If you’ve ever struggled with timing, balance or body movement, getting grounded in your basic is a no-brainer next upgrade that will help you in your journey.
As I mentioned before, once you’ve “learned” something, you’re never really done. There’s always improvements to be made, and improving your fundamentals is what allows you to do all the wicked tricky fun stuff later on.
Let’s get your basic feeling more stable and smooth, shall we? Let’s call in the pros to help:
4 On the Floor: Keeping Both Feet on the Floor Gives You Control
Picking your feet up off of the ground during the 4 and the 8 makes you less stable. You’re at the mercy of your momentum and it’s much easier to go off balance. Simply put, it’s more difficult to stand on one leg than it is on two.
Keeping your feet on the floor for the 4 and 8 gives you control, makes your basic smoother, and allows you to articulate perpetual motion in your body movement – specifically your hips. Ensuring your technique is sound – that your stable and smooth, in this case – is the crux for advancing what you’re capable of as a dancer.
How Grounding Yourself Is Key in Timing and Rhythm
When you’re dancing your basic step, your body should be accomplishing two different rhythms.
Rhythm 1:
Your feet step Quick, Quick Quick on counts 1, 2, 3 – 5, 6, 7.
Rhythm 2:
Your body actually moves continuously on the Quick, Quick, Slow rhythm, using every count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Everything above your feet should never stop moving.
Digest that for a second
Your feet should hit the ground (going from toe-heel) as quickly as possible in your step. It’s your body that never stops moving.
Milk those slow counts (4 & 8). It’s your body that gets extra time to move on the slow counts, not your feet.
And of course, remember that the quick-quick-slow rhythm is the essence of Salsa. Without it, you’re no longer dancing Salsa.
Give it a try!
I hope this tip can help you gain better control of your salsa basic on your journey toward all that fancy, fun and musical stuff you’re hungry to get to.
Give it a go next time you’re practicing and let me know how it works for you. If you have any questions just drop them in the comments section below!
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Enjoy this post? If so, try a sample lesson from our progressive On1 and On2 salsa curriculum taught by Canadian Salsa Champs Patrick and Scarlet at TheDanceDojo.com.
Everyone knows fundamentals are important, but when’s the last time you checked-in on yours?
Let’s take your forward and back salsa basic for example. Once you learn to step on 1-2-3, 5-6-7 and you practice it for a few sessions, you think “Aha, I’ve got it! Time to move on.” You’re right and you’re wrong.
Yes, move on to continue amassing skills and challenging yourself.
No, don’t forget to return to your basic and continuously improve it.
What Fundamentals Are and What Fundamentals Aren’t
Improving as a dancer is not a linear progression. You can’t expect to learn something, practice it once or twice and then be able to add layers of complexity on top of it successfully.
Fundamentals are not just for beginners.
Fundaments are not a list of moves you can check-off and learn once.
Fundamentals are skills you must keep returning to, upgrading them as you advance.
Not taking time to upgrade fundamentals is the biggest mistake dancers make. We’ve all been there, so hungry to move forward and learn that next move, that cool looking pattern, or that sexy ladies styling that we miss a key realization: the way to move forward is sometimes to take a step sideways, to build a stronger foundation.
Cool, I got it. Now What?
Let’s take a look at one of the simplest upgrades you can make to your basic step that will have a huge impact on you as a beginner salsa dancer.
How To Improve your Basic Step On1 and On2
You’ve learned to step on 1,2,3 – 5,6,7. Check!
You’ve learned not to step on the 4 and 8 and “pause” on those counts instead. Check!
Everything is going great, but after awhile you notice your basic isn’t quite like the dancers you drool over. It’s on time, but it looks robotic.
So how do you get from being a choppy looking robot to having smooth connection, beautiful body movement, crazy moves and amazing musicality like your favourite dancers? The first step is adding perpetual motion into your dancing.
Here’s an explanation from three-time Canadian Salsa Champions Patrick and Scarlet on exactly how to do it:
Pass Over the Middle to Add Perpetual Motion into your Basic Step
When doing your salsa basics you should always be in continuous motion. Salsa music is a ‘quick-quick-slow’ rhythm, NOT a ‘quick-quick-stop’ rhythm.
To maintain perpetual motion, instead of bringing your feet together on the third and sixth steps of your basic, pass over the middle and stagger your feet, as you would do walking down the street. Passing over the middle ensures your body is always moving, which makes your basic smoother. And it’s much easier to follow a lead with a smooth basic.
You’re probably thinking “Hold on, if I should be staggering my feet, then why did my instructors teach me to put my feet together and “pause” on 4 and 8?”
