https://open.spotify.com/track/2oBwQARKHtY007iSHNxkOQ?si=Y7UjLqGUTQqk2Cp87zGx2A

It’s from a more obscure underground band called the Brooklyn Sounds, when I first heard it I started freaking out and got chills down my spine; it was like I had discovered a sound and vibe I didn’t even know I was searching for, but I found MY style.

There’s something magical about this sound. It’s dark, eerie and melancholic. Intimidating, almost. It was almost like a completely different genre of music when I first listened to it, just a completely different vibe than normal salsa.

Their whole discography is a hidden gem on its own, but something about this track in particular stands out to me and I just can’t stop listening to it.

Gday folks, I'll preface this by saying Ochun y Chango by La Excelencia is probably my favourite song right now, even though I can't rumba for shit 😅 https://youtu.be/MQ1GfSJNFGw?si=ZHwiPENBkkmeohJd

That lead up from ~2:38 into the "beat drop" at ~2:43 feels explosive and it doesn't look back. I love dancing to that, so I'm looking for more songs that fit that trend: - Starts relatively comfortable - Well defined switch to more energy +/- a build up to it - Mostly holds that new style/energy for the rest of the song - Not just a switch after a short intro (ie already had some bars to work with before the drop)

Other songs I've already found as examples: - Permiso Que Llego Van Van by Los Van Van - La Gripe by La Maxima 79 - Yo No Sé Mañana by Luis Enrique (it's a soft switch but it's there I guess) - Aña Pa' Mi Tambor by La Excelencia - Tras La Tormenta by DJ Ricky Campanelli - Échale Madera by DJ Ricky Campanelli, Jimmy Bosch - Somos Cubanos by Los Van Van - Ayer by Gloria Estefan - La Salsa Nunca Se Acaba by Susie Hansen

Looking forward to hearing your recommendations!

Would anyone recommend I watch salsa videos of people social dancing to get better as an intermediate follower? Does it help to get a better sense of different patterns?

I dropped in at new studio for the first time tonight and found that several leads in the intermediate/advanced class treated me like I couldn’t dance and critiqued me when I didn’t just do a move (I was waiting for it to be led. I was able to do the combo just fine with leads who were giving proper signals, so it was not a matter of lack of skill). I looked around and saw that when other followers danced with the leads who gave me trouble they were able to do the combo flawlessly. I kept watching and eventually caught on that they were just doing the choreography since we already know it and can go without needing the lead.

I wanted to ask the instructor if for this class we are just supposed to be doing choreo like i imagine you’d do performance type class, but was scared to offend. This was just advertised as a regular partner work class, so I thought I was supposed to wait until the lead got it. The instructor rarely corrected anyone and just kept adding on to the combo. It was not a hard combo and I could do it all, but again I was waiting to be led.

Has any other follow ever experienced this, or in general a lead being rude because you couldn’t follow them? Do you ever just do the choreo because you know it in some of your classes?

Escribí una canción de salsa que se llama “Barrio”. Llegó a entrar a los charts de iTunes Salsa & Tropical en la posición #10 sin promoción fuerte. Me gustaría invitarles a escuchar la canción. Si les interesa, les paso el link. Si me mandan una captura que guardaron la canción, también les explicaré cómo lo hice para llegar a la posición número 10.

About 2-2.5 years ago, this dude I knew from Lindy Hop asked me to let him know when our group would have Salsa/Bachata classes.

He told me that he didn’t need to take beginner classes at this point in his dance journey. He can pick up the basics just by watching people dance. His experience is 20+ years in Lindy Hop and all the other related jazz dances (Charleston, Bal, etc.) To his credit, when I did watch him dance Lindy, he was good at it! But I was annoyed at this comment.

Fast forward to earlier this year, I saw that he and his gf started taking beginner classes. Initially I thought he was just doing it for her. But I started seeing him show up to classes on days when she didn’t or he would go to a couple of dances where she didn’t. But I started noticing that he would stand on the sidelines a lot and not ask people to dance.

