me want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all of the people that shared so many great moments on the Dubai Zouk & Latin Festival.

Congratulations and great thanks to the organizers and the whole team that made the congress a big success, the teachers that shared an amazing time with us, and all the students that were so enthusiastic and inspired us!

And to James, Katharina, Samantha and Nayan, thank you so much for your friendship and hospitality. We are not able to show you how grateful we are for these wonderful days, during the congress, and after it.

We want to ask all the wonderful people that we met to add us as friends of facebook, so we can keep contact with you (hey, Omani guys, where are you??)

Larissa Thayane (Brisbane, Australia)

Had the most amazing time in Dubai!!! The Zouk & Latin Dubai congress was so good, so much fun and great dances thanks guys can’t wait to go back already, by the way I’m still at the airport hahaha!

Kadu Pires (Brisbane, Australia)

Larissa and I are leaving Dubai tomorrow morning Thanks Nayan de Abrew and everyone who helped the congress and the people who did take care of Larissa and I after the congress ( Samanta and Jaime). Loved Dubai so much.

David Cascón García (Barcelona, Spain)

Every year it’s really difficult to organize a congress, but every year the goal is improve and make it better. This year you have done Dubai people! Thanks to Samantha Ho, Katharina Albert, Nayan de Abrew, Stephanie Lennon and people that helps them, like James Ndedu, Harcourt Bham, and more (I’m writing a lot, shit!!). Well, next time you don’t need to organize pre and after party, you have to trust on Oman people and book the room 123!!! Let’s go Middle East! and for ending…
Thanks to everybody in Dubai, we enjoy a lot!!  Lambazouk Emotion

Anikas Poklad (St. Petersburg)

I fell in love with the zouk people in Dubai! Amazing dancers!!!! Very good students! See you in St Petersburg in our Congress in June. Time of white nights, zouk 24 hours, NON STOP!

Fanny Vandewiele (Belgium)

To all the amazing dancers, incredible talented artists, great DJ’s, bright souls and pure friends I’ve met through ZOUK DUBAI… THANK YOU for every moment! I enjoyed every sec of the wkend spend together, teaching and being part of this crazy group!!

To my dearest Samantha Ho and James Ndedu, you have been there in so many ways for me.. your care, support, love, kindness and beautiful smiles just filled me up with so much gratefulness and happiness! To the Great team “Katharina Albert, Nayan de Abrew, Sam, James and all ZOUK DUBAI” with a truly incredible spirit, hard work and pure heart you made such an amazing event in this beautiful city of R.A.K!! I just cannot wait for the next one! To Ali, Thank you for your support, guidance, presence and all these amazing dances we had.

A big CONGRATULATION to Sandeep Samuel and Sam for their CRAZY PERFORMANCE, truly the most creative and sensational show of the year!! “Never stop dancing Sandeep… ”

To all the Beautiful Talented Artists.. It was such a gift to be surrounded by your great energy, your dances and your UNFORGETTABLE shows!! To all the DJ’s that kept us going through the nights and days! Hope to see you all very soon!

***You are all in my heart, thoughts and prayers*** LOVE & LIGHT
“Dancing is not an option, it is who we are”

Zara Green (Moscow, Russia)

I am finally back to the reality and once again I would like to thank all the organizers and participants of the amazing Zouk and Latin festival in Dubai. It was the first time when during the event I had a feeling that this congress was the reason why I still dance zouk… after all these years. In spite of everything. Nayan , I don’t know how to thank you for all you’ve done for me. For being th
e only person, who believes in me even in the moments when I don’t.
Katharina, you’re just so awesome)))) I hope you realize how many people became happier bacause of the hard work you did, organizing the event. I miss you already so much!
Samantha, I wish you could come to Moscow as often as your fantastic. You are an energizer:) And one of the most beautiful wemen I’ve ever seen, that’s true)))
Shammy, you were my angel, thank you for being my friend, I can’t imagine a better company during the festival. Please keep in touch! I miss you!

Ariana Norcia (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

The 2nd Zouk & Latin Festival in Dubai was amazing!
I would really like to thank all the wonderful people that made our stay so pleasant!
Thank you:
Samantha, James, Katharina, Nayan for the organisation together with the rest of the Zouk Dubai crew. And for taking such great care of us!
Sandeep, Marlon, Sachin, Reza, Eva, Arthi Rajagopalan, Artul, Ana for making our first show possible with your
craziness & creativity!
Jan, Anni, David & Leti for all the laughs. [...]
All our students for the positive energy, support & love.
All the fun dancers and great teachers
I have falling in love with so many wonderful people during the congress, hope to see you all again soon!

