Hello salseros/as .. intro and anyone from Bay Area, CA?

[meagalita]

Hi all, I've just started reading these posts as I'm a salsa newbie; I started my first group lessons about 6 weeks ago. I love it and am totally hooked! Here are some things I've figured out: those ballroom shoes are way too narrow; normal strength deodorant doesn't quite cut the mustard; guys that say they will "teach" me salsa then proceed to press their entire body close to mine during the song should be avoided; private/group lessons are going to add up but I don't care and want more; the "flying elbow of doom" (thanks scorpion guy for the laugh) was remorsefully unleashed on 3 unsuspecting leaders my first 2 weeks..
anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and appreciate all of you for this amazing skill you all do. I'd like to make more salsa friends in the Bay Area as well. Hopefully I'll be a better follower by the time LA salsa congress rolls around :D

[youngsta]

Welcome to the board meagalita! I'm not from the bay area but I dance there often (my job sends me there a lot). So you're going to the Congress? If so you'll have to save me a dance. :D

[Sagitta]

Welcome to df meagalita! Cool name. Not from the bay area myself, being in NY, but one never knows. I might be in the area one of these days or you could be in mine. :wink: :)

I actually dance with a lot of beginners here, but I don't do that press the body thing. I'm more into the idea of dancing with a person and the music, rather then....

[danceguy]

Hi Meagalita,

Welcome to Dance Forums! Glad to have a new Salsera in the making aboard! I'm also glad that you like my warped sense of humor. Hmm, being that you are from SF, perhaps you were the young lady who stomped on my foot with her high heels at Cocomos? :lol: :D

I do live in the Bay Area, about an hour North of SF. I occasionally go there for workshops...but my first big city club experience was quite a shocker as the venues where I live are very small and not so wild! I've only been dancing for a few months and slowly but surely becoming a better dancer, perhaps its time for another venue into the SF Salsa scene! :oops: :shock: :P

I pride myself on being one of the few Salseros who isn't a "teacher on the floor" type! I see it all the time, "here, let me show the moves there missy...grope, grope, feel, etc etc"...pretty sleazy but I've seen a lot of women put up with it when they shouldn't. :?

I go dancing to dance first and formost...but being a single guy, I will admit to having one eye open for a Salsera who is single and interested. ;)

I'm still debating the Salsa Congress...hmmm...I better make up my mind soon though!

Again, welcome...if you love Salsa and dance...you've come to the right place! :P

Sincerely,

SG

[johnnywalker]

Hi all, I've just started reading these posts as I'm a salsa newbie...Here are some things I've figured out: those ballroom shoes are way too narrow; normal strength deodorant doesn't quite cut the mustard; guys that say they will "teach" me salsa then proceed to press their entire body close to mine during the song should be avoided; private/group lessons are going to add up but I don't care and want more; the "flying elbow of doom" (thanks scorpion guy for the laugh) was remorsefully unleashed on 3 unsuspecting leaders my first 2 weeks..

Hi Meagalita
Welcome to the wonderful world of salsa which always promises to be a wild ride. My wife has the same problems when we're out at clubs or even in classes. We took to calling one of the venues the meat market as it seemed that some guys were more interested in 'picking up' than dancing. Oh well, disregard them and don't let such things dampen your enthusiasm.

[cocodrilo]

Hi Meagalita
Don't worry, your dance shoes will stretch out in no time once you've sweated in them a bit. A couple of my pairs, which seemed painfully tight at first, have stretched out to the point they're actually a full size larger & I've put little insole thingees under the ball of my foot. This gets them snug again.
Speaking of sweating, I REALLY rely on a strong deodorant. Check the make-up thread for my info on "Rexona"...(Actually DOES last 24 hours, as they claim!)
As for the guy pressing himself against you, push him away or better yet try one of Scorpion's Kung Fu shines :lol:

BTW, I'm originally from the Bay Area- grew up in Walnut Creek, went to school at CCAC in Oakland, worked at a design studio on 5th & Townsend before I got tired of drafting tables & movesd to Japan. This is an incredibly small world, regardless of what people say!!!
Welcome!

