""ATTENTION"", this Friday APRIL the 22nd, class will be at Ripley-Grier studios ( 520 8th Avenue. 36th st. romm 16E, 16th Fl Mention Ripley grier at the lobby) SALSA CLASSES IN NYC. LEARN TO DANCE. JOIN A LESSON from 8-9:30PM!

Group turn pattern Classes Currently meet every Friday with Robert from 8-9:30pm for both Absolute & advance beginners separately

. all levels wecomed. Drop in Anytime.
No Partner Required. Pay at the Door: $20. 5 class pass-pay online: ($75) $15 per Class. Please arrive a bit before 8pm

GROUP CLASS PRICES
SINGLE CLASS - $20.00

5 CLASS PASS - $75.00

DROP-INS WELCOMED AT ALL CLASSES. VIEW MAP FOR DIRECTIONS AND NEARBY TRAINS

PRIVATE SALSA CLASS:
The perfect choice for those who prefer to learn at their own pace. Receive personalized feedback and encouragement specific to your needs. Private salsa lessons will ensure you learn timing, form, and proper technique from the onset. Those receiving private instruction generally develop competence on the dance floor twice as fast. Each session includes complimentary admission to a group class.

SINGLE 1H CLASS - $ 90.00

5 CLASS PASS - $ 360.00

BOOK YOUR FIRST PRIVATE CLASS. E-mail Robert robdr87@gmail.com

OUR CURRICULUM
At the core of our salsa program is the curriculum. It is designed to take the person who is a absolute beginner to a proficient dancer. The goal is help students develop a mastery of the art. While many dance schools focus on teaching a specific style, we want each individual to find their own style. We are constantly tweaking our program in order to improve our teaching methods and equip out students with the tools they need to express themselves on the dance floor.


LEVEL 1 - BASICS
Gentleman will learn the basics of leading such as maintaining a good frame and how to properly signal your lead to your partner. Ladies will learn the basics of following such as maintaining the slot, how to execute their turns properly and some basic styling. Below are the moves/steps taught in Level 1 beginner.

1. The Basic Step
2. Cross Body Lead
3. Bump
4. Inside Turn
5. Outside Turn
6. Basic Left and Right Turns
7. Open Breaks


LEVEL 2 - ADVANCE BEGINNER
Students must show a proficient understanding of the basics before moving on to level 2. Now that you've learned the basics, we will build upon that knowledge with 7 new concepts/steps that will be combined with the 7 basics. These 14 moves form the building blocks of all patterns found in partnerwork. Leading is primarily a mentally intensive activity so at this level, Gentlemen are going to be learning longer patterns to develop their ability to think a step ahead. Ladies will be increasing their library of moves so that can follow in as many situations as possible.

1. Copa
2. Basket
3. Prepping & Double Spins
4. Loop Overs
5. Around the World
6. Frisbee Turn
7. Walkaround

LEVEL 3 - INTERMEDIATE

CLASS STRUCTURE
Our classes are taught in a flexible format where students can drop in and out of classes as they please. We will always use moves from the seven basics listed in beginner to form the level 1 routine. These routines are combinations of the moves put together into what is referred to as a "turn patterns. Every class will teach from the same set of seven moves but the turn pattern will always be different. Even from just a small set of basic moves, a limitless number of turn patterns can be created. Memorizing these turn patterns is not the goal. Learning to understand that each move is like building block, think of them as legos. Understanding how the pieces fit together is the goal.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
It is important to continue to practice the steps outside of classes. The best way to internalize the steps through practice. There are thousands of free video tutorials online that one can use as a guide when practicing at home. There are two types of learning. One kind of learning is knowledge based learning. For example learning biology or history. This kind of learning is about accumulating new information. The other kind of learning is physical learning. This is the kind of learning that you can do through doing like learning to perfect a golf swing. It requires you repeat it over and over again and gradually refine your technique. This kind if learning is filled with a lot of trial and error. Students can easily get discouraged because it is outside their comfort zone. Unfortunately there are no shortcuts for practice and repetition. The more you do something the better you get at it. This is why we strongly encourage students who are serious about learning to dance to come to class as often as possible and to practice regularly at home.

SOME COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR SALSA LESSONS

What should I wear to my first salsa class?
The most important thing for salsa is shoes. Wear shoes that have a smooth bottom because we will be doing a lot of turns. You do not want shoes that will grip the floor. We don't have any specific dress code for our salsa classes but just make sure your comfortable. It's a dance class, you are going to sweat.

When can I start your classes?
You can start at anytime. There are no sign-up dates. Just drop-in to get started. No prior dance experience is needed.

How long does it take become a good dancer?
It really depends on many different factors. Whether you have any prior background in dance, are you physically active. Have you done sports or played martial arts. What is your definition of "good? Do you want to be

- a good dancer at a salsa party?
- the best among your friends?
- a good performer?
- as good as a instructor?
- your personal best? Whatever that may be.

Only you can answer the what good means. The higher you set the bar for yourself the longer it will take. I'm going to be honest with you and tell you that learning to dance is not easy but the flip side is that it is a fun and rewarding process.

What is the difference salsa I learn at home and salsa taught in classes?
Kitchen salsa or backyard salsa is very different from what you learn at a dance studio. The salsa you learn at the studio will teach you two things. First, how to do the steps on the correct timing so that you are dancing in sync with the music. Second, how to do the steps properly. You will learn proper techniques for leading, following and spinning. Think of salsa as a language and a dance as a conversation between two people. You must both speak the same language in order to dance together. That is what we do at the studio, we teach you the common language of the dance so that you can go out to social dance scene and dance with everyone.