Your instructor taught you to pause because it’s easier for a beginner to learn right off the bat. That’s why upgrading your fundamental techniques is so important. There’s no way you can digest an advanced level of information on day one, at one time. It needs to be layered on as you progress.
Kick your ‘Quick-Quick-Stop’ Habit and Honour Salsa’s ‘Quick-Quick-Slow’ Rhythm
Passing over the middle, or “rolling through that stop sign at the intersection”, helps your body stay in tune with salsa’s quick-quick-slow rhythm.
What you typically learn first:
Step in threes, stop on the third step, each step takes one beat and you hold the 4 & 8.
Quick (1) – Quick (2) – Stop (3),
Quick (5) – Quick (6) – Stop (7).
What you want to switch to as soon as you can manage (as seen in the video above):
Step in threes, maintain motion on your third step by milking counts 4 & 8, and pass over the middle.
Quick (1) – Quick (2) – Slow (3,4) <– it’s one step, but takes two beats to complete
Quick (5) – Quick (6) – Slow (7,8) <– it’s one step, but takes two beats to complete
Benefits of Passing Over the Middle During Your Basic
Once you get in the habit of passing over the middle of your basic step and maintaining perpetual motion, you’ll start to notice some good things happening:
Having a staggered stance in your basic makes it easier for you to maintain perpetual motion throughout all your movements (necessary for learning body movement)
Your basic step will take far less energy to complete
You’ll be able to stay on time with faster music
Perpetual motion creates a smoother connection with your partner
A smoother connection with your partner allows you to execute more difficult moves
Having the capacity to execute more moves allows you to dance with more partners and have more fun!
What Do You Think?
That’s a wrap on how to improve your Salsa basic by passing over the middle and using perpetual motion. If you have any tips to add or a story to tell on how you improved your basic, share a comment below!
Enjoy this post? Looking for online salsa lessons? Try our progressive On1 and On2 salsa curriculum taught by Canadian Salsa Champs at TheDanceDojo.com.
Erin Durch is in the Dance Spotlight! Erin is a great supporter of the DFW latin dance scene and you’ll find her popping up at a variety of places to dance. Check out some fun facts about Erin including some of her favorite local dancers! Want to nominate someone? Contact us!
Where are you from?
I have lived in Seattle most of my life, but I have been in Texas for six years now teaching high school in Houston and then PA School in Midland/Odessa. Currently I am working in Abilene for a Rural Medical Fellowship and can’t wait to practice dermatology soon! For those that see me almost every weekend, yes, that is six hours round trip for dancing and good food, of course. Shout out to Anthony (Young)! You have to cook for my wedding one day!
Favorite DFW Dancers?
Oh my, there are so many! I love watching Elisa and Arturo perform. Others that I enjoy dancing with (basically all the usuals!!) are Martin Ramirez, Vijay Kumar, Lui Lopez, Mike Hernandez, Jose Hernandez, Jay Stylz, Chino, Jacob Birnbaum, Anthony Young, Luis Loredo, Jay “Blaxican” Reeves, Margarito Garcia, Robert Icon, DJ Evo, DJ Jose, Alex Robertson, Rashon Hogan, Alex Solórzano, Greg Kritsky, Derek Bunting, Juleon Lewis, Arturo Ramos, Jair Arias, Daniel Porte…There’s so many more so I’m sorry if I left your name off.
Favorite DFW Socials/Places to Dance?
Pura socials in both Ft. Worth and Dallas on Fridays, bachata at Los Lupes, and salsa at Los Comales on Sundays. I Enjoy Rio Mambo on Saturday as well.
Dance Pet Peeve: (Hygiene, No connection, People who teach while dancing, etc)
Oh my. I’ll try to go easy with this one.
Gripping my hand instead of using just the fingers especially during salsa.
Man handling.
Not staying in time.
Pulling in for sensual bachata and not really doing much dancing besides hugging yet not letting go.
I’ll stop there.
Favorite Dance Moment?
I love watching dancers improve and seeing how happy they are when dancing more musically. I’ve had the pleasure of watching the Alma Latina Dallas perform a few routines over the last few months for charity events. Seeing how dedicated they are at recording and watching themselves at every practice, adding extra practices, correcting one another like brothers and sisters, seeing how impressed the audiences have been at the events has been a treat to watch. Keep up the great work team.
Favorite Dance Genre?
Socially it’s tied between salsa and bachata. Although those that know me can tell you I start moving to any beat especially hip-hop. My dancing began with ballet at age 3 so overall that would be my favorite.
What dance movie title describes your attitude while dancing? Why?
