Make the most of your night, while you're out of town...

[salsachinita]

For those of you who have travelled out of your home town, any tips on making the most of your salsa nights out.....?

Here are some of mine to share :wink: :

If you are in one of those 'dancer's club' (ie. most people are non-drinkers, large number of studio dancers, lots of fancy moves on the floor), have a look & locate the people whose moves/styles you might feel most comfortable with; then ask them for a dance.

At clubs like this, there is a tendency (especially when you are a new face) that people might judge you for your first couple of dances. If you do well & have fun, you will most likely get lots of offers and be set for the night. (the downs side is, if you don't do well at first, you might have a hard time getting more dances for the rest of the night. It happens to the best of us :roll: )

So I look for the female whose dancing style is most like mine, then pay attention to who she dances with :wink: ! Works like a charm.

If you happen to find a club with a large Latino presence, and most of them can & do dance, you might have to observe a bit closely before you ask anyone for a dance....just in case they were saving that dance for someone special :wink: . Try to sus out the singles from the ones who are singles-but-interested-in-someone.......this may not be obvious at first :? .

Stick with the policy of no more than two songs in a row with a stranger, just in case they get the wrong idea that you may be interested in more than dancing :shock: . If you like dancing with them you can always ask for another one later.

The reason I stick to these tips is that salsa is more than just a dance for a lot of the Latinos. It forms part of their courtship ritual.......with all the subtlties involved.

Believe me, I've learnt it the hard way once upon a time :oops: :lol: !

(Needless to say, stay away from the sleazeballs/drunks.) [/i]

[MacMoto]

If you are in one of those 'dancer's club' (ie. most people are non-drinkers, large number of studio dancers, lots of fancy moves on the floor), have a look & locate the people whose moves/styles you might feel most comfortable with; then ask them for a dance.
.
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So I look for the female whose dancing style is most like mine, then pay attention to who she dances with :wink: ! Works like a charm.


Hi salsachinita,
This is a good tip, and well timed (for me) too! :)
I am going away on holiday in 2 weeks' time, where I plan to get my first taste of salsa outside Scotland. I will keep your advice in mind.
Thanks!

At clubs like this, there is a tendency (especially when you are a new face) that people might judge you for your first couple of dances. If you do well & have fun, you will most likely get lots of offers and be set for the night. (the downs side is, if you don't do well at first, you might have a hard time getting more dances for the rest of the night. It happens to the best of us :roll: )

But I'm always rubbish at the start of a night... I need a lot of warming up before I get going. :(

[TheArchon]

:lol:

There is only one criterion for a girl to dance a lot in any club, just be pretty.

The rest is a minor, how many time have you seen superb salsa dancers(males), offer to "teach" the new girl in town(i mean really hot girl), and clings closer to her as she stumble clumsily.

[borikensalsero]

:lol:

There is only one criterion for a girl to dance a lot in any club, just be pretty.

The rest is a minor, how many time have you seen superb salsa dancers(males), offer to "teach" the new girl in town(i mean really hot girl), and clings closer to her as she stumble clumsily.

In New York City (the places I frequent) they'll be sitting down all night if they can't dance. :shock: The usual hardcore Salseros/dancers will not dance with girl because she is pretty, they'll rather dance with someone not as attractive but a dancer. I've seen it happen time and time again, a girl shows up to a salsa only dance venue all hoted-up and she sits all night because she hasn't the slighest clue about mambo.

[TheArchon]

Oh, Yeah.

Again you failed to notice the gays only signs... :twisted:

I dont know how many ppl the will favor salsa over a hot gal(guy), especially singles. I dont know mybe ppl in the big apple are from a special breed, meaning that they dont breed :shock: .

Singles are the same everywhere, and we are predictable, we see a pretty girl, we care for nothing else...

If you are not single. and in-love(or forgot to take a ****** :wink: :roll: ), that i can understand...

