salsa lessons in Cartagena?

Hunter says on Jun 3, 2004, 14:55:

I know a Cuban girl who will give lesson there.

Are you there at the moment.

Hunter

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CuriosJoe says on Jun 3, 2004, 15:03:

next month No, will be there next month. I'm from LA (here is LA style salsa). I need an hour or two to get adjusted. Does she teach colombian style? If so I'd like to get her info.

In general, do they have dance schools and instruction like we do in abundance here in LA? thanks

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Hunter says on Jun 3, 2004, 15:53:

Not many dance schools to talk of in Ctg.

Will get permission to post her phone number and/or e-mail here if she has an e-mail.

Will get back to you.

Hunter

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seattlejames says on Jun 4, 2004, 08:00:

wow......perfect... Since you are talking about dancing......My Spanish sucks and my dancing is even worse...I have decided I need to learn how to dance Colombian style instead of learning Spanish..Go figure...Last time in Disco with girlfriend in Barranquilla, she said no, not Salsa, Samba........Next song, no not Samba, Rumba(something like that)..the next song, no not Rumba, asndjafn(cannot remember name).....Anyways, sorry, will somebody help me know what are the dances in Discos, and how the hell do I figure out which kind of dance to do......

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MigueElCosteno says on Jun 4, 2004, 08:58:

Salsa... i will be in Colombia from June 19th- July 19th..
I have plenty of cousins and friends that dance salsa..
they can teach you what they know...
why pay to learn salsa, when someone can show you for free.!

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CuriosJoe says on Jun 4, 2004, 10:55:

thanks Seattle_James: you may want to check out the links below. Listen to some salsa music you will hear it always has 4 beats, merengue has 2 beats (hence it's easier to dance to). Listen enough you'll recognize it soon.

Migue: thanks! I might take you up on your offer!:)

world dance styles:
http://www.dancefreak.com/stories/dance_styles.htm


Here I copied from the above link about Colombian style

"Colombian Salsa Styles:

After speaking with and watching demos of many Colombians, I've come to the conclusion that Salsa is danced differently all throughout Colombia. In Cali, it is more "showy", in other, more rural parts of the country, it is danced more closely and tightly, with heads touching in some cases. However, the underlying commonality is that there is no forward and backward motions of the feet. It is simply what we call "Cumbia" style, which is feet alternating to the back or to the side. There are not too many fancy tricks, turns, or spins in Colombian style - except if you are a professional dancer, dancing with bands, or competing. I've seen video clips of professional Colombian dancers performing incredible lifts and swinging the girl around the guy's neck, etc., however this is not the norm. This is simply for show. Casual social dancing, Colombian style is much calmer, closer, where both dancer's bodies are almost completely touching each other, from head to toe. "

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Hunter says on Jun 4, 2004, 12:45:

MigueElCosteno offer sounds OK, along as you just want to know a step or two, virtualy no girls know more than that and many of them don't dance those correctly.

My recommendation is a teacher, so whatever steps you do will be correct.

Hunter

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CuriosJoe says on Jun 4, 2004, 13:26:

agree... Yes Hunter I agree. I've been dancing LA style for about 6 years now, and I've had several Panamanian girls try to teach me their local style, but they can't follow a 1 turn lead, forget multiple spot turns. But there must be some basic step in Colombia, I'd like to know what it is. BTW Hunter, so far best salsa dancers in latin america I met were in Buenos Aires (and yes LA style!), but they all seem to be taking classes and watch instructional videos.

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Hunter says on Jun 16, 2004, 11:53:

Ctg dance teacher info: She was a dancer of the tropicana in cuba.

Miriam contact details:

mobile phone is 310 640-4454
casa 665-3951

English....A little.

Her style of salsa dancing, Colombian or Cuban. She dances all types of dance.

Hunter

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santiago says on Jun 17, 2004, 10:53:

Love this subject!!!!!! I have been on this site for 3 weeks you people are great. Now this is a great subject.
I have taken lessons from two different professional teachers from Cali and from several good dancers from Cali and one teacher from Cartagena.

When discussing Salsa styles please remember “we are all dancing Salsa” but in different styles. There is not one style that is the best.
From my experience with all my teachers from Colombia and dancing up a storm in Cartagena is:
In Cartagena, most women do not have any experience in making turns in Salsa or Merengue but the women who are open to learning will really enjoy it. The reason is most men in Cartagena do not make turns.
When I see couples making turns in Cartagena nightclubs they are usually from Bogota and elsewhere.
My Colombian teachers like to teach turns and the beginning step is to the side. First to the left and then to the right. They count the music as most do 1234 5678 hesitate on 4 and 8.

Here is a teacher in Cartagena that is excellent.
You can take lessons with him at the top of the Hotel Decameron after he finishes work there as the activity director. He can furnish a small stereo and music.
Ray Giraldo Marruga 310 640 0171 His English is decent and a super personality.
Tell him James from Chicago will be back soon for more turns.
Santiago

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seattlejames says on Jun 18, 2004, 09:21:

any chance.......... You wrote

"My Colombian teachers like to teach turns and the beginning step is to the side. First to the left and then to the right. They count the music as most do 1234 5678 hesitate on 4 and 8."

Any chance you give explain this is more detail for me. I do not understand the counting part...Here is what crossed my mind.......

1. left foot to side
2. left foot back to middle
3. right foot to side
4. right foot back to middle
hesitate
than do the same thing again.......

I do not understand the hesitate part either.....I am completely lost concerning dancing...I will be in Colombia soon and I am starting to get worried.

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seattlejames says on Jun 18, 2004, 09:35:

sorry....more "Listen to some salsa music you will hear it always has 4 beats, merengue has 2 beats (hence it's easier to dance to). Listen enough you'll recognize it soon."

Again, I am sorry but I do not understand.......Why is it easier to dance to 2 beats than 4 beats? Because of moving your feet? Anything to do with counting? Do they play salsa music in discos? I now own CD's of Mana, Carlos Vive, Juanes, Sin Bandaras, Shikira, Alejandro Sanz.... I realize none of these are salsa, but can I practice dancing to any of these? (sorry about spelling)

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CuriosJoe says on Jun 18, 2004, 13:18:

sweet... thanks all for the info - it's gonna be fun! James, I'll say hello from you.

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santiago says on Jun 18, 2004, 16:59:

Please post a trip report CuriousJoe
Start a “new trend” when you return and post a “trip report” on this site so we can all hear about your trip. I hope other people will do the same.

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