The Elements of a Good Lead.

Rhythm. RHYTHM IS FUNDAMENTAL – NOT OPTIONAL. Salsa is done in 8 beats. Every step, every move, every turn, every spin is done—in and on the rhythm—those 8 beats. Part of the lead is being on the rhythm. The tempo of Salsa music ranges from slow to very fast so you MUST adjust your dancing accordingly.

The steps we do. We don’t just dance in place and watch the lady. We of course have to do our moves too- the steps, the turns, the “cool moves,” the “shines”. So we do our steps. Not hard, right? But wait! There’s more.

Determining what steps the lady is to do. That’s right, not only are we doing our steps, but we are also making choices about her steps anytime she is in a hand-to-hand position. In closed position, we decide what steps are to be done and in what order. Make a mental note to give her some independent dance time by releasing her hands. She has skills. Part of your responsibility as lead is to ensure that she has an opportunity to show off those skills. Hold on! There’s still more.

Communicating our expectations. This is where we as “leaders” must strive to excel. Excellence from this point on, is what will begin to take your from ordinary to extraordinary. Leading is the ART of communicating the choreography of the dance with style, subtlety, but with crystal clear clarity of purpose. Lead well, and she will love dancing with you. Lead too forcefully and you will be guilty of “manhandling” or “steering,” the lady. They will refuse to dance with you. OR, lead too softly, and you will be labeled as a “spaghetti-arm.”

I’m sure we’ve all been there and, yes, it hurts. We are still working on getting better, right? To make matters more complicated, the right amount of lead is different for each lady. So part of the dance paradigm is to make the necessary adjustment for each and every lady. Remember that there is no formula.

Assuring that the floor is available to her. This is generally called “floorcraft.” It is the job of making sure that where she goes (dances) is SAFE. By safe I mean the space is available and other couples are not in the way or headed for the same spot. Your responsibility is to protect her from harm; to keep her out of harm’s way. How do you know if you are doing this well? Easy. Did she bump into anyone? Did anyone step on her foot? Did she step on someone’s foot? Did someone bump into her? Your answer to this should be an emphatic, “Of course not!”

Watching for and handling dance hazards. (other people who are not concerned about others on the dance floor) In addition to watching out for other dancers, you must also be on guard for the “dance hazards.” These are people generally unconcerned about who they hit. Fundamentally they believe that they OWN the entire floor. Be sure that your dance partner never has an unfortunate meeting with these people. Take time to notice them. If you and your partner are near them my advice is move quickly to another part of the floor. You’ve probably noticed that some couples do lots of complex moves, and others dance near them. That means there is a level of trust in their expertise. If you don’t have confidence in their skills, give them space! Also, if people are giving you lots and lots of space, they are telling you something.

Providing compliments and feedback. The lady is responsible for executing the dance. So give credit where credit is due. And if she is a beginner give her credit for being willing to dance. It’s tough out there! Remember when you were a beginner? Compliment her dance skills, turns, footwork, and attire, if appropriate. Of course, use good judgment! Remember that good manners go a long way. If possible escort or accompany her on and off the dance floor. When the dance is over, say thank you.

You may think it’s your show but she is the Leading Lady. Under no circumstances, should you out-class or out-dance the lady. I still remember the lady who said to me, “Stop dancing AT me and dance WITH me”. She’s the star. You can do your stuff, Yes! But in moderation. Be subtle. Mix your moves in with the dance so that it becomes and integral part of the dance. Then your styling serves to contribute to rather than detract from the lady. Note: if she is a great dancer be sure to give her the freedom to shine. Then relax, keep your rhythm, and enjoy dancing with a great dancer.

And finally, have a good time. Dancing is about having a good time. It’s hard to have a conversation with the loud music, so consequently facial expressions or the lack thereof tell a lot. Don’t wear a face that looks like you just lost your best friend, are bored, hate being there, or would rather be getting a root canal. Smile.

Great when it all comes together. Great lead is when these nine elements or so all come together. It will happen. Practice, practice, practice.