[Vin]

Wow Archon, no need to get hostile. I have seen it happen all over, not just new york. Have you ever had a horrible dance with a beautiful woman? It is a frustrating experience and the attraction quickly fades. If I am out to have fun, which I normally am, I prefer a great dance with a woman I am not attracted to.
Of course the best of both worlds is a great dance with a hot lady, but we take what we can get.
To add to salsachinita's comments,
1) Try and catch whatever lesson is being given early, you can always learn something and meet people to dance with later.
2) As a guy, be especially careful about your first dance because no matter what, potential partners watching will attribute all screw-ups to you.
3) If you want to get more dances go on the busiest nights, more chances that the cliques will be broken up on those nights.
4) Be careful trying complicated moves that "everyone" you dance with can follow, the dance culture at each club is always a bit different.

[borikensalsero]

Oh, Yeah.

Again you failed to notice the gays only signs... :twisted:

I dont know how many ppl the will favor salsa over a hot gal(guy), especially singles. I dont know mybe ppl in the big apple are from a special breed, meaning that they dont breed :shock: .

Singles are the same everywhere, and we are predictable, we see a pretty girl, we care for nothing else...

If you are not single. and in-love(or forgot to take a ****** :wink: :roll: ), that i can understand...

Isn't it insane, that is what a lust for salsa dancing will do to you. You give up JLo for a great dance with Whoopy Goldberg any night of the week. You could careless if she raters 15.7 on a 1 to 10 scale, if she can't dance mambo, I'm not spending a second looking her way.

In NY city the best thing to do when new in town is to go to a social, there are people of all levels at socials and everyone seems willing to dance with a new face.

[TheArchon]

I can't dance with women; I'm not even mildly attracted to.

I will loose attraction to bad dancers, but this is due to lack of grace that bad dancing is a derivative from that. If a woman has grace, it takes no time at all to teach her the moves, not only for salsa, but for every dance, Waltz, Cha Cha, Rock'n'roll , Crazy trance etc.

If attraction wasn't the case, i might as well dance with a guy that can dance well... :shock:

[borikensalsero]

I can't dance with women; I'm not even mildly attracted to.

I will loose attraction to bad dancers, but this is due to lack of grace that bad dancing is a derivative from that. If a woman has grace, it takes no time at all to teach her the moves, not only for salsa, but for every dance, Waltz, Cha Cha, Rock'n'roll , Crazy trance etc.

If attraction wasn't the case, i might as well dance with a guy that can dance well... :shock:

:lol: I'd dance with a guy if he could dance sensual and hot. I don't particularly care about attraction in the dance, I am there for the thirst of mambo satisfaction. One of the ladies who I absolutely love dancing with is over weight, I can't even wrap my arms around her. Yet, every time we dance together, there are sparks everywhere. Ahhhh, now that is a dance. I am not willing to teach a hottie in the middle of a club, when the energy is flying sky high, with tunes to die for, with the sole perpose to have her in my arms, and look at pretty face. Nope, she can sit and look hot for someone else. If she is learning to dance is one thing, but if she is there to look pretty, I don't fly with that. You'll watch all night if it was up to me. When I'm looking to take a journey from the dance-floor to dance heaven I'm looking for someone who will facilitate the trip, not someone who will prevent it.

I detach romantic attraction from a dance, it is about where the dance is going to take us, rather than who is going with me. If whoopy is going to facilitate that journey as opposed to keeping me from it with JLo, then by all means I'll dance with whoppy before I ever will with JLo.

[Vin]

Archon, your point of view plus a hardcore salsa addiction=alot of miserable salsa nights. When outside of your normal salsa circle the attractive girls that can dance well are normally danced with all night by those guys in there circle. It is usually easier to get a good dance with someone who can dance great but is not exactly a stunner. Those girls new to the dance but able to pick it up quickly are pretty rare.
I travelled earlier this year and went to a local salsa club every night. Everynight I danced a good bit with this great dancer who was very much not my type, and everynight I watched as this beautiful blonde girl who was stunning sat and watched the dancers and then left early without dancing once. You have to realize that many of us on this website look at salsa as art, and not as a way to meet women(although this is a nice benefit).

