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Quotes from Famous Dancers...
"The beauty of salsa music and dance is that it is color blind and ageless. As we continue to create unity through salsa worldwide, just keep in mind that if we were all dancing there would be no wars!"
Q. What three moves are part of the initial sequence of moves called to get the rueda started. Name all three correctly.
A. Pa Medio, Paseala and Sácala
Q. What is spotting?
A. A technique used during turns. The general idea is to choose a reference point (e.g., partner or a distant point along the line of travel) and focus the eyes on it as long as possible. When during the turn it is no longer possible to see it, the head flips as fast as possible to "spot" the reference point again.
Dancing On1 to a 3-2 Clave!
Dancing Mambo On2 to a 3-2 Clave!
Breakdown of the Clave for Salseros.
Article of The Month
Salsero's Corner
Why wear dance shoes? When it comes to walking most people walk heel-to-toe. When ladies learn how to salsa dance, they have nothing to reference their steps to other than walking. This causes the budding salseras to appear stiff or heavy in their steps. For women that wear flat footed shoes the concept still applies. For women that wear heels however, the weight is already forced to the toes or to the balls of the feet to be exact. As a follower, understand this so that when you are moving you are not rocking all of the weight to the heel.
Salseras please make note of the benefits of moving on your toes:
Be able to respond to the music quicker!
Be able to move faster.
Steps are not heavy and as a result you move smooth.
Probably the most common mistake that beginners make is to rush through the basics in their desire to advance to the next level. Your basics form the solid foundation upon which you execute more complex moves with good technique and styling. So start off correctly from the beginning! You'll find the learning process much smoother and less frustrating, and it is always harder to correct flaws in your technique once you've become more advanced. For those of you who have already progressed to Intermediate classes, try participating in Beginner classes. Pay particular attention to your technique now that you are confident with the moves.
Two Key Elements of Dance...
Keep your FOCUS, keep your SPOTTING – take your TURNS to the next level!!!
Whether you find yourself dancing in a social or professional environment, there are two key elements of dance that are applied constantly. They are known as "Spotting" and "Focus". If you are in the beginning stages of your pursuit in dance, you should concentrate on developing these elements. If you are in the advanced stages of dance, this can serve as review material.
Every turn or spin requires the dancer to focus on keeping his/her balance. This is achieved through focus and spotting. Other elements also include body alignment and placement of the arms. For the purposes of dancing Salsa/Mambo, we borrow Focus and Spotting from other dances such as Jazz and Ballet. However, they can be incorporated in almost all types of dance. Remember that the art of dancing is evolutionary. Borrowing technique from other dances is a great way to experiment and create new forms and ideas.
As it relates to dancing the Mambo, turning once or twice within a measure of music is the norm. However, to enhance your dancing, you can expect to incorporate additional turns. Let’s look at it from a musical point of view. Most of the music Salseros dance to is written in 4/4 timing. That means that there are four beats in each measure. We use two measures to complete a full basic step. Therefore, we count from one to eight.
In partner work or when dancing independently, you can begin the turns in either measure. However, most times it’s preferred to commit to spins or turns when going into the second measure of the 4/4 timing. This allows you (the person turning) the preparation needed to complete the turn/spin comfortably. Preparation is employed since it provides for application of technique, including correct placement of weight and positioning of the feet. (There is more to turning than you thought, huh?)
So how does one apply focus and spotting, you ask? Well, basically spotting is applied when you are turning solo or are caused to turn. Spotting is the act of causing your head and eyes to "start first" and "finish first" throughout the sequence of spins while keeping your body centered. What’s important about spotting is that you learn how to "separate" your head from your body as you turn. The effect of not spotting is dizziness. Also, since the head is heavy, it needs to be controlled as you cause your body to spin or turn. At first, you will feel the effect of dizziness. Since our eyes are
like the lens on glasses and cameras, you will find yourself going out of focus and then back into focus. Eventually, you’ll become more accustomed to focusing your eyes and balancing your body to accomplish single or multiple turns.
There are several exercises you can practice in order to improve your spotting and focus. Some are stationary exercises and others require traveling from one spot to another. Two have been chosen for this article. They are suggested exercises and by no means the last word in focus and spotting. I’m sure if you ask around, you’ll be referred to other exercises, equally or more advanced. You can try these at home but it is best to practice in a dance studio to prevent injury from bumping into the furniture. Obviously, the exercises require ample space and if done in the home, it is recommended you remove the furniture and any objects that may get in your way.
