Salsa open diary

Here in Chicago last sunday we had our first successful (at least in the 6 years I've been dancing) sunday social. Billed as a "Mambo revival", it was indeed that. i think 2 bachatas were played all afternoon. A welcome change of pace from what has become an increasingly bachata dominated scene. turnout was relatively small but good considering it was fathers day and the Puerto Rican fest. Quality dancers though- we had a few visitors in from Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indy. A fun time all around. The people who put it on made their costs plus a bit, so I think we can look forward to more of these in the future.
 
Had my first dance practice session on Friday, with a female I met at a social, and it went quite well.
We both enjoy Bachata a lot, but I am hoping to get better at Salsa and as we're around the same level and there being good dance chemistry, makes learning a lot more enjoyble.
We arranged again for Thursday, and I still go to socials as often as I can to apply it with others.
 
Kromat83 said:
Had my first dance practice session on Friday, with a female I met at a social, and it went quite well.
We both enjoy Bachata a lot, but I am hoping to get better at Salsa and as we're around the same level and there being good dance chemistry, makes learning a lot more enjoyble.
We arranged again for Thursday, and I still go to socials as often as I can to apply it with others.
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That's great. It adds a lot to have a dance partner. My girlfriend and I dance about 20 to 30 minutes most days. This way I can think things through...redo a step and then try it again the next day. I'm a slow learner in a class but at home I can watch a Youtube video, pause it, replay 25 times, etc. Then we try to apply what we learn at a social. She's more polished than I am so it's a plus to have her walk us through a move when my brain goes blank.

We had a fun social yesterday. We danced on the community hall patio and that added some atmosphere. Not quite under the stars as the sun sets late and then it's still twilight. Probably about half and half Bachata/Salsa. Except for the basic step we combine bachata and cuban salsa moves in most dances. I find that I learn moves easiest via Bachata as I hear a beat better. Then, once second nature, I can try it in Salsa.
 
I learn moves pretty quickly, it's the little signals in the lead that I need practice in.
Even though we practice, i am not expecting for us to be in the same socials often.
This lets her be introduced to new variations in case they are executed on the floor.
I can learn from one partner, but it isn't until multiple individuals grasp it too, that it is working, but there's still skill level and years of exerience to take into account.
It all about learning one move, but trying to merge it with another to get a flow.
I'll just use this time wisely, because who knows what might happen.
 
I bought four pairs of shoes today from the looooovely lady at the Tokyo supplier where I buy all my shoes; she not only gave me an 11000 yen discount (she knows I'm from Osaka :D, where bargaining is the done thing) but she gave me an extra pair of shoes free! Must try them out; I'm thinking Rumbita in Kyoto on Friday :) .
 
I miss how cheap I spent in Havana and I only spend about $7 food budget for a week by focus on eating foods that only cost CUP. Ice cream, pizza, soda, lemonade, water, spaghetti, hamburger, churro, breakfast egg sandwich and others that are less than a dollar. I miss listening alot of salsa music while walking in the neighborhood streets at night. I miss the smile of local Cubans and sit with them on the street and smoke cigars together while playing chess. I miss 10 hours of Cuban Salsa class in 4 days and actually enjoy going out disco to practice Cuban salsa that I just learned. Ahh I will be returning to Cuba soon.
 
Bradley Frank said:
I miss how cheap I spent in Havana and I only spend about $7 food budget for a week by focus on eating foods that only cost CUP. Ice cream, pizza, soda, lemonade, water, spaghetti, hamburger, churro, breakfast egg sandwich and others that are less than a dollar. I miss listening alot of salsa music while walking in the neighborhood streets at night. I miss the smile of local Cubans and sit with them on the street and smoke cigars together while playing chess. I miss 10 hours of Cuban Salsa class in 4 days and actually enjoy going out disco to practice Cuban salsa that I just learned. Ahh I will be returning to Cuba soon.
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How soon are you thinking? I just got back from my second trip (saw your PM, will reply soon :) ) and am already looking at tickets for end of July-early August :D
 
Sabrosura said:
How soon are you thinking? I just got back from my second trip (saw your PM, will reply soon :) ) and am already looking at tickets for end of July-early August :D
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I am jealous! Not that too soon because I already booked for Peru trip near end of July. Hopefully next year since my work vacation day will be 0 after my 2nd Peru trip until January :(.
 
All guys who complain about lack of follows, please book your flight to Rostov right now. We'll dance here for 3 more days. No excuses.
 
Have been dancing more lately. I had undiagnosed pain in my leg that lasted for many months, but now seemed to have all but vanished. Last year was pretty bad for me health-wise, but I seem to have developed a higher appreciated for dancing during that time. Looking to start training again, maybe teach, but traveling is definitely on the agenda!
 
So if there is salsa congress half as good as Rostov, I want to go there. My guess is Šibenik. I'll go there next year as well. I would have to add dozens to my favorite follow list if I could remember the names, but it's like every third girl that asks me for a dance is awesome. And they do sharkmode, so i don't get to choose often.
 
Back in Europe salsa dancer needs to know on1/on2, chacha, pachanga, some guaguanco, bachata, some casino, some kizomba.
In Russia add son/casino/timba to it, boogaloo, swing, hiphop. And musically demands are higher here as well. One girl even warned me about musically up front. She won't be satisfied if I fail at that :D

Many people song the lyrics. Newbies are musical as well in their special way. When at 6am dj dropped guaguanco del gran combo all dance floor was doing it, singing, dancing with and within the music. Even local kizombies who don't like salsa that much did that. :)
 
Smejmoon said:
Back in Europe salsa dancer needs to know on1/on2, chacha, pachanga, some guaguanco, bachata, some casino, some kizomba.
In Russia add son/casino/timba to it, boogaloo, swing, hiphop. And musically demands are higher here as well. One girl even warned me about musically up front. She won't be satisfied if I fail at that :D

Many people song the lyrics. Newbies are musical as well in their special way. When at 6am dj dropped guaguanco del gran combo all dance floor was doing it, singing, dancing with and within the music. Even local kizombies who don't like salsa that much did that. :)
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One of my favorite songs ever....
 
One of my favorite local leads is a total chameleon. You never know what to expect. You can't get used to certain moves, leads or patterns, because he's constantly different. He is completely in tune with the music. He can switch from a sultry bachata to a jumpy cumbia flavored salsa to a speedy track and back again with ease. I love that amazing adaptation to the music (and I always get a kind following compliment at the end :D). I was lucky enough to snag about five songs last night (lost count somewhere!) I went out on the attack early, grabbed him among other leads; later I was sitting down behind several other girls and he came over and called out something along the lines of "You! Come on, get out here!" It was a a bachata that dissipated into scratchy sounds as there were issues with the sound - and he STILL managed to find some way to move in tune with the scratchy sounds! It suddenly changed into a salsa - no worries, he was off leading...

Lots of leads with lovely smiles last night, great way to end a month's salsa drought.
 
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This weekend I danced guaguanco for the first time, in the middle of a circle, with a girl, doing the vacunao. It was much more exciting and challenging compared to putting rumba moves in a salsa shine. I felt awkward and had to think too much, not unlike when I first started dancing salsa.
 
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