Counting on Salsa

1, 2, 3, pause, 5, 6, 7, pause…. I am in the middle of a free Salsa dance class and having trouble with the pauses. My husband shoots me a look like there is no way we’ll get these steps down. We are learning the basic eight-count step. I just need to walk back and forth to the beat, but I get mixed up repeatedly. It helps when the instructor has us close our eyes. To really tune in to the music, we practice clapping on different beats, and I can manage to count to eight again.

We are practicing the “On 2” style of Salsa, popular in New York. “On 2” means that the dancer moves on the second beat. If we were in Massachusetts, we would probably dance the “On 1” style, so Connecticut dancers need to be bilingual. I am not very coordinated, so just counting to eight is enough for me for now. When we start to move our arms a little, I am in over my head.

 

Would I do it again? I love the music, and this class was fun to try, so I think I will be back for more. My husband, though, is all done with Salsa dancing.

Vinnie's Jump and Jive

Learn to Dance Salsa: Basic Steps for Beginners

The free lessons are offered on Friday nights at Vinnie’s Jump and Jive in Middletown, CT. After a few free lessons, students who are ready are invited to join the beginner class.