Gemini - Javier y Jenny Poprtland's Salsa King and Queen!

Javier Solis

In legend, GEMINI is symbolized by Castor and Pollux, the heavenly twins. Mercury rules Gemini, and this planet leads the astrological Twins on a wonderfully merry dance through life.

GEMINI simply adore excitement and fun. Their lives may have more ups and downs than most people's, but they wouldn't have it any other way.

GEMINI is quick-thinking, irrepressibly curious, youthful and optimistic. He or she needs a lot of variety, and it is not uncommon for both men and women born under this astrological sign to seek diversity and change.

GEMINI has a deep passion for salsa music and dance.

Javier is from Mérida, Yuc., México and he grew up watching his mother dance salsa and learning from her. Salsa music has been a part of Javier's life since he was a child, but it wasn't until much later that he discovered his talent as a salsa dancer. His creativity and keen eye for picking up detail assist him and his partner in producing complex, energetic and exciting choreography.

GEMINI was conceived in 2004 and has since been competing internationally,
while maintaining the title of undefeated champion in Portland, OR. GEMINI is recognized internationally thanks to the quality of its performances and teaching. GEMINI has traveled to many destinations, including Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, Japan and, most recently, China. Gemini has also produced the first full-color bilingual magazine dedicated entirely to salsa (Pure Salsa Magazine). Also, GEMINI has produced the Largest NW Gemini Salsa Competition to date, which is associated with the biggest promoter of salsa, Albert Torres, as well as the Las Vegas World Salsa Championships and ESPN.

GEMINI has appeared on TV at:
CCTV

GEMINI has performed for:
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Holly Carmickle

Holly Carmickle found her way into the Salsa Scene while taking an East Coast Swing class with Remos and Sharon Reynosa from Satin & Latin Dance Studios here in Portland. From that point on, Holly independently emerged herself into the Latin Culture by attending events such as Quinciañeras and concerts put on by world recognized Latin Musicians. For a short while, this was the place where she learned to release her fears and enjoy herself in social dancing to such rhythms as Cumbia, Los Norteños (Banda, Durangense), Meregue, Bachata, etc.

In the late winter of 2006 Holly ran into Javier Solis (GEMINI) where she encountered Salsa. After asking her to be his partner, she accepted. For the next seven months, Javier devoted himself to training her hard, all in the meanwhile; Holly continued working part-time and focusing full-time on completion of a BS Degree. Javier taught Holly about Salsa and showed her how to use what she already knew to create something well worth working hard for, but most importantly he always believed in her which carried with it high expectations.

In less than 7 months Holly has gotten the well deserved opportunity to teach, perform, and compete at such locations as: Portland, Canada, Corvallis, Salem, L.A and Washington, as well as China, where she made history dancing on the Great Wall of China while being broadcasted live on CCTV (China’s biggest T.V station). Seeing all the International and National Dancers perform right in front of her eyes made Holly appreciate how hard people work and what it really takes to be a performer. At the Third Annual Gemini Salsa Competition this last June she worked alone-side GEMINI and performed for the first time here in Portland with her group Adrenaline. Being a part of Gemini, has given Holly the chance to not only provide herself with many wonderful opportunities, but to expand her skills, while offering herself the gift of doing what she loves and doing it the best way feasible.

Awards and Accomplishments

	2004 March	GEMINI becomes 2004 Viscount Ballroom Salsa Champion
	2004 May	GEMINI was invited to perform with SCS at West Coast Salsa Congress
	2004 July	GEMINI wins the 2004 Fernando's Hideaway Open Salsa Competition
	2004 August	GEMINI was invited to perform with Salsa Con Sabor at New York Salsa Congress
	2004 September	GEMINI becomes officially incorporated
	2004 December	GEMINI performs with the Blazer Dancers at the Portland Trailblazer basketball game
	2005 January	GEMINI wins the Tequila Ole Open Salsa Competition
	2005 April	GEMINI performs with the Blazer Dancers at the Portland Trailblazer basketball game
	2005 May	GEMINI performs at the West Coast Salsa Congress
	2005 June	GEMINI is featured on the cover of "El Independiente" newspaper
	2005 June	GEMINI promotes the first annual "Gemini Open Salsa Competition" in Portland
	2005 June	GEMINI is a judge to select the Blazer Dancers team for the Portland Trailblazers
	2005 July	GEMINI performs at the Puerto Rico Salsa Congress in San Juan, PR
	2005 August	GEMINI is invited to perform at the Salsa Extravaganza event in Palm Springs, CA
	2005 August	GEMINI performs at the 2nd Annual Portland Salsa en la Calle
	2005 October	GEMINI is invited to perform at the Vancouver International Salsa Congress in Canada
	2005 November	GEMINI is invited to perform in Boise, ID at a benefit concert for la 4ta Generacion de la Academia, sponsored by Latinos Unidos and TV Azteca
	2005 December	GEMINI performs and competes at the 1st Annual Mexico Congress in Acapulco
	2005 Ongoing	GEMINI has volunteered for the following schools to promote and teach students and parents how to dance: Portland International School, Roosevelt High School, Clackamas Community College
	2006 February	GEMINI produces Pure Salsa Magazine - the first full size, color magazine dedicated 100% to salseros and the salsa community

	2006 February	GEMINI teaches and performs at the Diabetes Expo held at the Portland Convention Center to promote health and well-being through dance
	2006 February	GEMINI is interviewed and performs on Salem's CCTV show called Variadades
	2006 February	GEMINI is invited to perform and teach a workshop at the first annual La Rumba del Barrio event in Seattle, WA

Javier Solis * GEMINI * P.O. Box 8102 * Portland, OR 97207 Tel. +1.503.740.9100 * www.geminisalsa.com * e-mail: gemini_salsa@yahoo.com Internationally Recognized Professional Dancer, Instructor, Promoter & Choreographer