Salsa

Run by UKA qualified salsa instructors, we offer salsa lessons from beginner through to advanced level.

Our classes are held in a club environment at the Pemberton Centre therefore there is time to practice to the range of salsa tunes after the classes or stay for a while and socialise with everyone.

Beginners (level 1)- 7.30pm-8.30pm

Absolute Beginners Beginner (Level 1)

A beginners lesson will introduce you to the dance, break down the basic footwork for Salsa, followed by partner work where a simple routine is taught to reinforce footwork and introduce leading (for the men) and following (for the ladies).

There is no set syllabus at beginner level however we aim to introduce the following within the Beginners classes. Remember - some of you will be absolute beginners where this is your first attempt to learn Salsa. We go over similar steps and routines each week in the Beginners class and it will become easier in the subsequent lessons that you attend at this level:

• Solo and partner footwork (to include Basic step, Side step, Open step, Back step, Salsa step)
• A basic routine in partner formation (to include the above + Basic turn, Basic spin, Cross body, Solo turns)
• Leading and following (to include hand grips changing of hand holds, hand and arm positioning, preparation & partner awareness)
• Co-ordinating footwork with upper body movement (leading following)
• Timing, tempo interpreting understanding how to dance to the music

We recommend that you attempt at least 4 classes at beginner level before you join the improvers lesson where we concentrate on developing our footwork further, applying more complex routines and introducing styling.

Improvers (intermediate) - 8.30pm-9.30pm

Improvers (Level 2)

We recommend that you are familiar and confident with the fundamental Beginners footwork and routine patterns before you move to the Improvers class. This class builds on the foundation level introducing a longer, more complex and broader routine combination.

Moves that you will typically learn include:

• Cross body Cross body variations
• More advanced combinations of spins and turns for man and lady including incorporation of Cuddle, Open breaks, Arm locks, Basic Copa and Styling

The focus at this level is on leading the lady into the relevant moves and increasing your repertoire of moves. At this level the man needs to demonstrate obvious and crisp leading as well as foot positioning. The lady must be willing to follow the man's lead. There will also be less stationary moves and an encouragement to begin to utilise the dance space.You need to build these routines up to the speed of the music in the freestyle sessions before you consider the Intermediate class.

Intermediates (Level 3)

This lesson covers a more technically challenging structured routine which is faster paced to the previous classes and can include styling, spins and turns, and more progressive routine patterns and combinations. You must be more confident with timing and tempo of salsa music, and have an appreciation of good leading and following.

Advanced (Level 4)

This lesson presumes you have a good repertoire of moves sequences at intermediate level and that you are confident with timing and dance with ease to the salsa music in the club after the lessons. The class covers more advanced and technically challenging combinations including multiple spins and turns, and intricate routine patterns. Precise leading and confident following becomes fundamental with these complex routines to enable the moves to be executed successfully.

Practice Dancing in the Club - 9.30pm-10.30pm

Salsa music is influenced by many different rhythms and music styles from different countries. It takes it origins from Africa and in the 1800's was influenced with Cuban "son" - a mix of Spanish music, the African drumbeat and the beat of the clave.

When many US citizens moved to Cuba in the early 1900's, the brass bands which followed contributed brass to the Cuban percussion enhancing the music further.

During the Cuban migration to America during the late 1950's Latin music developed out of Miami and New York where the influx of Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrants merged these Latin styles and sounds with American influences such as the 1940's Jazz.

'Salsa' is an umbrella term created in the 60's and 70's to describe this Latin music and becoming ever more in fashion Salsa has spread in popularity, the music now has worldwide influences.

Salsa dance uses many steps borrowed from different dances. The salsa rhythm is danced over 8 beats and is mainly a 'couple' dance incorporating basic steps and turn patterns where the man leads and the lady will follow. The dancing can be fast and intricate and knowledge of foot positioning as well as leading or following into a move is required to master the dance successfully.

Salsa Solamente