Center Stage. Not only is this my favorite movie but I feel like I’m a mix of all the dances that Amanda Schull does towards the end. If you haven’t seen the movie you definitely should especially if you were a ballerina at some point in your life.
Favorite dance video you’d like to share?
There are so many that I like but in the past few days I have been watching the lead and follow from this video and they hit with musically and creativity. Check it out!
I don’t think it was until I was attending kizomba festivals in Europe a few years ago that my current notion of what a taxi dancer is really took hold. While I had previously encountered some similar practices in many different dance scenes, they often had different names and particularities. Yet at this point it seems so normal to me that I’m surprised every time I speak with a long-time dancer who has no idea what the term “taxi dancer” means.
What is a taxi dancer?
The first time I set down my understanding of taxi dancers in writing was in an article about building your dance community:
“Taxi dancers are responsible for dancing with everyone – not only saying “yes” to everyone, but seeking out wallflowers and livening up the party. They are usually higher level dancers that receive a free pass or even some compensation for their role. […] Taxi dancers may wear a special shirt, hat, button, or wristband to make them easy to find. Taxi dancers are more common in big cities or at large events, and they help fill in the gaps – whether by offsetting a gender/role imbalance, attracting other higher level dancers, or being where the organizers/teachers don’t have time to be.”
Historically, the term taxi dancers referred to women who would dance with men in the American dance-halls of a century ago, collecting paid tickets at a dime each in order to earn a commission from the venue. Also called hostesses, they kept the male patrons entertained while earning money based on the time they spent with each customer – much like a taxi driver does. You can get a pretty good picture from these two clips from the 1931 film “Ten Cents a Dance.”
Ballroom dance schools picked up on the idea, and I think it was in fact at a local ballroom studio that I first encountered the idea of paying for a partner (a studio teacher) at a social. At lindy hop and blues events I realized after a while that some of the best or most popular dancers who weren’t teachers would sometimes attend an event for free, with the understanding that they would pull in more people to attend. Often great dancers were asked to come participate in the beginner class or balance the roles in a workshop. When I lived in Philadelphia back in 2012, they were calling them “cherubs.” Today lots of different dance scenes have a similar practice; I’ve also seen it in salsa, bachata, tango, West Coast swing and even Ceroc. An informal Facebook survey I did turned up the terms “salsa ambassador,” “dance angel,” “party starter,” and “limo dancer” as alternatives to “taxi dancer.”
Whatever the name, taxi dancers seem to fall into three main categories: volunteers, a paid individual partner, and individuals or dedicated teams who receive passes or monetary compensation at festivals. At swing and blues socials, there are often designated volunteers who spend a certain period of time going around and dancing with newcomers and beginners, sometimes introducing them to other dancers to help them get going. Argentine tango is the most famous for having professionals for hire: you can contract with a taxi dancer for a night of social dancing, a festival weekend, or even for a multiple-night stay on your trip to Buenos Aires. It’s not uncommon outside tango, though; I have friends who hired ballroom and salsa teachers for an evening and I heard about some popular guys who were being paid by individual kizomba dancers to attend a festival with them. I myself once agreed to go to a social with a student of mine; he paid for me to dance with him for a minimum of one hour over the course of the night.
What does it take to be a taxi dancer?
The first requirement most people think of for taxi dancers is having a good level in your dance. There is no absolute standard, though; you simply must be good enough that your intended partner(s) enjoy dancing with you. The standard for volunteers will understandably be less stringent than for paid dancers. When people hire a taxi dancer as an individual, usually they are looking for someone who dances well, knows the local dance culture, and is reasonably genial. If you are a taxi dancer at a social or larger event, you should care most of all about getting everyone up and dancing. The number one criticism of taxi dancers (especially paid teams) is that they sometimes fail to behave professionally, choosing to dance only with other high-level dancers, attractive people, or even “groupies” that follow their team to different festivals. As a taxi dancer you should also pay attention to and be sensitive to each partner, adapting your dancing to suit their skill level and comfort. Unfortunately some taxi dancers are known to treat each dance as an opportunity to show off, sometimes leaving partners feeling ignored or ill-used. A great taxi dancer will leave each partner feeling pleased and ready to find their next dance.
In theory anyone who invests in their dancing and their scene could become a taxi dancer, but realistically there are often some other factors that matter. You’re less likely to be invited as a taxi dancer if you don’t live in a major metropolitan area, no matter how good you are, and teams are usually formed in big cities. In terms of festival invitations, it makes a big difference who you know and how much you promote yourself. And it’s pretty obvious that when it comes to Latin or kizomba festivals, being a young attractive man is a huge advantage.
