Where to go (from London) for four nights of salsa????

[z_zapper]

Hi All,

Here's my situation: I'm landing in London on Monday morning, Jan 22nd, and have to be back there by Friday evening (after which I'll spend a few days in the city, definitely hitting Leon Rose's social and possibly another event as well). Given the amazing fare sales going, I'm thinking of hitting a couple of different cities for those four nights, but I'm at a loss as to where to go.

I'm equally happy with staying on the Isles or with jumping over to the continent. As of now my thought is to do a couple of nights somewhere (?) and then another couple in Dublin, but I'd like your collective thoughts and advice on the matter...

Cheers,
Zain

[lucretia]

I'm not a Londoner.....

Have a look at http://www.salsaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=3166 ;)

I'm planning to find anything with Leon Rose as well. Tell me if you find some classes or dance events.

/luc

[z_zapper]

Thx for the link, Luc. Actually, though, I'm primarily looking for places to dance outside of London from the 22nd-26th. I see you'll be at the SOS social on the 21st; too bad, as I'll miss you by a week and be there on the 28th. I will let you know if I hear of anything else interesting...

What's the scene like in Stockholm? Any good dance nights there between Mon and Thurs?

[naturallove]

Hi All,

Here's my situation: I'm landing in London on Monday morning, Jan 22nd, and have to be back there by Friday evening (after which I'll spend a few days in the city, definitely hitting Leon Rose's social and possibly another event as well). Given the amazing fare sales going, I'm thinking of hitting a couple of different cities for those four nights, but I'm at a loss as to where to go.

I'm equally happy with staying on the Isles or with jumping over to the continent. As of now my thought is to do a couple of nights somewhere (?) and then another couple in Dublin, but I'd like your collective thoughts and advice on the matter...

Cheers,
Zain
Have you thought about Madrid? I had a blast at Club Randall when I went almost 2 years ago. I danced some rueda when I was there. It's usually not my favorite thing to do, but I still had a good time.
http://www.salsapower.com/cities/madrid.htm

I also enjoyed dancing in Zurich--I met up with the salsa correspondent, Sandro (who unfortunately appears to have moved to a new city).
http://www.salsapower.com/cities/zurich.htm
I wish I could have gone on the salsa ship, but Zurich was uncharacteristically cold for the summer and plus the street parade was going on, so there was no Saturday Salsa cruise. Anyway, it looks like the place I went, Kaufleuten is only open on sundays, but there are a lot of other venues as well on other days. Most people danced on 1 (I'm not sure if that matters to you) but the best dancers were on 2. I suspect that's because mostly the teachers/performers there dance on 2--I was told by a salseros that on2 was considered too difficult by most. If you can get to zurich by monday night, there's a place called Lounge@Maag. I also had fun there (but again, I got to dance with some awesome on2 dancers). I hope you have fun and let us know what you decide!

[Capibaribe]

I don't know if we have any lurkers from Stockholm on the forum. I've been there a couple of times and if you dance LA/NY you can find good parties on wednesdays and saturdays. There's a pretty large cuban scene too but that I do not know much about.

Sacuye (world known swedish dance company) also has a social every second thursday and it is this years first on the 25th of january. I havn't been there but of what I've heard it should be great!

Links, some unfortunately in swedish...

http://www.isla.se
http://www.mamboclub.se/evenemang.htm
http://www.sacuye.com

-Johan

[lucretia]

I live in Gothenburg....600 km from Stockholm ;)

I've been for classes at La Isla at Stockholm. But that night where there no social. I like the club owner & teachers (Harvey and his family).

/luc

[z_zapper]

Thx for all the fantastic suggestions. I, too, had a great time in Madrid a couple of years ago, and I've heard good things about Zurich.

Having gotten some advice from another board as well (two-timing, I know ;) ), I've tentatively settled on this brief whirlwind tour of the British Isles:

Monday (22nd): Edinburgh (can't remember the name of the studio right now)
Tues: Belfast (Fly Bar)
Wed: Dublin (non-salsa night)
Thurs: Dublin (Harrington's Pub)

Ambitious, I know, but the flights are short (and cheap!) in all cases. I may still change my mind, and Zurich sounds like an intriguing alternative! I also considered Valencia for all four nights, but the above itinerary allows me to see (albeit very briefly) some interesting cities I've never visited.

Has anyone been to any of these bars, or danced in any of these cities?

[MacMoto]

Monday (22nd): Edinburgh (can't remember the name of the studio right now)
On Monday you've got two options in Edinburgh:

- 28 York Place -- Do the classes (6.45-9.45pm) and stay on for social dancing afterwards (until 11pm). On1/on2, music mambo oriented.
NB: This venue is a private club and you need to be signed in by the teachers.

- Medina, Lothian Street -- Classes 7-10pm then club goes on till 3am (although music switches to world music around midnight). Very popular club and gets busy. Mainly on1, some cuban. Music varied.

The level of classes is higher at 28 York Place (Carol Ann Stephenson teaches there), but social dancing there lacks club atmosphere so even if you do the classes there, you may want to go to Medina afterwards. It's about 10-15 minutes' walk in between. I'll probably be at Medina between 10-11.30pm so save me a dance ;).

[z_zapper]

Wow - I don't remember the last time I was in a city where I had two legitimate options to dance on a Monday night (and 'til 3am, no less)! It sounds like checking out both places makes sense, especially if the first (which is the one I had heard about) ends early. Looking forward to exploring (and to our dance)... Z.

[pr]

Welcome z_zapper! :D

[MacMoto]

Danced with z_zapper last night :banana:

Thanks Zain, you rock 8)