First Social Dance

[pygmalion]

Does anybody besides me remember the first time you made the jump from dance lessons to actual social dancing? Terrifying if I remember correctly. I don't think I could have handled it if I'd made the jump too soon. On the other hand, if I'd stayed in that insulated dance lesson environment too long, that would have been detrimental too.

Does anybody have interesting first social dance experiences to share, or have tips for those who haven't ventured out into the social dance scene yet?

[Spitfire]

My first social dance was at the very next studio party just after I started. I recall not wanting to dance the very first dance of the evening when asked by one of the owners though I did, but after this I felt pretty comfortable.

What newcomers should remember is that we all start out from the same spot and were in the same situation as they are.

[HothouseSalsero]

I can't remember if this was my very first experience with salsa dancing in a club, but it had two have been at least one of the first three (and possibly the earliest). I went with my class, and some other people my teacher dragged together, to a club that has a larger than average portion of Latino customers (probably because of its location). I remember being back-led by a woman (from our group, but not specifically from the class I had taken) who was about 30 or so years older than me, and who made sort of an odd face as she figured out how to baclead turns. I wasn't too happy about it. Then I danced with someone from my class who I had a crush on and ended up leading her (my fault or not--and it could very well have been my fault) too close to someone else, so that the back of her foot got stepped on very hard. I think she sat out the rest of the evening.

But I do remember thinking this: I know I don't know anything, so I don't really care what people think. There was nothing to prove, since I was still a complete and utter beginner.

I'm not sure what advice to give. I took private lessons for a few months before I started to get out to clubs fairly regularly. You need to test what you know eventually, but if you think you are likely to be too discouraged, maybe you should wait a little longer. In my experience, parties and events at studios are a little less frightening than going to clubs (and of course for some types of dance clubs aren't really in the picture). If you aren't ready for a high-pressure sort of atmosphere, find a friendly dance party at an arts center, or something of that sort.

[Sagitta]

I definitely remember my first real dance experience. I had taken intro to swing at Cornell spring semester, this year. Then sometime in the summer I decided to take the plunge and try out dancing at Wownet on a Tuesday night!! It was a tough!! The worst part of it was it had been a while since I had done even a swing class and most of the people there were lindy dancers!! :oops:

My advice would be make sure that you start going out as soon as you can. The real dancing experience complements dance lessons well. My class dancing helps my social dancing and vice versa.

[pygmalion]

My first social dance was a disaster except for Robert, the advanced level dancer who asked me to dance and who did only patterns I knew. He was truly a jewel, and probably the reason I'm still dancing today. :D

[NeoDevin]

My first social dance was actually pretty good. I'd only taken about 4 lessons (all group) by that point. Fortunately everyone there was really nice, and willing to teach me stuff. I'm still friends with some of the people I met there.

[Danish Guy]

I started in the club with some “drop in” salsa, so it was directly into the social afterwards. :shock:

[KevinL]

My first dance experience was at a Cajun/Zydeco music festival in Escoheag, Rhode Island over Labor Day in 1997. There were dance lessons all during the day (counter programming to the main stage where mostly people just sat and watched), and social dancing in the evening. I sucked, I knew I sucked, and I knew the women knew I sucked, but it was fun anyway because I was dancing with real live women who smiled at me!

That was a good weekend, 8^)

kevin

[borikensalsero]

My frist time stunk! I had taken like 3 classes, my ex thought I we were pros, she fought with me until I agreed to going to the Copa in NY City, on a TUESDAY!!! Dance heaven at the time.

God, I didn't even know the basic, I didn't know the beat, the floor was crowded, I didn't know how to lead, I didn't even know so many people danced.

She got mad at me because I couldn't dance (neither could she), screamed at me in front of everyone for not being better and being Rican. She wore open-back shoes, her shoes kept coming off... Long story short, we left, she argued about it even after we broke up until about two years ago when we danced again and I took her breath away. Needless to say she still can't salsaand I can, but I didn't mention it.

I had forgotten about this story. thanks pygmalion, its good to laugh about bad experiences.

[pygmalion]

Yup.. It is nice to look back and see how far you've come. 8)

[MadamSamba]

Oh, my first social dance was an absolute disaster. I could only do one dance and was sooo incredibly harsh on myself for doing it so poorly, I don't know how I had the courage to come back.

Of course, no one would ask me to dance for months because I was so bad and I'd hang around near the door, hoping someone would ask me to dance, but also hoping desperately that nobody would in case I bombed out...it was quite horrid.

The only thing that kept me coming back after the first time was the sheer elation of doing that one dance properly (or properly for the time and skill level I was at)...now i can do nearly every dance on a standard social menu and can't believe I'm finally one of those people I envied that day, one of the people I looked at and thought, "wow, if only I could do more than one dance!!!!" :)

Ok, so now I know the basic steps, it's time to learn a little technique! :)