Why bother with taxi dancers?
You might never even think about hiring someone to dance with you if you’re an amateur dancer; perhaps you just enjoy the social opportunity afforded by going out to dance with many different people. If you are eager to increase your level rapidly, though, having concentrated practice at a social with your teacher or another high-level dancer could make for a helpful boost. For the shy or socially awkward, having a guaranteed partner can make you bolder in asking others to dance as well. When you’re ready to invest in a trip to a far-off country to focus on your dancing for a weekend or more, the additional expense of a local taxi dancer could prove well worth it in terms of navigating the local scene, finding the best spots to dance, and having someone ready to show you off on the dance floor. There is one caution I would offer, though: be discreet. There can be some stigma attached to having hired a taxi dancer. It’s wise to arrive separately, handle payment away from the venue, and endeavor to dance with other people as well.
As an organizer, there are some clear benefits to inviting or employing taxi dancers. If you want the regular attendance at your local social to grow, having volunteers who are focused on integrating beginners and newcomers will have a serious impact on your retention. Promising to have a team of taxi dancers at your festival has created a measurable boost in attendance for many larger events. Assuming the taxi dancers have done their job, you’ll also have lots of satisfied dancers recommending your event to their friends.
However, you might want to think about what kind of oversight you will want to have over your taxi dancers in order to ensure your attendees are getting the full benefit of their presence. Check that the level of the taxi dancers is in fact appropriate; you don’t want to join the ranks of organizers accused of taking just anyone in order to claim “WITH TAXI DANCERS!” on the flyer. Require your taxi dancers to be clearly identifiable. Taxi dancer team t-shirts are popular, but they’re not always visible in a venue with low-lighting and they may soon be removed by less worthy taxi dancers. “I didn’t want to make people dance with me in a sweaty shirt” may provide the perfect excuse to abandon their duties and choose their partners as they please. A popular alternative is using some kind of lit wearable like a glowing wristband, lapel pin, or shoe tie. Moreover, there should be consequences for taxi dancers failing to live up to the standard of their role, whether it’s withholding future invitations or more publicly offering feedback on their services. You might also consider offering a bonus to the taxi dancers who are most present and active during the socials.
Sincere Appreciation for Taxi Dancers
Taxi dancers can help dance communities and events to grow and flourish, offering memorable experiences to all attendees. There are so many wonderful people who fill this role today, inviting hesitant dancers onto the floor with a welcoming smile or pulling people off the couches at 2:30 AM to keep the party going strong. Thank you to all the taxi dancers who work hard to show us a good time!
Let me know in the comments about your own experience related to taxi dancers; give a shout-out, explain how it works in your scene, or just give your opinion!
Salsa Diva Griselle Ponce has been uploading videos to her Facebook and Instagram pages of her teaching Salsa, often in heels, 30-plus weeks pregnant…and totally slaying. A video of Stephanie Stevenson (video above) in her third trimester dancing in the LA’s Top Social Dancer competition recently went viral , wowing viewers with Stevenson’s moves— which included a full split. Top pros, like Arlette Guerra from Zafire Dance Project, taught and performed well into pregnancy, and continue to teach and perform nationally and internationally, bringing the little one(s) along.
It’s common to see expectant mothers on the dance floor—whether they’re social dancers, instructors, or professional performers. I spoke to Latin dance moms from all over the country about their experiences dancing pregnant and here’s some of what they had to say:
It’s O.K. to dance pregnant (and to dance with a pregnant lady!)
Summer McPherson getting down with her baby belly. Photo courtesy of Summer McPherson.
All of the moms I spoke to who danced during pregnancy were so glad that they did, citing all of the benefits of dance that we know and love—stress release, exercise, and socializing—as being especially helpful during a physically and emotionally turbulent time.
For professional dancers and instructors, dancing through pregnancy is not optional—these ladies rely on dance for their livelihood. For others, it’s a physical, mental, and emotional necessity
“I loved to dance pre-pregnancy. Dance in every way is my therapy to treat my anxiety & my depression— it is my release, and it is my artistic expression when I can’t paint. When I became pregnant, that did not change. If anything, I needed dance more as I was a single pregnant woman with a volcano of emotions threatening to erupt at any moment,” says Krystal McManigal from Charleston, S.C, an avid dancer and mother of a now three-year old.
Roc Dance Company founder and host of “Roc with Me Kizomba Radio” Elyse Inzinga, from Rochester, N.Y., taught and performed right until 9 months.