Why do you need to count
Becoming a dancer is a just like playing a instrument but the instrument is your body. Everyone who learns to play a instrument learns that music has a count and that count represents a measure of music. Being able to count with proper timing teaches you to dance with the rhythm of the music.

I have two left feet. Will I be able to do this?
Sorry no excuses. I've seen too many students walk in through my door with two left feet who became incredible dancers. It may require a little extra effort on your part and feel challenging at first but learning to dance is really not that different from learning to ride a bike. Like any other physical skill, you just train your body to do the movements and over time they become automatic.

Group Classes or Private lessons?
Group lessons are a fun, social, and affordable way to learn. You'll get a chance to dance with different partners and get to know the other students in the class. We've seen a lot of friendships formed among our students. Persistence is important during the first couple weeks. You may find the classes challenging at first because it will take some time for your mind and body to get use to the movements especially if you have never danced before. Keep in mind group classes are a one size fits all solution. If you want that kind of personalized instruction then consider private lessons. One on one sessions will prevent you from developing bad habits. Important details like bad posture or an incorrect movement may take a long time to correct once it has become internalized. A good instructor will keep you on the right track and prevent bad from forming. Another huge benefit is you get to dance with the instructor the entire time! I recommend doing both. Get the benefits of personalized attention in private lessons and the opportunity to practice with other students in group classes.

What are your refund policies?
You will issue a full refund in the unlikely event that the class is canceled. We do not offer refunds for no shows or unused classes. You have a month from the payment date to redeem pre-paid classes. For example, if you prepaid for a class on today and something comes up and you can't make it, you can still come the following week and redeem the class you paid for.

Do the punch cards expire?
Our punchcards do not expire. We will still accept any remaining classes on your punchcards even a year from now.

What about lost or stolen punch cards?
If you lose your punch card due to personal negligence we have no obligation to replace it. If it is stolen or lost due to circumstances outside of your control we will replace it and credit you with the remaining classes onto a new punch card.

TODD'S SALSA GUIDE TO SOCIAL DANCING IN NYC (ON2)

Here is our guide to what we believe are some of the best salsa socials/parties in Manhattan...

This doesn't represent everything because there are far too many events on any given night in New York City. Rather it is a select list of events curated by our dance company based on the following criteria. 1. Takes place regularly in Manhattan. 2. Mostly Salsa. We've not listed any Hip Hop or Raggaeton parties. 3. These are all events that we frequent so yes these are recommendations based on our experience. We are open to suggestions. Feel free to e-mail them to us. Whether your a student or a long time salsa aficionado, if your looking to for a night out of social dancing, we believe this guide will provide you with a quality experience of the New York social dance scene.


MONDAY NIGHTS
SALSA CON MAMBO MONDAYS @ SESSION 73 - Upper East Side
COVER $10 No Band - $15 When there is a band - 8:30pm til Late
DJ BABALOO - Radio Boomba Productions

A Jazz club on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. As with most clubs in NYC, space is usually tight. You'll notice that many bars/restaurants are the shape of a long corridor. Session 73 is no exception. When your not dancing, you'll be standing or at the bar. Not much seating but this is not the kind of place you go to sit. You come here to dance. In comparison to Taj, on any given night, you'll typically see better dancers prefer Session 73. Babaloo's mix is strictly salsa and with a little bit of Bachata and he is certainly one of my favorite DJ's in the Salsa scene.

LATIN MONDAY'S AT TAJ LOUNGE - Flatiron District
COVER $10 Before 8pm and $12 after. Goes til 1am or Later
ROTATING DJ'S - DIFFERENT BAND & PERFORMANCES EVERY WEEK
Promoted by Mike Pena and Talia Castro Pozo

Taj is a swanky Flatiron district lounge. The venue is two floors with lots of booths and seating. You'll know your in New York once you look at the drink prices here. Expect a night out to run you $50 after cover, coat check, drinks and tips. I often recommend this social to my beginner students because it's a more casual party with a nice venue, great bands and performances. Plentiful lounge seating makes it very cool place to hang out, have a few drinks while getting in a couple of dances. There is a good mix of dancers of all levels but some nights can get crowded. Taj can pull in really excellent crowd on the nights when it brings in big headliner bands ilke La Excelencia and Grupo Latin Vibe.

Note: Some Hip Hop and Raggaeton music is played before the band performs. DJ changes every week. Quality of the mix will vary depending on DJ


TUESDAY NIGHTS
SALSA EN EL WEST VILLAGE @ THE MADELYN
NO COVER - DJ MUSTACHIO - Clean Productions
9:00pm - 2:00am

No bands, no performances, and no cover, just a nice venue and a great DJ. It's salsa pure and simple. Going out on a regular basis can really take a toll on a dancers wallet and most professional dancers are not making a fortune. If your going out every night, paying cover and drinks, it really adds up for someone on a artist's income. That's why you'll see a lot of great dancers come to Madelyn. The crowd here simply just wants to dance with other dancers and not spend $12-$15 on a cover for a band and performances. Instead, support the DJ and the club by buying a few drinks. Madelyn has a lot of great dancers and it's a favorite dance spot for our instructors and experienced students. You will also find beginners here as well because it's free. It's a great place to try the moves you've been learning in class without having to spend any money. The venue is a beautifully lit space with exposed brick walls and modern lounge seating


WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
BAILA WEDNESDAYS @ SOLAS - East Village
COVER $5.00 - DJ BABALOO - Radio Boomba Productions
8:30pm to 1:00am

Solas is an ideal salsa party. It's spacious with plenty of lounge seating. The drinks are very reasonably priced with drink specials from $5 a beer. With a wonderful DJ that spins classic salsa all night long and a great mix of dancers from beginners to advanced. There's something for everyone at Solas and there is plenty of room to dance. Pretty much every other salsa venue I've mentioned in this guide has a space that is somewhat less than ideal. Taj has pillars that intrude into the dance space, Session 73 is a long narrow venue and so is the Madelyn. Solas on the other hand, is the only lounge has a open rectangular shape. That's not to say the place doesn't get packed. It's become a popular party because it's both affordable and has a great space.