D.j. Nymf (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

My first night djing in dubai..pre pre-party was great…i like the people and watch them dancing on my music. Thnx to Marlon Andopé and Samantha Ho, James and Nayan de Abrew giving us the chance to teach and djing at this congress..

…[few days after the congress]…

Ariana Norcia…cant stop crying..cause she misses the dubai zouk people..i feel so sorry for her..that i might be thinking to emigrate to dubai with her..

Leticia Loffler (Barcelona, Spain)

Thanks to all who shared these days with us in Dubaiii, we have been enjoying a lot, really was a pleasure to meet you all! We hope to see you soon!

Anni Kinast (Berlin, Germany)

One week after Zouk Festival in RAK, recovering in Dubai and finally arriving home again, i Feel so happy and thankful for all the funny, inspiring, extraordinary, xxx, special, warm-hearted an lovely people we met and shared one week of our lives with.
ROFL was not just the word for the “connection class” but also for the whole congress.
I never laughed this much in such a short time and never felt so familiar, safe and welcomed in any Zouk family and with people I hardly knew before.
Thank you so much to all of you (please feel added by names
And Thanks Lord “this conversation never Stops!” ) We definitely need to meet again at any Other Zouk Place in the world, Omanis, Abu Dhabi and Zouk Dubai!!
Lots of Love to all of you
And Thank you again for being such a wonderful, funny bunch of People )))

FROM OTHER FESTIVAL ORGANIZERS:

Moe Flava (Abu Dhabi – ADIDF)

What can I say other than I was ZOUKED ! The event was ZOUkER ZOukablous and Zoukerb! I was soo into it…it was simply ZOUKSOME!

Abdo Joey Abi Hanna (Fujairah Latin Festival)

From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank zouk dubai for putting an incredible festival. We had an amazing time and I’m so happy to be part of it. You guys did a fantastic job. We had a lovely parties, workshops, and after parties, can’t wait for next year’s festival. I met lovely people there, and we partied hard till 5 in the morning with DJ Sista. Keep it up guys. Bravo.

M Mustafa Omar (Abu Dhabi – Official Festival Photographer)

Back in AD from 2nd Zouk & Latin Festival at RAK City… great atmosphere and hilarious moments with the humble zouk crew, artists and the ‘zouk pervs’!! Big thanks to the organizing team for the opportunity to cover the event… James & Zouk ME team (the unsung heroes of the fest)… Sandeep & Samantha performed an incredible contemporary number… truly deserve a worldwide dance audience and
one of the best performances i’ve seen this year!! Didnt mind having a couple of zouk dances during the nights (i think it was more than a couple of dances LOL!!)… Awesome Friday after-party wit DJ Sista… hilarious ‘CHAR-COAL’ gath at City Beach Club though i wish i stayed longer! Stay tuned for the photos… Life is Zouk.. I mean Good!!

JJ Shaban (Latin Dance Abu Dhabi – ADSF)

Had a great time at the 2nd Zouk Festival by Zouk Dubai, thanks to Zouk Dance Dubai for their effort and thanks to Nayan de Abrew Samantha Ho Katharina Albert and their organizing team Harcourt Bham Stephanie Lennon for the amazing music..

So much fun that was .. I want more & more

 

FROM INTERNATIONAL GUESTS:

Sol Veig (Hamburg, Germany)

Back in Hamburg after amazing days in Dubai. It was like I expected, no…better Guys, if you missed it this year, we should meet each other there next year. Warm and friendly atmosphere, nice venue, best weather, very good teachers, great parties, fantastic shows, organizers who really take good care of their guests and sooo lovely Zoukers.
Thank you Nayan de Abrew, Katharina Albert, Samantha Ho and James for this unforgettable weekend. Thanks Ulrich Scheller for “adopting” me , my room mate Daniela Müller ( you are so nice, if you need someone to share a room again on one of the next congresses, please let me know and Kimmy Samy for taking care of me, were such nice days!

Maria Nas (Dresden, Germany) 

I´m so thankful for this great time…thanks for all your good organisation…and the great feeling in the UAE…never before I met so many pleasant people in just a few days…I feel a little bit like flying

Daniela Müller (Berlin, Germany)

OOOOOH MYYY GOOODDD! This was just an incredibly fantastic congress!
I sooo much enjoyed staying with the local mob!
A BIIIGGG thank you to the organizing team, especially to Nayan de Abrew, Katharina Albert, Samantha Ho and James for all your effort and making an event like that possible!
Thanks to the Dubai and Abu Dhabi crowd (Misso Elmasry, Kimmy Samy, Shammy Jayasuriya, Sandeep, Marlon Andopé, Ali Bacana, Sachin Nambiar etc) for the warm welcome, the great dances and the fantastic energy…really loved meeting you all and enjoyed your company soo much! Hopefully see you somewhere around the world soon!

