I am from Germany and also dance Salsa way over here, also I watch the original version of your Dancing with the stars, namely Strictly Come Dancing each year.
Firstly, not intending to sound rude, I prefer the British version a lot to the American, because the dances are kept classical and the people dance more without mucking about all the time, showing off.

But still, thanks for lending us Brian Fortuna, he is a real breath of fresh air.

Now commenting this perticular Salsa, the song to which it is danced is acutally Salsa, also a pretty fast one, maybe not the easiest ones to get the rhythm, but it is Salsa. Perhaps we dance it differently here across the pond? Our basic step (ladies) is:
right foot back, lifting up the left slightly and then replacing the right foot next to the left one, then left foot foward, lifting up the right slightly and then replacing the left foot next to the right one.
Counting 1-2-3 to the beat.

So, try that to the beat and it will work flawlessly. Also with dance routines you do not need a strict perfect rhythm fitting the dance, as you are aloud to walk around and play with the music.

The Salsa was rubbish nevertheless, but it was a Salsa, with salsa steps, just to much wobbeling around and playing and not dancing!!!

Looking forward to your comments

Gini

Thanks!

Please see the end of the video (6:48) where I break down each of the moves on 1.

Thanks

Julie

When I started salsa here in Taiwan, nobody told me there was any “on-1/on-2″ dichotomy. There was just salsa, and I studied what they offered (which was on-1).

I practiced for hour after hour, spent PLENTY of money, suffered tons of ego-damage, faced endless criticism and resistance from my wife - but I persevered, and slowly I began to develop some confidence in my dancing, to the point where I was spending a lot more on-floor time than off-floor time at the clubs and usually left feeling good.

Then, this on-2 began to trickle into Taiwan. First gradually, then more and more. Now, it’s getting to the point where some girls practically roll their eyes at me when I ask “On-1 ok?”

Their seems to be this kind of snootiness about on-2, as if it were a superior level of salsa or something. For example, word is that it’s “more musical - you’re not dancing TO the music, you’re dancing IN the music. Well, if that has been the case for so long, then why didn’t they tell me that to BEGIN with? Why let me spend all that time and money FIRST?

And, where do people come off with this sense of superiority? In a certain sense, NY on-2 isn’t even genuinely “on-2″, in the sense that the guy still steps first on one with the left foot - as opposed to “contratiempo”, which is where the dancer both starts AND “breaks” on the second beat (so it’s: pause 2,3,4 pause 6,7,8.)

Not to mention, no matter which style of salsa one dances, for most people it’s still a semi-choreographed dance where one memorizes moves or sequences and mainly just re-arranges them while adding a bit of personal flair.

Oh, and then there’s this whole thing about “It’s better for the lady”… Look, I’ve been a near-PALADIN my whole life when it comes to focusing on women’s needs, satisfaction and whatnot over my own, but - enough is enough!

In salsa, memorizing the moves, your partner’s safety, making the level of dance appropriate, keeping the dance interesting - it’s practically ALL on the guy. If a dance goes bad, it’s supposedly ALWAYS the guy’s fault - or at least that’s what I was always taught. Remember that joke/meme about the ladie’s step: ‘The woman is always “right”?’

And now I’m supposed to find a new class, juggle my schedule around to accomodate it, pay a whole bunch more money, basically re-learn salsa from scratch, etc. etc. because it’s “better for the ladies”?!? I mean, if I were single and getting some kind of “social benefit” out of dancing as some do, I could kind of understand, but in my case, the only thing I’m “getting” is the enjoyment of dancing plus maybe a bit of exercise.

Honestly, I feel damn-well ripped off and PISSED off, to the point where I’m about ready to quit dancing and take up Brazilian jiu-jutsu or something!

Sorry for the venting. Hope I haven’t offended anyone!

Also, “They dance just like everyone in every club in the midwest and on the west coast.” is a naive assumption since dance scenes such as San Diego, San Francisco and some places in Iowa already prove your statement incorrect.

We may all have different styles, but good technique and proper music should always stay the same - especially if you consider yourself a professional dancer/instructor.

Greetings from Abilene, Tx!

Greetings from Germany, Andreas