THURSDAY NIGHTS CLUB CACHE - Midtown/Bryant Park
COVER $11.00 - DJ JOEY SALSA
9:00pm - 2:00am

New York's legendary underground salsa party, club cache is where one can go to see all the who's who's' of the salsa scene. Instructors and performers come to dance here. Don't be surprised if some one you've seen in a salsa video will be dancing at Cache. Multiple performances a night from the best dance teams in the tristate area. Cache is where many teams go to debut their new choreography's. A must visit salsa destination for the hard core salsero/salsera. A bit intimidating for beginners. You may encounter a few salsa snobs but majority of the dancers are friendly and will dance with a beginner.


FRIDAY NIGHTS A EVENING WITH ABAKUA @ CLUB 412 - Midtown/Penn Station
Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month - 9:00pm til 1:30am
COVER $11.00 - DJ FRANKIE MARTINEZ

This is a dance studio social is hosted by Frankie Martinez who is world renown for his afro-cuban body movement. When you walk into this social you will notice all the advanced dancers on the side near the DJ booth and the beginners and intermediate dancers on the opposite side. It's a very nice studio with excellent wooden floors and a bar. The only drawback is that it does get hot. The space is not very well ventilated. There is only a couple of windows on the street facing side of the building. It's okay in the cold winter month's but can be unbearable in the summer months however the studio does have a another room where you can go to cool off. The mix is almost purely salsa with some bachata

CANDELA FRIDAYS NYC @ DANCESPORT - Midtown/Empire State Building
Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month - 9:00pm til 2:00am
COVER $11.00 - DJ ALEX EL MAESTRO

I'm going to pretty much write the same review for Candela as for Salsa Mania since it's basically a similar event except Salsa Mania takes place on Saturdays while Candela takes place on Fridays. Dance Sport is probably one of the nicest dance studios in Manhattan. Located at the base of the Empire State Building, the studio is a start of the art facility for Tango and Ballroom and therefore very spacious with perfect floors and good ventilation. DJ Alex spins mostly salsa with some bachata. We often take our students here for socials because there is a good mix of dancers ranging from beginner to advanced. It has a separate lounge area and bar which over looks the shopping district of 34th street. Best part is this social is it goes till very late. Doors stay open till 2am.


SATURDAYS SALSA MANIA @ DANCESPORT - Midtown/Empire State Building
Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the Month - 5:00pm til 10:00pm
COVER $11.00 - DJ Alex El Maestro

Read the previous review on Candela. Salsa Mania is basically the same party with a few minor differences, it starts earlier and ends earlier and takes place on Saturday instead of Friday, and they fall on different weekends. If you like Candela, you will certainly enjoy yourself at Salsa Mania.


SUNDAYS LAS CHICAS LOCAS @ DANCESPORT
Every 1st and 3rd Sunday - 9:00pm til 1:00am
COVER $10 - DJ ALEJANDRO

So your noticing by now that a lot of the weekend salsa parties are happening at Dancesport but Las Chicas Locas (LCL) is hosted by a different DJ and certainly has a very different flavor from DJ Alex. DJ Alejandro plays a even mix of Salsa, Bachata, and cha-cha-cha. A lot of the dancers come from LCL right after Jimmy Anton's Social. These are dedicated social dancers. What I've always loved about LCL is that it is a very laid back party despite the high caliber of dancers that go there. One can come here to relax on Sunday night, grab a couple of drinks, and dance a bit of both Salsa and Bachata.

JIMMY ANTON'S SOCIAL @ DANCE MANHATTAN - Flatiron District
Every 1st and 3rd Sunday - 5:00pm til 9:00pm
$11 Unless there's a Band, then it's $16 - DJ Jimmy Anton

Founded in 1993, Jimmy's is New York's longest running Salsa Social. Considered by some to be the best social in New York City, It is also the biggest salsa social in New York City. Jimmy Anton's is located in the spacious Dance Manhattan studios which has a huge dance floor. There is no bar here but they do serve gatorade and water. You'll see everyone here from the entire New York Salsa crowd to all the out of towers from Philly, DC, Boston who travel all the way to to NYC to get their salsa fix. There are dancers of all levels and the playlist is 80% salsa with some bachata and cha cha.


LA VIEJA GUARDIA - LVG @ STEPPING OUT STUDIOS - Flatiron District
Every 2nd and 4th Sunday - 6:00pm til 10:00pm
COVER $11 - DJ Antonio La Conga - Joel Dominguez

This is very you'll find NYC's elite salsa crowd. If you want to dance with the best go to LVG. This is where you'll find all the local Instructors, performers, professional dancers and salsa celebrities. Stepping out studios is a very nice venue with two large rooms and a reception area. They do not serve alcohol at this social where you need to bring your a-game. A bit intimidating for beginners but if you are a hardcore salsa aficionado, you will love it here. There is not a higher concentration of top level dancers at any where else.

