Salsa open diary

[Chris_Yannick]

Rough following does exist. I know of very few followers who can hurt me physically, except for this one friend who has messed up my shoulder on more than one occasion. It's how she uses her momentum and overturns on every move causing a lot of jammage. Turning her is like activating a wrecking ball that refuses to stop. I suppose it's a symptom of not knowing your own strength.

 

[Chris_Yannick]

Everybody just wants "to get his fix". Ok, the girls I see talk a lot amongst each other, but the men? They hardly greet and are not interested in anything except the girls

But how common is this behavior even outside of Salsa? If you don't know the person, what reason do they have to say anything? Guys talk with other guys with whom they know. It's not as common to see many guys huddled together chatting each other's ears off even though it does happen.

And the most important reason: as a guy, you simply have more to offer someone with whom you're likely to dance than with someone you are not.

Over the course of a salsa event, I have longer chats with girls (obviously) because there's more that can be exchanged (ie. a dance). The possibility of a dance puts you in another category of human interaction. You immediately hold more interest in that person's eyes.

Even with my male friends, our conversations at Salsa parties go someting like this:

"Hey how are you?"
"Me? I'm good. Oh wait, there's that girl I want to dance with. Catch up with you later"

 

[MamboJazz]

Again a post on reddit from a therapist saying he loves social dancing because he can be with people without having to talk with them. Several confirm they are also therapists and love it for that.

I know of at least two therapists in the local scene who have that same sentiment.

So for helping social dancing we just need more therapists or in general jobs where people have conversations all day, they will embrace social dance.

 

[MamboJazz]

Over the course of a salsa event, I have longer chats with girls (obviously) because there's more that can be exchanged (ie. a dance). The possibility of a dance puts you in another category of human interaction. You immediately hold more interest in that person's eyes.

Sure, for me the same. That might also explain why to my surprise WCS guys start talking to me, because they also sometimes ask for a dance in social. That still feels a bit strange to me, but I'm going to get accustomed.

 

[Jaime_Pipoca]

Dear Diary,

I was working with a dance friend that needed some slight corrections on technique, that IMO was keeping her from getting more dances. What I heard several times from her, was that during the group classes what we were addressing was never corrected, but especially in private classes they were never corrected. She seemed a tiny bit frustrated or disappointed that during the privates she didn't have these things ironed out.

I had mentioned that during big group classes, they have no time for it. They have to get through the class and there are too many people to cater to. I got to thinking about SalsaForums and how people often mention that instructors don't know technique, so that's why they aren't correcting her during privates. I then thought, perhaps they didn't correct it because that's not what they are getting paid for; technique is a different lesson for more money. I'm not sure what to think.

 

[Nunopiri]

I had mentioned that during big group classes, they have no time for it. They have to get through the class and there are too many people to cater to. I got to thinking about SalsaForums and how people often mention that instructors don't know technique, so that's why they aren't correcting her during privates. I then thought, perhaps they didn't correct it because that's not what they are getting paid for; technique is a different lesson for more money. I'm not sure what to think.

I would say the instructor doesn't know, doesn't care or was not aware.

Find another instructor and make sure he/she is told on what the expectations are.

 

[Offbeat]

During privates, if an instructor notices incorrect technique or other drawbacks, they will at least mention it. One hour may not be enough to correct everything. It could require multiple privates.

 

[azana]

My friend wanted to go to Linkin Park tonight. I wanted to go and see Quarter Street, a local salsa dura band. I'm going dancing. They play good, fast songs (think Juego La Pelota and the like). However, I do wish they'd alter up their playlist a little. I'll see how it goes tonight. At least they always draw the hardcore dancers.

All good - they announced another concert and we got Linkin Park tickets for Tuesday . Having a big argument with my male students on Chester vs Emily. They have labelled me a traitor. I don't see why they can't like them both!

 

[MamboJazz]

Wondering how many years it takes for long-haired improver females to realize that they slap their hair into their leader's face each time they do a turn?

