Salsa Dancing Workshop

Last Saturday, Ty and I went to a Salsa Quickstart Workshop at Viscount Studios. About 2 years ago, I became intrigued with dancing. Maybe it was because I saw movies like Shall We Dance?, Strictly Ballroom, and I wondered what the ballroom dance scene would be like in real life. From Shall We Dance? I could relate to Richard Gere's character, who was looking for something new and gave dancing a try. Then, I met friends who took me out and I discovered salsa dancing. I also tried swing dancing too. I wanted to go out on the weekends with my friends and try something new. Once I started, I got hooked. I've been going out to the salsa clubs inconsistently for the last 2 years.

A few weeks ago, I took Ty to Aztec Willies for salsa dancing. We both enjoyed and wanted to take classes. A friend of mine recommended this place and I always wanted to take a class. On the weekends, Viscount has Quickstart beginner level workshops for different styles of dancing, which is about 4 hours long but after that workshop, you can take beginning level 2 of that class.

Ty had no experience in salsa dancing apart from the two times I took him out. As for myself, I never took a class but went to the salsa clubs and learned from dancing. Most places usually have a short beginner lesson but it's the very basics. If you're a beginner follow, it is easier to learn. And some guys love to impress by teaching you what they know, so it helped me. I want to take a class to learn the technique and work on details so that my moves look better and more polished.

The studio is on East Burnside and 7th and under the Bossa Nova Ballroom. It isn't hard to find and there's parking on the street.

It's a good idea to show up at least 10 -15 minutes before the workshop to register and pay for the workshop. It's a good idea to register online and it's $40 and $50 without registering and if you're a student, it's $35. Why not?

Sarah, our instructor started off with introductions to break the ice. We received name tags and I could tell she tried to make the class fun, relaxed for everyone. Even if you had absolutely no experience dancing or feel that you have left feet, you will definitely not feel out of place here. I'm sure there are others who feel the same way too. It's a beginner class. She made it sound so much fun and enjoyable and that it's okay to make mistakes. She was laidback, fun and very much in tune with people. She's one of the best dance instructors I had. If you are total newbie, there is nothing to fear.

Taking up a new activity, especially ballroom dancing, can be intimidating to many newcomers. I know people who always wanted to try salsa or swing dancing but never go out. I remember a while ago, two friends of mine talked me into going salsa dancing at Aztec Willies. At first I had no idea what to expect. I saw it as an adventure and chance to experience something new.

And please, the dance scene isn't always like the dance movies. We always see cliquishness and a snotty, strict, uptight dance teacher and fellow dancers ready to point out your mistakes in public and embarass you. When it comes to social dancing, I have never experienced this and this maybe more with competitive dancing. As for cliquishness, many of the experienced dancers and regulars tend to stick together because they take classes together, dance frequently and naturally know each other. This is just normal part of life. Don't let this intimidate you from trying something new. If you always wanted to try dancing because you saw the movies or have a friend who does it all the time and intrigued, I say do it! There's plenty of places in Portland to try dancing.

In the workshop, she started off with introduction to salsa, salsa rhythm, and basic steps. Then we moved on to basic variations and turns. We ended with cross body lead. After taking this workshop, you learn all the basics you need for a night of salsa dancing. Towards the end, she played music and let us practice the moves on our own for 5 minutes.

Ty said to me after this workshop, "Let's take salsa 2." He definitely enjoyed it.

I would really recommend this workshop for anyone who always wanted to take salsa dancing. They also offer swing and tango workshops and other dance classes. The instructor, Sarah Riddle was awesome and created a fun atmosphere. And you walk out feeling excited. After taking this workshop, you have the basics down and enough to go out and dance at the club. You are excited for more.

Classes are great but you learn more from dancing regularly. In the past, I spent the weekend nights at Aztec Willies, Mambo lounge, and Andrea's Cha-Cha Club for salsa dancing.