Ingrid Mega Mindzouk (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

I am back in Holland and recharging my batteries from an awesome big adventure in Dubai. Thank you Nayan de Abrew, Katharina Albert, Samantha Ho, James Ndedu and so many other persons for arranging everything… the congress, the teachers, the after after after parties , the sightseeings as the city tour (thank you Beate), the jeepsafari (thank you Marlon Andopé), the diving trip to Oman (thank you Ulrich Scheller), the amazing waterpark Wild Wadi (thank you Samantha Ho and Richard)…. everything was so great. I met the most friendly people in Dubai. And as well thank you to my roomies Vera Sjardijn, Anne-Marije Verbeek, Helen Forouz, Rishi Ghisaidoobe and Peter Duijn. You all made my stay in Dubai so special!
Kisses, Ingrid

Holger Weber (Bonn, Germany)

Great event, I am really enjoying my time in Dubai and all the cool people I am meeting here!!

Dana Invierno (Dresden, Germany)

The whole atmosphere was amazing. I never met so many nice and helpful people in just one week. We already decided there to come back at the next opportunity. Hope to see everyone again as soon as possible.

Markus Alexander Wischy (Munich, Germany)

What a great festival! Excellent organization, good timing for the best time of the year with perfect conditions to visit Dubai and a true international mix of Zouk dancers from all parts of the world! Looking already forward to 2013! A big thank you to Katie, James, Nayan and Samantha and all the others who helped to organize this memorable festival!

Mandy Keck (Dresden, Germany)

Thanks to Katharina Albert, Nayan de Abrew, Samantha Ho, James Ndedu and the whole Dubai Zouk Team for organizing this great event and taking care of us so well. This festival was organized with so much love!! We had an unforgettable week
in Dubai! Now we are back in Dresden and it’s like waking up from a beautiful dream… and I don’t want to wake up.
Thanks to Antonio Hernández Sánchez and Albita Asensio for this great MZouk-Workshop – I love this style and I want to learn more!! See you soon in Lloret! D.j. Nymf – love your music! I can’t stop dancing while you are djing. And thanks for the Can Atilla song Misso Elmasry and Bashar Al Samara’i – now I can’t get it out of my head.
And special thanks to Kimmy Samy for this perfect last day in Dubai! Sunset Zouk and driving in Dubai – I really enjoyed this time! Although I can’t believe you could relax while I was driving.
I will miss the Zouk Family in Dubai! Really enjoyed the parties and dances with you! We have to come back next year!!!!

 

FROM OUR REGIONAL DANCERS:

Fran Nuega (Oman)

Amazing weekend, everyone!!! Special thanks to Samantha Ho, Nayan de Abrew, Katharina Albert, James and all the Zoukers & awesome instructors!! We had a LOT of fun!
Sorry to miss the after – after – after – after- after – after – after – after – after (whew!) party…

Shammy Jayasuriya (Dubai)

That was an amazing weekend,along with the pre and after party.All thanks to Nayan de Abrew, Samantha Ho, Katharina Albert and everyone else that helped organize the zouk festival.Don’t want to go back to reality,wish i can do it all over again! Well done guys, your hard work and dedication payed off

Sachin Nambiar (Abu Dhabi)

Back from 2nd Zouk and Latin Festival…….. Zouk Lambada is the dance of love and so did the festival so…. spread of lot of love and happiness… Met and got 2 dance with wonderful instructors and zouker from all over the world…… Sp
eacial thanks to Nayan de Abrew, Samantha Ho, Katharina Albert, James Ndedu for bringing the best talents to this part of the world to help us improve our skills……..Wish it never ended ……

Kimmy Samy (Dubai)

Was an amazing Festival, amazing teachers, amazing zoukers and had a lot of fun with the Zouk family from all over the world Thanks Nayan de Abrew,Samantha Ho, James Ndedu & Katharina Albert for the great congress organizing.We love Zouk, See u all guys next year in Dubai

Julia Reutska (Dubai)

Last weekend in RAK was just awesome! Positive energy, beautiful people, good experience. Special thanks to Samantha Ho, Nayan de Abrew and Katharina Albert for organizing this event.

Naji Ji (Oman)

amazing weekend in Zouk Dubai Congress, thanks a million guys for making it happen :*

Geraldine Jellybean (Abu Dhabi)

Thank you so much for a fantastic weekend. As a beginner I got a lot out of the workshops and really enjoyed the shows and the parties. Can’t wait for the next event!

