Episode 1: Salsa Apretada (Salsa in closed position)

Upcoming SalsaMatics Workshops May - Paseas,Enchuflas, and Exhibes June - Turnillo August - Miami Style Casino Salsa September - Salsa Suelta October -Havana and Santiago Style Casino Salsa November - Tricks, drops and lifts December - Miami Style Casino Salsa Part 2 January - Performance Workshop February - Contra-Tiempo and Son March - Lead and Follow Styling Workshop

May 6, 13, 20, and 27th of 2010

We often find ourselves as Casino (Cuban) style dancers, dancing to complex fast Timba Salsa in small crowded clubs. Usually the best music and dancers are found in the most crowded of clubs. At times, the music calls for a break from open and larger movements. Still wanting to dance and express ourselves we have developed a workshop series that focuses on the closed position in Casino Style Salsa. Our techniques are drawn from a variety of sources including Danzon, Son, Casino, Salsa Linea, Tango, and Tai Chi. Our workshop starts with the basics adapted to crowded intimate dance floors, and covers travelling, rhythm changes, posture, connection, communication, turnillo, adapting complex moves to club situations, Paseas, Habaneras, and Suelta Detrás. Learn to lead and follow anything in a relaxed friendly environment without all that yanking, pushing and pulling to communicate with each other.

4-week progressive workshop series

Every Wednesday in May7:00pm till 8:00 pm at The Beat Dance Studios: 2560 9th st., Berkeley

$12/ drop-in, $40 for all 4 sessions

Schedule:

May 6th - Pasos Básicos y Más

* posture/connection/communication

* postura/entregarme/espejo

* pa'l medio, caminamos, son montuo, abajo, exhibe, DQN, DQN con ganchos, girar, pequeña adiós, coca-cola con mano, dile que si, DQN con giro, 7, 7 con coca-cola

May 13th - Footwork in Salsa Cerca, Habaneras and Traveling.

* closed position footwork

* DQN en tres direcciones

* closed position rhythm changes - 2 ways to switch to contra-tiempo with your partner, as well as 3 other rhythm variations.

* basics of moving with your partner around a crowded dance floor without hitting anyone.

May 20th - Paseas y Suelta Detrás

* entrances to Suelta Detrás footwork positions

* lead and follow Suelta Detrás footwork

* Paseas from a closed position: pasea pa' abajo, pasea pa'arriba, pasala a lo cubano, coca-cola pa' afuera, cross-handed travelling

May 27th - putting it all together

* quick review

* dancing in the club: club style versions of your favorite basic moves: dos y una loca, setenta, vacilia, y dedo.

* beginning turnillo in closed position

*lead and follow with no hands

We hope you join us as we dance and develop together a style that is uniquely The Bay Area.