Salsa clubs for beginners?

[pygmalion]

The first visit to a new salsa club can be really intimidating -- it semms that everybody knows everybody. And, to make it worse, everybody can dance better than you. But you have to go to salsa clubs, to learn to salsa dance. So what can a beginner do? Is there a particular type of club or class that's a good, less-intimidating place to start?

[Sagitta]

What I suggest is take a salsa class at a club before a dance, then you already have a set group of people that you have danced with in class to start you out. I'm not talking about those freeby classes thrown in at various places, but a regular class. One of my salsa instructors has classes before latin night on Tuesday. I didn't follow this advice at all, even though I didn't know people, but I know of quite a few people who did.

[salsarhythms]

Yeah I would recommend that you go to venues where
they have classes prior to the dance starting...

This helps out because you will know this group of people
during the dance and you've already had a chance to
break the ice.

Which reminds me...

Make sure you go to the thread on clubs to give me salsa
clubs in your area...just go to:

http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=1554

[Pacion]

I agree with what SR and Sagitta said - to do the regular classes at a club.

One teacher I had used to teach in a hall/studio but also had a club night during the week. He would give "free entry" for the first time to try and encourage students to come to the club night. If the interest/momentum can be kept, I think that was also a good way of getting students to the club, with the added benefit of having done the class in a studio setting which had mirrors so that you could look at yourself and get an idea how you look when moving.

[Salsaonone]

you can also take salsa classes at community colleges and universities...that is a great way to meet 80 other new dancers....at asu, there are at least 5 to 7 salsa one classes with about 60-80 students in each. Then you can go out to the clubs with eachother...some teachers "force" their students to go out salsa dancing x amount of times per semester....at ASU there is a club that the teacher is associated with so they get discount cards, and allow under 21 in as well, on sunday nights.

[Pacion]

ASU?

[Swingolder]

you can also take salsa classes at community colleges and universities...that is a great way to meet 80 other new dancers....at asu, there are at least 5 to 7 salsa one classes with about 60-80 students in each.

I can't imagine a dance class with 60 to 80 students! The most I have ever been in a class with was probably 18 and I thought that was a lot!

[MacMoto]

ASU?
Judging by Salsaonone's location -- Arizona State University?

[Salsaonone]

ASU?


Oh, sorry...Arizona State University....but any college or university could have it in their schedule....

:oops:

[tchaguito]

I have to admit I didn't dare throw myself to the lions and invite a perfect strabger until I reached a reasonable level. It took me almost a year! But I'd say in the first months to go with a group of beginners or of more advanced dancers you know, or who are from the same school.

Tiago

[Pacion]

I have to admit I didn't dare throw myself to the lions and invite a perfect strabger until I reached a reasonable level.

And how long before you invited an imperfect stranger :wink:

[tchaguito]

Ok, good point, but you never know what you're gonna get!

Tiago