A salsa club introduction

This is a quick salsa & salsa club introduction and a few video clips from my favourite salsa socials - Falken & Salsabor Henriksberg Gothenburg Sweden.

At Falken you pay 4$, get the best dance floor in town, the nicest people and tons of fun. Here the only liquid available for drinking is two containers of water. So if you dear reader by some reason believe people are "hot" because of drinks or other kinds of drugs - you are definitely wrong. The only drug these people are on joy and of course some endorphins and dopamine.

And this - almost no drinks - is typical for salsa communities all over the world. You cannot dance if you drink too much. And if you have spent a few hundred dollars per season on classes you do not want to spoil everything by alcohol. Dancers here in Sweden do not not even smoke. It is amazing.

To interact on the dance floor you need a sharp brain and working reflexes. There are lots of things to consider. Beat, musical interpretation, planning the tours (for guys) and not get hurt by the couples beside. The guy need to make it comfortable for the girl - make her relax by showing her "I protect you from the evil neighbours that might make you fall right on the dancefloor". The girl - if she is relaxed - gives everything. Both regarding dance and interaction.

And what is happening then?
Salsa is a kind of old mating "ritual". Men becomes men and women women. The guy chases the girls and they of course say "no no no" and at the same time they show off. Exposing every curve using hips, bobs, belly, butt and glittering eyes. You look the guy deep into his eyes. You smile.You flirt, you tease you might even seduce for usually 2 x 7 minutes. But when the you leave the dancefloor - it is like nothing ever have happened.

It is like a theatre or a game. What ever happening at the dancfloor is its own entity. What is happening at the bar - another one. But of course inviting for a dance is a great way to start a chat with that awesome girl or guy. And you may have her/him in your arms and see if you want more.

Salsa


There are two main styles of salsa - Cuban and X-body. The sample above is on-1 LA style. Then of course two different timings - on-1 and on-2. The dance is the same - it is just where you put the feet in the beat that differs. Here in Sweden most people dance on-1 but on-2 is coming. In New York on-2 is dominant.

Cuban is easiest to learn. So any newbie - start with this style first. You get to the point of FUN much quicker. Sadly many guys skipping this phase never learn to dance. Their heads get so full of pattern and styling that they forget timing and musical interpretation.You have to listen to become a great dancer - both to the music and to your current ladies needs. But I also know lots of guys starting with NY or LA linestyle becoming great dancers anyhow. It is just so many more obstacles to overcome at the same time. Learn what is most popular at your own dance scene.

If you start dancing Cuban and finally finds a bit boring - it might be a good idea to start dancing X-body or line style. This is a more intellectual kind of salsa but also more expressive. In cuban the girls hands are stuck almost all the time - in X-body you may shine that is show off all by your self.The guys shines as well


Bachata




Bachata is a intimate dance but always danced with respect. Anyhow as far as you stay at a salsaclub or dance studio socials. But if you go to a place for salsa wannabies - a Latino party club for example - serious grinding might happen. That is sex with clothes on and has nothing to do with dancing. Not funny at all...

In bachata you get very close and this means that there might be people you refuse to dance bachata with. And people who perhaps not dance bachata with you. You have to respect that - this doesn´t necessarliy mean they do not like you.

Well performed bachata is very nice - soft sensual and relaxing. You are very very close but there is always a few inches in between (a fact people sometimes miss while just watching). It is sensual and yes and you might feel sensations perhaps not wanted or wanted indeed. But as with salsa - that magic disappear when you leave the dance floor. If you want to get laid for real you have to start the game once again beside the dance floor.


What to wear?
Clothes that breathe - you will get sweaty. An extra T-shirt is often brought by the guys that cannot undress as much as the girls. There are nice looking sport T-shirts in factory build for breathing. Look at the golf section for example. Make sure the fabrics is nice to touch for the girls - some synthetic is awful.

Girls - make sure shirts, skirts, tops, shoulder straps and everything is dance prof. Make sure theys stay in place while shaking your hips, bobs or spin. Never have a bare back where the guy is supposed to put his hand. You get sweaty here as well. It has to be comfortable for him too.

On feet wear firm shoes but not rubber shoes. You must be able to twist, turn and spin without hurting you knees. This can be hard to foresee if you do not know the floor. Different floors behave differently. Experienced dancers always bring two pair of shoes. One fast and one slow.

Shoes with synthetic soles works mostly fine. Or very old "dried out" rubber shoes with no floor grip at all. Try at home and pick the fastest ones.

Why do no one carry a wedding ring?
It is simple - it hurts to wear rings while dancing. You may even hurt your partner with a fancy ring. As a matter of fact you need to be careful with all kinds of accessories. Like bracelets, necklaces, earrings, belts with sharp decorations. So do never presume marital status based on ring or no ring at a dance club

Cha cha cha
This dance is not for new beginners. It is very sensual despite the distance. You flirt - you seduce like never before. And you have time to express all feelings since it is slower than salsa.

This is THE best dancers in Gothenburg. Nina also a member of hiphop group Twisted feet. She has taught me some styling - something she really knows. Philippe does everything for his lady. He moves like a panther - dyamic and explosive. When connected he moves around the girl all the time - making her feel precious and great. His eyes is aways there - checking you up. Watching you deep deep in your eyes. Making you feel desired even if you know it all is a game.





Salsa Weekend 2009
All included - classes, shows, fun & socials. Unexpected happenings at the dancefloor. Like some African Rumba with Griselle Ponche. Amazing lots of stars are there



Merengue
is a simple beat 2 dance. It is energy - flesh and body and great fun. It is very simpel to learn the basis. So simple you can even teach a dog.

Often at clubs there is a salsa class in beginning of night. Here you see lots of different skills - everything from white to black belters.

So why do I dance salsa?
It makes me happy, makes me meet a lot of friends, gives me great low intensive cardiovascular training, makes my body burn fat and it gives me a chance to flirt with "safety belt on". It is a kind of sex with clothes on but you get no sexual diseases and no unwanted pregnancies. You only get the fun part and there are no bad side effects. You get respect, lots of friends and have fun.