In the morning I had been in an eyes clinic because I had an incident regarding my eye. Nothing serious but doctor acknowledged my eye was irritated. Without thinking about it I went dancing in the evening, it was one of the few interesting socials in my hometown. Asked some random woman for first dance - and leading the first turn slap! got her long hair into my face. Spend the rest of the dance bowing away. Afterwards I thought I have to protect my irritated eye so better watch out not to ask long-haired women. I had to realize there where lots of women with open long hair, not so easy to estimate if their hair would really reach my face while turning. Many women have hair ties in their pockets but even then they still may be a threat for leader's face. I finally decided to stay safe and go home, skipping this evening.

There are lots of memes about this on instagram (a well-known one below). I never had this problem with advanced followers, they know open long hair is annoying for leads. Seen this way it may be a way to estimate follower's experience if you don't know them. It's just astonishing many women are not aware of this for a long time. The next time I will stop the dance and speak out about this problem. It can be disgusting realizing she touched a dozen sweaty faces with her hair before and now moves it through my face.

 

[logic]

Wondering how many years it takes for long-haired improver females to realize that they slap their hair into their leader's face each time they do a turn?

Not just improvers, I recently danced with an experienced long time dancer in the scene, who left her long hair untied, and with every spin I got slapped in the face with it. Even felt strands of her hair in my mouth afterwards. I didn't think it appropriate to say anything and just smiled and said thanks after the dance. It makes me wonder whether woman who tie their hair, are doing it for their own convenience, and less so out of any perceived risk/consideration to others.

 

[azana]

My friend wanted to go to Linkin Park tonight. I wanted to go and see Quarter Street, a local salsa dura band. I'm going dancing. They play good, fast songs (think Juego La Pelota and the like). However, I do wish they'd alter up their playlist a little. I'll see how it goes tonight. At least they always draw the hardcore dancers.

They must have read this. The sets were mixed up. First set was brilliant. Hunted down leads to take advantage of the great music. Second set was a little more experimental and weird, and almost too much of the congas. While I didn't dance as much, it was still wonderful music to sit and listen to. Some very fun dances. Needed that salsa hit!

 

[Jaime_Pipoca]

Not just improvers, I recently danced with an experienced long time dancer in the scene, who left her long hair untied, and with every spin I got slapped in the face with it. Even felt strands of her hair in my mouth afterwards. I didn't think it appropriate to say anything and just smiled and said thanks after the dance. It makes me wonder whether woman who tie their hair, are doing it for their own convenience, and less so out of any perceived risk/consideration to others.

Dear Diary,
I was dancing with a follow who had whipped me one or twice while in open frame holding hands. The second time her hair whipped around, I instinctively leaned back as her hair passed. My follow sensing/seeing this, mimicked my motion also leaning back. I saw her do the same and slowly leaned back forward while guiding her to do the same. It looked super slick having us both do that, even though I was just trying not to get smacked by her hair.

 

[Offbeat]

Last night (Friday) was an awesome monthly mambo studio social. It was packed. @alvinthethird was DJing and played really good music that everyone liked. He is here for the weekend and DJing tonight (Saturday) too a a club. It must be ending as I write this. I didn’t go to the club as it was clashing with live tango just and dancing I already had committed to. Tomorrow is another social which is also expected to be packed and he will be playing there too.

G-ya and his team from Korea are here. He is giving intensive workshop today (sat) tomorrow (sun) I think. I saw from salsa friends who are here for the weekend from Los Angeles, San Diego, and Houston (that’s a 4 hour flight).

 

[eclo]

Maykel Blanco played a Cuban congress in UK last night and hardly anyone danced.

The band were amazing, perfect dancing music, but most of the crowd of dancers did not dance! I thought maybe it'll just take a few songs to warm people up, but no for the whole set most people didn't dance, not even even much swaying or dancing basics.

I found a friend at the back and had some amazing dances, also one random lead id never met before. But vast majority of the crowd were just stood there.

Let's just say think the UK has a long way to go before we get used to live music I think!