“Dancing while pregnant was challenging but so, so worth it. I did not gain crazy amounts of weight, I had lots of activity to distract myself from some of the worries and fears that accompany pregnancy, and I felt more in tune with myself in a time that my body wasn’t my own,” says Elyse.
Wilmington Latin Dance owner Summer McPherson has two children and had different experiences dancing pregnant with each one.
“I had started dancing just a few years before I had my first one and I was timid [about dancing pregnant]. I was still new into the scene and got many weird looks after my belly had gotten bigger,” says Summer. She says dancing was much smoother with the second one.
“I had just began teaching with Charlotte Latin Dance when I found out I was pregnant with my second. I danced all the way until maybe 2 weeks before having her, teaching, performing and dancing socially. I loved dancing and teaching while pregnant with my second. I may have felt nauseous that day, but the moment I began teaching or dancing, it was gone. She knew what was up!” says Summer.
Although some leads are nervous to dance with pregnant women, expectant mothers know their bodies and know what they can and can’t do safely.
“When I did start gaining weight and Geordan got bigger, it became challenging to dance for the entirety of a song. I also would be very picky about who to dance with. I would need to trust that person and their dancing style very well. If I knew someone was a very clumsy dancer, I would politely decline,” says Krystal.
Elyse Inzinga didn’t let pregnancy slow her down. Photo courtesy of Elyse Inzinga.
Katariina Gay, an instructor at Wilmington Latin Dance and co-founder of the Port City Salsa Splash agrees that safety becomes a bigger consideration on the dance floor.
“You definitely become more aware of yourself and your dance space on the social dance floor with elbows flying and high heels stepping all over the place,” says Katariina.
Your dancing will change as your body changes
Kizomba and Bachata dancers especially find they have to adapt their movement styles more as they advance through their pregnancies.
“I am a Kizomba dancer, so, connection definitely changed as my body did. We rely on chest-to-chest connection, which became impossible as my belly grew. It challenged me to find new ways to connect and definitely forced me to be creative. My dance partner and my team were super supportive and patient with me!” says Elyse.
Kristen Jett, a recent new mother and instructor at Holy City Salsa Dance Studio in Charleston, S.C., had to rely on others to demonstrate certain moves.
“The most challenging part of teaching was keeping my Bachata moves, such as dips, body rolls, and other isolated body movements. It was harder to demonstrate in class for the students to get the full understanding,” says Kristen. She also nixed multiple turns while pregnant because of changes in her center of gravity.
Many expecting mothers find they have less stamina the further they progress into their pregnancy and have to contend with aches and pains that weren’t previously present.
“Once your belly really pops out, your center of gravity shifts and ligament pains start to set in. Shortness of breath, swollen ankles, and sciatic nerve pain are just the cherry on top in pregnant dancing!” says Katariina.
Katariina Gay performing for two. Photo courtesy of Katariina Gay.
For women who perform, they have to consider the intensity of the routine and dial it back some.
“The more ‘jumpy’ routines were harder because I got winded easier with less lung capacity and often my baby was kicking during the routine to let me know she was there,” says Kristen, who performed five months pregnant at the Columbia Salsa Summit in 2016.
And performers may have to get creative with making costumes fit to accommodate growing bellies.
For many women, dancing pregnant is an experience like no other.
“I have learned a lot about my own strength, my femininity & power through childbirth and dance,” says Summer.
Every body is different and everyone’s experience will be different.
“To any woman wondering if it’s “appropriate” or safe – do what is right for YOU! If you’ve danced for years, nothing says that can’t continue,” says Elyse.
Are you a dance mama? Did you dance pregnant? Are you planning to? Share your experiences in the comments!
Cheryl Hendrix is in the Dance Spotlight! Cheryl is an active dancer and you’ll find her at a variety of socials across the metroplex. Check out some fun facts about Cheryl including some of her favorite local dancers! Want to nominate someone? Contact us!
Where are you from?
I was born in Fort Worth and have always lived in Tarrant County. I live in Bedford now, so you’ll see me all over DFW. In case you wondered, no I’m not Latina. My mother is a full-blooded Sioux Indian from the Rosebud tribe in South Dakota.
Favorite DFW Dancers?
We have so many fabulous dancers here, but I always need my Arturo Garcia, Gabriel Garcia, Fluffy (Jose Hernandez), Jacob Birnbaum and Anthony Young dances. I challenge myself to dance with instructors and guest artists when I can. Roberto Lay, Kane Kong, Wander Rosario, Chino Lee, Luis Loredo, Samy Vez, Audi MPK and “Did I Mention” Arturo Garcia are favorite local instructors. And I always try to dance with someone new.
Favorite DFW Socials/Places to Dance?