[squirrel]

Welcome, meagalita! I am glad for you that you discovered the Salsa world!
About guys that 'press' themselves against you while dancing, I have 2 options:
1. Use your forearm: when you dance in closed position, don't put your hand on their shoulder blades, but on their shoulders, using the upper arm to push them away from you...thus the forearm is just between you and them.
2. (What one of my former dance teachers taught me) Let them press you against their bodies, but: step on their feet with your heels, if they spin you elbow their chins... make them suffer! And all the time apologize: please, excuse me, I'm a beginner, I should be more careful... believe me, this should discourage them to dance with you again!

[borikensalsero]

welcome welcome Meagalita.... It is a beautiful sight to see a young salsero/a budding. Beautiful indeed. Looking forward to sharing the good and the bad in the often travel road to salsa land. :D :D

Enjoy the trip because soon, you'll forget how little we knew. :D

[meagalita]

i really appreciate the warm welcome and tips everyone. yes, the "body press" incident was a one time shot, although someone else tried to make me ride his leg like a horsie and swoop me down; pretty amusing when i didn't go for it. i wouldn't mind that sort of thing with someone i knew for a while but the first dance? sheesh!

[sbsalsera]

Hello and welcome Meagalita!

I happen to be in SF this week, attending a work-related conference. On Tuesday I went to the Glas Kat (downtown at 4th & Bryant) and had an AWESOME time! I highly recommend it - everyone was super friendly, the band was very good (although their name escapes me at the moment), and the salseros were fantastic! :lol:

[danceguy]

Sbsalsera - Was there mostly an on1 or on2 crowd at Glas Kat? I've only been to Cocomos and the Roccapulco...one of these days I'll get my nerve up to go back down there again. :D

SG

[sbsalsera]

Was there mostly an on1 or on2 crowd at Glas Kat? I've only been to Cocomos and the Roccapulco...one of these days I'll get my nerve up to go back down there again. :D

SG,

Almost every dance I had was on1. The exceptions were one on1 starting on the second beat, one on3 (I think), and the usual number of off-beaters.

I really didn't have a chance to watch the crowd - I was busy dancing to my heart's content! (I didn't even take merengue breaks!) :lol:

SB

[SDsalsaguy]

(I didn't even take merengue breaks!) :lol:
:shock: :shock: :shock:

[sbsalsera]

(I didn't even take merengue breaks!) :lol:
:shock: :shock: :shock:

But I can explain! I had been salsa deprived for almost two weeks! :shock:

[SDsalsaguy]

(I didn't even take merengue breaks!) :lol:
:shock: :shock: :shock:

But I can explain! I had been salsa deprived for almost two weeks! :shock:
Ahhh.... :wink:

[MapleLeaf Salsero]

Wellcome Meagalita!

guys that say they will "teach" me salsa then proceed to press their entire body close to mine during the song

I don´t know what they were trying to teach you, I do know however that it wasn´t salsa! Sorry you had such a bad experience.

P.S. I would suggest you hide the antenas and tuck your wings underneath your shirt before going to out a salsa club (just a suggestion). :wink:

[youngsta]

Hopefully I'll be a better follower by the time LA salsa congress rolls around :D
So are you going to the congress meagalita?? huh...HUH?! :D

[meagalita]

yes rob, i'd love to meet you, and share a saaaaaaaaaalsa dance or two :lol: ..i hear it's insanely crowded, but you're posting on the salsa gang site too i see; there's bound to be a get together of some sort over the weekend. my pic is in that ofoto link from the site if you wanna see: (meaganne) http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?Uc=14up04m9.9vi81lnt&Uy=x556rl&Upost_signin=BrowsePhotos.jsp%3fshowSlide%3dtrue&Ux=0&collid=566776955103

[youngsta]

Yeah I was just checking out the photos. I've danced with a few of the gangstahs when I've been out there (Rini and geskah). Cool, we we'll have to coordinate.