You walk into the dance hall (or
community center or hotel or sword fighting school) and observe…. there are
some Latin Americans, as well as some slightly awkward and shy Vancouverites
shaking hands with the smooth, upbeat rhythms of salsa, bachata, merengue and
the odd cha cha cha. Maybe it’s not in our blood but hey, we can learn, right?
Coloured lights are swirling and the whole thing seems to belong to another
time – perhaps a discotheque of the 70’s, with numerous fashion mishaps…. no,
vests are not cool; no, plunging necklines on guys are not sexy…. but before
you can ponder any further – Wanna dance?? Oh boy… ok. Hey, this is not so bad;
this guy is a pretty good dancer. You smile because you’re both keeping time
and feeling the music; so far so good, then – oops, ow! - Wait, you wanted me
to do a spin there? Yes. Oh ok, let’s try that again; I’ve never done this move
before in class. Awkward moment… aaaaand, back on track. You both laugh and you
gaze around the room. Ah, there’s the earplug guy who loves salsa but has very
sensitive ears, the muscle-y guy and the girl with a dress that makes you
wonder how she can move around enough to do even the basic step. Ok, next
number – Thank you – Thanks for the dance – Thanks. So, this one’s a Bachata –
supposedly sex in dance form. You smile to yourself for a few minutes
imagining Diego Luna shimmying his hips in Dirty Dancing Havana Nights, then:
Hi! You wanna dance? Sí, claro! It’s not Diego, but close enough…. wow, his
moves are so natural, he’s smiling; he knows all the words to the song. Hmm,
you wonder if his lip-syncing with a smirk on his face is meant to seduce you.
You speak Spanish too and are not too thrilled hearing him sing que
adentro hay un volcán que pronto va a estallar*, so you raise an eyebrow.
Next song – a salsa again. New partner – says he’s from Colombia. Oh God – he’s
moved away and doing his own little thing opposite you…. you have to make up
some moves on the spot so you don’t just stand there like an idiot. Ok ok, what
did we learn in class?? Think!! No, don’t think, just let music move you…. keep
it simple and no body rolls because you know you look like a pole dancer on
hallucinogens doing those…. cumbia step, suavemente, another, then
the diamond and some hand styling – he’s back (with an approving smile)! Yes!
Ok, he’s leading you now and you don’t have to think – just follow. To the left
there is a group of people dancing in a circle. You like this song and decide
to listen to the lyrics for a bit: para gozar lo rico, tienes que conocer,
lo bueno y lo malo, lo que teeee dé placer… para de correr, tranquiiiiila,
sígueme a mí, tranquiiiiila….. You look at your dance partner and you
ask hesitantly: Is he saying, para de coger**?? He bursts out
laughing. No no, hija, it's para de correr – stop running! So
much for your Spanish. You both laugh and shake your heads as you continue to
dance.
When heading out for a night of salsa,
prepare to feel embarrassed one moment and confident the next – just like in
normal life. But if there is one thing that a salsa night can guarantee you is
that by the end of it you’ll have a smile on your face. ;-)
Anyone interested in Salsa lessons or events in Vancouver check out www.salsavancouver.net. There's something for every taste and level.
* “There is a volcano inside about to erupt”
** “coger”: vulgar
word meaning ‘to engage in coitus’ in several Latin American countries
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