Where was the confidence that he had?! I know it can be intimidating to ask say our teacher or one of the advanced dancers but there are plenty of beginner follows or more intermediate follows that I dance with a lot but I don’t see him asking them…

I know I’m being an asshole and I so want to play the “I told you so” card but man it’s so frustrating when a dancer from one genre just assumes they will pick up everything easily going to an unrelated genre… 🙄

That being said I will try to be less of an asshole and encourage him to dance with more people. I encourage newer leads all the time to ask more follows to dance. I just didn’t think I have to encourage him….

I have been taking lessons for several months, and can dance pretty well when the instructor is saying which moves to do.

During social dancing though, I have no idea. My mind goes blank, my rhythm falls apart, I sweat way more because I'm stressed out, and it is just an awful experience.

I want to make a small, cell phone sized list of 8-10 combos I can refer to- like a boxer or something. I know that isn't how it is "supposed to" be, but it is really an impediment to practicing- I just do not go out social dancing because it is a disaster.

Anyone here make a list, and if so, want to share which moves you put on it? Thank you!

Hi, I'm travelling to Cali to learn salsa and continue lessons. Does anyone have recommendations for group classes. I'm mostly looking for LA style (not the harder Cali style) but would be open to any style of salsa to help generally improve! Thanks in advance!

Any classes/socials nearby? Here for a week, wanted to know if there are any places you would recommend!

I'm a lead that's been learning Salsa since November. I'm currently learning at an intermediate level and for a long time I wasn't sure if I would be good enough to do a dedicated salsa social that was outside of drop in classes. Although I may have done a few socials after class, I never went to an actual proper social session before.

I was nervous about going but fortunately many people from my class were there. A few of them I danced with multiple times. I had a pleasant time dancing with those I hadn't seen before, but the biggest surprise were the number of beginners that came which was amazing. I hadn't expected that and it was really fun dancing with them.

Of course I still have a long way to go. My timing was still a occasionally off, sometimes was a little indecisive over my next move but overall I was really happy with how the day went. Most importantly I got to have an after social ice cream and some drinks with some from the social, many of whom I hadn't met before, so was a nice bonding experience too.

So for those that wonder whether you're good enough or not, just go! Honestly most of the people there were super friendly, we laughed at our mistakes instead of being angry and it was good vibes throughout.

Just curious about your various regions and general vibe.

I think venues shrink because when the number of people and technicalities rise the base fades out. Then the intermediate people either drop out and do other stuff or become equally hardcore.

I love social science. So yeah I ask these questions lol

Helllo :) I am a new follow, learning on 2. I’ve been taking a class 1x a week for 3 months. I am currently on Holliday and will go 3 weeks without going to class. I don’t have the option to go out dancing where I am. Does anyone have any suggestions for good online videos for follows to solo practice with?

Thanks so much!

I am an improver level follower and had a lesson somewhere different yesterday. I am used to doing inside turns that end on the 1, by that I mean on beat 7 i am facing away from my partner and don’t turn and face them until 1 when i do basic backwards. However in this class, the inside turn was supposed to be completed on the 7 so you face your partner on the 7. I found to do that you have to turn a lot quicker on the spot and it kind of threw me a bit. I am unsure if you are supposed to be facing your partner on the 7 and I’ve picked up a bad habit or if you are able to do either. Can anyone clear up the proper timing for an inside turn?

I think its salsa, a cuban style maybe, its in spanish , HELP!

I was on a dance festival lately and I enjoyed this one https://youtu.be/OOlBa4E5R10?feature=shared
the lyrics are also cool and it has a nice change in the middle.

I’ve been dancing salsa since January and want to do a three-week, self-guided deep dive somewhere where lessons are cheaper. Where would you go for lots of budget-friendly privates? I live in LA and am considering somewhere in South America.

🌎🔥 “El Juego del Poder y del Amor” 🔥🌎

No es un álbum… 👉 es tu historia de amor, pérdida y renacimiento.

💃 Salsa con alma.

🔥 Drama con fuego.

💔 Amor con verdad. ¿Te atreves a jugar el juego? 🎶

It is not too popular, but for me it is very beautiful and different.

https://youtu.be/KEXq9WLq8ho?si=ilUpYW1OhcjlRQSX

Anybody know of any good places to salsa dance in San Salvador or any surrounding areas (beach areas)?

Also does anyone know if they dance linear on1 down there?

Thanks!