Salsology - does it deserve its reputation?

K

KP-salsa

Salsology has been the biggest salsa night in the north of Britain for a good while now, but most of what I hear from people is negative: jazzy 'difficult' music, cliquey groups of elite dancers, unwelcoming to newcomers, snobby about dancing on2. About the only really good thing I hear is that it's got a great dance floor.

All this has put me off going up until now, and recently I've heard that numbers are dropping which makes the cliquey aspect more obvious than ever.

Now, there must be some Salsology regulars on here ... can you put the other side to me and tell me that it's really warm and friendly and that I'm just talking to the wrong people?
 
It definitely has a bias towards NY style CBL dancing and mambo/son montuno-based music. The first time I went I was as intimidated as hell. The first time my SO went was worse, but that was because my Ex was at the table holding court.

Because of the size of the floor, the number of people, and the number of really good dancers (both technicians and stylists) I think it can sometimes feel more like a congress party than a clubnight, so the congress thing applies - that it can be as good as the people you go with.

There are plenty of elite there, and the music policy is usually fairly "purist" so that would probably generate allegations of "elitism". It's certainly not at the "inclusive" end of the spectrum, though I've probably only encountered a couple of upturned noses in all the time I've been going.

When I first read the thread title, I wondered if you meant its reputation as one of the best nights' dancing available in the country, or its reputation as an intimidating night run by people with opinions about right and wrong music, and right and wrong dancing. Either way, the answer is probably "yes"...
 
Salsology - does it deserve its reputation?
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As a regular, I'd have to say yes, based on the fact that it has a reputation for being a serious salsa night with 'proper' salsa music in a fantastic venue but also has a reputation for being not very beginner friendly and a bit cliquey.

I have had some fantastic nights at Salsology and also some not very good ones, some of that will be down to me and my frame of mind at the time and I've had the same at other venues too.

I wouldn't honestly recommend Salsology to beginners, purely because I've heard so many complaints from beginners, 'it's intimidating', 'the music was too jazzy', 'no-one would dance with me'. The atmosphere is more like a congress atmosphere than a 'let your hair down, party night' atmosphere.

I would recommend it to those who have been dancing a while and are not easily intimidated though. If you want to get some serious dancing done to music mainly from the 70s and 80s, then this is the place. If you are a really good dancer you probably won't find it cliquey at all, I have witnessed some 'snobby' behaviour by some who go but I guess you could get that anywhere. As far as I know, if you ask one of the 'Salsologists' to dance, they will (if you can get to them quick enough ;)).

I can understand people being reluctant to give it a try after hearing negative things, especially if it involves travelling a fair way, but I would urge those people to at least give it a try, (one man’s meat is another man’s poison). Knowing just a little about your taste in music and your level of dancing KP, I would absolutely recommend it 100% :D


Edit: Ooops sorry missed Sweavo's post and sort of duplicated the congress thing :oops:
 
I've been going there regularly for a year or so, and I agree with sweavo and Jambo - Salsology is very much like a congress party in a smaller scale, both in terms of music and dancing. Mambo jazz-oriented music, a lot of on2 dancers, can be very intimidating, especially the first time. If you find congress parties too intimidating to be enjoyable and don't like the type of music they tend to go for, then you will probably not like Salsology. If you are looking to up your game, on the other hand, then it's the biggest challenge you can find in the north apart from the Brit SalsaFest. As I always say to hubby, I go there to get my ego bruised... :roll: A good cure for the "fish in small pond" syndrome and great for your learning curve, just like congress parties.

Having said all this, there are always plenty of on1 dancers to be found, at all levels, and if you are prepared to ask strangers, the amount of no's you get is no more than I'm used to from my local clubs, congresses, etc. I've had plenty of fun dances there.

So if you are curious, do try. You will get to dance with me and Jambo - what more do you need? ;)
 
yoiks
is there only 4 of us on here who go to it ?
has any one heard anything they would like post . KP is dying to know weather to make the long trip to prestwich.
 
Wow - I thought this was a thread dedicated to me. :)

Unfortunately I can't comment on this venue (as I am at the other end of the country) and I don't beleive I have earned a reputation for myself - yet (but working on it)!
 