Yup, I was joking alright. But I am serious about the new movie Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore. This new family and animation movie is directed by Brad Peyton and written primarily by Ron J Friedman. Lead actor Christina Applegate is joined by Nick Nolte and James Marsden for what should be a truly entertaining movie.

And the real good news is …. Advertlets is treating 165 bloggers to this new movie and if you’re a blogger, you stand a chance to win free tickets to this movie. More info here. The bad news is, if you’re only reading this post now, I am sorry but the closing date for this contest is on 24th August 2010. And the good news is, I am going to watch this movie since my good buddy (which I will not disclose his name) has got me tickets for this screening, all thanks to Advertlets.

Movie Details

It’s a film about talking cats and dogs, and as such, it includes a fair portion of butt-sniffing jokes. This is a fact. It’s also a sequel to a lackluster movie, 2001′s “Cats & Dogs,” which organized stilted jokes and awkward computer effects around a lame plot involving a villainous scheme to distribute tainted fake snow to the masses. On the backs of mice. While Jeff Goldblum writhed in chains. These, too, are facts.

But there’s a ray of hope for crummy movies: the sequel can’t get much worse. In this case, it’s considerably better, adapting the 007 template in a story of a crazed bald cat named Kitty Galore (voiced by a hissing, chichi Bette Midler) and her malevolent plot to conquer the world. It’s brilliant in its simplicity, really; she just needs to broadcast certain high-pitched sounds, and the planet’s entire dog population will launch into vicious attack mode. People will have no choice but to stick them all in kennels.

Bond references abound, as well they should. The hideouts are subterranean, the gizmos are awesome, and Roger Moore voices a bow-tied cat named Lazenby. There’s a henchman with shiny metal teeth. The brassy music grooves and swoons over slinky opening credits, and as for the climax – it’s almost as drawn-out and convoluted as the genre demands. Grown-ups in the audience will also enjoy clever riffs on distinctly non-Bond subjects, including kitties stoned on catnip and a fluffy Persian send-up of “The Silence of the Lambs” in which Sean Hayes returns as the diabolical Mr. Tinkles.

Only time (and votes from our dear feline and canine friends) will tell the success of this movie at the box-office, but if this latest trailer is anything to go by, it looks like it’s worth a watch.

Dating in today’s world can be frustrating, especially since we often don’t know what we are doing right and what we are doing wrong in attracting that elusive mate. Perhaps, sometimes all we need to do is make a few minor changes to our approach in order to see major results. Between work, family members, friends, dogs, etc., the idea of focusing on our love life looms over us like another full-time job. If you find yourself single or unattached even after countless efforts on meeting people and attending blind dates, why not try out this alternative?

Singles Cruise Asia is South East Asia’s first themed cruise event bringing singles from all over Malaysia, and the world. It is a 5-days and 4-nights, all inclusive meals and board, fun filled discovery cruise (from dinner parties, theme nights, group games, dance classes, express-dating games and more) that will take participants on board the Legend of the Seas from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

Far from just any “dating event”, Singles Cruise Asia also boosts a great lineup of personal development programs on board. From image consultancy to relationships workshops, and hot dating tips and etiquettes from the experts, the cruise is an all in one relationship makeover journey that is designed to empower and equipped participants with the “know-how” and mindset to prepare them for relationships, or even to heal from one.

“Single Cruise Asia is a vacation theme and personal discovery cruise aimed at providing a platform for the growing singles population to meet “real” people and see what they are like in “real” situations. It is often difficult to determine what someone is like until you interact with them outside of their normal routine – not in a bar or out to dinner. Fun activities are always the best way to get to know someone, make some new friends, or even ignite a romance,” said Timothy Low , PR Director of SCASIA Sdn Bhd, who organized the successful and sold out Salsa Cruise Asia 2009.

Singles Cruise Asia participants will be expecting activities on :

• Tips on Making Impressions : Put your best foot forward and get the results you deserve.

• Tips on follow-up and the next date!

• Tips for finding the right dating site, creating a great profile that represents you and learning ways to stand out from all the others.

• Tips for online communication, selecting photos to ensure the best presentation, organizing all your responses, follow-up and the first date!

