Social dance etiquette is a subject that must be talked about but at the same time I hate having to talk about it. I feel that a lot of it should be common sense. Please take a moment to read this note. Know that my ultimate goal is for people to feel safe and for people to have fun.
The most important thing to remember is that we are all human. We make mistakes and we also have feelings. Please be kind to one another.
A note to the creepers (a few bad apples)
This is not a huge problem in my scene but it has happened on occasion. I'm addressing it now so this issue will disappear. I have been getting a couple reports from the ladies that a few guys are spoiling the fun for everyone. Gentlemen (and Ladies) if you are going salsa dancing to cop a feel, get some action or whatever it is you call it, please stop coming to my classes and events. I will not tolerate this kind of behavior. If you see your buddy (or girlfriend) acting inappropriately please tell them to stop. It is for all of our own good that we have a safe and fun dance scene. If my scene gains a reputation as a place for creepers, my scene will die. I love salsa dancing and I enjoy an intimate dance on the dance floor. Yes, the dance is intimate but this does not give you, or anyone else, permission to take it to the "next level". "A few bad apples can spoil the whole bunch."
Please talk to me
If you, or anyone you're with, feels like someone is being inappropriate on the dance floor please come talk to me. I would be more than happy to have a "friendly" chat with anyone who is being inappropriate. Please, do this. The conversation will be discreet and I will not bring up your name when I talk with them. Most of the time guys don't even realize that you're uncomfortable with what he is doing. Trust me, if he (or she) truly is a creeper, myself and the staff at The EDGE nightclub would be more than happy to escort them to the nearest exit at the Peppermill.
You can say no
It is customary to always give someone one song. Whether they are a beginner or advanced you should always say yes. The times when you can say no are; you've been dancing a few songs in a row and you just need a rest, you're in a deep conversation and would rather dance later, the person asking you is known to be a rough dancer (again please let me know, I will talk with them), the dude is a know creeper (please report them).
Only one song is required
Many people like to monopolize a partner for several songs. Please note: It is polite to dance only one song. You might not know Spanish but I guarantee you if you listen to the music you're dancing to you will be able to hear when the song changes. At that time you're welcome to say thank you very much for the dance and walk off the dance floor. If they don't let you leave please walk directly to the nearest security guard and report that person. I know this sounds harsh but once again it only takes a few bad apples to spoil the whole bunch.
A quick summary on social dance Etiquette
* Etiquette is here to ensure everyone has a good time in a social dance setting, so pay attention to it.
* Your outfit and accessories should be comfortable, safe, and also reflect the culture and level of formality of the dance group. (The EDGE has a dress code. Think fun club wear.)
* Most importantly, do not forget your dance shoes.
* Ask everyone to dance.
* Do not monopolize one partner for the whole night (unless of course it's "date night").
* Today's beginners will be the good dancers of tomorrow, so be nice to them and dance with them.
* Do not decline a dance unless you absolutely have to. Having declined a dance, you cannot dance the same song with someone else.
* Be considerate of other couples on the floor. Exercise good floorcraft. Do not cut other couples off. No aerials or choreographed steps on the social dance floor!
* Avoid patterns that your partner cannot do: dance to the level of your partner.
* Never blame your partner for missteps.
* No unsolicited teaching on the floor!
* Smile, be warm, be personable, be nice
Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Why does BB of Salsa Reno, "El Blanquito", teach Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, Merengue, Casino and ChaChaCha?
I'm going to start my blog with the question that is asked of me the most (I get this question at least once a week or more).
Why does a white guy like you dance and teach Salsa and Bachata?
I actually don't mind answering this question because it allows me to talk about my history and a little bit of the current state of Salsa and Bachata in the world.
A quick answer is that Salsa and Bachata are danced in almost every country in the world. They are internationally recognized dances and they have been supported by all shapes, sizes and colors for a long time.
For me personally it all started in Los Angeles, California. I was born in Anaheim and then at age 7 my family moved to South Pasadena. The Latino culture is a huge part of LA. As a child growing up in So. Cal, you don't even realize that it could be a different culture than your own because the Latino culture is so much a part of everyday life. The food, music, Spanish language and dance are everywhere.
I didn't really search out Salsa or any kind of Latin music as I grew up. It was just all around me. My family business hired many people from Guadalajara. Some of these employees have worked with my family since I was born. I would work at the family biz with my co-workers from Mexico listening to their music, eat their yummy food and even dance. I have great memories from working with my friends from Guadalajara.
During high school I was involved in Musicals, choirs, dance and any other extra curricular activity that would get me out of the house on a week night. After high school I became interested in African inspired dance and drumming. I spent about 4 years drumming and dancing with a troupe in Grass Valley, CA. It was then that I learned how to play the clave.
During the time of studying African music I went to LA to study Conga. My teacher said that if I was going to study conga then I needed to listen to Poncho Sanchez, a really well known conguero in LA (buy his music, it's awesome). That was my first exposure to Latin Jazz. I was floored. It was the perfect combination of African rhythm and European music. I couldn't get enough. Soon I found some live salsa orchestras to watch in LA and I was hooked. Not only was it amazing music but everyone danced with each other too. I would just sit and watch the salsa dancers and listen to the music all night. Soon after I found salsa dance teachers and the rest is history.
I love music and a good piece of music will make me want to just move my body. I could never make it as a musician because if the music is good I can't sit still. Salsa is a perfect match of rhythm and orchestration. I hope that everyone has a chance to experience a dance like I get to experience salsa. Teaching salsa has become a way of life for me. I can only hope people will find something that inspires them like teaching and dancing inspires me.
Why does a white guy like you dance and teach Salsa and Bachata?
I actually don't mind answering this question because it allows me to talk about my history and a little bit of the current state of Salsa and Bachata in the world.
A quick answer is that Salsa and Bachata are danced in almost every country in the world. They are internationally recognized dances and they have been supported by all shapes, sizes and colors for a long time.
For me personally it all started in Los Angeles, California. I was born in Anaheim and then at age 7 my family moved to South Pasadena. The Latino culture is a huge part of LA. As a child growing up in So. Cal, you don't even realize that it could be a different culture than your own because the Latino culture is so much a part of everyday life. The food, music, Spanish language and dance are everywhere.
I didn't really search out Salsa or any kind of Latin music as I grew up. It was just all around me. My family business hired many people from Guadalajara. Some of these employees have worked with my family since I was born. I would work at the family biz with my co-workers from Mexico listening to their music, eat their yummy food and even dance. I have great memories from working with my friends from Guadalajara.
During high school I was involved in Musicals, choirs, dance and any other extra curricular activity that would get me out of the house on a week night. After high school I became interested in African inspired dance and drumming. I spent about 4 years drumming and dancing with a troupe in Grass Valley, CA. It was then that I learned how to play the clave.
During the time of studying African music I went to LA to study Conga. My teacher said that if I was going to study conga then I needed to listen to Poncho Sanchez, a really well known conguero in LA (buy his music, it's awesome). That was my first exposure to Latin Jazz. I was floored. It was the perfect combination of African rhythm and European music. I couldn't get enough. Soon I found some live salsa orchestras to watch in LA and I was hooked. Not only was it amazing music but everyone danced with each other too. I would just sit and watch the salsa dancers and listen to the music all night. Soon after I found salsa dance teachers and the rest is history.
I love music and a good piece of music will make me want to just move my body. I could never make it as a musician because if the music is good I can't sit still. Salsa is a perfect match of rhythm and orchestration. I hope that everyone has a chance to experience a dance like I get to experience salsa. Teaching salsa has become a way of life for me. I can only hope people will find something that inspires them like teaching and dancing inspires me.
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