Info for Beginners  

ABOUT SALSADELIC

Salsadelic is a salsa dance teaching and Latin promotions company run by Graham G, who has a background in the Arts and a passion for salsa dance and salsa music. With the support of a talented team of Midlands-based dance teachers, in recent years, Salsadelic has introduced countless people in Coventry and Warwickshire to the spice and fun to be had in learning to dance, Latin-style !   

We have weekly club nights in Coventry where salsa is taught at a number of levels and which culminate in a Latin party. At The Village Hotel, you can just turn up any week and take a Beginners Class at 8.45pm. You can also join our Beginners Group at the Spencer Club during our next intake 'window' which is any of four Tuesdays in September (8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th)

And when you get into your stride, we have top monthly weekend parties with guest teachers and performers from far and wide at our party venues, The Canley Club and The Colliery Club. Dancers attend these events from all points of the compass.  

IS SALSA FOR ME ? I'VE GOT TWO LEFT FEET

Anyone can learn to dance salsa ! It's a great way to stay fit and meet new people. You don't need a partner because we rotate dance partners during our dance classes (it's the best way to learn). And it doesn't matter if you have two left feet - everyone has when they start ! That's why we have classes.

Just turn up at one of our club nights and we'll get you started. You don't need to book and we guarantee we'll have you dancing confidently to our hot latin beats in a matter of weeks. All of our established dancers really are testimony to the fact we turn two left feet into latin heat - they started with us, just like you, as a beginner.

There follows some answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and some footage of dancing - we suggest you have a browse, then, if there is anything more you need to know, call the InfoLine 07732 948877

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need a dance partner?  No. Unlike ballroom dancing or rock n roll, which is partner-orientated, salsa is socially very gregarious. You will dance with everyone in your class, and during the practice sessions and parties, the etiquette is that ladies ask the leads just as much as leads ask the ladies - and the general rule of thumb, almost always observed, is that it is against the spirit of the dancing to turn down a request to dance

What do I wear? It's casual, not formal or 'dressy' especially on weekly club nights and courses. Wear something you are comfortable moving in. Dancers tend to dress up more for Saturday night parties.

Do I need dance shoes or special footwear? No. For leads, shoes with a 'slippy' base, or even trainers are fine for the first few months. For ladies, flats, court shoes with a flared heel, trainers are fine if you do not have a dance shoe. Just avoid stilettoes or boots which may harm a dancefloor and, whatever you wear, ensure your ankle is supported

Is there any age limit, upper or lower ? Social dancing in bars, clubs and gyms is largely an adult pastime, so if a parent is considering bringing someone under the age of 18, ring the InfoLine to check on the appropriateness of the venue. Regarding upper age, there's no ageism ! if you are able bodied, then you can learn to dance !

Can I just turn up or do I need to book? For 'drop-in' Club nights you can simply turn up, for courses, we would advise you to book in advance

Is it good for my social life ? Very, but beware ! Salsa is addictive ! It really takes off, when, after a few months, you have the confidence to start coming to our weekend parties. And there are weekenders, and dance holidays. You'll find a salsa club in every major city in the world.  

SAMPLE FOOTAGE OF SALSA DANCING

The links below are to salsa videos people have posted on Youtube. These videos give a good flavour for what salsa is all about. Enjoy the dancing but don't let it put you off. Many of the dancers in the videos are teachers or performers so dont be put off by the level, most people dance for mainly for fun and are not as good as the dancers in these videos. 

Introduction to footwork terms used by most salsa teachers

Step: a foot placement followed by a weight transfer over that foot.

Foot placement: selection of a particular spot on the floor and the movement of the foot onto it.

Weight transfer (also known as a weight change): a shift weight from one leg to another.

Complete weight transfer (also known as full weight transfer): a shift of weight so that one leg bears all (100%) your weight.

Partial weight transfer: a shift of weight so that both legs bear a part of your weight.

Tap: a foot placement without a transfer of weight over that foot. Try standing with your weight on one leg, and tapping the floor with the other.

Replace (short for replace of weight): moving your weight to where it was  just a moment ago. Strictly speaking, after a step is taken, the free foot remains where it is (in place) on the floor and weight is moved back onto it.

The tap and the replace are related: the tap is a foot placement without a new weight transfer; and the replace is a weight transfer without a new foot placement.

Null beat: A beat in the rhythm that is not "used". For example, in salsa there are four beats per bar of music: three dance beats and one null beat. Steps are taken during each dance beat, and no steps are taken during null beats. This results in the step–step–step–wait pattern of the basic salsa.

Highlight (also known as an adornment): Some dancers decorate the null beat so they it with a highlight. It can take the form of a tap, a flick of the foot, and so on.