Salsera's Trip to L.A.
by Jennifer Hughes
posted May 23, 2006

A few weeks ago I made a trip out to LA to visit some friends and of course like any salsaholic, I had to check out the dancing! I was headed to The Granada just east of LA and had been told this is the best dance floor in LA. The first thing I noticed when I walked in there was a policy stating "no tricks, dips or lifts". That was sort of a relief as I wasn't sure what to expect. The place was already pretty crowded by 10pm. The live band was already preforming and the dancers were going strong. The atmosphere was very casual but few were dressed in jeans.

The floor at the Granada is large and open about the size of the Vault three times over on the main floor with a stage for the band. The building has several floors but due to special events that night the other dance floors were not open. There were all level of dancers there. My friend pointed out all the regulars and good dancers. Most of the more advanced dancers stayed towards the back of the dance floor and really heated things up once the band got going.

LA dancing is all about one thing-Style!! I had went thinking that there would be more lengthy shines and fancy foot work, and yes there was more than our sometimes "vanilla" or plain style Indianapolis scene, but the dancers all had each and very distinctive styles. One gentlemen used the hand toss move over and over and over again, creating this fluid movement that was not only challenging to keep up but fun to do. Another would spin me out a bit and while holding on to my hand allow me to do some styling. Of course this was tricky to catch on too as I'm not used to that signal. When I sat back and watched, this small extra moment is when the ladies would add a wave or a slight dip or fancy side step while the guys would do their own styling.

One of the more advanced regulars got me on the dance floor for some cha cha. A good lead not only dances to their partners level but also allows her look like she knew each move perfectly. I had no idea how to Cha Cha but I seemed to float right along. No one was shy about asking to dance, young, old, advanced or new, and they all brought their own style. Getting out to other cities has taught me to forget everything I thought I knew about salsa and inspire me to find my own style.