Musicality and the more cheeky side of Salsa in London?

F

Flujo

Changui
I was wondering if any of you know any good classes in London, preferably North of the river and East of Oxford Circus, that emphasize musicality and lead/follow connection while leaning towards the Cuban style of Salsa?

If not classes then socials or clubs where the dancing is equally balanced between moves and just grooving. What I need is playful interaction and cheekiness guaguanco style mixed in with some :shock: "How the h*ll did you do that and stay conscious". :)

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks
 
Have you tried the Cuban? Camden on a Thursday (I know it doesn't meet your location spec, but it is North of the river and pretty central)

Mo Flex teaches one of the best Rueda classes in town, as well as a very good intermediate lesson.
 
Camden isn't too far from here and your the second person to recommend there for lessons so I'll check it out. I can't help but feel like a bit of an odd ball in my current place so need to find somewhere where I can be more in tune to the style taught. Somewhere that teaches On2/ET2 would also be nice. (will look at ON2 in London threads)

What do you find yourself dancing mostly Andrew; do you have a preferred style or do you mix it up where possible?
 
enFlujo said:
Camden isn't too far from here and your the second person to recommend there for lessons so I'll check it out. I can't help but feel like a bit of an odd ball in my current place so need to find somewhere where I can be more in tune to the style taught. Somewhere that teaches On2/ET2 would also be nice. (will look at ON2 in London threads)

What do you find yourself dancing mostly Andrew; do you have a preferred style or do you mix it up where possible?
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I'm very cross body now - two terms at the LDA really beat the Cuban style out of me.
Good in a way as I'm able to actively switch to accomodate my partner - before I was mixing styles when I danced, which confused some followers.

Which places have you been frequenting?
 
Being able to mix styles would be the ideal situation but like you said, it can be confusing for follows, especially when your an inexperienced lead. It would be nice to dance different timings during the night as well but it seems that most follows can only dance ON1 confidently. Ah well.

I only go to my two locals. It's definitely time to start venturing out to other venues as I see that being the only way to improve technically beyond where I am now. I've started collecting numbers of some people that go to those venues and when I have the money, will do a crazy 2 month intensive session of classes and socials so whoever is up for it can come along and have a blast. Looking forward to that; being a stranger in a foreign land has it's benefits! ;)

The last growth spurt was when doing the intensives at Bar Salsa along with 3 classes/socials a week.

Where do you find the crowds to be most varied? Do you have any favourites as far as venues go?
 
AndrewD said:
Have you tried the Cuban? Camden on a Thursday (I know it doesn't meet your location spec, but it is North of the river and pretty central)

Mo Flex teaches one of the best Rueda classes in town, as well as a very good intermediate lesson.
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Definitely agree with this! Moe's rueda classes are a lot of fun to take part in. I'm not based in London but have been to a few classes with Moe. He is very good at breaking down complex moves as well as creating routines that have a real sense of flow, style and attitude. His choreography is very cheeky and flirty as dancers are encouraged to interact up close and personal with body ripples, accentuated styling and cuban charisma.

I haven't seen Moe dance Mambo, but I do know that teaching Reggaeton, Cuban and Rueda styles tend to be his speciality.
 
enFlujo said:
Where do you find the crowds to be most varied? Do you have any favourites as far as venues go?
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The Cuban has (or should I say had – I haven’t been there for months) a nice mix of styles. The rueda is a big selling point though, so I’d say it’s weighted towards the Cuban style crowd.

The MOST stark divide I’ve experienced in London is Clockwork/La Finca (very close to Kings X, on Wednesday) there’s a 50/50 split between Cuban and slotties and the music reflects this too. It’s really quite weird, but it forced me to dig deep and remember all the Cuban stuff I was taught when I started out. A nice atmosphere and good intermediate/advanced classes (the improver lesson suffers from being shoe horned into a tiny space). Despite the mix the classes seem to be XB though.

Can’t say where I’d recommend, it really depends what you want. If you want to surround yourself with London’s best dancers Bar Salsa (Monday and Wednesday) and Ealing Town Hall on Friday are the best week nights. These are XB venues.

Less intense venues include Abacus and Sound, both on a Tuesday (Sound - after a slowish start, gets better every time I go) – more space on the floor and some quality dancers too. Come to think of it Abacus is between Liverpool street and Bank so probably meets your location spec – but it’s predominantly a cross body spot. Sound is also mostly XB, but also has an intermediate rueda lesson so you do get a mix of styles there. Furthermore over the coming months they are having bachata and on2 workshops, so it’s a good place if you want to try something different.

If you want an authentic Latino experience – Tito’s Wine Bar on Friday’s is the best, you’ll hear more people speaking Spanish than English so forget what you’ve been taught and just groove with an authentic crowd. Don’t be surprised if you get more refusals than you’re used to though.