I prefer the socials. Pura Dallas and Pura Fort Worth are always fun. The Sensual Social, Saka Kizomba Social and My Salsa Social are also favorites. Stratos Wednesdays, Al-Amir Arlington Thursdays and Los Lupes Addison Sundays are my favorites of the restaurant venues.
Dance Pet Peeve: (Hygiene, No connection, People who teach while dancing, etc)
I’ll call it dance floor rage. We have all levels of dancers on some very crowded dance floors. I occasionally see someone make way too big a deal of being bumped on the dance floor. If they had a horn it would be blasting. This is one reason I prefer the socials, usually more space and more awareness of dance etiquette.
Favorite Dance Moment?
It’s the dances that happen on a random Monday night at Havana Grill, when a Michael Angelo asks you to dance a very fast bachata, half on and half off the carpet. You get all the leads and are both pleasantly surprised.
Favorite Dance Genre?
Bachata is my first love and the reason I started social dancing about 4 years ago. The last year or two I’ve fallen for Zouk and Kizomba.
What dance movie title describes your attitude while dancing? Why?
Shall We Dance captures my fascination with a dance that eventually led me to the social dance scene. In my case someone showed me a bachata video. I searched for a while, watched a lot more videos and luckily found the magical place that was Embargo.
Favorite dance video you’d like to share?
I’m strictly a social dancer. I like to support our local teams. This first team offering from Arturo & Elisa was pretty much a dream team. I’m looking forward to debuts of their new teams in training now.
Cliff Anderson is featured in this edition of Dance Spotlight! Cliff is a veteran of the DFW Salsa scene and has performed at various socials and congresses throughout Texas. Check out some fun facts about Cliff including his favorite dance moment and some of his favorite local dancers! Want to nominate someone? Contact us!
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Anderson, Indiana.
Favorite Dancers?
Wow, favorite dancers? There is so much talent in DFW, but two of my favorite people to watch are Johan and Alyssa Ibanez. These guys are so knowledgeable, fun, talented, and are awesome people to be around. Wander Rosario, Jay Styles, Sal Urena, and Arturo Garcia are some of my favorites as well. I love dancing with my girlfriend Blanca but, outside of that, some of my favorites are Mahsh Rosario-Pourjavad, Alyssa Ibanez, Kim Harmon, Elisa CaVi, Lauren Marks, Christina Flores, Anais Harvey, Erika Brionnes, Justina Bui, Oli Lazo…I mean, there’s so many more ladies that I enjoy dancing with that it’s impossible to list everyone.
Favorite Socials/Places to Dance? I like hittin’ up Pura Dallas, Pura Ft. Worth and the Gozaderas at Alpha Midway. These are great socials that put everyone in one place, and does a good job of catering to both the salseros and bachateros in our community. You can sometimes find me hangin’ out at Blue Mesa on Saturdays, I like to go visit Los Comales and Los Lupes on Sundays, and I like droppin’ in on Luis Delgadillo to check out Chicho’s on Tuesday night. I haven’t been out too much as of late because of school, but these are definitely some of my favorite spots to go to when I’m ready to get my dance on.
Dance Pet Peeves? (Hygiene, No connection, People who teach while dancing, etc)
My biggest pet peeve when dancing is when I get turned down for a dance because a lady is ‘too tired’ or their ‘feet are hurting’, but then they turn right around and go out on the floor with the next guy that asks (on the same song in which she rejected me). Listen, I can understand if someone doesn’t want to dance with me, but nothing gets at me more than being played to the side like that. I’d rather just be told ‘no’ (lol). At least it’s honest.
Favorite Dance Moment?
I’d have to say that my favorite dance moment was when I performed at the Dallas Congress many years ago with my partner Valerie Martinez. We were debuting ‘Cuban Nightmare’, which was a perfect description for how our ending turned out. When we went for our big finish, I mistimed the final stunt and Valerie ended up just jumping on my back as if I was giving her a piggy back ride (lol). The nervous smiles that we had while holding THAT pose told it all, but it was pretty funny.
Favorites Dance Genre?
While I have grown to love bachata, salsa will always be my favorite. No matter if I’m feeling happy or sad, salsa allows me to purge my feelings, and I always feel good afterward. I can also feel that I can create a little more, which allows me to show a little more of my personality on the floor.
What dance movie title describes your attitude while dancing? Why?
