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Welcome to Salsa
and the City! This is a new 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 1998.
The Beginner's Guide to Hitting the Clubs
by Erin
Lamb
posted April 18, 2007
When you first begin to learn salsa, it is difficult to begin dancing
at the clubs. It is very intimidating. You see all the advanced dancers
doing elaborate moves, and people who have been dancing all their lives
moving easily to the music. It seems impossible that you might join that
crowd. However, you must. You must go and dance if you really want to
learn. Besides, isn't that the real reason you are taking lessons?
The following is a guide to surviving the clubs:
- Just because you don't feel like you're an
adequate dancer doesn't mean you shouldn't go to the clubs. Even if
you feel you are not ready to participate in the nightly dancing,
go to the clubs. Go, hang out, meet people, have a drink. You may
actually meet people in your same position. Or, even better, you could
make friends with a more advanced dancer who wouldn't mind showing
you a few moves.
My first experience social dancing was when I knew 'zero' about salsa.
I just knew I liked to dance, and I was tired of sitting at bars,
only drinking. I wanted to move. The first night I went out, I got
dressed-up, ordered 2 drinks at the bar and watched. Eventually, people
came up and spoke to me and I made friends.
- If someone asks you to dance, take the opportunity.
He or she asks you to dance
because they are interesting in dancing with you. If you are nervous,
it is normal. You have to dive in at some point. Why not now?
- Remember the more you dance, the better you'll
get. You can take all the classes
in the world, begginer to advanced classes, but if you don't practice
what you've learned with anyone in a social setting, you will never
feel, nor look natural dancing. If you are really petrified of the
club, make friends with your classmates and plan a trip to the club
together. Then, you can practice with people you know are at your
level.
- Finally, never let anyone make you feel inadequate
on the dancefloor. No matter
how advanced a dancer is, they should never critique, coach, or criticize
you on the dancefloor. You are not paying for a lesson, so they should
not be offering their opinion. Social dancing at the club is for fun;
it is not supposed to be work. Blow people like that off, and go find
someone else to dance. Remember, the night is young, and you don't
have time to waste on losers!
In closing, I hope this advice helps some of
our "newbie" salsa dancers. You are wanted in this community.
Otherwise, without you, we'd get bored of looking at the same people
all of the time. You've heard of the term, "Fresh meat?" Yes,
salseros/as like fresh meat too. See you at the club!
Past Columns
Reader's comments
I love fresh meat, and fresh fish too.
- Vincent
yes... yes.... no teaching on the dance floor.
If the person asks you for advice or some help later then give it. Other
than that the point of any dance is to have fun. If the person can't do
a double turn or doesn't know a lot of patters then just make it fun for
the both of you. Otherwise it's gonna suck. Oh yeah and new people, don't
be afraid to ask how to improve and what you need help with. I still do
and a lot of advanced professional dancers do it all the time. 2 comments
and no drama..... yet
- RyanC
It was really difficult for me to feel part of
the salsa community when I first started dancing. What helped me was to:
(1) always go with a friend or friends, (2) try to make a new friend every
time by introducing myself, especially to other women who could then introduce
me to salseros, and (3) get the nerve up to ask guys to dance. Still,
it took a lot of determination and perseverance to get to the point of
feeling confident on the dance floor. And, still, even after two 1/2 years,
I often feel like I have two left feet. But, like Erin says, if you focus
on having fun and making friends, you'll enjoy yourself no matter what.
Another point that might be useful is to keep in mind that you usually
end up having only a few good partners that you click with. There might
be a lot of great dancers, but it doesn't mean that they will be good
for you. Find and keep those few people who are close to your level and
have the same style as you. At the beginning I thought I had to be able
to dance with every guy out there, but over time, I realized that there
were only 4-5 partners who I could dance decently with, and only 2-3 that
were really great for me. Don't feel bad if you can't seem to dance with
someone. It doesn't mean it's your fault.
- Regular salsera
When I first discovered salsa, I sat and watched
the dancers' footwork. I went out religiously just to watch their feet.
I listened to the music and let it move me (a drink or two, always helps).
I took the classes and learned the moves, but was afraid to take it to
the floor. But Erin was right, hook up with people from your class and
get out there. You can count on at least 2-3 dances: 1-2 with someone
from class and 1 with Yang or Erin. Don't worry about stepping on toes
of the advanced dancers. I've stepped on a lot of toes and heels, but
those people are still dancing...no damage done. So go for it and dance
like nobody's watching!!!
- tt
Hey Erin, looks like we might finally have an article
with no drama! LOL!!!! If you're learning how to dance Salsa or any other
genre for that matter, the reason you're taking lessons is to dance...so,
why not do it? Don't feel intimidated by any one, and my suggestion to
lady beginners...dance with any guy that asks (unless he's really drunk)
and gentlemen beginners...ask as many women to dance...truthfully that's
the only way to really learn. You take your lessons from the best and
then you apply what you learn on the actual dance floor of a club! HAVE
FUN AND ENJOY LIFE BECAUSE LIFE = DANCE!!!!!!!!
- GINO
IT MIGHT BE OF THIS WEEKS SUBJECT BUT IM SORRY
TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF A SALSERO MARKHEM TAKADENA RIP SALSERO QUE VIVA
MARKHEM Y QUE VIVA LA SALSA THAT HE LOVED SO MUCH 223;)
- 223;)
INtoSalsa, Indy's premier Salsa guide
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