I haven’t taken many lessons recently, but was lucky enough to dance with some of Irene Miguel’s students last week – they were AWESOME. Not clones, just fierce and fun dancers. When I asked about how long they’d been dancing, it was much shorter than I expected. So…if I had the time and money to throw at some workshops and classes I would definitely check out the Mambo Lifestyle School. (Even I’m considering it and I don’t have the time or money)

After 18 months on the scene my favourite venue is my local one – in Enfield, which barely counts as London :). I think it’s slightly big fish/small pond mentality on my part, but the other aspect is that before I’ve even got to the dance floor 10 people have either shaken my hand or given me a peck on the cheek. It’s my salsa home :D

Let me know if you're planning to attend Sound - I go there about once a fortnight.
 
I have seen him mambo . and teach a class on 1 .and we had a good chat about it . but the cuban style is his main thing . If he comes on here he can add to this.
a great teacher ,fun, spicy all round good egg. good ol manchester lad. :D
 
Wow, thanks for all this info - that's a lot more than I expected.
Andrew I will definitely let you know about Sound. That's a new night isn't it; taken over by the people that used to do the Turnmills night...?
On the lesson front I like the sound of Moe Flex's classes at The Cuban so will check them out, hopefully soon. Northerners are quality :) I'd love to find somewhere to dance during the day in Camden as the area is just buzzing.
Bar Salsa/Oxford Circus is only 30mins by tube so that's good and Abacus would be a direct journey via overground so that's good too.

Once again thanks for all the info. I'm looking forward to checking out these places and receiving both a humbling (will prob hide in a corner for 2 hours hehe) and some great inspiration :)
 
enFlujo said:
I was wondering if any of you know any good classes in London, preferably North of the river and East of Oxford Circus, that emphasize musicality and lead/follow connection while leaning towards the Cuban style of Salsa?

If not classes then socials or clubs where the dancing is equally balanced between moves and just grooving.
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Look out for Afro Cuban Pati's events. Have found them to be friendly and they also do some events in and around the City recently. Last weekend there was a "rueda blowout" with classes by Osbanis (I think!). Osbanis is excellent, with lots of energy.

You can also look out for classes with Damarys and Ariel. They have some coming up on a Saturday at a place near Camden, called The Basement. They are both excellent teachers, and also Cuban. Anything with Iris de Brito is great too.

Just some further options, in case you can't get to Camden. I love Moe's dancing, but there is one 'little problem. :roll: Don't get to see enough/dance enough with him! :lol:
 
Thanks Pacion.
It will probably be at least 2 months before I can start hitting different venues on a regular basis but I will look out for those events when the time comes. Looking forward to it! I'll practice jiggling my bits it preparation for it all.
 
Hi, just a quick update. I might be hitting the Camden class either this or next Thursday depending on finances (putting aside enough for 2 months worth of 4 lessons a week + socials) so might see some of you there.

I know Alaister is a good teacher and Mo sounds good too so I'm quite looking forward to it. :)
 
Flujo said:
Ok, time for a quick update:

There is another night locally that has the perfect teacher for the more expressive Salsa style. He teaches shines for the first 10-15 minutes then teaches some nice bread and butter moves (LA style(?)) for the rest of the class. He is also a very expressive dancer and I love his style! I'd say the overall level of the class is beginner intermediate and there isn't really any dancing after class BUT, I'm hooked nonetheless! It's a lovely venue, the floor is ok and the sound system is pretty decent. There are also nights on Sunday and Tuesday but personally I like the teaching on Wednesday.

Wednesdays @ O'Neils in Leytonstone. It might be Mamba Elegance but don't quote me on that.

I've yet to check out the Cuban in Camden. Might do that tomorrow night if any of you are up for it? I've been to Super Mario and Susana Montero's class on Monday @ Bar Salsa and am quite impressed with them. It's as much a pleasure to watch the class as it is to participate. Susana has so much energy and she moves so well, and Mario, I like the way that tells you straight if you're not doing something right. He has a great attitude towards teaching! :)

Anyway before I start babbling, the musical side of things is picking up. With the extra lessons this couple of months and the greater variety of teachers I'm moving forward again, inch by inch. I'm starting to play with the music a little more and though not every partner is receptive to that sort of thing it does bring a smile more often than not (suppose you can't have it all eh). I'm sure sometimes I look silly but hey, it's all about having fun right?

flujo@sf:~$ end babble

So how are you all getting on?
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i think mambo elegance had an association with the latincollective (not sure now though) who do bar salsa wed. might go 2 bar salsa 2night, not sure if i can make it though. like the classes but not so keen on the venue.

my 1st weekly event was the cuban i went for the opening 4 weeks but was too chicken to dance. havent been in ages, have moved away. im xbody sofar and also clapham junctions nearer 4 me on thurs.
 
i usually go now just for the moves/technique and a few dances and dance for longer elsewhere but i tend to go 3 out of 4 weeks so PM me next time you go :) .
 
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