• First Impressions: Tips on the impression you give and how others perceive you. A real eye-opener filled with simple suggestions on how you can turn things around and get results.

• Image Consulting: Are you conveying an image of confidence? Our Image Guru are more than delighted to help you discover your personal style. Whether you just want to find a few outfits that look good, or you want a complete wardrobe overhaul, they are brilliant at what they do.

• Kick-starting your Love Life: You know you want to meet someone special but you just feel overwhelmed about getting more pro-active and are not sure where to start! Our Love Guru will guide you in organizing a personalized plan filled with tons of ideas and suggestions based on your interests and goals. You’ll feel more confident and focused in no time.

Malaysia’s first Single Cruise Asia will set sail from 6th to 10th December 2010 on board the Legend of the Seas by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. The sail route will be a round trip from Singapore, docking at Port Klang, Malaysia and Phuket, Thailand and finally back to Singapore. For more information, please contact +6012-262 2864 (Timothy) or visit www.singlescruiseasia.com.

Day One
Starting off the Grand Opening Night at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore on 22nd November 2009 with a roaring Chinese Drum Performance … audiences were treated to more than 20 dance performances and we would like to thank these artistes and dance schools for their contributions making this event a great success!

Johnny Vazquez and team (MEXICO)
Jordan Frisbee and Tatiana Mollmann (USA)
Alexistyle and Katrin (GUATEMALA / GERMANY)
Lidia McMahon and Ulysses Maclaren (AUSTRALIA)
Tony Lara and Daniela de Francesco (ITALY)
Kadu Pires and Larissa Thayanne (BRAZIL)
Kaytee Namgyal (INDIA)
Magna Gopal (USA)
Attitude Dance Studio (SINGAPORE)
Brenda and Li Bin (SINGAPORE)
ACTFA team (SINGAPORE)
Two Left Feet (SINGAPORE)
Jitterbugs (SINGAPORE)
Grupo Invicta (SINGAPORE)
Dansflava Studios (SINGAPORE)
S&A Danz X’pressio (SINGAPORE)
Dance En Motion (SINGAPORE)
NRA Crew (SINGAPORE)
Fasilito and Emma Dance Spirit (MALAYSIA)
Ritmo Latino (MALAYSIA)
SalsaJay Dance Academy (MALAYSIA)
Jaxen and Cecelia – Rhythm Identity (MALAYSIA)
Alex and Carmen – A&C Dynamic Dance Studio (MALAYSIA)

Day Two
We sailed off into the sunset on 23rd November 2009 from Singapore Cruise Centre and the party started on the Pool Deck with a Sailaway Party. People dancing next to the pool to music from Live Band “Son Latinos” as the ship sailed out of the port … the sea wind, the ship long horn …

1st night was an all-white night theme party. Gentlemen dressed in crispy, smart white shirts and ladies came in gorgeous white dresses. It was an unforgettable sight. Dinner was at the posh Romeo and Juliet fine dining restaurant. Served by a Head Waiter and an Assistant Waiter, it was first class experience. Some of the guests were treat with magic shows by some of these waiters while others chat up on their experiences working in the cruise ships. Full course dinner starting with appetizers, main course and finally ending with dessert.

After dinner, it was group photo session (gosh, wasn’t easy organizing group photos…..) but the thought of a group photo with everyone in white was just irresistible.

The group adjourned to Anchors Aweigh Lounge for Salsa Party with our official DJs and after 2:00am, the party moved to Viking Crown Lounge till about 3:30am. And trust me … the party was …. indescribable.

Day Three
Ship docked in Port Klang, Malaysia at 7:00am.

The morning started off with dance workshops at SPA Deck and Anchors Aweigh Lounge. GLOW Game Show at the Anchors Aweigh Lounge, artists and participants had a great time with some dance related games and they won prizes, sponsored by GLOW Megawecare.

Lunch break at the WindJammers Cafe that serves an international range of buffet line.

Must Try Tip. Self serve ice cream on ice cream machine next to the pool deck area.