At times like this I miss DJ Yuca! He wasn't much for timba, but was one of the few voices keeping me sane in dealing with the somewhat strained relationship the UK salsa scene seems to have to the music.

 

[Offbeat]

Got back from Sunday social. It was rocking. Good music, a lot of people and crowd like old days before Covid.

I didn’t enjoy it as much. But I did see some followers whom I had last seen 10 and 15 years ago. With them I enjoyed my dances. Though they haven’t been dancing, they still got it. I definitely felt the difference in the quality of the dance and connection. They felt more grounded for sure. They still had better balance, timing, and their weight transfer was defined. I could always tell where their weight was. May be the first 10 years I had it so good that only in the hindsight you can appreciate.

The new crop of followers (say post-2015 and post covid) feels different. Some are really good. But it doesn’t feel like they are dancing in the music. The rest don’t seem to put in as much work as the followers who came before them.

 

[Otterpotter]

Maykel Blanco played a Cuban congress in UK last night and hardly anyone danced.

The band were amazing, perfect dancing music, but most of the crowd of dancers did not dance! I thought maybe it'll just take a few songs to warm people up, but no for the whole set most people didn't dance, not even even much swaying or dancing basics.

I found a friend at the back and had some amazing dances, also one random lead id never met before. But vast majority of the crowd were just stood there.

Let's just say think the UK has a long way to go before we get used to live music I think!

At times like this I miss DJ Yuca! He wasn't much for timba, but was one of the few voices keeping me sane in dealing with the somewhat strained relationship the UK salsa scene seems to have to the music.

Oh you went! I saw the group recently and they were amazing. Few people danced in Spain either, if that helps you feel better but EVERYONE sings! It's awesome, I love it. I'd like to say I'm torn and want to dance, but I see live salsa music so infrequently that actually, I want to just imbibe the beats by osmosis. Dancing would only detract me from that.

 

[eclo]

Oh you went! I saw the group recently and they were amazing. Few people danced in Spain either, if that helps you feel better but EVERYONE sings! It's awesome, I love it. I'd like to say I'm torn and want to dance, but I see live salsa music so infrequently that actually, I want to just imbibe the beats by osmosis. Dancing would only detract me from that.

See for me, dancing helps be absorb the music more, but I guess we're all different! And yeah they were amazing!

 

[azana]

Love to post a buzzing message, as I so needed a dose of salsa buzz, but last night must have been the most ordinary night I’ve had in a long time. Some very nice musical dances with regulars, pulled an old dress out of the wardrobe that turned out to still fit well; I looked good and was on point. But I consistently wasn’t in the right spot to pounce on leads I wanted to dance with, I wasn’t being asked much and I wasn’t feeling the music. The band seemed a bit off time all night and the singer not in good voice, and the songs the DJ (or it seemed to be just a tape) played in between sets were obscure and didn’t make you want to jump up and dance. Many dancers were pattern monkeying or just not imbibing the music well.

I received some lovely compliments and graciously thanked the people, but felt like a phoney. These were people who wouldn’t have seen top flight dancers, and it’s easy to look good in a scene without many strong dancers.

I’ll try again next week and see how I go. Sigh …

 

[MamboJazz]

Met a dancer at a mambo party who told me the dance school in a smaller city in czech republic he visits since years has completely switched from on1 to on2, that’s how he came to on2. The owner stopped teaching on1 even for beginners. Apparently it worked: "Beginners have no clue anyway, they don't complain." It was always said since decades that western beginners would find it harder to start with on2 - but a lot has been said in history that turned out to be not correct. I knew that NYC and Paris have schools who start with on2, but wouldn't have expected it somewhere in a european smalltown. Didn't the owner fear to lose his students? Apparently not enough, he just did it.

 

[1derpalm]

Nose that I love timba 1k times more than salsa, on2 is beyond low on my priority list. I'm more interested in learning the complete control of body and different cadences with the caballito step. Can be rhythmically challenging, very expressive and is really teaching me that my trunk tension is beyond horrendous.