[TheArchon]

Gee I guess you really do have a crash on Whoopy... :lol: :lol: :lol:

[danceguy]

I enjoy dancing with anyone, regardless of how attractive they are to me. If they are fun to dance with and a good follow...what more could you ask for? :)

In all honestly - and I feel a bit bad about this, I tend to avoid really attractive women both in dancing and in my personal life. I am much more drawn to a balanced woman with average looks...really flashy types don't do much for me...

One of the first things I learned in my early dancing days was that some of the most beautiful, flashy women were the worst dancers. I've encountered this many times, you meet a lady who is all dolled up and a real looker, but she stomps on your toes, has no rhythm and can't even do a basic. I'm sure the same applies to men as well.

The only women I don't enjoy dancing with are the ones that have no desire to improve and won't allow themselved to be lead. I enjoy dancing with beginners (some of which are way more fun than the advanced ones!)...but if they are not trying to learn Salsa and resisting everything you do...well that's like trying to wrestle on the dance floor. :?

[Sagitta]

You can count me in as another one of those who dance for the dance and not to pick up those hot chicks. I will spend some dances teaching beginners to dance, but I don't do it because they are hot, but because they want to learn to dance. I'm one of the odd ones, meaning I'll dance with the whole spectrum of looks etc, and there aren't many people who do that where I am.

Borikensalero. What is the difference between socials and dances in NYC and how would I find out about these? I know that I will be passing through this year for sure.

[borikensalsero]

Gee I guess you really do have a crash on Whoopy... :lol: :lol: :lol:

lol :lol: :lol: :lol: She is hottie, ain't she? :lol: :lol: :lol:

[peachexploration]

Gee I guess you really do have a crash on Whoopy... :lol: :lol: :lol:

lol :lol: :lol: :lol: She is hottie, ain't she? :lol: :lol: :lol:

You guys are bad. ROTFL :lol: :lol:

Viceversa for us followers. If I'm not attracted to a guy but I know he will take me into total submission, I'm a happy Salsa girl. :wink: It's all about two people dancing together and enjoying themselves. :D

[borikensalsero]

You can count me in as another one of those who dance for the dance and not to pick up those hot chicks. I will spend some dances teaching beginners to dance, but I don't do it because they are hot, but because they want to learn to dance. I'm one of the odd ones, meaning I'll dance with the whole spectrum of looks etc, and there aren't many people who do that where I am.

Borikensalero. What is the difference between socials and dances in NYC and how would I find out about these? I know that I will be passing through this year for sure.

Dance socials are sponsored dances by dance schools, where as regular dances are held in clubs. Dance socials tend to bring a lot more dancers and a wider range of skill. You will see top performers as well as the guy next door who just knows the basics. They all have fun as a group.

To socials you dress any which way you want (usually), the only time that you will get turned down by anyone is if the person is on the floor with their tongue sticking out and arms flopping around in search of air.

Socials are where you go to learn, to socialize with dancers from different schools, and to release the showy energy that you might not be able to at a club. Dancers, especially females love socials because they are exclusively for dancers, hence, less sleaze balls to deal with. Cache in NY city on thursdays, although a "club" has that social atmosphere. The best place to find out about socials is salsanewyork.com. There are few running socials right now that are huge successes.

Jimmy Anton's social every 1st and 3rd sunday of the month from 5PM to 9PM. Bring a couple of shirts because you will need them.

Bernard Martinez has a successful social as well.
Mario B's social I'm told is pretty good, but I've never been to it.
Jorday Rivera has a social as well, I believe once a month.

Check out salsanewyork.com, they list all the places for Mambo only dancers. Look under "Calendar of events for mambo dancers".
There is something to do every day here in NY City. It is awesome. The only club that I don't think they sponsor is Flamingo's on Monday's which has been an excellent place for a while now. I have been there recently, but never the less, I was recently told that is still pretty good to go to.