My salsa scene is picking back up again!!

[Terremoto]

Hey everyone, have some great news to share! My salsa scene is picking back up again. For six months clubs have been closing their doors to salser@s. I was really getting concerned that the salsa scene was going to die :(

It got to the point where we had one good venue a week and that was it - saturdays. However, just this week we had two new venues open up - Wednesday nights (which are one of my favorite nights to go out - it helps break up my week) and a new friday night venue. So now we have a wednesday, friday and saturday night venue!!! Sweet!!! We have a thursday night venue - but its not very good. HOpefully that will pick up soon!

[MacMoto]

Great to hear it Terre :D.


I'm actually wondering about the state of my scene. I wouldn't say it's dying but I feel it's beginning to stagnate :(.

[Swannie]

That is great to here TerreMoto - the promoters must have heard about your class down the gym ;)

How did that go? Going to do another one?

[Terremoto]

That is great to here TerreMoto - the promoters must have heard about your class down the gym ;)

How did that go? Going to do another one?

Yeah I know - I'm big time now - hahaha. The class is going well. I have been having to teach the follow part. I had a lady assisting me in teaching but she couldn't make it anymore so I had a close guy friend come in and help me out. That made two dudes and no lady instructors - so that made me the follow. Its definately a switch to have to teach the follow. But we made it work. I'll post again in the thread under Just Dance - I have learned a lot with this class!! I am very glad I did it.

Will I do it again? Depends - if I can find a steady follow that will help me teach I will do it again. But scrambling around to find an assistant is very stresfull :(

[pr]

So now we have a wednesday, friday and saturday night venue!!! Sweet!!! We have a thursday night venue - but its not very good. HOpefully that will pick up soon!
:D

[lolita]

i'm Happy for you T.
bout the female assistance.. i can do that

[SnowDancer]

Hey everyone, have some great news to share! My salsa scene is picking back up again. For six months clubs have been closing their doors to salser@s. I was really getting concerned that the salsa scene was going to die :(

It got to the point where we had one good venue a week and that was it - saturdays. However, just this week we had two new venues open up - Wednesday nights (which are one of my favorite nights to go out - it helps break up my week) and a new friday night venue. So now we have a wednesday, friday and saturday night venue!!! Sweet!!! We have a thursday night venue - but its not very good. HOpefully that will pick up soon!

We went to H2O last night for the first time. Nice place, good bar, great DJ. I hope more people show up so it will continue.

[Terremoto]

Hey everyone, have some great news to share! My salsa scene is picking back up again. For six months clubs have been closing their doors to salser@s. I was really getting concerned that the salsa scene was going to die :(

It got to the point where we had one good venue a week and that was it - saturdays. However, just this week we had two new venues open up - Wednesday nights (which are one of my favorite nights to go out - it helps break up my week) and a new friday night venue. So now we have a wednesday, friday and saturday night venue!!! Sweet!!! We have a thursday night venue - but its not very good. HOpefully that will pick up soon!

We went to H2O last night for the first time. Nice place, good bar, great DJ. I hope more people show up so it will continue.

Yeah, I normally don't go to H20 on Thursdays because no one else goes. I would love to have a thursday venue. About how many people were there?

[SnowDancer]

We went to H2O last night for the first time. Nice place, good bar, great DJ. I hope more people show up so it will continue.

Yeah, I normally don't go to H20 on Thursdays because no one else goes. I would love to have a thursday venue. About how many people were there?[/quote]

Maybe a dozen, with no more than 3 couples dancing at any one time. And that included the DJ!

In other words, it was pretty sad. But on the plus side, we had lots of floor space. :D

Maybe there aren't that many dancers who want to stay out late on a Thursday. We were regulars at Studio 503 for the 2-3 months they had salsa on Thursdays, but they've cancelled it now for the same reason: No more than a handful of people were showing up.

[Terremoto]

Thursdays in Portland used to be a very hot night for salsa at Fernandos. I don't know why people don't want to go out on Thursdays. Fernandos died because the club played way too much reggaeton which brought in the big drinking crowd - however, the big drinking crowd just so happened to scare off all the ladies. The ladies quit showing up - so then the male dancers quit showing up - and all that was left was the big drinkiing crowd - and they left because no ladies went.

[Terremoto]

i'm Happy for you T.
bout the female assistance.. i can do that

Would love to have you Lolita - the class is at 5:30 on mondays - if you leave on a plane now you should get here in time :)

[SnowDancer]

Fernandos died because the club played way too much reggaeton which brought in the big drinking crowd - however, the big drinking crowd just so happened to scare off all the ladies. The ladies quit showing up - so then the male dancers quit showing up - and all that was left was the big drinkiing crowd - and they left because no ladies went.

It's funny how success or failure works out for these clubs. There were times at Studio 503 where my wife and I were the only ones there. Every now and then, a group of men would look in, and, not seeing any women, leave. A little later a group of women would pop in, and not seeing anything happening, also leave.

[hyh]

I'm visiting Portland for the weekend. Is Tiffany Ballroom the main option for this Friday? Thanks in advance for any help.