I started to say ‘You got SERVED!’, but you said what dance movie TITLE describes my attitude while dancing, not just the movie (lol). Hmmm…I’d have to go with ‘Dance with Me’ as the title that describes my attitude when dancing. Whenever I’m out, I make it a point to dance with as many ladies possible because I like to share dance with everyone, and nothing is more enjoyable than spending a song with someone, and they really enjoy their time on the floor with you as much as you do with them. It’s a blessing to be able to go out and dance the way that we do, so it’s important that we take advantage of all the opportunities to make it a great dance environment for everyone that is present.
Favorite dance video you’d like to share?
I’ll post this video because apparently a lot of people have not seen it. This is a video of Val and myself performing ‘Que Se Sepa’ at Inca Café in Carrollton in 2007 (formerly know as La Esperanza). Back then there was no HD quality so don’t even try (lol). Hope you guys enjoy it!
Many of us decide to take up dancing to improve our physical health–and why not? Dance is a fun, dynamic, social form of exercise that gets us up and moving, burning calories, and boosting endorphins.
Recently, I shared some videos with my high school students in which individuals with health struggles were highlighted; dance has helped to alleviate their symptoms and vastly improve their quality of life. One man has been able to slow the progress of his Parkinson’s symptoms by taking up ballroom dancing, a young man combats his ADHD through refining his art, and a young lady with a brain condition has shattered stereotypes regarding what it means to be a ballerina. These videos are just some of many uplifting and powerful examples of how dancing can help us to heal.
While these viral videos inspire us to persevere, I know several dancers in my Latin dance community with injured ankles, shoulders, or knees who experience a great deal of pain every time they step onto the floor. Another dancer I know had to take a break while recovering after surgery (she is doing quite well now, thank goodness). I myself struggle with an autoimmune disease and lately, the pain has been so intense that I cannot dance as often as I would like to. Some days, I just want to dance so badly that I push through the pain (I’ll be okay!) but I almost always end up paying for it afterwards (I’m actually not okay). In these cases, we may want dance to be able to make everything better again but the fact is, it can’t always do that for us. Notice how I didn’t title this article “Dancing the Pain Away…”
Don’t get me wrong–dance can help us deal with many of our struggles. It has certainly made my life a lot more active, exciting, and fun. I have no doubt that it has improved my mental health by reducing stress and building my confidence due to the friendships I’ve made and skills I’ve learned. In many ways, salsa dancing has boosted my physical health too. After all, I tend to go out dancing several times throughout the week, even during the cold winters when it can be tempting to stay at home and binge watch Santa Clarita Diet. The problem is, we can be quick to assume that because dancing is healthy, it’s always good for us. Sometimes, we do need a break from it. Whether it’s due to burnout from taking on too many activities, the stress of performing, or physical ailments that need time to heal, it’s okay to give yourself permission to take a guilt-free break from dance.
If you’re stubborn like I am and a long break is not likely, my advice is to be kind to your body. Don’t push yourself to the point that you will make things worse and be sure your dance partners are aware of your condition (for example: “I’m having back pain, so please don’t dip me”). Communication is key to your safety and overall enjoyment of the dance.
Another tip I would suggest is to pick and choose the events you want to go to very carefully (see my New Year’s post for more on this topic). You don’t need to go to everything and risk making your pain worse just to save face. Attend the events you are truly looking forward to and balance your dancing with lots of rest and recovery time.
If you don’t suffer from any illness or injury, lucky you! Just be aware that we’re out there on the floor along with you and often, our pain is invisible. You won’t always see us limping, wincing, or taking a time out in a way that is easily recognizable as suffering. If you ask us to dance and we say “not right now,” please don’t take it personally–it probably has nothing to do with you. If we ask you to avoid certain movements, please respect that it is for our safety and so we can enjoy dancing with you. Lastly (this one’s important!), if we don’t come to your event, please don’t assume it’s because we don’t want to.
Do you struggle with a chronic illness or injury that affects your dance life? Share your story in the comments below.
Ramon Cordero was a bachata pioneer who started performing in the mid 1960’s. He was very well known and celebrated in the Dominican Republic, which is why I was embarrassed that as a bachata dancer and fan of the genre, I knew very little about him.
On this edition of LDC TV, we pay tribute to this great bachata artist, who died this past January in Santo Domingo, DR.
Video Producer: Roberto Ramirez
Video Producer: iASO Records
Ramon Cordero Pictures and additional footage courtesy of iASO Records.
Ramon Cordero’s music is available on http://www.iasorecords.com/artists/ram-n-cordero
My husband and I were looking at photographs from our wedding day in 2010. As we browsed through the pictures I realized that I was actually struggling to remember the names of some of my happily smiling guests.
So who were these strangers that I’d invited to share in the most meaningful day of my life? The answer is embarrassingly shallow. They were my former “salsa friends.” It’s sad to say, but when these folks lost their interest in salsa dancing, I apparently lost my interest in maintaining friendships with them.