Let’s begin with a stationary exercise. We’ll start with turning left. While standing straight, turn your head toward the left shoulder. Follow by turning your shoulders in that same direction while simultaneously taking small steps. Keep this motion going until you find you can’t turn your head anymore without bringing your shoulders with you. At this point, bring your shoulders and the rest of your body to meet with your head for a complete turn (you should be at your starting point) This exercise will help you to "separate" the head from the body. This action should eventually help you reduce some of the dizziness that occurs during the learning stages. In addition, it should also ultimately create a "snap" in your turns. Visually, people will see the head whip around before the rest of the body catches up. Like most basic exercises, this stationary exercise is very helpful toward achieving your goal. This exercise is performed slowly so you won’t need the arms for balance yet. You can keep your arms at your sides while you work on isolating your shoulders, the steps, and your head.
The second exercise requires you to move in space. We’ll turn to the right this time. Your goal is to reach the other side of your space while traveling in a straight line. Pick a starting point, then turn your head to the right and focus on an object; a wall, a picture, a person, or a spot (hence spotting). Use this object as a focal point. Apply the same elements from the first exercise and remember to keep your arms raised and aligned with your ribs (I call it the mambo position) as you make your way across the floor. Your steps should be very small and tight while you travel on the balls of your feet. Keep your stomach in and use your inner thighs for assistance. Think of these turns as "Pencil" turns. The name comes from the way the body takes the shape of a pencil while you are turning. These so-called "pencil" turns are very similar to the kind that almost everyone does while dancing. There are exceptions, but for the most part, you should keep both feet on the ground while executing multiple turns (the other options are pirouettes as done in ballet or jazz – but this is not the norm for mambo dancing).
Like everything else -- Practice, Practice, Practice!!!!!!
by Angel Ortiz,
New York
Position Title: Hardcore Salsero/a
Location: Various locations worldwide
Job Availability: ASAP
Qualifications: Incumbent must enjoy working in a fast paced constantly changing environment. Must have superior timing and stamina. They must also have a positive disposition and high energy. Must be willing to travel and work outside of regular business hours. Hardworking, courteous and outgoing. Must be a people person. Applicants who are fluent in another language and have CPR training are preferred.
Requirements: Ability to dance on both the "1" and the "2 "is essential. Knowledge of more than one salsa style is required. Experience with both leading and following would be an asset. Specific Duties: Applicant must be willing to dance salsa minimum 4 nights per week. Successful applicant will not be expected to perform or compete but instead each evening they go out they must dance non-stop all night long. There will not be any scheduled breaks the applicant will only stop dancing when the salsa set is over (i.e. when d.j. plays merengue or house set) or when they can physically no longer dance (Either because of blisters/other injuries or because need to dry off/ change shirt.) Must attend a minimum of 1 salsa convention per year in a city different from the one in which they reside
Salsa Job Posting
by Tricia Meikle
APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AS A HARDCORE SALSERO
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Surname:____________________ Given Name__________________ Initial/s_________
Sex: [ ] Male [ ] Female [ ] Yes please [ ] No thanks [ ] Maybe after the next salsa set
IQ: ________ Real IQ: ________
How many nights a week do you dance currently? (Please check one)
On a scale of 1 - 10 (with 10 being the best) how would you rate yourself as a dancer?
[ ] 8 [ ] 9 [ ] 10 [ ] 11
Do you enjoy dancing to merengue? (Pick one)
[ ] no [ ] no [ ] no [ ] no
People want to dance with me because ___________.
[ ] I have lots of energy [ ] I'm really attractive [ ] they enjoy my singing
[ ] my creative styling [ ] raw sex appeal [ ] all of the above
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
What's is the longest period of time you've gone without dancing?
[ ] 1 hour [ ] 1 day [ ] 1week [ ] always dancing
How many of the following surfaces have you danced on (please check all that apply)
[ ] wood [ ] tile [ ] concrete/cement [ ] asphalt
[ ] cobblestone [ ] grass [ ] gravel [ ] sand
How many people have you stepped on/hit while dancing within the last month?
[ ] less than 5 [ ] 5 - 10 [ ] 10 - 20 [ ] 20 +
Have you ever drank water straight from the tap at a nightclub?
[ ] yes, once I was desperate [ ] yes, so what
[ ] yes, on a dare [ ] yes, it's fresher that way
Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence?
[ ] yes [ ] no
Have you ever been thrown out of a salsa? [ ] yes [ ] no
Have you ever used a sick day to recover from a great night of dancing? [ ] yes [ ] no
Have you ever been the cause of a salsa accident/injury? [ ] yes [ ] no
Have you ever danced offbeat? [ ] yes [ ] no
(Note: A Yes answer to the above questions will not automatically bar you from employment. Factors such as age at time of offence, seriousness and rehabilitation will be taken into consideration)
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Have you ever taken a salsa class/workshop?
[ ] once [ ] sometimes [ ] regularly [ ] never needed any
Have you completed 8th grade? [ ] yes [ ] no
Do you have a High School Diploma or equivalent? [ ] yes [ ] no
Please indicate other dance experience if any. (Check all that apply)
If no please explain ____________________________________________
[ ] yes [ ] no
I love salsa because__________________________.
