Updates from wmdzign My first NYC Salsa Social Experience…
Well after 8 months of salsa On2 lessons I finally had enough nerve to attend the world famous Jimmy’s Anton Social yesterday and I wanted to share that with you all.
My first NYC Salsa Social was an exciting, fun and humbling experience.
How I did it: After attending nearly 8 months of salsa classes I finally felt I had enough training to hold my own on the dance floor. I did hold my own just a bit though. I still have a lot to learn and was very optimistic when I spoke to some amazing dancers who had been dancing for only two years. It was a bit of a mess on my part when dancing with very experience followers. I was rushing them and not giving them enough time to do their styling and enjoy the music. That I know will come with my more practice.
Lessons and tips: If you can attend a social with people from your salsa class do it! It kills the nerves a bit knowing you’ll always have someone you can dance with. Don’t get discourage when females turn you down for a dance, move on to the next one there’s always a female waiting. When dancing in NYC always give the woman a chance to style if they’d like, if you don’t they will work it in some how, trust me and that may make it an unpleasant experience for you. Being that it was my first social I was very hesitant in asking a woman to dance but a lot of them were asking me to dance…which was great. But I also saw alot of guys getting turned down by females only wanting to dance with great dancers…it made me think that I will never turn down a dance from any woman no matter how good I get.
Some advice for those still too nervous to attend a social….just go! It is so true what everyone says your dancing will improve greatly…The quicker you get out there the quicker you’ll improve your dance.
Lastly, I think for most salsa lovers attending a big time social is a milestone we all shoot for and I think it would be great to hear your stories of how it went and what you learned. So please share your stories.
anyway…the instructor mention in class that once you go On2 you never go back to On1 and it made me think are there people out there who started On2 and went to On1?? I think that would be and interesting poll…which do u prefer?
Marco 10:07 am on April 20, 2009Permalink |
Man what a great post to read. I am very happy for your first experiance and a little jealous at the same time. I can’t wait for the day to come where I attend my first social. There is one that occurs about 5 times a year in Detroit (about 2 hours away.) One day I will make the trip.
IncaPie 11:33 am on April 20, 2009Permalink |
Marco,
Where exactly are you located? Detroit has more than 5 socials a year. There will be a YA Salsa! social this weekend (April 26th) there. I was just in Detroit this weekend for a work conference and saw a salsa party at a warehouse district jazz nightclub. Check out for socials in the Detroit and greater area (including Cleveland). You could also see if Windsor, Canada has any separate salsa groups than Detroit, or if they just cross the tunnel to the US side.
Marco 9:25 pm on April 20, 2009Permalink |
OK now you have my attention-thanks for chiming in!
I’m actually a City of Detroit transplant now living in the greater Lansing area. Do you know of anything this far West. (I hope to one day attend the Cogress in Chicago.)
I actually reached out to the “YA Salsa!” email contact, but my email must have been lost/forgotten.
Thanks again!
hooknc 4:29 pm on April 21, 2009Permalink |
Check out Salsa Power:
http://www.salsapower.com/cities/us/michigan.htm
I don’t know if you’re interested, but from my understanding Michigan has a large rueda community.
Don Vaillancourt 9:44 am on April 21, 2009Permalink |
Is On2 your first salsa experience, or are you coming from On1? I have a year-and-a-half of On1 experience and thinking of learning On2 this summer/fall.
wmdzign 10:28 am on April 21, 2009Permalink |
I began On1…but I learned from just watching family members at parties and it was more cuban style, not in the slot. So no actual official training. And honestly I had no clue what On2 was until I walked into the salsa studio to take lessons 8 months ago. At the studio the instructor explain the difference and I was still skeptical, of the differences. I thought it would be an easy transition but for me it was very difficult. But once you learn the On2 style you can totally see and FEEL the difference.
Don Vaillancourt 12:45 pm on April 21, 2009Permalink |
I did an On2 beginner workshop last weekend and was surprised at how much smoother it is than On1. Now I know why people prefer On2.
me 3:28 pm on April 21, 2009Permalink |
You will NOT regret it. Keep going with it. On2 just feels so good!
Marie-B 10:58 am on May 1, 2009Permalink |
I find people should decide to dance on1 or on2 dependingly on the salsa. There are two kinds of claves 3/2 and 2/3. Dependingly on the clave dancing on two can seem smoother but sometimes it doesn’t work right and you don’t have a choice but to dance on1 to make it feel right and doesn’t feel smooth at all. I think it is a necessity to know both. Even though it is hard to be good at both without getting mixed up at the beginning
LBSources 3:49 pm on April 27, 2009Permalink |
On2 is the only way to go In my opinion of course
LBSources 3:16 pm on April 27, 2009Permalink |
Great post!
Guess I’ll help others and share my experience.. I attended the last NYC Salsa Congress after only a little over a year of dancing and boy .. My Fiance and I were intimidated. It really took some guts to get out there and dance. But we did it, and danced a few songs! Most of all we had fun!
Our instructors and friends constantly told us that when you’re out there dancing, no one is looking at you and laughing or making fun of you. Of course out of normal fear we wouldn’t believe them, but they were right! Everyone is out there to have a good time. From beginners to very very advanced dancers. There aren’t that many people standing on the side lines either – they are off to the next dance.
Having just a year under in the shoes
– we obviously lacked the ability to really have lots of fun dancing and shining the skills. We had more fun about the act of dancing and ME trying to remember my turns and blending them in as much as possible so it didn’t look like we did the same thing over and over .. LOL
The congress is what got me serious about wanting to dance and thriving on learning more. After watching many people I knew and others that I felt that I knew just by watching them dance – it gave me you the inspiration! I’ve become a Salsa-holic! Every chance I get – I want to dance!
I frequent the internet (how I found Anthony and this great site and members) and socials like wmdzign recommends and YES that is what helps! If you want to become more confident; dance at your school socials and dance with your instructors and peers. This gets the fear out of you and helps you practice more often. Be sure to look around at other styles though – the last thing you want to do is get stuck in a particular cadence of dancing which makes you inflexible on the floor. Experiment!
I have over 2 years dancing now and I’ll be sooo ready for the NYC Congress this year! I’m attending the CT Salsa Fest in May – wish I could go to the LA congress, maybe next year. I also plan to attend the Punta Cana salsa congress, lets see!
Hope my experience helps others in confidence! Wishing everyone a great dance!
Cheers!
Lenny
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