For some reason, as soon as these people permanently took off their dancing shoes our friendships quickly faded away. As I have lost nearly as many friends as I have made throughout the course of my “dance life” I can’t help but wonder whether friendships born from salsa dancing are really built to last.
WHEN THE DANCING COMES TO AN END
When I first began dancing in 2008 I quickly became addicted to the salsa lifestyle. Newly single at the time, I was ecstatic to have stumbled into such an active social life. I began spending most of my free time with members of my dance class and I felt as if I had finally found my tribe. We were a tight group and we spent hours laughing, talking, socializing, and dancing together.
Inevitably, after about six months of intense “togetherness,” the salsa buzz began to wear off for some of my new friends. Cracks began to appear in friendships as some people became better dancers than others. Previously enthusiastic dancers started to become interested in other activities, while “less talented” dancers quit the scene altogether in frustration. Other people had found romantic partners who either encouraged them to take a break from dancing, or to stop dancing altogether. Whatever the reason, our group fell apart and no one made much of an effort to put it back together again.
Fast forward to present day – out of our original group of about ten friends, there are only two of us who still dance on a regular basis. Predictably, while the two of us are closer than ever, our friendships with the rest of our original crew are either nonexistent or live only through Facebook.
WHEN YOUR SALSA FRIENDS ARE STILL DANCING, BUT NOT WITH YOU
This scenario goes something like this:
You meet someone in dance class and/or on the dance floor with whom you have an immediate connection;
You form a great friendship and become salsa dancing BFFs;
Everything is cool for a while, and then,
Your BFF joins an advanced class or an “elite” dance team, and shortly thereafter;
Your former BFF no longer seems particularly excited to see you, talk to you, or dance with you in a public social setting.
So – what has happened? It may take a while to penetrate your brain, but the truth of the matter is that your former salsa dancing BFF has decided that you are no longer good enough. Perhaps you are not a “good enough” dancer, or perhaps you are dancing the “wrong way,” but whatever you are doing, it is not good enough. It does not matter that you’ve been dancing way longer than your BFF or that you are highly skilled in whatever style you dance. No. All that matters now is that you dance “ON 1” while your BFF dances “ON 2” or that you are not a member of your BFF’s advanced class or elite dance team.
I must admit – my feelings were hurt the first time this happened to me. However, now that I’m older and wiser I’ve learned not to invest too much emotionally in most salsa-based friendships. While some of these friendships definitely go the distance, many of them come and go in the blink of an eye. As a friend of mine recently observed, “There’s always people coming and going from the salsa scene. Sometimes you have to clear out the old to make room for the new.”
WHEN POLITICS GETS IN THE WAY
It’s easy to become fast friends with people you meet while out salsa dancing. You are meeting under the happiest and most carefree of circumstances, and few folks are interested in talking about issues any more serious than where to go out to eat when the exhilarating night of dancing is over.
That’s why it comes as such a shock when you check your phone and happen to read a completely offensive comment that one of your salsa dancing friends just posted on social media. Surprise! That friend you adore has just “outed” him/herself as a supporter of a politician you absolutely cannot stand.
As a salsa dancer living in a Midwestern American “swing state” I have repeatedly witnessed the havoc that the current toxic U.S. political culture has wreaked upon “salsa friendships.” I know students who have quit taking classes with particular dance teachers over political comments the teachers have made on social media. I also know dance team members who have become so incensed with each other due to political differences that they no longer wish to speak, let alone dance with one another.
Other people, (myself included), have deleted various “salsa friends” from social media accounts or have stopped inviting former friends to social events. While I know this phenomenon is not unique to dancers, it has been rather jarring to see the political divide play out on the local salsa dance floor.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, there is no doubt that true and lasting friendships can be formed with people we meet through salsa dancing. Some of my very closest friends fall into this category. We may have met dancing, but almost nine years later we’ve been through all kinds of experiences together, on and off of the dance floor that prove that our friendships are unmistakably real.
However, it is also true that my lasting “salsa friendships” are with friends with whom I am still dancing.While I have managed to maintain relationships with old college or high school friends whom I see on an infrequent basis, for some reason I have been unable to do the same with my former salsa dancing friends.
Perhaps this is to be expected from friendships formed in a world in which you can intensely connect with a complete stranger for four minutes on the dance floor, only to spend the rest of the night avoiding eye contact with him/her. Through dance and music we are often able to feel immediately connected with other people sharing in this experience, but when the dancing goes away sometimes it seems like everything else does too.
