Miami Salsa Scene

Salsa Bear

Salsa Bear

Son
I was perusing the discussion "The best salsa city in the U.S." at www.salsaforums.com/showthread.php?t=649 and was surprised to learn that some people apparently think Miami is about the worst. (To be more precise, I think the complaint was that Miami doesn't have many good salsa schools.)

Actually, I wasn't all that surprised. In fact, I've often wondered why one hears so much about salsa in LA, San Francisco and NYC, while Miami is seldom mentioned. Why is that?

I think someone said Miami's Latinos are very cliquish, which touches on something that was discussed on two or three threads recently - the presence of two salsa scenes in some cities, one Latino and the other non-Latino.

I just wondered if Miami might have a dearth of good salsa schools because it has a high population of Latinos who learned to dance while growing up. Of course, California has a big Latin population, too, though it's more closely associated with Mexico than the Caribbean.

I was just curious about the differences between Miami and other cities and what might explain them.

Any thoughts?
 
Miami Schools

The majority of my classmates are Latino. In fact, now that I think about it - I'm the only white guy at any of the schools.

A quick critique of the schools:

Salsa Mia @ Yuca Lounge
Got cash to burn? Then drop $40 on a group casino class. Even with it's prime location and snazzy advertising, that's just insulting. I don't know who takes these classes considering most people on South Beach are working low-wage service jobs. Maybe they get a steady stream of rich tourists who want to dabble?

Salsa Art
Juan the owner has such a good heart. He always gives 110% to lessons and really wants people to learn and enjoy themselves. I used to criticize this studio for its lack of women, but a recent trip proved me wrong; I was shocked by the even ratio and friendly (not to mention pretty) women. Now, the problem is that it's all beginners - and women who *think* they can dance salsa because they've been doing it for 15 years. A quick CBL test proves them wrong, and I don't even bother explaining the concept of slot.

Karibe
This would be home base if it weren't for one thing - the location. Coming from Miami Beach, it always seems to take forever on the 836. I'm willing to travel for salsa, but since I'm taking classes at least every other day, this would feel like a commute.

Salsa Driven
My home base. Oscar is super professional and fun, and usually there's only a few more guys than girls. $10 for 1.5 hours of shines, parterwork and practice. That's what I'm talkin' about.

SalsaCraze @ Univ of Miami
I haven't personally taken classes, but at $25/semester, it sounds like you can't go wrong. The catch? 1) Strictly casino, 2) Only 2 days a week, 3) Only offered during school year (Sep - Nov). Can you go a whole summer without salsa? Yeah, me neither.
 
Salsa Bear said:
Wow, interesting comments. Sounds like Miami might not be the best city to move to. ;)
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It is the foreclosure capital of the US right after Las Vegas. The issues with the salsa scene in Miami are the hideously bad economy there. It used to be that Miami was the "business and financial capital" of Latin America. Not anymore. Thanks to market liberalization, free trade agreements and a focus on economic strengths the Latin American economies are doing more business between one another than ever before. They don't need intermediaries in Miami anymore. A lot of the things I bought when I was in Colombia were either made there or in Brazil, Ecuador, Chile. Argentina, Venezuela and Bolivia are still basket case economies but the others are doing very very well.
 
bailar y tocar said:
It is the foreclosure capital of the US right after Las Vegas. The issues with the salsa scene in Miami are the hideously bad economy there. It used to be that Miami was the "business and financial capital" of Latin America. Not anymore. Thanks to market liberalization, free trade agreements and a focus on economic strengths the Latin American economies are doing more business between one another than ever before. They don't need intermediaries in Miami anymore. A lot of the things I bought when I was in Colombia were either made there or in Brazil, Ecuador, Chile. Argentina, Venezuela and Bolivia are still basket case economies but the others are doing very very well.
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Wow, thanks for the tip. I knew Latin America's economy was going places, but I wasn't aware it had affected Miami in that manner.
 
This just in..