Pool Deck Party / Sailaway Party in the evening with more dancing and public dance workshop.

Dinner at Romeo and Juliet with “Purple Glow” theme. Again, the dinner hall was decorated with glittering beautiful people dressed in purple outfits.

Right after dinner, some folks attended the Cruise Show at That’s Entertainment Theater while others joined the party at Anchors Aweigh Lounge and they were treated with performances by some of the international artistes.

Day Four
Morning dance workshops at SPA Deck, Anchors Aweigh Lounge and Conference Room. Lunch break at Windjammers Cafe.

Ship docked in Phuket, Thailand at 1:00pm.

Fun day trip in Phuket. Massages, shopping, elephant rides. It was a free and easy time for all.

A&C Dance Group presented a 45 minutes dance production show at That’s Entertainment Theater in the evening, just before dinner at 8:30pm.

The theme for the night : Celebrity.

People came in Cowboy costumes, Egyptian Queens, Johnny Depps, God Fathers … you name it, it’s there.

Right after dinner …. camwhoring session at The Centrum and people were dancing to Retro music by Live Band. And it wasn’t just the Salsa Cruise Asia group. Everyone joined in. Crazy time!

More party at Anchors Aweigh Lounge and party continued at the Pool Deck …. at 2:00am. Party ended at …. I can’t remember ……

Day Five
It was the “Sea Day” i.e. ship is en route to Singapore from Phuket, Thailand. A whole day of sailing.

It was a full day of dance workshops. Again, SPA Deck, Anchors Aweigh Lounge, Conference Room and even the Pool Deck was used for dance workshops.

Pool Deck party with a dance workshop INSIDE the swimming pool.

The theme for the night : Dare Devil.

Free for all, it was up to the guest to interpret the definition of what to wear for Dare Devil theme. Most came with devils’ horn, monsters masks, it’s almost like Halloween. Of course, the most interested costume was the “FLASHER” guy. Those that joined the cruise will understand what I meant. And those who didn’t, ask around. You’ll find out soon enough.

Right after dinner, guests were ushered to That’s Entertainment Theater for the Grand Finale Performance. Again, we would like to thank these artists for putting up their best performances and closed Salsa Cruise Asia 2009 event with a BANG.

Johnny Vazquez – Mexico
Francesco – Italy
Jamie Jesus – Australia
Kat Koulizakis – Australia
Lidia McMahon – Australia
Ulysses Maclaren – Australia
Kaytee Namgyal & Sahibal – India
Alexis and Katrin – Guatemala
Kadu & Larissa – Brazil
Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollmann – USA
Magna Gopal – USA
Gupson Pierre – Singapore
Tony & Dani – Italy
Jeamie & Fai – Malaysia
Fasilito & Emma – Malaysia
A&C Dance Group – Malaysia

Right after the performances, it was party time again at Anchors Aweigh Lounge and party was moved to Pool Deck and it only ended at 6:00am when Windjammers Cafe was opened for breakfast.

Day Six
By 7:00am, most of the guests were already up busy packing and checking out of the cruise. 9:00am, everyone is already out of the cruise ship on their way to their next destination.

SALSA CRUISE ASIA TEAM WOULD LIKE TO SINCERELY THANK ALL THE PARTICIPANTS AND ARTIST ALIKE WHO HAS SUPPORTED US FULLY THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EVENT. WE COULD NEVER HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU GUYS. Please bear with us on those inconvenient moments. We learn as we organize and we highly appreciate your feedback.

THANK YOU AGAIN AND HOPE TO SEE YOU ON OUR NEXT CRUISE IN JUNE 2010.

The largest pre-Salsa Cruise Asia party is coming soon! Book your date on 2nd October 2009 (Friday) and head to Salsa Havana KL.

Dance Performances by
- SalsaJay Ladies (SalsaJay Dance Academy – Malaysia)
- Thomaz (Inversion Crew)
- ECX Crew
- Rhythm Identity

Special Appearance : Meei Liew – Former Ms. Malaysia Fitness and current “Ms Fame Fitness – World Champion”.

