How I learnt Salsa
Nov 05, 2009
IF, like me, you do not like any cool trend to pass you by, then you better get in line for the Salsa movement that has swept over the city.
By Carol Kezaabu
IF, like me, you do not like any cool trend to pass you by, then you better get in line for the Salsa movement that has swept over the city.
It is my fourth time in the salsa class at Vantage Communications Dance Studio at Kisementi and I can hear Karim Mukwano’s raised voice above the music. He is the male instructor at the studio.
“Let me break it down for you. It is one, two, three — one, two, three, do two basic steps, then one, two, three — one, two, three,†he shouts out.
We are learning the right turn; you only realise how easy it is after you have mastered it. Well, I guess that is how it seems when you first try out anything.
Lillian, the other instructor, asks if I have danced before, but I proudly point out that I am simply a quick learner.
Once the instructors have gone through the steps, we take turns with them learning to dance with a partner because Salsa is a couples’ dance.
The man’s role is to lead and thus they must be keen and quick to learn.
By the end of the class, I have mastered the side Travolta, the left and right turns, the half left and right turns, the parallel step and the 180 turn.
Salsa has its origin in the Caribbean Island of Cuba, but the sensual dance has, over the years, evolved into different styles.
Cuban salsa is all about rhythm and having fun; it is more recreational, while the LA/New York style focuses on control, timing and precision of technique.
Samuel Ibanda, an instructor at the National Theatre, says dancers should first learn the LA/New York style. “Once you have mastered that type of salsa, it is easier to gravitate towards the Cuban style,†says Ibanda.
There are three stages of learning salsa; beginners, intermediate and advanced, but how soon you get to any of these stages is really up to you. The teacher can only do so much.
The instructor breaks the class into several stages, starting with the basics, moves, turn patterns, spins, lifts and dips.
Ibanda says it also depends on what kind of dancer one wants to be; do you want to be a social dancer or are you interested in competing professionally?
It can take a couple of weeks, but once you have mastered the basic patterns, you are on your way out of the beginners group, which involves basic footwork and learning how to connect with the music.
Benefits of Salsa
Couples spend a lot of time dancig together, hence improving their sex life
It is a good way to relax
Increases energy
It improves muscle tone
Helps to burn calories and release toxins through sweating.
Where to go for training
The studio at Vantage Communications has two classes; Wednesday at 6:00 to 8:00pm and Saturday at 3:00 to 5:00pm at sh10,000 per session.
Latino Bar and Restaurant has classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00pm, while classes at the National Theatre are held on Fridays, from 5:30 to 7:00pm, at sh10,000.
Private lessons can also be arranged.
IF, like me, you do not like any cool trend to pass you by, then you better get in line for the Salsa movement that has swept over the city.
It is my fourth time in the salsa class at Vantage Communications Dance Studio at Kisementi and I can hear Karim Mukwano’s raised voice above the music. He is the male instructor at the studio.
“Let me break it down for you. It is one, two, three — one, two, three, do two basic steps, then one, two, three — one, two, three,†he shouts out.
We are learning the right turn; you only realise how easy it is after you have mastered it. Well, I guess that is how it seems when you first try out anything.
Lillian, the other instructor, asks if I have danced before, but I proudly point out that I am simply a quick learner.
Once the instructors have gone through the steps, we take turns with them learning to dance with a partner because Salsa is a couples’ dance.
The man’s role is to lead and thus they must be keen and quick to learn.
By the end of the class, I have mastered the side Travolta, the left and right turns, the half left and right turns, the parallel step and the 180 turn.
Salsa has its origin in the Caribbean Island of Cuba, but the sensual dance has, over the years, evolved into different styles.
Cuban salsa is all about rhythm and having fun; it is more recreational, while the LA/New York style focuses on control, timing and precision of technique.
Samuel Ibanda, an instructor at the National Theatre, says dancers should first learn the LA/New York style. “Once you have mastered that type of salsa, it is easier to gravitate towards the Cuban style,†says Ibanda.
There are three stages of learning salsa; beginners, intermediate and advanced, but how soon you get to any of these stages is really up to you. The teacher can only do so much.
The instructor breaks the class into several stages, starting with the basics, moves, turn patterns, spins, lifts and dips.
Ibanda says it also depends on what kind of dancer one wants to be; do you want to be a social dancer or are you interested in competing professionally?
It can take a couple of weeks, but once you have mastered the basic patterns, you are on your way out of the beginners group, which involves basic footwork and learning how to connect with the music.
Benefits of Salsa
Couples spend a lot of time dancig together, hence improving their sex life
It is a good way to relax
Increases energy
It improves muscle tone
Helps to burn calories and release toxins through sweating.
Where to go for training
The studio at Vantage Communications has two classes; Wednesday at 6:00 to 8:00pm and Saturday at 3:00 to 5:00pm at sh10,000 per session.
Latino Bar and Restaurant has classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00pm, while classes at the National Theatre are held on Fridays, from 5:30 to 7:00pm, at sh10,000.
Private lessons can also be arranged.