[ ] it's a great way to meet people [ ] It's good exercise
[ ] I have nothing better to do [ ] it's an excuse to touch people of the opposite sex
I confirm that the information given on this form is, to the best of my knowledge, true and complete. Any false statement may be sufficient cause for rejection, or, if employed dismissal.
Please note that only pre-selected candidates will be called.
Stepping on Salsa
Que Sopa magazines new premier column!
Discriminatory Salsa?
Is Salsa really getting a bad name due to prejudice, cliques, ageism, racism, or other "isms"? Did Salsa seem more fun when you started out, but now it's sometimes a drag? Do you complain that good dance partners are getting rare? Do you believe or know that certain people will not dance with you no matter what?
If so, welcome to the Salsa world! All the above is normal. When we begin partner dancing, everyone seems friendly and encouraging. As we progress, suddenly we notice the existence of situations, such as cliques. We receive less encouragement and things may not seem so exciting anymore. This too, is perfectly normal. But there is a solution.
First, accept the legitimacy of ALL pickiness, stupidity, and isms that you think you observe at a dance venue. For example, if a lady wants to dance only with blonde-haired-men-whose-chest-size-exceeds-his-waste-size, I say, "Whatswrongwitdat?...nothing!" I'm happy if only I can discover her requirement, so as not to waste any effort asking for a dance. As in, "NEXT!" Of course, the guys have their biases too, and are often worse than ladies, especially after men think they know how to dance. I'll admit one of my prejudices--I tend to not ask any smoker to dance. If there is some other good overriding reason, I will, but generally I avoid smokers. "Whatswrongwitdat?...nothing!" Therefore, if I'm entitled to my preferences, prejudice, or pickiness, then other dancers are entitled to theirs--no matter how seemingly irrational.
Obviously, not everyone attending a salsa dance even cares about salsa. Even at a studio dance, various agendas are floating around, such as to only enjoy the social atmosphere. Some want to learn only bare minimum--just enough to hang with a basic dancer without appearing confused. And others may start out hoping for a hook up, but instead fall in love with Salsa itself. Anyhow, I expect to be weeded out--usually GLAD to be weeded out--by those who don't know Salsa from tortilla chips, or by those who can dance but have strange agendas. I try not to give a second thought about the "whys." For all I know, she is there to organize a Tupperware Party.
So what's the solution for those Salsa lovers who want to dance more, but believe that either others' attitudes or their own personal disadvantages are working against them? Two things--these two things alone will stack the odds in your favor as much as possible. #1. Continually work on improving your dance skills--meaning take local lessons. This will automatically attract those who are likewise there as much for a dance experience as well as a social occasion. I am glad to dance a song with a beginner whom I discover is taking salsa lessons--that's proof enough to me that I'm not wasting my time even if today's dance is poor. Who knows, in a year she may be my favorite salsa partner. But if not, it's still good salsa citizenship to help newcomers get a foothold. #2. Be friendly to everyone. Just because others have picky preferences doesn't mean you have to indulge in yours. Realize you will never change the way the dance scene thinks and behaves, but you can still enjoy living according to your personal ethic.
I sometimes neglect #2 above, but I'm willing to live with the result--meaning enough #1 alone can often provide all the good dancing a person can stand. But some people are so natural at #2. Sometimes the super friendly type nightclubbers get all the dancing they can handle, even though they really NEED lessons, as in...please! But such party-hoots are often here today and gone tomorrow.
Ladies sometimes have it rougher in the club scene than guys. Many women hate asking a man for a dance, and don't like rejection any more than men do. Admittedly, some women who are friendly enough AND good dancers can STILL find themselves sitting more than they want. Even so, if it's good dancing you desire, then ongoing dance skill improvement and friendliness are the two best equalizers you can have. The other questionable "situations" and attitudes will prove an unproductive waste of energy to even worry about.
Que Sopa Magazine
Stepping on Salsa
Column Editor,
Mark (Gimmeair) Bennett
Victoria Macdonald is the salsera of the month for October. She is an outstanding follower and leader who can be found on the dance floor working with new budding salseros. Be sure and congradulate her on a job well done!
Picture Cooming Soon!
How do you avoid rejection on the dance floor?
First I will start by saying talk with your hands and not with your mouth.
Ask ladies to dance by opening and offering ladies the palm of your hand.
Concentrate on the ladies!
Allow the ladies to play, Substitute patterns with open breaks and backs spot turns.
Make her look and feel sexy. Don't spend your 3 minute date with her spinning her into orbit. Remember that it is a privilege for you to share that small intimate space with her so treat it as such! Always finishher with a romantic dip and thank her for the wonderful dance.