CARLOS KONIG SOCIAL @ RIPLEY GRIER STUDIOS
Every 2nd and 4th Sunday - 5:30pm til 9:30pm
COVER $11 - DJ Carlos Konig

Carlos is a stark contrast to LVG. Carlos and Almyra create a friendly inviting atmosphere at there social. The crowd here is a bit older but every one is so nice and there is not even a hint of pretentiousness. People come here just to enjoy the music and have fun dancing, not because they feel the need to show off. I always recommend Carlos social to beginners who are just starting out and are a bit intimidated by the social dance scene. This is a place where you can go and relax and just have a good time with a crowd of very amiable dancers.

We've not included latin clubs because they tend mix in a lot of Reggaeton and Hip Hop but they are worth mentioning:

COPACABANA - 268 W 47th Street
LATIN QUARTER - 511 Lexington Ave
COLUMBUS 72 - 246 Columbus Ave
GONZALES Y GONZALES - 625 Broadway
IGUANA - 240 W 54th St

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THE AMAZING BENEFITS OF SALSA DANCING

NO WONDER DANCING FEELS SO GOOD......
Music and dancing has been a part of many different cultures for centuries. It is part of celebration and entertainment. And whether they knew it or not, way back when the dancing began, there are numerous amazing health benefits. Now that the American population is facing a major obesity epidemic, health benefits from dancing is something that should be taken a closer look at.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF SALSA DANCING
Not only is dancing an exceptional way to let loose and have fun, but it also provides some terrific benefits for your health.

In fact, Mayo Clinic researchers reported that social dancing helps to:

* Reduce stress
* Increase energy
* Improve strength
* Increase muscle tone and coordination

DANCING
Dancing the night away can burn more calories per hour than riding a bike or swimming.

And whether you like to kick up your heals to hip hop, salsa or country, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says that dancing can:

* Lower your risk of coronary heart disease
* Decrease blood pressure
* Help you manage your weight
* Strengthen the bones of your legs and hips

Salsa dancing is a unique form of exercise because it provides the heart-healthy benefits of an aerobic exercise while also allowing you to engage in a social activity.

The amount of benefit you get from dancing depends on, like most exercises, the type of dancing you're doing, how strenuous it is, the duration and your skill level.

SALSA DANCING
* Builds endurance and stamina
* Helps with weight loss
* Relieves stress
* Helps you release toxins via sweating
* May help lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels
* Can lead to a reduced heart rate over time

DANCING OFF THOSE CALORIES
How many calories will you burn while dancing? That depends on the type of dancing. Here's a range of some of the most popular varieties, based on a 150-pound person, per hour:


* Swing dancing: 235 calories/hour
* Ballroom dancing: 265
* Square dancing: 280
* Ballet: 300
* Belly dancing: 380
* Salsa dancing: 420+
* Aerobic dancing: 540+

MENTAL BENEFITS OF DANCING
Dancing is a unique form of exercise because it provides the heart-healthy benefits of an aerobic exercise while also allowing you to engage in a social activity. This is especially stimulating to the mind, and one 21-year study published in the New England Journal of Medicine even found dancing can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in the elderly.

In the study, participants over the age of 75 who engaged in reading, dancing and playing musical instruments and board games once a week had a 7 percent lower risk of dementia compared to those who did not. Those who engaged in these activities at least 11 days a month had a 63 percent lower risk!

Interestingly, dancing was the only physical activity out of 11 in the study that was associated with a lower risk of dementia. Said Joe Verghese, a neurologist at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and a lead researcher of the study, "This is perhaps because dance music engages the dancer's mind."

Verghese says dancing may be a triple benefit for the brain. Not only does the physical aspect of dancing increase blood flow to the brain, but also the social aspect of the activity leads to less stress, depression and loneliness. Further, dancing requires memorizing steps and working with a partner, both of which provide mental challenges that are crucial for brain health.

So clearly dancing is excellent for your body, mind, and soul. Pick up a new heart healthy habit and learn to dance salsa.

This Article was originally published by Shannon M, a salsa dance/pilates instructor from the San Francisco Bay Area.

GUIDE TO BUYING YOUR FIRST PAIR OF SALSA SHOES

In a previous article titled "What to Wear to Your First Salsa Class" I stated that you do not need specialized salsa shoes. This was a article written to beginners. It would not make sense for a beginner to spend $100 on shoes when they are still not sure if salsa is right for them. However, if you've moved past being a beginner, chances are you caught the salsa fever and you'll keep dancing and taking classes. Investing in a pair of salsa shoes is absolutely necessary at this point.

Turn patterns involving double and triple spins are the norm for most New York City salsa parties. It is absolutely necessary in today's salsa scene to own a pair of salsa shoes. When my girlfriend and I finally got fed up dancing in our street shoes, we both went out and bought a pair of salsa shoes and suddenly our feet felt light as a feather. Spinning got easier and we wondered why didn't buy shoes earlier. A good pair of salsa shoes will do wonders for your dancing. Even if you do most of your dancing in the studio, any proper salsa class past beginner level will require spinning and footwork that is best executed with specialized salsa shoes.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
A good pair of salsa shoes is lightweight, snug, fitting close to the foot, able to slide, & spin with ease, provides cushioning and arch support. Suede soles are the best for spinning. A good pair of shoes doesn't have to cost a fortune. You can find a good pair for under $100.

WOMEN'S SHOES - Left to Right:
Character Shoes, Capezio's Dancesport Latina, Close-Up of Capezio's Dancesport Latina

CHARACTER SHOES - A low heel and modest look. Closed toe for dance floor safety and modesty. T-strap version available as well. Capezio and others make these. Very popular to start out, wide heel for balance. Suitable for ballroom as well. under $40.