[SnowDancer]

I'm visiting Portland for the weekend. Is Tiffany Ballroom the main option for this Friday? Thanks in advance for any help.

Unfortunately, they moved that Friday event to the Paradise Ballroom, which isn't nearly as nice. Last Friday, I went to Aztec Willies. While it was scheduled to start at 9:30, it was around 10:30 that most people arrived, and then it was really nice.

There's also Andrea's Cha-Cha club. It's a cool-looking place, and recently went non-smoking. Last time I went there was Wednesday a week ago. There were far more leads than follows that night, at least 2-1, so it wasn't so great for me. But I've heard it's not always like that. But then, I can't tell from your name which you'd prefer.:-)

[Terremoto]

Friday nights in Portland - i recommend Aztec Willies. It has the best floor and best turn out.

Andreas Cha Cha room - is very small - not that many good dancers.

I've never been to paradise on Fridays - I'm guessing though it doesn't get much turn out (it generally doesn't).

Hope you have fun while you are in town!

[hyh]

Thanks for the info. My connecting flight was cancelled so I didn’t get to Portland until yesterday afternoon. I did make it to Aztec Willie’s last night and had fun dancing with several nice girls – somehow managed to stay up til near closing time despite lack of sleep and 8 hour time zone difference. Sorry I didn’t get to say hello. I guess I caught the better night (Sat vs Fri) – or so the guy working behind the counter told me. I didn't remember any girls from my last visit (June 2005) when I was a 9-month beginner. Still it’s too bad this ended up a one Salsa night trip because I will be flying off tomorrow morning and there’s nothing tonight.

[salsita]

...just this week we had two new venues open up - Wednesday nights (which are one of my favorite nights to go out - it helps break up my week) and a new friday night venue...

Which venue is on Wednesday nights?

I'll be in town Tuesday, October 9th and Wednesday, October 10th. :D

[SnowDancer]

Places open and close here so often that I believe Terremoto's information is already out-of-date. :cry:

On Wednesday, the one place to go is Andrea's Cha Cha Club, a small place with nice atmosphere.

But Thursday-Saturday are the best nights here.

[salsita]

Thanks for the update. I'll check out Andrea's when I'm in town. Hopefully there will be at least a few good dancers there! :D

[Terremoto]

Snowdancer is right - Andrea's Cha Cha room is the place to be on Wednesday. I don't particularly like the place though - its too small :( I'll try and make it out when you are in town!

[salsita]

T - I hope you do make it out when I'm in town! It would be really nice to 'know' someone there. Wed, October 10th! :D

[Terremoto]

T - I hope you do make it out when I'm in town! It would be really nice to 'know' someone there. Wed, October 10th! :D

October 10th :) looking forward to it!!

[salsita]

T - I hope you do make it out when I'm in town! It would be really nice to 'know' someone there. Wed, October 10th! :D

October 10th :) looking forward to it!!

Great! Me too!! :D

[Terremoto]

I'll be the big guy in the red shirt, blue pants, and white chef hat :lol:

[salsita]

I'll be the big guy in the red shirt, blue pants, and white chef hat :lol:

haha! :lol:

It must be hard to dance in that chef hat... ;)

[SnowDancer]

I'll be the big guy in the red shirt, blue pants, and white chef hat :lol:

If you're really that big, you might not fit on Cha-Cha's dance floor! :) (Yes, it really is a small place.)

[Terremoto]

I'll be the big guy in the red shirt, blue pants, and white chef hat :lol:

If you're really that big, you might not fit on Cha-Cha's dance floor! :) (Yes, it really is a small place.)

Miniature and the ceiling is really low - so I may have to take off my hat :)

[salsita]

I'll be the big guy in the red shirt, blue pants, and white chef hat :lol:

If you're really that big, you might not fit on Cha-Cha's dance floor! :) (Yes, it really is a small place.)

Miniature and the ceiling is really low - so I may have to take off my hat :)

I'm really short so you can use my head as a hat-rack if necessary... :D

Snowdancer, you should try and make it out Oct 10th too!! (BYOC - bring your own chef hat) hehe : )

[Terremoto]

Salsita - what time are you making it out tonight? Snowdancer - you coming?

[SnowDancer]

You and Salsita still going? I can go, just not really late, as I've got to get up really early tomorrow.

[salsita]

Hey guys! Sorry to get back to you so late, but I haven't had internet access.
I'm catching a cab when I finish posting this... so I should be there at 9:30.
Can't wait to dance with you!!
:D :D :D

[SnowDancer]

Sorry I missed you. Hope you and Terremoto had fun.

[Terremoto]

definately had a great time. We were looking for (even though we don't know what you look like :D )

[salsita]

Thanks for the fun night of dancing, T!!

We missed you, Snowdancer. Another time perhaps.

[SnowDancer]

The Tuesday social at the Paradise actually got several people last night besides me and the dance team that sponsors it. :o I was able to dance straight for over an hour, watch a nice performance by Todd and Shin and Ricardo that they'll be doing at the Seattle conference, and still get home by midnight.