Drink Choices :
Tequila
Vodka
Gin
Rum
Whiskey
Coke
Sprite

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28412842566&ref=mf#/event.php?eid=133029647035

A fellow member from the salsa community, Muna Nazri has been struggling to cope with news of cancer affecting one of the members in her family. Her father is suffering from Prostate Cancer Gleason 9-Bone Cancer which requires intensive medical treatment in order to fight it. To make matters worse she was just hospitalized for complications in the kidneys.

Salsa Cruise Asia, together with El Habanero is organizing this Salsa party to raise funds to help Muna.As a member of the community, we try to extend our assistance in any way possible to help our peers. The management of El Habanero has generously offered to contribute 50% of the cover charge to Muna. And to top it off, they will also contribute 10% of their earnings for the day to her as well.

You can help too. Please extend this invitation to your students and friends.

El Habanero Cuban Bar is located in CapSquare Kuala Lumpur. FREE PARKING is avaliable BEHIND the club. Click here for details on club and how to get there …

Well, wonder no more. Run through the 101 signs below.

If you can relate to at least 1 sign below, you have minor Salsaholism issues.

If you can relate to at least 2 signs below, you have major Salsaholism issues.

If you can relate to 3 or more signs below, you are DEFINITELY A SALSAHOLIC!!!

1. You vividly remember your first experience with salsa and the date it happened.

2. You take naps during lunch because you went dancing last night.

3. You never listen to the radio anymore because all you listen to are salsa CDs/cassettes.

4. You cruise downtown blasting salsa music.

5. You go to a hip hop/dance club and you find yourself trying to find the beat of the clave.

6. You try your salsa moves in the hip hop/dance club with somebody that has never partner danced.

7. You dance in your dreams.

8. Salsa lessons/club cover fees are now a permanent part of your monthly expenses.

9. You say you are going shopping for a new business outfit, but you are secretly salsa shopping.

10. Your boyfriend/girlfriend does not understand the “strictly plutonic” relationship you have with your salsa partner because you simply cannot wait until you practice with him/her again.

11. You watch anything that deals with body movement (i.e. karate, gymnastics, figure skating, ballet) because you are trying to devise a new salsa move.

12. Everything you do leads back to salsa.

13. You sing songs with words you don’t even understand.

14. You are the only non-latino in the Musica Latina section.

15. You practice your turns when no one is looking.

16. You lightly dance your basic when you are waiting for something or when no one is looking.

17. People do not know you are secretly practicing your footwork when they are speaking with you on the phone.

18. You quit watching TV.

19. You convince yourself you can get by on 3-4 hours sleep per night.

20. Would rather have salsa than sex.

21. Salsa IS sex.

22. You have lost about 10 lbs. from dancing so much.

23. You have searched and found EVERY club in town.

24. You start spending more on salsa clothes than work clothes.

25. You’ve considered getting a different/easier day job to co-exist with your salsa dancing.

26. Friday nights are off limits for any events because you just CANNOT miss your salsa night.

27. You can’t buy enough salsa music/clothes/shoes.

28. All your “former” friends have now abandoned you.

29. You don’t even miss your “former” friends, as long as you have your salsa!

30. You argue about how salsa should be danced.

31. You have met all new (better and more permanent) friends.

32. Your friends and family do not understand what you are ranting and raving about.

33. You dump your boyfriend/girlfriend because he/she is getting in the way of your salsa training.

34. When you say, “I need my FIX for the week.” you are not referring to drugs.

35. You cannot convince any of your friends to come with you.

36. You start talking 100 mph just because someone shows an interest that you like to dance salsa.

37. You went to a salsa congress and had an information overload.

38. You used to be humble and shy, but now you just have to show off every chance you get.

39. You go on vacation and instead of looking forward to seeing the main attraction, you just cannot wait until you check out the local salsa clubs.

40. You extend your vacation a few days, just so you can check out a local club.

41. You watch the MTV music awards and you don’t recognize any of the new groups/singers because you never listen to that music anymore.