CAPEZIO DANCESPORT SHOES (Latina Style Open Toe) - A favorite for social dancing and the studio among veteran Salsera's. The open toe straps are sexy in black, bronze, satin, and my personal favorite, gold. These shoes come in 3" and 2.5" Latina heels and have a fully flexible forepart for ease of movement. Listed at Capezio for $105.00 but my girlfriend brought hers for $85.00 at onstagedancewear.com

MENS SHOES - Left to Right:
Converse All Stars, Ballroom Shoes, Aris Allen Wingtips, Gabellini Classic

CONVERSES - Converses are the only sneakers I would wear while dancing but it certainly is limiting and heavier. There are still those who say "Salsa is a street dance. I dance in street shoes, period". That may have been true twenty years ago. A guy can get a away with away with not doing multiple spins but this is not true of the women. These shoes have waffle patterned rubber soles that grip the floor which will put a lot of strain on your ankles when spinning. You will feel it later. I speak from experience.

BALLROOM SHOES - A fairly common choice for guys and can be a inexpensive and comfortable option. Don't be fooled by the fancier pairs with the custom leather. After trying on the more expensive shoes, I brought a standard pair for $65 because it was lighter and more comfortable. These shoes are made with 1/2" heels as well as the standard 1" heels and have suede soles. You can pick up a pair at Capezios or almost any dance store.

ARIS ALLEN WINGTIP - Not just for swing, popular for dress-up salsa too. There are many variations on this spectator or wingtip shoe, but Aris Allen at dancestore.com has definitely gotten it right - lightweight, fits as close to the foot as they can get, great internal padding - needs no inserts, gorgeous, top quality, and slick for sliding.

GABELLINI SHOES (MEN & WOMEN) - Absolutely brilliant. There needs to be more salsa shoes like this. Lightweight, look really contemporary and casual, (they remind me of a pair of PUMAs) but have suede soles and are excellent for spinning. Very reasonably priced at 79.99. Head over to GabelliniShoes.com to pick up a pair.

Most of this article is original content written by me although I did have some help from Kurt Lichtmann with some of the reviews

Basic Salsa Dance Steps - A Step by Step Tutorial For Salsa On2

Mastering the basic step will be the first key step to developing proper technique and timing in salsa. Your spins and partner-work techniques will be executed in sync with the rhythm of the music once you have mastered your basic. Think of the basic step as the drummer in a band. It keeps you and your partner on time.

I encourage you to practice these steps at home but it goes with out saying that online instruction is no substitute for real time studio instruction. The purpose of these video tutorials is to be a supplement for studio lessons and not a replacement. There are many finer elements of the basic step such as the Cuban hip motion and arm work that are difficult to teach through video. What you get in a class that you don't get online is invaluable feedback from your instructor and the opportunity practice with other students. I hope this video will get your feet moving but make sure to get the proper training by stopping by my salsa class.

Salsa music is played in 4/4 time and has 4 beats to the measure or bar. The basic step happens with in 2 measures or 8 counts.

FOR THE LADIES
1. Step forward with your right foot on the first count
2. Step forward with your left foot on the second count
3. Step in place with your right foot on the third count
4. Pause on the fourth count
5. Step back with the left foot on the fifth count
6. Step back with the right foot on the sixth count
7. Step in place with the left foot on the seventh count
8. Pause on the eighth count
Repeat Step 1

FOR THE MEN
1. Step back with the left foot on the first count
2. Step back with the right foot on the second count
3. Step in place with the left foot on the third count
4. Pause on the fourth count
5. Step forward with your right foot on the fifth count
6. Step forward with your left foot on the sixth count
7. Step in place with your right foot on the seventh count
8. Pause on the eighth count
Repeat Step 1

Because of the pause on the 4th and 8th counts, salsa has a rhythmic feel of slow, quick, slow, - slow, quick, slow,

The salsa basic dance step is danced in closed position with the man facing the woman.

THERE ARE 4 POINTS OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE MAN AND THE WOMAN.
1. The Leader takes the follower's right hand with his left hand.
2. The leader places his right hand on the followers back.
3. The follower places her left hand on the leaders shoulder.
4. The leader and the follower keep their chin up and maintain eye contact.

Enjoy the step by step video tutorial I made of the basic salsa dance steps. Also if you haven't already, make sure to enroll in salsa classes so you have the experience of doing the basic with different partners.

The History of Salsa Dancing Part 3 - From Mambo To Salsa

History of Salsa Dancing Part 1/3
History of Salsa Dancing Part 2/3
History of Salsa Dancing Part 3/3

1973 A Puerto Rican named Izzy Sanabria launched a TV show called "Salsa" along with Latin NY Magazine and in 1975, Latin NY Magazine hosted it's first ever Salsa Awards. Coverage of this event by the N.Y. Times, News-week and Time magazine generated worldwide interest in what seemed to be a new form of music. Some musicians protested the term "salsa" complaining that Izzy was merely putting a new label on Cuban music but in many ways, it was new and had evolved to something unique in its own right.

What was originally of African Cuban origin had found a home in America and adopted by the Latino community of New York. Innovations made by Puerto Rican musicians such as Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe transformed Afro-Cuban based music to a unique New York Latin Music. Modern salsa is something that was evolved here through the fusion of different cultural influences making what some might consider a home grown American phenomenon.