Sharuk Sha (Dubai)

i really enjoyed the fantastic zouk fest. and the after festival party. it was amazing. as beginner i got good opportunity to learn Latino dances from the such a big artists. thank u nayan and your family (who organised). as well as i got a chance to meet many artist and good friends.

Flawless Knight (Oman)

even i also want to announce my next coming.. i ll be the first1 to buy the early bird Hilde Aerts
It was a fantastic event with lots of lovely people! I had an amazing time. Thank you Sam and Nayan for organizing and Katharina and James for being a great backbone!!

Arthi Rajagopalan (Dubai)

What a fantastic event! Thanks Sam, Nayan, Kathy & James for all the hard work… it was an amazing experience and a great opportunity to meet (and dance) with so many international artists… A wonderful learning experience and truly worth the lack of sleep
Love you guys and everyone who came xxx

Faisal A. (Kuwait)

Thank you guys for the amazing event and unforgettable weekend

Hamad S.H.D (Oman)

Guys YOU ROCK! Lovely time and friends, with laughter till my lungs hurt! Keep being GREAT!

FROM OUR TEAM:

Nayan de Abrew (Zouk Dubai Founder)

Guys I must tell you it’s really fulfilling and rewarding to see all the zoukers from gulf and abroad had so much fun. Zoukers I love your energy and positivity and you guys are just CRAZY!!!!

Looking at all these comments there’s just 1 conclusion. Reality is our event was a great success. But all thanks to my family (you know who) and of course Our amazing artist line up which included like minded people ( all humble , all down to earth, lovely human beings). Best of all the crazy Zoukers including the craziest who stayed in room 123 from the region and all our lovely international guests.

…. [few days later]….

I finally got a chance to relax and thank the people who really help us to make 2′nd Zouk & Latin Festival a great success. I must thank our very first teachers Kadu Pires, Larissa Thayane and the Master of Masters Adilio Porto. Our great friend who has helped us from the start of the Zouk scene in Dubai giving advices and helping us in many ways to improve the Zouk in Dubai Pedro Mesquita. Our amazingly talented sinorita Martina Cancio who is a live wire to have in a congress, the most beautiful and talented MC we could ever have Erika Maddoo, Rizzi Vicci for going through the hardship and managing the front office so well. Our lovely like minded and amazing international team of instructors Antonio Hernández Sánchez, Eva, Albita Asensio, Richard Garcia, David Cascón García, Leticia Loffler ( The Spanish Mafia) DJ Nymf, Ariana Norcia, Jan Lachenmayer, Anni Kinast, Capital F ( H you rock man BTW what do you feed your Zoukers with? they gonna infect us all) ,Fanny Vandewiele, Anikas Poklad, William Dos Santos, Zara Green, My Dearest Friend Aminu Idris and Beautiful Anna Jurate for amazing stage performances, Our local and regional organisers who has helped us in many ways to make this a great event Thuwaini, JJ and Leena, Moe Flava, Joey, Brando, Walid and James and Alex, Udia (I think you got Zouked) for taking care of the sounds and for doing a great job during the festival , Steph for managing the stage and rocking the after party, Our Lovely Aida for arranging visas for the artists, Sachin (Trainee dance floor builder), Sandeep , Marlon, Arthi, Reza, Misso, Shammy for taking care of the artists, All the local and international Zoukers for their positive feedback and great energy,My bro James for building a dance floor in few hours which was a masterpiece and 2 lovely angels Katharina and Samantha working non stop to put ZOUK DUBAI on a global MAP. YOU ALL ARE AMAZING!!!! I am truly blessed!

LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!!!!!

Samantha Ho (Zouk Dubai Founder)

What a weekend! 6 nights of continuous partying at the 2nd Zouk and Latin Festival, now one night of rest before the after-after party in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday… A BIG thank you to all the artists, both local and international, your workshops shows and dancing are inspiring and captivating… the DJ’s with amazing music that kept the party going till late (or early)… to all the people who came f
rom abroad; Oman, Kuwait, Germany, Russia, Holland and many other countries, we loved having you here… to the Zouk ME team, helping from picking up artists to organising leisure events and building a dance floor, we couldn’t have done it without you… to my dance partners, Richard Garcia Tango, Sandeep Samuel and Nayan de Abrew, thank you for everything, all the training and hard work paid off…. last but not least, to the 2 people who truly deserve all the credit for the success of the festival, Katharina Albert and James Ndedu, love you both, Nayan and I would be lost without you….
To be continued in 2013…. =)