Jambo said:
MacMoto said:
So if you are curious, do try. You will get to dance with me and Jambo - what more do you need? ;)
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Exactly :D
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Enough money to buy myself a travel ticket and a hotel room. ;)

Altough I read about salsologoy before, I hadn't be interested to go there. But the description of congress party and the chance to dance with both of you, put it on my radar. So maybe I'll have the ressource to take next year a look at salsology live. 8)
 
chrisk said:
So maybe I'll have the ressource to take next year a look at salsology live. 8)
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But I won't be going there next year (I'll be at the other side of the world)!
If you (or anyone else as a matter of fact) can make it to the November one, I'm looking for a room mate... ;)
 
MacMoto said:
chrisk said:
So maybe I'll have the ressource to take next year a look at salsology live. 8)
Click to expand...
But I won't be going there next year (I'll be at the other side of the world)!
If you (or anyone else as a matter of fact) can make it to the November one, I'm looking for a room mate... ;)
Click to expand...

OK---- Where ? ( and why )
 
MacMoto said:
But I won't be going there next year (I'll be at the other side of the world)!
If you (or anyone else as a matter of fact) can make it to the November one, I'm looking for a room mate... ;)
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Do you mean:
—I'm looking for a room, mate; or
— I'm looking for a roommate? ;)
 
Ron Obvious said:
MacMoto said:
But I won't be going there next year (I'll be at the other side of the world)!
If you (or anyone else as a matter of fact) can make it to the November one, I'm looking for a room mate... ;)
Click to expand...

Do you mean:
—I'm looking for a room, mate; or
— I'm looking for a roommate? ;)
Click to expand...

*sigh* :roll:
 
MacMoto said:
chrisk said:
So maybe I'll have the ressource to take next year a look at salsology live. 8)
Click to expand...
But I won't be going there next year (I'll be at the other side of the world)!
If you (or anyone else as a matter of fact) can make it to the November one, I'm looking for a room mate... ;)
Click to expand...

Does that mean you're going to be on the other side of the world for the whole of next year or just the Salsology dates? If the former, I'll have to find the opportunity to dance with you again soon (makes note to have to get to that Engine Shed night at the very least).
 
KP-salsa said:
Does that mean you're going to be on the other side of the world for the whole of next year or just the Salsology dates?
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I'll be away for two years. See you at the Shed then ;)
 
I went to Salsology once. It was June 2005, the night Mrs. Bear and I learnt we were expecting our first child.
I actually went by myself but found a few there that I knew and had a good night. It was pretty crowded (but not overcrowded) and I had some nice dances, but to be honest, I didn't really notice anything particular with regard to the music (jazzy or otherwise) or the cliques (as discussed in clique thread, I personally believe cliques are more in the perception of those who don't feel they belong).

From what little I remember - I'd say the comparison to a congress party is about right.
 
MacMoto said:
chrisk said:
So maybe I'll have the ressource to take next year a look at salsology live. 8)
Click to expand...
But I won't be going there next year (I'll be at the other side of the world)!
Click to expand...

Well, but since it won't be possible for me this year due, I'll guess that means having to make a mental note for another trip to asia to get to dance with you. Let's see when I'll be able to do that.:)
 
While the music in the main room is not for everyone, from 11pm onwards there is also the smaller room for beginners where DJ Barry plays slower Salsa music and Bachata and Merengue, or anything requested.

Gary
 
so to sum up.
you have not been there yet , you have heard some stories and some people were intimidated and some did not like the music . and some . it was not their cup of tea. but there are 100"s of people who do like it. and you want some advice on weather to make a trip there . I would say what jambo sweavo and bear said was about right . and knowing you like willy colon you should be happy there. :) you being a fan of willy thorn
 
With all due respect to the original poster, you can change the city, the venue and the day of the week, to a certain wellknown place in London (let's call it "X"), and the opinions/views are the same.

My suggestion, is to give Salsology a try. Just keep an open mind that the night you do go, may be a night that does not quite work for you. I have heard similar stories about place X. Some people have been, didn't like/enjoy it. Went back another night, "kicking and screaming" and didn't want to leave at the end of the night. Hence my suggestion, try it. :D
 
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