Salsa Around the World

[pygmalion]

I just happened to read this interesting article by Edie, where she describes salsa styles around the world, not just NY versus LA. For example, salsa in Israel. Very interesting to me, especially when you consider how international DF are. For those of you who dance salsa in different places -- Europe, Canada, the Pacific, etc., and who've traveled -- Have you noticed any differences in salsa styling or etiquette from place to place? What are they?

http://www.dancefreak.com/stories/dance_styles.htm

[Marvellous]

I just happened to read this interesting article by Edie, where she describes salsa styles around the world, not just NY versus LA. For example, salsa in Israel. Very interesting to me, especially when you consider how international DF are. For those of you who dance salsa in different places -- Europe, Canada, the Pacific, etc., and who've traveled -- Have you noticed any differences in salsa styling or etiquette from place to place? What are they?

http://www.dancefreak.com/stories/dance_styles.htm

I live in Japan. There is no distinct style here really. You either learn Cuban, NY, or LA. Style and there are some very good teachers that teach those styles well. Some teachers are from abroad and some are Japanese.

As for etiquette, there is a surprising lack of it. The men for the most part are totally moronic. People stand on the dance floor tallking, people(especially guys) walk across the dance floor at will with no concern whatsoever for the dancers, and finally, the men who are doing the leading have no concept of picking a space for themselves and their partner and respecting the space of another couple. Extremely frustrating to say the least. The only way I have been able to deal with it is to follow the old adage, "when in Rome, do as the Romans do". I will not stand on a dance floor or walk across it, but for the most part I have decided not to tolerate guys who use 3 times as much space as they need, and who continually throw their women between myself and my partner. I basically use all physical means possible to keep these idiots out of my space, and if they have a problem with it they can have a go at me if they want to be turned into pulp. If you treat others with zero respect, then you deserve zero respect, and unfortunately most of the guys here show zero respect for others. It's a cultural thing basically, the men are born and bred to be self-centered and spoiled. They think they are living gods; the center of the universe. This is basically the biggest problem with the salsa scene here period; the large number of guys who are complete asses.

Having said that, I have never danced in the U.S., except for Hawaii. Does anyone notice the same problems in the mainland U.S.?

[pygmalion]

Wow! What you're describing sounds awful, and rude besides. I've seen some rude behavior in clubs, but nothing that compares to what you describe. Anyone else?

[Sagitta]

Oh no!!! I'm not sure if I would have stuck to dancing if that was the case Marvellous. Where there are porblems it often is because there are beginners who don't know any better..However, no standing and talking on the dance floor by anyone, that I can recollect!!

[Marvellous]

Oh no!!! I'm not sure if I would have stuck to dancing if that was the case Marvellous. Where there are porblems it often is because there are beginners who don't know any better..However, no standing and talking on the dance floor by anyone, that I can recollect!!

I don't know whether I can generalize or not, but here, the problem people are the good dancers, moreso than the beginners. Beginners are intimidated, in general. It is the experienced guys that walk across the dance floor like they own it, and stand in the way. As I said before, I think it is cultural. Japanese society is somewhat like the military; those who are older and/or more experienced in any given situation have license to treat those younger/below them like garbage. "Superiors" are to be treated as gods. For example, if a high school kid joins a sports team, he will spend his whole first year as a virtualy slave to the "seniors" on the team. He will clean their shoes and equipment, carry their equipment, fetch balls, and do all kinds of things for them that are not even related to the team, and he may not even be able to play the sport for the first year.
This is my take on what may cause the situation I see in the dance environment, in part anyway.

[pygmalion]

Wow. The cultural implications of that are very interesting. :) I wonder how culture influences salsa and the way it's danced in other countries. :?:

[salsachinita]

I have only checked out salsa scenes of the following cities: Seattle, NYC & L.A. in the States (’99); London & Milan in Europe (’93); Sydney, Adelaide & Melbourne (of course).

(that's not NEARLY enough!)

The comments that I made here are my opinions/experiences at the time I visited only. Please feel free to update me on this, if you are local to these areas. :)

The Seattle scene was very similar to Melb. Large enough to sustain a few major clubs, small enough to have a balanced interaction between studio dancers and Latinos. At the time I visited the divisions between salsa styles/timing had only just started to appear. :roll:

NYC was the best in terms of live bands, where I was fortunate enough to catch many well-known artists! I didn’t get to dance as much coz I’m not very good with On2. I met some old Cubans (a la Buena Vista Social Club) and dance some ‘old-school’ with them. Way cool. 8)

L.A. is a place where I have mixed feelings. While I witnessed some fantastic dancers at play, I’d also encountered some attitudes I could do without. I didn’t get to dance with the ‘elite’ dancers coz I was unfamiliar with their fancy moves…..but I DID have a blast dancing with those who didn’t care for the flashy stuff. :wink:

The London scene at the time was VERY underground. Clubs/bars were run/frequented by mainly Colombians. I had a fantastic time dancing with everyone and when to a great concert as well. There were no ‘elite’ attitude and no flashy dance moves in sight. I don’t even recall seeing ‘studio’ dancers (apart from this one place) in most places. :P

I’ve only been to one club in Milan. Mainly local Italians there, doing Patrick Swayze moves. :roll:

Sydney is our version of mini L.A. There is a vast numbers of dancers (mainly L.A. style) being churned out by the large numbers of dance studios. These dancers tend to dominate all the club floors. There is also a large Latino community, should you get tired of the fancy stuff. :D

Adelaide scene was small (when I visited last year) but got a loyal following. There is definitely room for more studios/clubs. 8)

I have covered the Melbourne scene in great details in ‘Best Salsa Clubs’ thread. :arrow:

I’d love to check out more places…! I love talking to people who live the salsa lifestyle in different parts of the world….! :D

That’s why I love my DF family. :wink:

[Danish Guy]

In my town we look at what happens on the scenes, and take what fit us best. It’s mainly Cuban influence and mambo on 1 (Called NY style locally). There are some on2 dancers, but this is a minority. However, some instructors are trying to change that.

We have a local site in the Internet listing all the events.

What is special on this scene is dances often come in pairs, so you dance 2 dances with the same partner. It is not impolite only to take one dance, you just thanks for the dance. This gives some pros and cons.

As you are starting on the floor, there’s need for some improvising on the salsa songs intro.

There’s more time to tune in on your partner.

There’s an opportunity to change style.

There is 6-9 minutes to fill with combinations, so you can’t run the same pattern series over and over. You are forced to tune in on the music and your partner.

You know the first song, but have no clue on what the next will be.

Mostly this means more time on the floor.

[Pacion]

Any more descriptions of what salsa is like in your area? :banana:

[salsalawyer]

salsachinita, let me know once you make your way back to LA. i`ll introduce you to some very humble fanastic dancers!!


I only really know LA. LA is well, LA. There are the usual snobs and the vast majority are great people who love dancing. It`s great to see how local salsa is around the world. A very insightful post.

[salsachinita]

salsachinita, let me know once you make your way back to LA. i`ll introduce you to some very humble fanastic dancers!!


Thankyou, SL......there's nothing like having a local doing the personal introduction.....! I know excactly how it feels to be out of town (& out of one's familiar style), so I always take on the duty of showing visiting salser@s the 'insider's edition' to my local scene.