Lytham Club Day - Salsa on the green

Well, the weather looks a bit heavy and it could rain anytime now so it must be a day for an outdoor event organised by Blackpool group Noches De Salsa. Alan has a reputation for outdoor salsa in rainy conditions so no ones surprised.

A reasonable turnout of dancers has assembled near the United States Army Bell Huey helicopter which strikes a menacing pose on the genteel seafront green just south of Blackpool.

We glance skyward and it's black low cloud all around and sure enough it starts to rain the moment that the first latin flavoured bars of music emerge from the beatbox. But it doesn't last long and we're soon spinning, dipping and cross body leading our way round the green. The locals look impressed or is that a look of amusement. Who knows.. A quick rueda and then, what's this - it's the police - moving us on.. No panic though as it's only to make the area safe and ready for the helicopter to take off. It's an interesting, all be it loud, diversion.

When the dust settles the group assembles again for a few more dances including a bachata wheel then it's time to pack up and go just as the sun begins to shine. Almost all of us are going to the local salsa party tonight so it's not long before we are all at it again.

A good day.

Tower Inferno's Back!!

Well it's back - the biggest salsa event of it's type and the North of Englands finest in my opinion.

There were doubts that it was ever going to return. The last was in December last year and a scheduled event for February or March was cancelled with no real explanation as to why... Various rumours abounded from - it's costing too much to heat the place to Jason just can't be arsed.

Whatever - it's back and that's all that matters.

Though not everyone shares my enthusiam for the event. Discussions prior to Friday night with other dancers raised various opinions. Some don't like the music, some don't like the over-long lessons, some don't like the prices. I for one am not too keen on too many disruptions - I just wanna dance.. But it's the tower so I'll put up with some of the 'extras'..

We arrive at just after 9.30 - we bought tickets prior so it's a tenner in - same price as last year if I remember rightly. Through the aquarium, into the ornate brass lift, up to floor 3 and into what must be the best dance hall in the known world. It truly is fabulous. If you haven't been, you should put it on your list of things to do.

The first voice we hear is Rohan Brown - mid lesson with a huge double ring of students around him. No problem, time to buy a drink and mingle with salsa friends and catch up with stories of congresses and trips abroad. Won't be long before we're dancing.

Actually it's quite a while before we are dancing. It's gone ten when the lesson ends - I hope this doesn't sound like a complaint because Rohan puts on a good show and the lessonees have had fun. Personally, and speaking to some of the other old hands, we wanna dance! No matter, it is the tower after all..

Now we're dancing - great!! Barry 'One CD' Gee is on the decks and everyone is happy. Barry gets a bit of stick but I think he's good, playing a good mix of tunes. Smiles all round as everyone throws their best shapes, some in time some not. Getting a bit sweaty now after 30mins of dancing and we are well into our stride. But, what's that? Jason's on the mic and introducing the Dance With Passion Junior Squad. Hmmm, didn't know they were going to be performing.. If you've never seen them, Jason's Juniors are a very talented bunch of youngsters who do a very impressive choreographed routine. They've won championships all over the place so I'm not knocking them but we just wanna dance! A good time to escape outside to cool down..

Soon enough we are back dancing - hooray. More sweat, more shapes, a new DJ - Rohan playing some groovy tunes, a leak in the roof, a safety sign on the dance floor so beware of the water bucket catching drips from the high ceiling, more smiles all round.

Soon enough it's the last tune. Too soon but it doesn't seem like 2am and I must be tired, I just don't know it.

Time to go so thanks to all the ladies for the dances, you are all fabulous. And welcome back Tower Inferno - we've missed you.

Somebody needs to co-ordinate!

Someone needs to co-ordinate!

I’m in a quanrdy….again.

