Salsa in New York for non-serious dancers

[Mer]

Hi,

I know that looks like a crazy heading, but here's the story.

I was a professional dancer (ballroom, Lindy, West Coast, C&W) for several years, had my own studio, titles, yada yada. Now I'm in law school. I want to teach some of my non-dancer buddies some *BASIC* salsa (remember, these are LAW STUDENTS) and take them somewhere where they will have fun.

I.e. I don't want to go somewhere that's full of really fabulous dancers who will pout if a person can't break on two properly. I want a
beginner-friendly place, so they aren't all scared off (so maybe they keep
dancing and someday LEARN to break on two).

Thoughts? SOB's? Copa?

--Meredith Stead

[brujo]

You probably want to check out one of 'em socials. Full schedules on http://www.salsanewyork.com/. The Jimmy Anton social is legendary.

[youngsta]

Does a place like that even exist in NY?? :lol: But seriously, why wouldn't you want them to see the great dancers too? That's what got me hooked.

[Mer]

Yeah, I am kind of wondering whether a place like that *does* exist. And yes, I agree that it can be inspiring to watch really great dancers. But my main concern -- because while I was a full-time teacher many students voiced it to me -- is that sometimes a crowd of very advanced dancers can be unfriendly to newbies.

I can even understand this. After you've spent years perfecting a skill that you really only enjoy when done at a high level, it's maddening to dance an entire song with someone who can only (barely) dance the basic. I sympathize.

I also know that many advanced dancers encourage and befriend beginners. I just want to find a scene where that's true.

Thanks,

Mer

[borikensalsero]

Tough one as if the students are trying to learn on2 going to non-salsa clubs (Latin Clubs) they'll hardly meet anyone who breaks on2, or have any idea of how to mambo.

The Latin night lounges are OK since salseros who got sick and tried of the competitiveness and pettiness of uptight salseros tend to frequent them. Lanski lounge comes to mind.

As brujo suggested, an all-right place (depending on how they view it) to take them would be the jimmy anton's social. There they will find people from the very beginners to the most advanced. It is a very casual scene... the music stinks but still an all-right place where they can hide in the crowd and try their skills. It can be overwhelming as well as when you first walk in the first thing you see is wild dancers going nuts.

The copa can be good to as you will find a few people that have some on2 training plus they play Salsa, merengue, bachata that will vary the scene for them.

Also if you want to take them to a rather friendly but truly salsa only place, you can go to Cache. If you have any lady students they might have an easier time there as most leaders will welcome a few dances with beginners.

The guys might get scared off though… they have a class around 10:30 which usually brings a few people who are learning then stay the night to dance.

But in all the best bet would be the lounges as they can have a drink, sit back, listen to different types of music and not feel threatened to dance the few salsa played.

[msjanemas]

In addition to BorikenSalseros's recommendation...

Although it's not all Salsa, you can try La Maganette for a friendly sofisticated atmosphere. Charanga is the name of the dance there and some do prefer to Mambo instead of Charanguiando. Here are the old (and not too old) timers from the days of when everyone danced with anyone.

[borikensalsero]

Le Maganette, althought I've never been to it, the old timers absolutely love! I have been planning to attend for about 3 years and still haven't.

One of my instructor keeps telling me to go there... Boy I'm lazy!

[msjanemas]

Let me know!!!! :wink:

[aragonh]

I was just in NYC this past weekend from Thurs to Mon.

Thurs @ Cache had a great atmosphere for Beginners and Intermediate.

Fri w/ DJ El Rumbero was a good time but may be intimidating for beginners and those not part of a click.

Sat. I got snowed in. :(

Sundays social w/ Carlos Konig had a very chilled out atmosphere. Its great for all levels.

Mon @ flamingos had a great band (Conjunto something. . .i forgot). . .but I dont think beginners would be comfortable there.

Thats the assessment of an outsider on NYC clubs.

[msjanemas]

I was just in NYC this past weekend from Thurs to Mon.

Fri w/ DJ El Rumbero was a good time but may be intimidating for beginners and those not part of a click.

What is the name of the club or is DJ El Rumbero the name?

[borikensalsero]

I was just in NYC this past weekend from Thurs to Mon.

Fri w/ DJ El Rumbero was a good time but may be intimidating for beginners and those not part of a click.

What is the name of the club or is DJ El Rumbero the name?

El Rumbero is a DJ, he has a social every other friday of the month at dance New York studios on 54th between 8th and broadway.

[alemana]

hi -

for beginner and non-intense salsa dancers, the best places to go are socials held at dance studios. they are havens for learners who aren't ready or willing to go to clubs (or to pay the entrance fees) and who want to practice in a specifically nonthreatening environment.

social dancing at Dance Manhattan and Stepping Out, for instance (both have their calendars on the web) is low-key and friendly. the Stepping Out salsa Fridays, held once a month, feature a live band (where else can you get that!!) and plenty of students, plus friendly instructors mingling.

i would not recommend jimmy anton's for specifically beginner low-key salsa dancers. it's way too crowded, too intense, and can be intimidating. carlos konig's social, on alternating sundays from jimmy's, is a bit better for beginners, but still full of extremely proficient dancers all dancing on-2.

my two cents.

[aragonh]

carlos konig's social, on alternating sundays from jimmy's, is a bit better for beginners, but still full of extremely proficient dancers all dancing on-2.



They also dance on1 there. You just have to ask them. Usually the ones who dance on1 (and on2) are the non-natives. The ones who learned to dance on1 elsewhere.

[alemana]

ah, perhaps so. i've never experienced it, but that doesn't mean it isn' t there. it's fair to say the majority are on-2 though.

that's part of the argument for the dance-studio socials... more likely to find on-1 dancers.

[DancePoet]

Welcome Mer! Look's like you found the right place to get some help on this! :D

[aragonh]

ah, perhaps so. i've never experienced it, but that doesn't mean it isn' t there. it's fair to say the majority are on-2 though.

that's part of the argument for the dance-studio socials... more likely to find on-1 dancers.

Thats true. When I was at Caches on Thurs night, I saw this lonely looking girl by the dancefloor. WHen I asked her to dance, she said she only dances on1. No problem w. me and we went out to the dancefloor.

It turns out she was from Israel and was just visitin the town.