In the 1980s Eddie Torres began to formalize mambo 0n2 and made it something professional dancers could learn by standardizing the basic time step and teaching a repertoire of moves that had names to them. We now call the dance salsa since the term salsa has become internationally accepted to refer to music of African-Cuban origin as well as New York's Latin music and their dances. Moving salsa education out of the street and into the studio made it much easier for students of the dance to learn spins and as result, the salsa today emphasizes more partner-work and closed position dancing. This is also attributed to the popularity of the hustle in the latino community during and their incorporation the partner-work into salsa, so I guess some good did come out of the disco days after all. Formalizing salsa made the dance much more marketable because it meant it could be taught in a class. Now Studios all around the world offer salsa classes and has become one the most popular social dance styles. There are people dancing salsa in London, Taiwan, Korea, India, even japan. INCREDIBLE

So in a nutshell, africans were brought over to cuba as a result of the slave trade. Their music blended with that of the cubans and a marriage between the clave and african drums was now formed. Mambo came along much thanks to Perez Parado who took it to america, he introduced the big band sound by adding brass instruments and Americans loved it and so began the glory days of mambo, innovation by New York's puerto rican musicians added a element of jazz and the sound of the pianos. The music was transformed into what Izzy Sanabria labeled as salsa.

Pereze Parado spiced up Danzon and taught a new more energetic dance called the mambo. The mambo came to the U.S. and incorporated elements of ballroom, swing, jazz, and tap while preserving it's latin steps. In the 70s, the influence of the partner-work aspect of the hustle left it's mark on the mambo and was brought off the street and into the studio in the 1980s by Eddie Torres and was now called the salsa.

The history tells a story of a style of dance that is really a fusion of many different cultures and the dance continues to evolve this way today, with the newer generation mixing in components of hip-hop, belly dancing, and adding lifts and aerial moves from ballroom and swing. So now that you know the awesome rich kick ass history of salsa dancing, you'll be able to go out and dance as a informed individual but more than just filling your head with knowledge and turning you into a salsa brainiac, I hope that this short video has help you gain a new appreciation of our awesome spicy saucy dance known as salsa! Thanks for watching and check out my youtube channel for some salsa lessons. Peace and please feel free to use this vide to educate your children.

The History of Salsa Dancing Part 2 - The Rise of Mambo

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The mambo dance first appeared in the United States in New York's Park Plaza Ballroom - a favorite hangout of enthusiastic dancers from Spanish Harlem. However, the real breakthrough for the Mambo came when it gained its excitement in 1947 at the Palladium which was located in downtown Manhattan. The Palladium opened its doors as a club for whites only. However business was poor and so a Spanish music promoter named Federico Purgani was able to persuade the club owner to book latin music. He agreed but for Sunday matinees only. It opened its doors to Puerto Ricans and Cubans and became a rare spot where whites, blacks, and latinos could come together. From the doors of the palladium, the music and dance style known as the Mambo took America by storm. The palladium era were the glory days of Mambo and the nights were filled with the rhythms of the three Mambo Kings Tito Rodriguez, Tito Puete and Machito. Both of the Tito's brought a Puerto Rican influence to mambo music and also their fusion of jazz into the Afro-Cuban sound added another wonderful layer of complexity paving the way for a new flavor of latin music that would be later called "Salsa".

Palladium Mambo and cha-cha was the progenitor of Salsa but is still quite different. It had a lot more open work and the dancers dance on all different beats. There was no dancing on1 or on2 and there was no formalized technique. Dancers of different backgrounds such as ballroom, tap, jazz and swing all danced the mambo a their own way.

May 1966 marked the end of the palladium era as the nightclub closed its doors and the big 3 found their new home inside The Corso. Mambo music was played almost every night of week and it was here that a young Puerto Rican man named Eddie Torres learned how to dance the mambo by watching the dancers in the club. By this time, The mambo had already evolved into a slot dance and the cross body lead was there.

The 1970s gave rise to merengae, early forms of hip hop, disco and the hustle. Which was cool, okay kind of, well, i guess it's not as bad as boy bands.

Among other aficionados, Eddie Torres kept mambo alive by teaching the dance and standardizing the break step on the 2 and the 6. Torres began to dance on 2 when June Laberta explained music theory to him. Tito Puente Also confirmed to Torres that dancing on 2 was a marriage with the music because the break step synchronizes with the accented slap of the conga drum.

The History of Salsa Dancing Part 1 - African Origins

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Salsa is a internationally popular dance style that has it's roots in Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean and North America. The Word Salsa translates as the world for sauce and also can-notes a spicy flavor hence the sensual aesthetic of the dance.

The origins of salsa start in cuba when African rhythms came to the new world through slave trade in the form of the rumba. The sounds of these ancient times were used to call forth various Gods. Slaves were forced to convert to Christianity but managed to preserve their heritage by using code words to refer to their own Gods. In Cuba, African drum rhythms blended with the cuban official music and dance of Danzon. A style known as the Cuban son emerged and we now start to hear the claves play a central part of afro-cuban music.

Radio Broadcasting came to Cuba in 1922 along with Americans seeking to escape prohibition laws. This exposed a large population of westerners to cuban son and for the first time, afro-carribean music became popular in america. Renamed the Rumba, the music and dancing begin to appear in American salons in the 1930s and is still a popular style today among ballroom dancers. The rumba in many ways looks like a slower version of salsa. It's got some of the footwork elements, the cuban hip motion, and arm styling.

Even with the Danzon (which has its origins in English social dancing), you can see the beginnings of the basic back and forward break of the basic time step.