Last weekend there were two good salsa parties on the same night in our area and I had to choose which one I should miss. I chose to go to the Noches De Salsa night at Co-op Sports and Social Club and though I had a great night, as always, with Carol, Alan and all the crowd I am left wondering if I missed out on what may have been an even better night at Salsa Supernova in Lancaster. There were a lot of the usual faces missing from Co-op who must have gone to Lancaster and I’m sure most of the people who were there would have gone to Salsa Supernova if it had been the only one on. So that was Friday. Then Saturday comes around and……..Nothing! Nobody had anything going on!!

Now this weekend on Friday there is Tower Inferno at Blackpool Tower and Salsa Fix party night at Horwich and Southport Salsa Cubana with Banderas and DJ Irmita! And on Saturday Salsa Northwest has Alfredo Torres at Longridge, Preston and Vitelio has a party Over Wyre and just to confuse me further I have found out that Dave and Val have a Summer Salsa Ball on the same night at Preston.

So what’s a girl supposed to do? All of them are within a twenty-mile radius of me and I like them all.

Then next weekend nothing again on Friday unless I want to do a 100-mile round trip to Manchester and Saturday would involve an even longer drive.

So somebody pleeeeaaase lets have some co-ordination. Surely the clubs would all be better of financially if they were not all competing for the same people on the same nights. Let’s get it together guys and girls and see if someone can come up with a system to stagger events across the month. You’d all be better off.

In the meantime…………where do I go this weekend and more important what do I wear? Suggestion anyone? ;-)

Another weekend flies by..

Where did that weekend go?

The only salsa activity this weekend was Friday night with Alan and Carol at the Noches de Salsa party. Held at the Co-operative Club in Blackpool it's always a cheery night and everyone always feels very welcome. It was a warm night and the music ensured that everyone was hot irrespective of the level of dancing ability.

Numbers were down a little on recent parties but no complaints from me because I like the fact that theres more room to move. There's still plenty enough ladies (and men) to ensure that we all can dance all night if we want to.

I had a dance (and a half) with Carol and as always was a pleasure. Thanks Carol.

I, for one, am already looking forward to the next one.

We will be busier next week as theres four parties over 2 nights in our local area.

Colin King classes in Blackpool

Just a quick note as I've got to go and get ready to fly to the Isle of Man to see the TT races for the first time in my life. Hope it doesn't rain..

Last night Ju and I attended the classes held by Colin King at Marton Institute in Blackpool. It's our nearest class to home so it's great that it is one of the better classes around. Colin is a fabulous teacher and is passionate about the style and tradition of Cuban style salsa. You learn a lot about the man's role in leading and general dancing technique here.

Colin is ably assisted by the lovely Elizabeth - a true Latin as she is actually from Brazil - she has body movement to die for. Tonight she is taking the class due to an injury Colin picked up today - don't ask how..

We learn a bit of zook in the warm-up then it's onto the intermediate and advanced classes. Both good and we get a bit 'knotted' in the advanced class. Then a bit of Rueda and off home, happy and a little tired.

Tonights class is held every Tuesday 7.30pm at Marton Institute and he also has a Wednesday class at The Dalmeny hotel in St. Annes also at 7.30pm.

My advice would be, if you want to learn or improve your Cuban salsa you will do well to give this class a try.

An Idea for a Salsa Adventure

The Idea - Well, it's currently just a seed of an idea.. and may not ultimately come to anything but here's the outline anyway. Come up with a scheme whereby I can partake in my 2 passions. Travelling and Salsa Dancing. No, make that 3 things - add to that building web pages.

If this sounds a bit half baked, then it should, because it is.. But bear with me.

The Intention - Travel the country to various salsa clubs and parties see how good or bad they are and report the findings, publish some pictures, gain some comments from other salseros and salseras. Build a website and a blog to convey these thoughts to a wider audience. Invite anyone who has an opinion to tell all us dancers the things we need to know. Where is good, who is good, what are the facilities like, is there air-con, what is level of dancers, which are the best shoes!! and more.

The Aim - To build a worthwhile resource for the salsa dancers of the UK and have some fun doing it.

Will it work? Who knows, but let's get going and see what occurs.

You'll see the development here on this blog or at http://www.salsa-now.co.uk/