Salsa in San Francisco

[LizS]

Hi there!

Im heading to San Francisco between to 13th and 21st December and was wondering if anyone can recommend any good salsa classes/bars. I dance cross body, tho occasionally dance cuban.

Any guidance appreciated.

Many thanks


Liz

[tj]

Welcome to DF, Liz!

Since no one else has stepped up to the plate, I'd suggest you try some of the sites listed in this thread. (http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=8559)

YMMV, since it doesn't appear to be that current.

[salsamarty]

Liz,
I've been dancing in the Bay Area for 7 years. Here are two club and two dance studio recommendations. All of these venues have websites with current calendars. (this site doesn't let me include urls for some reason)

Glas Kat on Tuesdays
520 Fourth Street at Bryant and Brannon
High ceilings, medium size dance floor, live music starting around 10-10:30pm. The bar is separate from the dance floor.
Beginner lessons at about 8pm, Intermediate lessons at about 8:45pm. Both instructors are excellent. The beginner lesson continues upstairs during the Intermediate lesson.
Wide variety of levels of dancers.
Dancing is on 1. Maybe dancing on 2 with the more expert dancers.
Very popular though it is hard to say how the crowds will be in December.
Cover charge is $10 which includes the lesson. If you can get to the website on Tuesday afternoon you can get on the guest list and your entry will be $5

Cafe Cocomo on Thursday . . . also on Monday and Saturday but Thursday is the best night.
650 Indiana Street
You will probably need to take a cab to get there.
High ceilings, large size dance floor, live music starting around 10-10:30pm.
Beginner/intermediate lessons at about 8:15pm. Jake is an excellent instructor. First 30 min is basic for beginners. Then 1 simple pattern followed by one intermediate pattern.
Wide variety of levels of dancers.
Dancing is on 1. Maybe dancing on 2 with the more expert dancers.
Very popular though it is hard to say how the crowds will be in December.
Cover charge is $10 which includes the lesson.

Allegro Ballroom
5855 Christie Avenue
Emeryville, California 94608
(510) 655-2888
This is in Emeryville across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco
High ceilings. This is a very large dance studio with dancing on Sunday night. It is very popular and has a wide variety of levels of dancers.
DJ music
Excellent instructors. Parallel Intermediate and beginner lessons. Everything starts about an hour earlier so lessons start around 7pm.
Cover charge $10

Metronome
1830 17th St., San Francisco
This is another high ceiling large dance studio. I haven't been there in years but that is just because I don't live in San Francisco. It is near Cocomo's. Get details from the web site.
Also note: San Francisco is a great city to dance salsa as a visitor because the salsa crowd is very much open to dancing with anyone. Singles will have no trouble getting dances.

Enjoy your time in SF!

[baile]

Hi there!

Im heading to San Francisco between to 13th and 21st December and was wondering if anyone can recommend any good salsa classes/bars. I dance cross body, tho occasionally dance cuban.

Any guidance appreciated.

Many thanks


Liz

First, what's cross body? Do you mean the step or is it some kind of new salsa genre?

While you're here, Mazacote is playing at Cocomos on the 16th and they're pretty good. Also, NOT TO BE MISSED, is Anthony Blea, at Jelly's on the 17th (from 4pm to about 9).

I don't know if Jelly's has classes but I'm told that Cocomos and Roccapulco both have classes before all shows. I know someone who really like the classes at Cocomos on Mondays. If you want more suggestions, let me know closer to your dates (or while you're here) and I'll fill you in. I'm fairly well informed about the scene.