Studio Opening in Minneapolis
by Sylvain Durand
posted April 26, 2008

A new studio called Social Dance Studio just opened in Minneapolis. Having worked in this town for over six months now, I decided to check it out, and I was happily surprised with what they have to offer. First, they have three different rooms with large mirrors and great wooden floor. Then I found out that they have 5 or 6 classes every week day. Last but not least, they offer a 30 day pass for unlimited class and social events for $100. So convinced it was a great opportunity I registered last Monday and attended my first class.

The first class I went to was Cumbia-style salsa. Cumbia is originally from Colombia and is extremely popular in Mexico . In Indianapolis, a lot of the Latinos and Latinas dance salsa on that style. I have always wanted to learn it but I had never been able to find any classes in Indianapolis . So I took the two classes they offered (Foundation and Intermediate). I had a blast, Joy and Jay are very knowledgeable teachers and are very patient. It was a fun class with some footwork and a lot of partnering. I really hope that one studio would be offering Cumbia classes in Indianapolis , as it is such a fun dance.

On Wednesday, I decided to attend the Intermediate Rueda Classes. I used to be in the OpenSourceSalsa dance group, but I had to leave the team being always on travel. I have really missed the great classes that Juan Garcia teaches in Indianapolis , and the social interaction with the great members of that team. The Minneapolis classes were taught by Niko and Joseph. Niko Salgado will be teaching Rueda soon on a special occasion at IntoSalsa studio. The class was great with some footwork, then the teaching of a new move ( Kentucky for the Rueda fans). We ended up with the best part of Rueda, dancing in the circle.

On Thursday, I attended the Bachata classes. The class was taught by Momchil, an amazing dancer that teaches workshop in some of the congresses. I have to admit that Momchil is a great teacher, he emphasizes on every aspect of dancing: musicality, timing, correct frame, patterns and how to have fun on a dance floor. It was great to take again some formal classes in Bachata that is my favorite music.

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the classes on Friday and Saturday as I am traveling to Austin to visit some old Salsa friends, but they were offering great classes (Tango, Hip Hop, LA Style).

My overall experience at Social Dance Studio was great. The teachers are very competent and they focus on every aspects of the dance. They also offer a lot of different classes with every main style of Latin Dancing. Most teachers know how to lead and follow which help a lot the students.

Going to that studio also allowed me to meet a lot of the local salseros and salseras, as studios are a better environment to make friends than clubs. Every time I mentioned Indianapolis , I was asked news about Currie. That is the great thing about Salsa, it is more than dancing, it is about building friendships. There is nothing better than being able to meet interesting people in any city we travel.

A smaller city like ours has four good studios dedicated to teach Latin Dancing. We have some great Latin nights with good music and good dancers on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. As some of you might already know, I am going soon to start graduate School in the Chicago area. Even if it is a Saturday program, I will have to move there soon and leave Indianapolis. As I am getting closer to this move, I would like to thank all the dedicated people that allow this city to have such a good Salsa community. I have spent five wonderful and unforgettable years within the Indianapolis Salsa community.