Welcome to Salsa and the City! This is a monthly column by Erin about Salsa in the Circle City. Salsa has become a lifestyle for some of us: music, dance, parties, fashion, travel, friends, relationships, and, did I say dance? For those who are addicted to Salsa, this is a place where you can read about what's going on in the city, and share your ideas, comments, and gossip. Erin has been a regular of Indy's Salsa scene since 1999.

Shut Up and Dance
by Erin Lamb
posted March 29, 2005

I don't know how many times I've overheard a conversation or have been approached by someone questioning the "style" of salsa that different dancers choose to dance. I always hear, "You know, I don't know why they dance that way - that is not the real salsa." It is always said with such accusation that you would think that the dancer had committed some kind of crime by using an illegal combination of steps. "How dare they!" I hear this from many club-goers out on any given Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night.

Some other comments I've heard to go along with the first one is:

"They don't smile enough."

"They smile too much."

"He doesn't feel the music enough."

"She feels the music too much."

"He's too hip-hop."

"She's too ballroom."

And the list goes on . . .

Everyone dances for their own reasons. For example, some people want to dance just for social reasons. They want to know just enough steps to be able to go out and interact with other people at the clubs. Beyond that, they just don't care to get any more involved. Some people, on the other hand, have become so obsessed with learning more moves and techniques that they just can't be challenged enough on the dance floor. These people are constantly checking out what the dancers on the East and the West coast are doing, and are always trying to keep up with the latest trends in salsa. It has become their drug of choice, and the tolerance level is high. Even still, others have grown up dancing. The dance and how they dance it is a part of their cultural identity; something they don't want to change or make "trendie."

None of these choices are wrong, nor do they make the salsa less "real." On Saturday nights at the Blue Cactus I enjoy looking out at the crowd and admiring the diversity in the dance, not just the people. In one corner, I see the Cubans clapping and dancing rueda. Their style is bar none and always fun to watch. On the other side of the dance floor I see some of the salsa "fanatics" like myself trying to make some of the most impossible moves look possible. I also see Columbians, Venezuelans, Guatemalans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and Mexicans (etc, etc, etc) all adding their own moves to a music that is decades old.

So what do I say now to those who stand on the sidelines and complain? I say that there is a reason that they are complaining and not dancing. I'm sure the first man or woman who heard the first beats of salsa ever played and started swaying to the music never said to his/herself, "Is this right? Is this the way I am supposed to be dancing to this music?" So get off your soapbox people and just dance!

Reader's comments

Erin, I love the article, so true, but, I am little offended about not mentioning us, a handful of Turkish women trying to do belly-salsa:) I bet we are getting lots of critisms too. Well, who cares as long as it makes us feel good, right?
- Bensu

After attending the Salsa Congress in Chicago, I enjoy watching other styles of Salsa, and hopefully remember so I can get some new moves to make my own. I have heard it said Salsa is like the dip, you have the base and you add a dash of this and that and "voila" your style makes the flavor!
- Donna

Hey, great article... I especially liked the last paragraph.
- Vino

Good call Erin! You couldn't be more right in your observations. G ood for you for bringing it to light.
- Melinda

I look forward to dancing with everyone because of the different moves and feel of each dancer. If everyone danced the same "style" it would be very VERY boring!
- Jennifer

I've always enjoyed looking at people dancing salsa and I'm intrigued by it. I really want to learn the steps and get into it. I feel I'm a good dancer- I can dance to reggae, soca, and other types of music and I would really like to add salsa to my list. You're right about what you said above - but that is people anyway - I mean the unhappy ones who have to find something to complain about. Keep having fun and I'm going to have fun dancing salsa after I learn the steps, YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Linda

Good point! Well said! I have heard same comments. I think negative attitude of looking down on others to feel better about yourself is lame. Anyone who knows more talks less and when they talk what they say is useful.
- Cem

I am guilty of criticizing different styles. I am going to shut up from now on. Great article!
- Troy