42. You are on the web all day long visiting salsa web sites.

43. You started working out again because you have to be in shape to wear those salsa outfits.

44. Your shoes are worn out from spinning so much.

45. You start clearing space in your room so you can dance salsa there.

46. You listen to Marc Anthony and start crying.

47. You cannot imagine life without salsa.

48. You start changing your screen names to “Salsa-this” or “Salsa-that”.

49. You are pondering getting a license plate with “Salsa” somehow in it.

50. You sneak to your car during working hours just so you can listen to a few salsa tunes.

51. You are a writer/columnist and all you think about is writing about salsa.

52. You pray at night and thank God for creating salsa.

53. You install wooden floors in your house because you prefer them over carpet (Yeah right!).

54. You get stopped (at work, in a grocery store, in the mall, etc.) by random people telling you that they have seen you dance.

55. The only time you rest in the club is during the merengue breaks.

56. You can only stand merengue for a few songs.

57. You are on that eternal search for those perfect shoes.

58. Nobody wants to go shopping with you because all you talk about is how that would look so good in the salsa club.

59. You are in church listening to the sermon, but secretly you are dancing in your head.

60. You get desperate to practice and you dance with an “imaginary” partner.

61. You realize that the only thing you have done for the past few months is go salsa dancing every weekend and you feel you still haven’t gotten enough.

62. You realize that the only thing you have done for the past few YEARS is go salsa dancing every weekend and you feel you still haven’t gotten enough.

63. For your birthday, you ask for something related to salsa (i.e. lessons, new shoes, new outfit).

64. For your birthday, your friends buy you something related to salsa.

65. You get a few friends together and the first thing that comes to mind is casino rueda.

66. You are looking for a wedding dress that you can dance salsa in.

67. You use to have other hobbies.

68. You have chronic knee and back problems from all the dips, flips, and tricks.

69. You start wearing tight t-shirts.

70. You try to pass your addiction onto your other friends.

71. You walk into the club and everyone there is like family to you.

72. You have experienced at least one time when you overexerted yourself on the dance floor.

73. Your idea of a good first date is to go salsa dancing.

74. Heaven is having lots of space on the dance floor.

75. You take something that has no relevance to salsa dancing, but somehow you manipulate the conversation to end with salsa.

76. Your skirt keeps getting shorter and shorter.

77. Hell is a place where there is no salsa.

78. Your password is SALSAFREAK.

79. You have engaged in fisticuffs with another dancer over the “one” and the “two”.

80. You decide that going out salsa dancing is more important than studying for that big exam.

81. You lie to your boss and tell him/her the reason you have to fly to Los Angeles /New York/ Miami or Puerto Rico is strictly for business.

82. You get caught by your boss surfing SALSAWEB during working hours.

83. You did the “death-drop” move and never came back up.

84. You leave the club at 3 a.m., completely tired from dancing all night, and you get stopped by the cops because you were swerving on the road. When the cop asks you to perform the “walk”, you start busting out your salsa.

85. You decide the only man/woman you will marry has to be a salsa dancer.

86. One of your pet peeves are cumbia dancers.

87. Your family coat-of-arms features a couple salsa dancing.

88. Club owners hate you because you go to the club and all you do is drink the free water.

89. (Salseras only)You practice day/night with your partner and when you go to the clubs together, he goes dancing with all the different women and you never get asked.

90. You become jealous when watching your dance partner, whom you have no relations with, dance with another person.

91. You bust out some salsa solo moves when waiting in line to use the restroom.

92. You have salsa music on your answering machine.

93. You sing salsa songs in the shower.

94. You and your friend/partner dance in the oddest places (i.e. grocery store, mall, gym, work, etc.).

95. After you break up with your boyfriend/girlfriend, you go out salsa dancing.

96. Your neighbors are wondering what the hell that is you are playing.

97. You check SALSAWEB’s partner search everyday.

98. You own at least 2-3 salsa instructional videos.

99. You were already dancing salsa while in your mother’s womb.

100. You do your leg workout earlier in the week so you can have “fresh” legs for your salsa weekend.

101. “Wepa!” is now part of your vocabulary.

