How important is it to be able to dance in colombia?

litost says on Oct 4, 2005, 21:10:

Kinda depends on the kind of people you'll be hanging out with and where you'll be partying. For example, I am colombian but have never been able to learn to dance salsa or even vallenato appropriately (though with enough alcohol in my blood and an interesting partner I'll eventually do it). When in a tropical rumba, I get by with my basic merengue moves, which is very easy to learn and fun to dance. But anyways, the issue rarely comes up because for the most part me and my friends go out to more electronic places or just to sit and have some drinks listening to rock, jazz, or whatever. I would by no means say it is NECESSARY to know how to dance, though you should take advantage of being in Colombia to learn a little, it's fun even for stiffs like me. Another thing, the smaller the city or town you'll be in, the more likely you'll have to learn to dance. Less alternative options.

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utopiacowboy says on Oct 4, 2005, 21:15:

There are Latin clubs all over the world and many of them offer lessons early in the evening. We frequently go to Arjon's a club in San Antonio. Check out: http://www.salsapower.com/cities/index.htm or http://cityguides.salsaweb.com/

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Miguel says on Oct 4, 2005, 23:54:

The beat is obvious... One thing to remember about salsa, is that almost all of the time, the bass line is on the 1 & 3 beat. You most likely have an ear tuned to music where the bass is on the 2 & 4. Try listening for the clave in a salsa tune, and it may help. Like UTC mentioned, most salsa clubs offer free lessons early in the evening.

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Rubiazo says on Oct 5, 2005, 00:19:

1&3 The bass is syncopated, and not on ANY beat. If you want to get the beats listen for the cowbell (when it comes in that is), which is on 1 and 3.
I have to say, not ONCE did I hear cumbia played in any of the clubs in Bogota or in Melgar either! They mainly played vallenato, salsa, merengue, and regueton. Even a 5 year old could dance regueton, although that is probably illegal in many states :P
There are LOTS of rock jazz and blues bars in Bogota where no dancing is required. There are many hardcore rock fans who are very proud of not being able to dance at all in Bogota.

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CanadaMan says on Oct 5, 2005, 03:33:

As long as you have fun................................. As long as you have fun............

Don't worry be happy.....

I like to dance and I want to learn how to Dance the Colombian way.......... I am not shy so I will learn as I go...

Now where are my old Record Albums,

CanadaMan

Formerly WidowerfromCanada...I am engaged to a wonderful Peruviana.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 5, 2005, 05:23:

You would be surprise how many people can't dance in Colombia, I would not worry about, but you can have dancing lessons if you want to learn, salsa for example it's not that dificult.
I am learning to dance Flamenco and salsa and merengue are piece of cakes compare with this.

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DonkeyDust says on Oct 5, 2005, 05:38:

A one ana two. Rubiazo: The bass is syncopated, and not on ANY beat. If you want to get the beats listen for the cowbell (when it comes in that is), which is on 1 and 3.

Hmmm this syncopation thing I have heard of. No wonder it is tricky.
Well if merengue, and regueton are "easy" then I will download some and see if I can feel the music I guess. Then maybe lessons.

Glad to know there alternatives if the dance thing gets blown outa the aqua.

No estoy de acuerdo, necesariamente, con todo escrito. Especialmente despues un poco tomo.

Latitudes attitudes & platitudes.

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elmodefoque says on Oct 5, 2005, 06:07:

I would have to agree with litost, it all depends where in Colombia and what kind of people. I’ll take it up a little further. If you’re gonna be in Bogotá, Medellin, Cali or the interior part of Colombia and will be hanging around with middle class and up colombianos, knowing how to dance is NOT necessary at all, as a matter of fact the more ridiculous you look on the dance floor the better. If I were you I would not take my ass to the poor or black part of Cali, I think they’ll throw your ass right out.
In coastal cities as Barranquilla, Cartagena and Santa Marta, upper class costeñas will tolerate your retard dance moves but you will be the center of their amusement or the clown.
In the poor part of Barranquilla, forget about it, no self respecting poor barranquillera would want your pasty no dancing ass. There, you MUST dance like a Costeño and there is where you’ll see my drunk ass. They think the rest of the country can’t dance didly squat!

I'll get there, when I get there!

