Questions about salsa in LA this week

[GayleR]

Hey, anyone been to Century Supper Club on Friday nights to dance?
And has anyone taken Alex da Silva's advanced class on Thursdays at Mama Juanas in Studio City?
If I can only go one of those nights, which would be better?
Thanks in advance everyone.

[BrownSkin818]

Century Club changed owners and nixed salsa some months ago. Friday usually isn't a good salsa night in LA. This particular Friday though, there happen to be 3 different events going on, which -without competition- would probably each draw a really good crowd. But because they ARE all competing, it might be hit or miss at any of them. Best bet is to do Mama Juana's on Thursday.

[salsamarty]

I've taken nightclub lessons with Alex about 6 times including one at Mama Juana's. I highly recommend them. They are intermediate to advanced and move at a pretty good pace. I am always impressed at how much attention he gives to everyone including beginners.

I like Mama Juana's because the music there is fantastic. It is on a second story and has low ceilings so expected it to be pretty hot and steamy on a summer night.

[salsamarty]

Ahh . . . just noticed who was posting. Did I miss you at Glas Kat in SF? Did you get to any clubs while you were here?

[GayleR]

Thanks guys. I just got a notification that Sportsmen's is open this Friday so I will likely go. But I also decided to go to Mama Juana's tonight too. WooHoo!

Didn't end up dancing in SFO. Heard from a trusted board source that GlasKat was actually pretty bad, with a bad floor to boot. Allegro Ballroom, well, it's a ballroom so not for me. I prefer a club or a social that's all salsa.

[Beto]

You shouldn't have let the ballroom in the venue's name fool you. Allegro Ballroom is actually a salsa social that takes place inside of a ballroom.

[BrownSkin818]

Thanks guys. I just got a notification that Sportsmen's is open this Friday so I will likely go. But I also decided to go to Mama Juana's tonight too. WooHoo!

Cool! Well if Sportsmens turns out not to be your cup of tea on Friday, then there's also a Dimelo Records release party in Hollywood and a Salsera Shines Competition going on at Steven's Steakhouse that night. From the hype, it seems more people will be at these other 2 events I mention as opposed to Sportsmens. Happy dancing either way! I'll be at Stevens... :bouncy:

[GayleR]

Went to Mama Juana's last night and had a fantastic time! Alex da Silva was not there but the guy who taught the turn pattern was pretty good and the caliber of dancers was great and virtually all picked up the pattern. The music was fantastic, both the DJd music and the band with Johnny Polanco. 99% salsa with the odd chacha (love chacha) and the odd merengue (blech!). It was also interesting to me that I knew almost all the music, given that I live in Toronto. I sort of expected to hear different stuff.

I was thrilled that the leads outnumbered the followers by about 4:1. Great for me! I think I only sat out 3-4 dances in almost 3 hours. The place was packed by about 10:30 and the best dancers showed up around 11, which seems to be typical for most clubs, including ours at home too.

I should also add that as a woman on my own, I felt totally comfortable.

Can't wait to return next time I'm in LA.

[noobster]

Ahh . . . just noticed who was posting. Did I miss you at Glas Kat in SF?

salsamarty: you were at Glas Kat last Tuesday? I was there! I'm going again next Tuesday too I think. What do you look like? :)

Didn't end up dancing in SFO. Heard from a trusted board source that GlasKat was actually pretty bad, with a bad floor to boot.
I'll own up, you don't have to protect my identity. :)
I didn't say it was bad, just that it was crowded, small-ish, club-ish, got good only very late in the evening, and that the band was hit or miss. Also the floor is not intrinsically bad but it seems people do tend to spill drinks, especially on the front part of it. Things are smoother (but louder) closer to the band.

Btw I had the best time I've had there last Tuesday, I went 11:30 to 2 and that seems to be the highest-yield time slot. *After* the band goes away. :twisted:

Allegro Ballroom, well, it's a ballroom so not for me. I prefer a club or a social that's all salsa.
Allegro on Sundays is all salsa. It's an excellent event, but not a place to bring a non-dancing friend.

[GayleR]

Sorry I missed you both at GlasKat Tuesday. Maybe next time.