In the early 1900s a cuban composer named Orestes Lopez wrote a Danzon piece called Mambo. In 1943, a famous band leader and a friend of Lopez named Perez Prado began to call his own brand of music "Mambo" meaning "conversation with the Gods". The African influence is clear from the name. Perez's Mambo was a more upbeat version of the Cuban music that contained big brass and drum sound to it. The story goes that he came up with a dance to go with his Mambo music and introduced the Mambo dance at La Tropicana night-club in Havana in the year 1943. Prado Perez took tour in the United states in 1951 and Mambo became a craze and Perez became known as the famed Mambo King.

The Essential Eight

So you want to learn salsa but your not sure where to start. Let me introduce you to the essential eight. They are the first eight moves I teach all my students. The reason why I chose these eight moves is because they form the foundation for higher level dancing. It usually only takes about 3 to 4 classes to learn and I recommend that the beginner learn these moves in the sequence shown below.


1. The Basic Step


2. She Turns, He Turns, She Turns


3. Cross Body Lead


4. Cross Body Lead Inside Turn


5. Cross Body 360


6. Backspot Turn AKA Walk Around


7. Half Backspot Turn


8. Trading Places

5 Salsa Songs That Every Beginner Should Know

We all know that music and dancing goes hand in hand. You can't dance hip-hop with out knowing hip-hop music or do the swing with out knowing swing music. The same is true of salsa. On the dance floor, you can always tell who knows the music and who doesn't. The great thing about salsa music is that it's fun to listen to. Once I figured out what the top salsa songs were, I could not stop listening! I have it on all the time in the office and especially when I'm driving. As a matter of fact, I have my headphones on right now and guess what I'm listening to?

I've listed 5 songs below that are great listening and have a good beat to dance to. On top of that, you'll often hear these five songs played at the hottest salsa parties in NYC like Mondays at Taj or Wednesdays at LQ. So here it is,

ARTIST - SONG TITLE:
Tito Puente - Oyo Como Va
Tito Puente - Ran Kan Kan
Hector Lavoe- El Cantante
Oscar D'Leon - Lloraras
Los Adolescentes Orquesta - Aquel Lugar

Oh and one more thing. You can listen to all these songs for FREE on my playlist which is public. Just head over to my playlist and hit the play button. Enjoy!

MANHATTAN SALSA EVENTS THIS WEEK (Click on Calendar for Event Details)

For more local salsa events visit the SalsaNewYork calendar and JerseySalsa.com

Back when I first started going to salsa clubs, my friends and I would get a dance lesson, half price drinks, all you can eat buffet, and a live band playing for us all for FREE. It's not like that any more but your admission ticket still INCLUDES all of these things. The salsa scene in Manhattan has exploded recently and now every single party charges cover. Don't believe me? Prove me wrong and I would gladly tell everyone about the party you found. Despite the cover charge, I still think your getting ALOT of value with your admission ticket so it's certainly worth checking out.


MONDAYS AT TAJ LOUNGE
COVER: $6 Admission til 7pm/$12 After
Dinner guests get free admission

FREE Lessons start at 6:30pm
Instructor Jaime Josephson

Live Band & Performances Every Week
http://www.worldsalsadj.com/nyc.html

TUESDAYS AT COLUMBUS 72
COVER: $3 Admission All night

FREE Salsa Lessons 7:30pm
Complimentary Buffet 7pm
http://www.albentertainment.com/

WEDNESDAYS AT LQ
COVER: $10 For guys. Free for ladies
Dinner guests get free admission

FREE Lessons start early in the evening
Instructor: Amaryllis Cintron

Live Band & Performances Every Week
http://www.lqny.com/lq/html/index.htm

FRIDAYS AT SOB'S
COVER: Free for ladies before 7pm. $15 After
$15 for guys before 8pm. $20 After
Dinner Guests with reservations before 7pm get free admission

FREE salsa lessons at 7pm

Live Band & Performances Every Week
http://www.sobs.com/latin_salsa/2007/1109.html
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*NOTE, these cover prices may not be accurate since they are constantly changing. Contact the club or promoter for up to date prices.

Now that you know where to go...Get out there and dance!

WHAT TO BRING/WEAR TO YOUR FIRST SALSA CLASS

If it is your first time attending any kind of salsa class, let me just give you a few recommendations about what to bring and what to wear.

1. Bring the right shoes.

- You don't need specialized salsa shoes. Basically any kind of shoe that has a flat sole is acceptable. Oftentimes I teach the class wearing a pair of converse all stars.

- Do not bring shoes that leave black streaks into the studio, it destroys the floor. Leave at home any kind of shoe with too much grip like basketball or running shoes.

- Ladies, you can wear heels but stay away from high heels. People do dance in high heels but I certainly wouldn't recommend it for a beginner.

- Don't wear shoes that are slip ons because you might slip out of them. Keep in mind that you will be required to do spins in class so check your shoes. Make sure your wearing a pair that fit securely on your feet and have a fairly smooth bottom.

2. What to wear. Something you feel comfortable dancing in. I like to wear jeans even when I dance. Salsa is a very active dance so don't show up in a suit because you will break a sweat in my class.

3. Guys if you have a partner don't leave her at home. Bring her along as she will love dancing with you!

4. Lastly, BE ON TIME: When you arrive late to a class you not only cheat yourself, you also disrupt the class for the rest of the students. It's preferable to arrive a few minutes early so you can change your shoes (if necessary) and mingle with your fellow students. If everyone arrives a few minutes early the class can start right on time.

Look forward to seeing you soon

USEFUL LINKS FOR DANCERS

If you have a relevant website and are interested in a link exchange, please e-mail me

EVENTS AND SOCIALS

SalsaNewYork.com has listings for clubs and socials and a up to date calendar of weekly salsa parties taking place every night of the week

Salsa in Holland. The source for all things salsa in the Netherlands.

