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This page last updated:
Monday, February 12, 2007
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How to.. Salsa dance
Duncan tries Salsa dancingr
THERE’S a dance revolution going on in ballrooms, clubs and theatres across the country.
As Latino tunes continue to infiltrate the pop charts, they are being joined by a growing interest in the forms of dancing that go with it – especially the raunchy rhythms of salsa.
As someone who always thought that salsa was something you ate with Doritos, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
But my girlfriend, who joined me for the night of swaying and sashaying, knows all too well the social side of the dance – both her sisters are avid salsa girls and met their current partners at late-night dance sessions in London.
Although we went as a couple to the session in the Starlight Suite, at Peterborough United’s ground in London Road, you are just as
welcome on your own, or in a group of friends – especially if you are a bloke as there are always girls short of partners.
The weekly Wednesday sessions in the city are run by Isabel Pacheco and Juan Carlos, with classes for all levels, from beginners to advanced dancers.
The night ends with a free dance, where everyone can try out their new moves.
The hour-long beginners and improvers class started with a line-up – all the students lined up behind Juan as he moved through a breath-taking series of moves.
I was soon flailing trying to keep up with some ridiculously fast foot and arm moves going on in front. Not a fun way to start a class I thought, until I saw that everyone around me was having exactly the same problem – and at the same time loosening up and getting rid of some self-consciousness.
Everyone was put into groups with Juan or fellow teachers Rita Manni and Andrew Amper who led the beginners class.
It started off well – I had my girl in my arms and I was learning the basic step, basically right foot forward and back then left foot back and forward to a count of eight.
I had just got it – and stopped treading on my girlfriend’s feet – when suddenly we changed partners. I was now in the arms of a complete stranger, slightly closer than I am used to on a first meeting, trying to learn a new step.
Sometimes this worked well, a few of the girls I danced with had never done any salsa before and you were able to break the ice by trying to work out what to do.
But occasionally I found myself completely confused as my new partner started dancing a total different move from the one I had just learned and tried to pull me along with her.
The music turned on and off as the new steps piled up until I could barely tell whether or not I was supposed to be stepping forward or moving back.
That said, I had it better than my girlfriend who was being twisted, turned and twirled all over the floor by a variety of different blokes, while I mainly stayed stood dancing my little salsa footmove and throwing around which ever partner I had got at the time.
It was tiring and slightly frustrating as we shifted from one move to another and changed partners regularly – often when I had just nailed a move – but soon it was time for the final line-up and the free dance.
Isabel, who leads the group, has been salsa dancing ever since she was 13 – and some of the moves she did and the advanced class were trying out at the start were truly breath-taking.
I guess the best thing to do is practice at home in between sessions to help you go up the classes.
Why do it:
Salsa is suitable for all ages and both men and women. It is a very good way to meet people and is rapidly becoming a very sociable activity across the country. The free dance is a very popular social event at the end of the evening.
You will need :
Wear whatever you might wear for a night out. You do need to be patient, however, as classes can move fast..
Where to go:
Classes are held every Wednesday at the Starlight Suite in Peterborough United Football Club, off London Road, Peterborough.
The intermediate and advanced class is from 7.30pm to 8.30pm, the beginners class goes from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, and the dance club runs until 11pm with a licensed bar open all the way through.
A dance club takes place from 9.30 until 11pm.
A class is also being held on the last Thursday of every month at the South Holland Centre, in Market Place, Spalding, starting from January 27. The beginners class runs from 7.30pm until 8.30pm, with the club running until 10.30pm. Tickets cost £7 from the box office on 01775 764777.
It will cost:
Classes and club cost £5, but if you just want to go to the dance club afterwards it costs £3.
More information:
Contact Juan Carlos on 07956 274244, visit: www.salsa-son-cuba.com or e-mail salsapeterborough@ntlworld.com
All details correct at 12/02/07