- Author Unknown -

Its very simplicity underlies its extreme flexibility; the sheer amount of personal choice. Just as you can walk in any direction you choose, so you can dance salsa on the spot, in straight lines, or in turning paces. The remaining beat can be highlighted with a tap, kick or pause. Note: A step is when you put your foot down and move your weight onto it (foot placement with weight transfer), a tap is when you put your foot down but don’t move your weight onto it (foot placement without weight). In many Latin countries, couples even choose which beat they would like to dance on, and it need not necessarily be the first beat.

All this might sound like rhythmic anarchy and it would be, were it not for one vital constraint. Salsa music and its progenitors has always been music for dancing. Its cooperative heritage has engendered a belief, in Latin America at least, that everyone else has an equal right to enjoyment on the dance floor. This alone prevents outbreaks of destructive mayhem. Instead this attitude (especially towards one’s partner) welds the forces of spontaneity, individuality and musicality together to form the atmosphere that Latin music is renowned for.

Just as the music has maintained its vitality by absorbing other influences, so has the dance. Apart from other Latin dances like the merengue and cumbia (which the term salsa sometimes encompasses), salsa bears some marked similarities with lindy-hop, swing and hustle. It has even proved capable of absorbing elements of ballroom Latin dance and Argentine tango. Quite astounding.

Flavours of Salsa

The way salsa is danced varies significantly depending where you’re from and how you’ve learnt it. In the main, Salseros from different backgrounds can still dance with each other, at least at a basic level. British salsa is primarily anchored around the back basic, turns are executed on the second beat after a “wind-up” movement on beat one and are biased anticlockwise. North American salsa is built around the Latin basic and many early combinations contain turns to the right. Salsa from the Caribbean and Latin America is presented more commonly as a walk, resulting in a much more circular in movement and the turns being slower. Within this are the main stereotypes of the Cuban and Colombian style, that is having an action that digs deeper into the floor or one that travels lighter above it respectively.

Before we lose our sense of perspective, these generalizations are mean to demonstrate the richness of the dance, not to typecast. Bear in mind that individual styles also vary within regions, so adopting a “definitive” style of salsa and trying to squeeze your students into it would be an amusingly futile gesture.

The Problem with Learning

People born and raised in a Latin American culture acquire salsa in a passive learning process; through constant immersion. It is my opinion that they come to understand the dance differently: as a series of walks instead of individual moves.

For those who are not fortunate enough to have this opportunity (like myself), we have to learn it instead. As mentioned before, early learning tends to occur best in a structure. To this end you will often find salsa being taught as a series of steps and moves because it is more meaningful to the student. But at some point, a different teaching angle should be used to offer the student an opportunity to look at the dance through a native dancer’s eyes, thereby offering the student the best of both worlds. Often the final process is not carried out, either because its importance is overlooked, or because it is easier for the teacher to carry on in the old manner regardless.

A Little Comment About Leading and Following

Social dancing in couples is mainly a phenomenon of Western European culture. By social dance I mean one that has structure but is not executed in the form of routines i.e. basic rules which once understood allows two individuals to dance together and flexibly determine their choreography, even if they had never met before. This demands that each move element of the dance possess a unique identifying start signal. Initiation of the signal and compliance with it results in the coordinated execution of the move element by both partners.

When a couple takes to the dance floor, both partners cannot initiate at the same time, neither can they both comply. Therefore one partner initiates and the other complies. This is known as leading and following respectively. Traditionally the lead role has been assumed by men and the following by women, although this has begun to change: where women are forced to lead due to a dearth of men, and because the social roles of both genders are being redefined.

The lead (known as la marca meaning “the mark” in Argentine Tango) for a move can take a variety of forms, usually presenting itself as a change in pressure (increase/decrease) at the points of partner contact, or in the body position of the leader relative to the follower. The most elegant leads are clear and considerate to the follower without being obvious to the casual on-looker. The challenge to the follower, in choosing to comply with the signal, is in finding ways of self-expression whilst dancing within its constraints.

Consequently salsa demands the abilities of lead and follow of its dancers in order for it to be executed on our latter-day club floors in a social context.