Miami appears to be the place for Brazilians to move to:
http://www.theworld.org/2012/02/brazilian-home-buyers-spark-a-miami-comeback/

In the news feature the Brazilians interviewed mentioned that they have made all this money in a booming economy but can't spend it because of crime. The lady in the interview was talking about driving around in a Lexus and wearing a Rolex and not getting robbed. Who would have thought that Miami's economic recovery was pegged on its low crime rate.

Salsa Bear said:
Wow, interesting comments. Sounds like Miami might not be the best city to move to. ;)
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Aside from the review of the Salsa schools, what about the club scene? What are the best clubs for Salsa dancing in Miami and how do they compare to Salsa clubs in other cities?

(That question is also relevant because a friend of mine is visiting Miami this weekend and is looking for good places to go dancing.)
 
Miami Club Scene

Depressing. Add it to the list of Miami's other achievements:

* Most Miserable City (Forbes)
* Worst Drivers (Travel + Leisure)
* Worst-run City (NBC)

The skinny:

Sunday
Tapas & Tintos - Midtown : With a live singer and intermediate-level dancers, it was a nice way to wrap up the weekend and make it to work the next day. Unfortunately, it's dying a slow death; a party that used to start at 7pm is now completely empty at 8pm. Next time I'll show up at 8:30pm so I'm not one of 3 guys standing around waiting for women to show up.

Coco Bar (formerly Club Mystique) : A friend saved me the trip and reported that it was completely empty on a recent Sunday.

Monday
Whitelaw Hotel : I doubt their Latin Mondays are even still on. No mention on their website or Facebook, and the few times I stopped by, it's a "Basics" class at 7pm followed by an empty lobby by 8pm.

Tuesday
Tapas & Tintos - South Beach : With a dance floor the size of a guest bedroom, it was always a challenge to find space. Haven't been there in a while, but last time it took forever to get started.

Wednesday
Nothing

Thursday
Hakan Mediterranean Grill : Party's been cancelled for the past two weeks, so who knows if DJ Mike will keep it going. The 3/1 party is on his Facebook, so we'll see.

Friday
Yuca Lounge : Always a good time. Huge dance floor, mixed skill levels, good ratio, and even a view of Lincoln Road. You can count on this one.

Saturday
Bistro : Oscar and his loyal band of Salsa Driven followers take over this overpriced restaurant. Usually the numbers are pretty light (15-20), but since everyone knows the same moves, there's a certain comfort level.

The Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood scene is completely different and without a doubt much better. If the Goldcoast Ballroom wasn't such a shlep, I'd be there every Sunday.
 
Up in the Air said:
Depressing. Add it to the list of Miami's other achievements:

* Most Miserable City (Forbes)
* Worst Drivers (Travel + Leisure)
* Worst-run City (NBC)
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Are you talking about Miami or Seattle?

Seattle isn't known for bad drivers, but it has some of the worst traffic jams in the nation, and it's hard to imagine another city that's worse run. As for "most miserable city," Google "Seattle freeze."

On top of that, Seattle's population consists largely of Scandinavians who are typically described as gothic or dour. Just imagine if the people in Miami also had to deal with Seattle's weather.

I've only been there once - briefly, long ago, en route to Key West, where I lived for a while. Maybe some entrepreneur should offer salsa classes in the Florida keys to cheer up "Miamians" (what do you call people from Miami?).

Just for the record, Seattle's weather doesn't bother me too much; it makes me appreciate sunshine even more. Hey, I've lived in even foggier, rainier places. ;)
 
kbitten said:
what about orlando?anyone?
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i'm in a weak scene right now and a 2.5 hour drive to orlando is my closest reprieve. it has never disappointed. the hardcore salsero in orlando has a number of different socials to choose from, 4 I think. i've been to 3 of them and enjoyed them a LOT. e2dc on 2nd saturdays, umda on 2nd & 4th sundays, and salsa heat on 4th saturdays... listed in order of preference. as with most socials, on2 is plentiful (your preference, i know). e2dc and umda have the higher concentration of on2 dancers. and while salsa heat attracts those same on2 dancers, their social is the largest so their on2 crowd is diluted by more softcore dancers. i havent tried the salsa club scene in orlando and have no desire to. i have it on good faith from a trusted local salsero there that i wouldnt be pleased. i believe our tastes are similar.

