Now, this tip might be for newcomers to the salsa scene - and it could be a public server announcement for the rest of us. Now, I don't think these rules have ever been written down or said - but usually they are implied by dancers, because dancer understand what bugs them. It is just basic courtesy on the dancefloor:1. Never walk through the dance floor - but around it. Now, the only good reason you are walking through the dancefloor is because you found a good spot and you are actually going to dance. Other than that, I suggest (and many others too) is to walk around the outside of the dance floor if possible. People are dancing, worrying about their dance 'slot' and worrying about their neighbor's dance slot. I can't believe the people think that going through the dance floor (to get to one side to another) is easier than walking around the floor. First of all, you are going through a crowd of people that are constantly moving, making weird contortions with their arms and especially females spinning. That alone should tell you... "hmmm.. I might get hit and hurt - or I might cause someone else to get hurt". Not to seem crazy, but I can't tell you how mad this gets me. Because, to tell you the truth, I don't mind that some people walk through the floor - if they understand salsa slot mechanics. For example, wait for the guy to do a cross-body lead to walk near him/her (through the other side). You know this, because as a dancer, performing a cross-body lead will require the lady to move her location (which means, that a space opens up for you to walk through). However, few people are aware of this - so in general, please be kind - if you are not doing to dance, walk around the outside of the floor (so people dancing won't get mad that you have screwed up their pattern or gave them something more to worry about - their safety). 2. Never dance with drinks. There are a few of people (that for some reason) like to dance with open drinks. Now, this might be good at any other club, but I'm not so sure that at a salsa club. People bring their nice (suede bottom) shoes to the floor, so they can do lots of spinning. People who bring drinks ON the dance floor (are usually not being kind) because they end up spilling their drink on the dance floor (making it sticky) and laughing about it as if it was funny. In some cases, they'll end up spilling their drink on someone else. The good rule is that if you are going to have a drink, have it on the outside (but be warned someone can hit you if you are close enough to moving bodies) or having by the bar (where you are supposed to have drinks). Just be considerate - and everything should be good.

If you are lucky enough to go to a salsa nightclub that has free water - you are lucky. Drinking plenty of water at salsa event is a must - more than you think. Sometimes we forget that with all the patters, footwork and body movements we put into every 5 minute song - its really a tough workout for the body. We end up loosing a lot of water (through sweat) during one salsa night - especially if the nightclub is packed.Now, in the cases where the water is not free (and they are charging an exorbitant amount of money for a itty-bitty bottle) - its good to sometimes bring (sneak) in your own water (if allowed). Now, first of all - I prefer Propel water because it feels more satisfying after I drink it compared to regular water (which seems to just go through my system pretty quick without providing any effects). So, I end up trying to put 1 bottle in my dance shoe as I bring those shoes to the club (its hard to tell its in there). However, in the cases where I can't really bring my dance shoes (or I'm already wearing them) - I end up keeping bottles of Propel in the trunk of my car. So whenever I am really thirsty and need some replenishment (and don't want to pay $3-$4 per bottle) - I just step outside (while getting some fresh air to cool off) and go to my car and drink a couple of bottles). It is sometimes pretty funny because since some of us have the whole 24-pack in the trunk - we all go to the parking lot and just hang around the car drinking bottles of water and chatting before going back in.Anyways, going back to the main tip - I suggest if you can to bring your own bottle of water at a salsa event. Sometimes either the water runs out or the prices are too high. In another case, you should always keep some water in your car for when you really need it (or even after a hard night at a salsa club). Drinking lots of fluids after an event can help relieve any muscle stress you might have in the morning.

I get asked a lot on how to become good with body movements. Now, I'm not close to the Cobo Body Movement, but I can tell you what I used to train my body isolations and perfecting the look. Its really simple - just a mirror.The key is to practice, practice and practice. (How many times have you heard me say that?). Get a nice full-length mirror from Target or Walmart (I think I paid like $10 for it). Then, what you do is just stand in front of the mirror and do your basic step - and see how it looks. Then once you got that down (and it looks good to you), try adding some footwork - and perfect how it looks. After you have those two things down, now add some body movements. Try a body-roll, try rolling your shoulders backwards, try doing some rib-cage isolations or hand movements.

I like watching performances of salsa songs. It's interesting to see the interpretation of music by my favorite dancers with some very good chosen songs. However, there are some performances where they might have great choregraphy, but they use remix various songs (which is not bad) but then they add the inevitable sound-effects of bombs and explosions that seem like it was put together by the Department of Homeland Security of performances and choreography.

I'm a big fan of live music, and this is probably one of my favorite live music albums I've ever owned. This is the magnificent Roberto Roena and Su Apollo Sound (which they call themselves the 8th Wonder of the World - and you if listen to some of their tracks live, you'll see why).