JIMMY ANTON SOCIAL 39 West 19th Street, Flatiron district, on the first, third and fifth (if there is one) Sunday of the month, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

‘LA VIEJA GUARDIA SOCIAL’ Held at Chelsea Studios, 151 West 26th Street, fifth floor, Rooms 501-503, (212) 647-1100

LATIN NIGHTCLUBS

CLUB CACHE 221 West 46th Street, Manhattan, clubcachenyc.com

CLUB IGUANA 240 West 54th Street, Manhattan, (212) 765-5454, iguananyc.com

S.O.B.’S 204 Varick Street, at Houston, South Village, (212) 243.4940, sobs.com

LATIN QUARTER 511 Lexington Avenue, between 47th and 48th, (212) 593-7575, lqny.com

SESSION 73 1359 First Avenue, at 73rd Street, Manhattan, (212) 517-4445, session73.com

DANCE GEAR

DSOL Dance Shoes Online, The world's largest online resource for various kinds of dance shoes including Ballroom, Latin, Salsa, Court, Ballet, Taps, Jazz, dance Sneakers and dancewear & dance accessories

CAPEZIO DANCE THEATRE SHOP, 1650 Broadway(at 51st Street), Midtown, (212) 245-2130

DANCE CLASSES

Salsa Latina - Salsa & Latin dance studio in Christchurch, New Zealand. For the Latest dance class information and dance events in Christchurch visit their website www.danzalatina.co.nz and www.danzalatina.co.nz

Belly Dance Classes NYC - NYC Belly Dance offers classes that are great for ladies who are looking to improve their isolations and body movement.

Hip Hop Classes NYC - Check out these Hip Hop classes. Affordable drop-in classes and a lot of fun. The instructors are very professional and their dance crew is number one in NYC.

Hip Hop Classes for Kids - UPRiSE Dance Academy offers programs for tots, kids and teens. Our instructors are dance professionals who are passionate about youth. We design our classes to be both educational and fun!

Zumba Classes NYC - Zumba classes are great for those of you who want to get their latin music fix and stay fit. I have so many friends who take Zumba and love the classes. I think it's great that more people are discovering latin dance through this hot new workout!

INSTRUCTORS & PERFORMERS

SALSA BY JAKE - A musician and instructor from the San Francisco Bay Area. Jake has studied and taught Salsa dance classes for over 15 years.

KARISMA DANCE COMPANY - Praised as the most elegant mambo company in New York

SALSA WEBSITES

Salsalessons.tv Learn Salsa Dancing Online with Professional Instructors

SalsaDallas.Com - Learn how to dance the sexy art of salsa dancing through online instructional video lessons and classes at SalsaDallas.com

SALSA DANCING ADDICT - Learn the basic steps, how-to, and history of salsa dancing. Provides information on dance studios, salsa clubs and features salsa performance videos and beginners guide.

THE GUIDE TO SALSA - Answers to the most commonly-asked questions beginner students have about taking salsa lessons.

Salsa in Boston - Boston's Premier Latin Music and Dance Website

SCHOOL DANCE - Find a dance school. Worldwide dance schools directory.

JUSTSALSA - A Web Magazine Dedicated To Latin Music, Dance, and Culture

Salsa Dance Resource Guide - Find your salsa

Dancetimessquare.com dance schools in new york
Dance schools in NYC is the premiere Latin and Ballroom Dance Studio. Created and developed by United States Professional Latin Champions.

Dance Styles Directory. We are listed under Latin Dance category

Salsa 101 Video Lesson 3 - The Backspot Turn

In this weeks lesson I will be showing you one of the most common turns in salsa called the back-spot turn. Both partners turn 360 degrees in closed position while remaining in the same spot. I use this move all the time as a transition between different turn combinations because it compliments any turn pattern very elegantly.

Salsa 101 Video Lesson 2 - How To Properly Turn

A FEW THINGS TO TAKE NOTE OF ABOUT TURNING:

- Gentlemen, use only 2 fingers and draw a halo around the top of her head

- Ladies, cup your hand and keep the thumbs loose. Don't clasp down

- Ladies, a little bit of force is all it should take for a guy to turn you. A good follower is light and easy to lead. Make sure to turn immediately when you feel

- Gentlemen, do your basic in place when you are turning the ladies

- Most turns begin on the 1 count but this is not always the case. Advanced level turning can begin on any count but turn patterns are still usually initiated on the 1 count

Keep in mind that online instruction is no substitute for real time studio instruction. These videos tutorials are meant to supplement studio lessons and not be a replacement. At my studio class I have all my students do turn drills designed to make them into naturals at spinning. I hope this video will get your feet moving but make sure to get the complete proper training by stopping by my class.

Salsa 101 Video Lesson 1 - The Basic Step

Mastering the basic step will be the first key step to developing proper technique and timing in salsa. When you have your basic down then your spins and partner-work techniques will be executed in sync with the rhythm of the music. Think of the basic step as the drummer in a band. It keeps you and your partner on time.

I encourage you to start practicing these steps but I think it goes with out saying that online instruction is no substitute for real time studio instruction. The purpose of these videos tutorials is meant to be a supplement to studio lessons and not a replacement. There are many finer elements of the basic step such as the Cuban hip motion and arm work that are difficult to teach through video. What you get in a class that you don't get online is invaluable feedback from your instructor and the opportunity practice with other students. I hope this video will get your feet moving but make sure to get the proper training by stopping by my class.

How To Salsa Dance - The Dip

Dips look great when you incorporate them in your dancing. Here is a short tutorial on the proper form and technique for a dip