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Rubiazo says on Oct 5, 2005, 08:05:

GIB Most times we went out, my gf and I were the best salsa dancers in the whole club. Which is really sad, because she is a very accomplished dancer but I'm just a beginner! It seems very few kids can dance salsa anymore. The same is true here in NYC. The salsa culture is really dying. I was at a party here on Saturday and the DJ put a salsa on, and the WHOLE DANCE FLOOR CLEARED OUT!!
The big exception in Bogota was Quiebra Cantos. A real serious dance crowd goes there.

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Javi20 says on Oct 5, 2005, 09:22:

I think it's important to learn. I think it's important to learn, but it really comes down to what your going out plans are gonna be like. Are you the type to go out and want to dance? Let me put it this way, I was recently in Colombia for a couple months and not knowing how to dance Salsa good SUCKED! I really should of learned. Dancing with all those good looking chicks is awesome and from what I experienced they all go to clubs/bars to dance. I honestly saw like 2 girls say no to dancing the whole time. Wouldn't hurt to learn...

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Crazy4Cali says on Oct 5, 2005, 09:27:

GIB is right no one expects the gringo to even get out on the floor, let alone make any attempts to dance, so you can benefit from lowered expectations. Also, many women are good enough to lead and make you think you are leading so, again, no problem. If you meet someone who expects you to lead and actually know what you are doing, just step on your foot and politely sit that dance out, have another shot of Aguardiente and try again with someone else.

Since the majority of Colombian men seem to prefer to sit on their butts rather than dance (if my visits to La Tienda Vieja are any indication) that you are: a) willing to dance and b) a gringo willing to dance, should work in your favor when it comes to forgiveness. The women will be thrilled to dance with you (unless you are complete clutz, in which case, you just have to stand there, wiggle your but and spin the woman alot) and the men will just scoff and turn away, but who cares what they think, they aren't even trying to dance.

That said, if you stick to reggaeton, you can't go wrong. Even a gringo with two left feet can dance to reggaeton.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 5, 2005, 10:07:

Elmo, what happened to your previous advice that for a gringo dancing the funky chicken was the surest way to paradise?

In answer to the primary question of this thread, it's not important at all. But, in my experience, Colombians are not uptight about technique or knowing the right moves. What is important to them is that someone has some rhythm and feel for the music.

If all else fails, paste a US $20 bill on your forehead and everything will be fine.

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oldbongo says on Oct 5, 2005, 10:08:

no problem dance like an egyptian

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elmodefoque says on Oct 5, 2005, 10:21:

Mr. H, I still stand by my previous statement, gringos doing the funky chicken in an upscale disco/club in Colombia is a sure way to paradise. Upper class colombianas will step all over each other to get to you, especially when they see gringos doing that move very similar to an epileptic attack, but don’t expect the same reaction from colombianas in the south part of town or the broke ass neighborhoods. .

I'll get there, when I get there!

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Miguel says on Oct 6, 2005, 02:08:

Bass not on any beat? That's flat out incorrect; syncopated, it is.
"Defining Syncopation. In my book What Makes Music Work, I define syncopation as "the shifting of an expected accent , moving it from the usual strong beat to a beat that is usually weak. " Other writers offer similar definitions. For example, Miller, Taylor, and Williams in Introduction to Music write: "The shifting of the accent to a weak beat or to an off beat is known as syncopation."
(Philip Seyer)

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ARMacleod says on Oct 6, 2005, 04:55:

What is Dancing? Dance? Que?

An outward sign of an individuals sexual prowess, or possibly a recession to their most basic roots, a mating flourish to attract the opposite gender. Or, St Vitus (aptly named) or what.

Dance , yes I love to dance, but for different reasons. The film ‘Scent of a Woman' where the ‘blind' De Niro, (bless his little cotton socks) danced his heart out with the ‘Tango'

THAT WAS DANCING.

Dancing is an art, a majestic show of the human bodies ability to be graceful and disciplined. Everything else is sexually orientated. (I have no problem with that)

Salsa, Tango, Flamenco, etc, think about it, a discipline, an art, a regime or whatever. Professionally done they are a thing to be adulated.

90% of the gyrating antics done on the floor are no more than modern antics to attract a partner.

The other 10% are to embellish or enhance an already established partnership.

Dance your heart out, for whatever reason. At the very least it is good excercise.

My stated facts, although interesting at times, are generally irrevelant.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

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Hunter says on Oct 6, 2005, 10:05:

ARMacleod Wasn't is Al Pacino in scent of a women?

Hunter

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lpdiver says on Oct 6, 2005, 11:31:

Baton Rouge has A club that gives lessons every Wednesday for 5 bucks. Great place to learn and find nice latin women...


T

"cook some rice!"

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