[sirenita]

Alright!
I didn't know there was anything on Tues.
(now I do)
Who sponsors that one?
And what are all of y'alls opinions on the blue dragonfly?

[Terremoto]

Alright!
I didn't know there was anything on Tues.
(now I do)
Who sponsors that one?
And what are all of y'alls opinions on the blue dragonfly?

Javier's group is sponsoring the Tuesday venue. I haven't been there yet.

I really enjoy the blue dragonfly. A lot of the salsa addicts show up. Just enough room to dance but enough people to dance with. Really good balance. It does get pretty hot though :cry: wear something synthetic that is quick drying.

[SnowDancer]

Yes, the Blue Dragonfly is a great place to go. You can also take lessons there from George between 6:30 and 8:30, much better than the usual club first-timer classes.

Tuesday still needs more promotion. Often it's just Javier's Gemini group (4 men, 4 women), Ricardo as DJ, and me as the only paying customer. The first Tuesday of each month they have a band, and that pulls in about 10 more people.

Last night's performance brought in 4 women and 4 men.

[Terremoto]

When is the Viscount social? The last sunday of the month? The first sunday of the month? And what time does it start?

[SnowDancer]

When is the Viscount social? The last sunday of the month? The first sunday of the month? And what time does it start?

It's the last Sunday of the month, but they skipped November due to the Seattle congress. I believe there's a lesson at 6pm, and the social starts afterwards at 7:00 or 7:30.

[Terremoto]

So I have been going out to the Blue Dragon Fly on Thursday here in town. Its been pretty good. However, people seem to start showing up later and later :roll: Last night pretty much everyone showed up around 11:30. When I have to work the next day I try not to stay out so late - but its tough when people don't show up until 11:30 or so. Not sure what I'm going to do - drink more coffee or get more sleep :lol:

[sirenita]

You know, I am very tempted to go out weeknights as well as "end" nights, but tack on an hours drive and.. :shock:
and this :shock: would turn into :doh: into :evil: into :banana: into :buttkick:
...equals no bueno.
So not such a good idea! Especially in the dark(notsomuch), rain, fog, occasional ice etc. I don't want to be driving home tired.
But maybe in the spring... :D when the weather brightens up- so do I!

[Terremoto]

You know, I am very tempted to go out weeknights as well as "end" nights, but tack on an hours drive and.. :shock:
and this :shock: would turn into :doh: into :evil: into :banana: into :buttkick:
...equals no bueno.
So not such a good idea! Especially in the dark(notsomuch), rain, fog, occasional ice etc. I don't want to be driving home tired.
But maybe in the spring... :D when the weather brightens up- so do I!

Yeah its definately tough to get out dancing living in Mac on the weeknights

[SnowDancer]

Seems like I was in a discussion recently about why salsa evenings don't start earlier; and somebody pointed out that when venues have tried, nobody shows up. :roll: But I recall Outlaws getting a reasonable number of dancers around 9pm on a Wednesday, and that wasn't even a particularly nice place.

I'm thinking of giving west-coast-swing a try primarily because they have a Wednesday dance that starts at 7:30.

Is there no salsa in McMinnville?

[sirenita]

Not that I know of!
There's not really anywhere to dance around here, unless I join the Braves'n'braids Square-Dancing @ the Grange :lol:
(Nothing against square-dancing- but I'm pretty sure I'd be quite the young whippersnapper in that crowd)
I'm just resisting the commitment really.
If I decide to invest the money in gas/club/countless classes...
then I better be good at it!
Half of me cringes at the thought of the "obsession" phase-
(I'm going to suck sometimes, and admit it!)
while the other half is like: GO ON- DO IT! IT'LL BE AWESOME!! :rocker:
and wow- putting it into words makes me realize what a wuss I am!
OKAY- forget everything I just said- I'm in! I'll see you guys on Tues, Thurs, Fri, and/or Sat. :lol: haha

I went out on Sat- dragged my friend into Aztec Willies for the last hour but she def. wasn't feeling it.
But it looks like a fun place- I think I'll try again.

[SnowDancer]

You should have come to the Paradise last night! They have a live band the first Tuesday of each month.

Although I've got to admit that it's pretty sad when there are more musicians than dancers. :cry:

[Terremoto]

I'm thinking of giving west-coast-swing a try primarily because they have a Wednesday dance that starts at 7:30.


The WCS scene is very different than the salsa scene in PDX. First, the only WCS night that happens every week is wednesday - so if you want to dance WCS - wednesday nights are the night. There are other places to go - but they don't happen on a weekly basis - (some times a monthly basis). The venue is from 7 to 10:30 or something like that. So if you want to dance you pretty much have to show up relatively early.

Also - the crowd is very different. Look at the salsa crowd - its a relatively young crowd that looks very much like a regular hip hop club type crowd - they naturally tend to go out later. The WCS scene - well, you have the under 21 crowd and then you have over 40 and into the 50s crowd. The 20s and 30s are definately there - but they are not the majority.

But anyways, I would love to see more dancers start going out earlier - it would make going out and getting up the next morning easier :D