Salsa

My older brother and I share a lot of things—memories, jokes, music and parents, to name a few. There are also many things we do not share. Prior to this week, for instance, I had never had a chance to share Peter’s interest in ballroom dancing.           

Peter, my older brother, is involved with Penn State’s ballroom dancing club. He has his own pair of spiffy dancing shoes, takes a class and is a chairman for the tango division of the club. I was excited at the prospect of trying something that really interested him!

After meeting up with my brother in the White Building we walked over to salsa. The music I heard from the outside was my first clue—booming from the inside was lively Latin music inviting all to enter the gymnasium and begin dancing. Hearing the music made me excited. Perhaps the dancing would be as fun as the music!

After walking into the room and signing in our names we all lined up in rows. It was time for a salsa warm-up!

I’ve never participated in a more discombobulated warm-up. We all followed the lead of the salsa expert in the front of the room. The music’s tempo suddenly seemed too fast and I felt like my limbs were flailing in every direction as I tried to spin and change directions while keeping up with the others. But I wasn’t the only one who was having trouble keeping up; looking around, others were just as flustered as I was by the pace. Even my brother looked like he was having trouble keeping up!

After the warm-up the group, about 100 of us, divided ourselves into beginners and veterans. I joined others in the beginner’s group, many of them apparently new to the sport like me. In front of us an older member of the club introduced herself and proceeded to show us the 8 counts and steps used in salsa.

After repeating these steps a few times we increased our pace, added music and, before I knew it, we were adding a partner! I was nervous about getting a dancing partner. I was still having trouble counting my steps (“1,2,3…5,6,7!”), and I was afraid I would mess up another. What’s more, unlike at Power Remix classes, where I usually make up my own dance moves when I can’t keep up with the instructor, salsa’s moves I knew I couldn’t just make up as I pleased! I was already feeling sorry for my future salsa partner.

Alternating gender, we organized in a circle and turned to the person beside us and tried to emulate the example our teachers had showed us. Adding a partner was actually easier than I had anticipated and I felt like an official salsa dancer dancing with another!

Periodically we switched partners and learned new moves and proper salsa form. We learned how to turn and how to step in time with the music. Like me, those in the beginner group seemed to be having fun learning something new.

At the very end the groups merged for a “free dance” period. Switching partners, I got the chance to dance a few more advanced club members, including my brother. He’s a much better dancer than me but, now knowing the principles of salsa dancing, I was able to keep up with him.

I now understand why my brother enjoys ballroom dancing—the dance and people involved are fun. By the end of the session I had had a good time and felt that my salsa skills had drastically improved. I would love to go back again to salsa or try another style of ballroom dance. Overall it was a really great experience! The only thing I’d change for next time: if I ever get the change to go salsa dancing again, I’m bringing chips.