ETA: since you'd be vacationing, it'd be best to catch a weekend when there's a saturday and sunday social. weekday options are probably just the clubs.
 
hmmm i am gonna spend one week there..the easter weekend..do you have their address so I can check?

and maybe you can drive 2.5 h that weekend rsrs
 
kbitten said:
hmmm i am gonna spend one week there..the easter weekend..do you have their address so I can check?

and maybe you can drive 2.5 h that weekend rsrs
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lol, maybe. www.e2dc.com, www.universalmambo.com, www.salsaorlando.com.

easter is on sunday april 8th. by the calendar, that's the 1st weekend. nothing on for that weekend. :( if youre there through the next weekend, youve got e2dc and umda on the 14th and 15th.
 
Brownskin818 said:
lol, maybe. www.e2dc.com, www.universalmambo.com, www.salsaorlando.com.

easter is on sunday april 8th. by the calendar, that's the 1st weekend. nothing on for that weekend. :( if youre there through the next weekend, youve got e2dc and umda on the 14th and 15th.
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you gotta be kidding kkkkkkkkkkkkkk

well, maybe they do an extra easter party kkkk
 
I wanted to chime in to say "thanks" to Up in the Air for listing some insights into the Miami club scene. :)

Another acquaintance of mine sent a recommendation of "Yuca" on Friday night (which was on your list) and "Mojitos" on Saturday night (wasn't on your list). My friend who was visiting over the weekend went to Mojitos on Saturday and said he had a great time. I haven't yet heard the details of what made it so fun, though.

Out of curiosity, how does Bongo's currently compare to the other Salsa clubs, in your opinion? Do many locals go, or is it too "touristy"?
 
BTW if any member visits Miami make sure to stop by L.E.D. which is on SW 8st and 140th ave on Friday nights. I will be spinning in the Terrace along side DJ Nioz in the main room. Stop by and say hi.
 
DJFreddy and all others,

We will be in Miami this Wednesday, May 29, 2013 and would like to go out and do some salsa dancing.

You mentioned further above that LED also plays salsa on Wednesdays. Is that still the case? What type of salsa and how much salsa is played in that place? We are into good PR salsa, not at all into timba. And we are salseros, we do not care for a mix of salsa, bachata, merengue, reggaetón and who knows what. It is fine if it is not all salsa but it should be a place for salseros.

Is this LED's address:
14060 SW 8th St

I also found Kopas Lounge for Wednesday. Does anybody know that place? They are supposedly playing salsa on Wednesdays.

Which of the two is the better place on Wednesdays: plays more salsa, plays more PR type salsa?
 
I don't go out on Wednesday nights (marriage and kids) but you can call:
Salsa Lovers
4 Reviews
Opens today at 1 pm | Hours
They would be able to tell you where they meet on Wednesday nights.

BTW L.E.D. is closed no longer a club.
 
Well, in May we did not go out dancing anywhere on that Wednesday night.

But now we are planning to be in Miami on Saturday, September 28. I have been perusing all the tips I have been collecting and also found the new club Mystique on Facebook. That means they are open.

Where do the Miami salsa dancers go out on Saturdays? What is a good place for danceable salsa music (not too Cuban or timba!). We like e. g. Rey Ruíz, Willy Chirino, PR salsa, that type of music.

Comment on Salsa Powers about Club Mystique: "Thursdays and Sundays - Salsa
Comedy club & dancing Fridays & Saturday"
Does that mean Saturday is not the day to go there if you want salsa?

What about salsa clubs in Hollywood: Legends Café?

Any tips are welcome!
 
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