March 17, 2004 --

Hi, I would like to take latin dance lessons in Toronto. Is there a dance school, restaurant, or club that teachs this that you can recommend? I would like to go where there are young hip professional people my age (30). Is there anythig like this available? Thanks Bonnie

Hi Bonnie, I suggest you start by checking out the downtown clubs and checking out the dance studios listed on our instructors' page. We don't specifically recommend any one school or club as there are many to choose from. If you still need more information, you can also go to our Beginner's Guide to Salsa.

January 25, 2004 --

Hi, my name is Leighanna Terry and I am supposed to perform the salsa for my school in febuary but I don't really have any idea as to what the salsa really is. I have tried to find videos that teach you how to dance the salsa but I haven't found any. I have to perform the traditional salsa. If you could help me to understand the salsa, I'd be very appreciative. Thank you. Leighanna Terry

Dear Leighanna, you don't have much time, I suggest going to the clubs and checking out the salsa scene and taking some of the lessons either from the clubs or from some of the instructors we have listed on our pages. Rose

January 18, 2004

Hi ! My name is Lisa-Marie ans i'm 21 years old. I have a question for you. Is there any courses of salsa ( TO salsa ) in Montreal ? where ??

Thank you very much and have a nice day ! good bye, Lisa-Marie !

Dear Lisa-Marie, there are lots of salsa schools in Montreal, you can check out the following websites, www.salsafolie.com, www.latindance.com and do a search in google.com. Hope this helps, Rose

August 6, 2003 -- lessons

Hi there, Could you please recommend a location for salsa lessons in Toronto on Tuesday or Friday evenings for absolute beginners? Preferably west toronto (college and spadina area). I really appreciate the help! thanks, sue

Dear Sue, we don't recommend instructors as it's individual preference, so please review our Instructors link at the top of our website and start calling. Rose

August 3, 2003 --

hi i want to learn salsa because i love the way they dance and some of my friends do it as well where can i find lessons?

Dear Eo Boakye, it looks like your email is from the UK, I suggest doing a search for UK salsa dancing and you'll come up with a bunch of sites. You can also check our links section for links to sites in the UK -- there's tons of them. Rose

July 23, 2003 -- Attire...

I will be attending my first salsa club this coming weekend and I would really like to look hot! Please give me some suggestions (like black pants, tank top, high heeled shoes, etc.) so that I can knock em' dead. We are even getting lessons first, so hopefully I won't step on my partners toes too much. Thanks for taking your time. Andi

July 23, 2003 -- Re. Attire

Hi Andi,
You've actually answered your own question although you may not have known it at the time you posted. Black pants, tank top and high heel shoes are always acceptable regardless of whether the club is strict on their dress code or not. You could wear a silver tank top to go with the black pants-always a good combination (my favorite actually).

One thing I must caution you about: If you decide to go to the club in a dress, make sure it has straps. This way, you don't have to worry about it falling off while you're dancing. This is particularly important if you have a large chest. HOWEVER! If you have that funky tube dress (or tube top) that you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO wear, make sure you use double-sided tape so that you can tape it to your chest. Personally, I don't want to take the chance of flashing anyone, nor do I want to go to the trouble of taping my chest to the garment so I always wear something that has straps. Believe me, I've learned from experience. Fortunately, I didn't give anyone a peep show. -- Salsera

July, 23, 2003 -- Salsa Studios in Steeles Area

I believe the Peter Djarkovic (Dancing Thru Life) holds a class at Goodlife on Woodbine & Steeles.

Alternatives are weekend or club classes that will give you time to get downtown. Either way dont let distance hold you back..... Its a great hobby! -- Anonymous

July 18, 2003 --

Hi, My friend organized 6 Salsa classes and I really liked them. Now I am
thinking to continue taking the lessons. Could you please recommend any Salsa classes that are taught by professional instructors? I want to start with the beginner level. I live around Bathurst and Steels. I don’t have a partner. I can take the class in the evenings or weekends. I would really appreciate your advice. Thanks, Marina

July 14, 2003 -- Recommendations for studios?

Hi, I found your site from a friend who is a salsa enthusiast. She brought my friends and I to a salsa event a couple weeks ago and we took the intro lesson and loved it! When the night progressed, it was incredible to see the level of dancing in that club and I was thoroughly impressed and would like to learn. Given your long standing salsa history and presence in TO, are there any good, reputable dancing schools that my friends and I can call to get group lessons? Unfortunately, many of us live up town (north of Steeles) and because of work, many of us can't make it downtown or even mid town. Is there anything you could recommend uptown for us to take salsa lessons in?

Your help is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance, Lisa

Dear Lisa, even though I have been around for a very long time in the scene, I don't really always know where all the classes are being held and it's not fair for me to recommend as I rarely have time now to go to classes and check them all out. Hopefully one of the readers can help you out... and the best place to start is to review our Dance Instructor section and personally talk to the instructors themselves to get more information. Rose

July 12, 2003 -- Re. Casino Rueda (Salsa in a Circle)-Message for JC

The only place I know where I've seen Casino Rueda being done is at the Courthouse on Fridays since it's large and spacious. It's located at 57 Adelaide St. E (Adelaide & Church). If you get there early, you sometimes see some of the people doing it. If you ever happen to be in Toronto for a very long period of time you can take lessons at City Dance Corps as they offer lessons in Casino Rueda at various levels. Check out their website at www.citydancecorps.com. Like yourself, I also recently discovered Casino Rueda as City Dance Corps did lessons at the Courthouse for the month of June. To this day, I regret only taking one lesson with them. Fortunately, I got to practice some of what I learned that night since the guy I danced with that night (whom I met through partner search) is really into Casino Rueda and I got to dance with him and his friends. This is the group I'm referring to at the beginning of this post. I hope this information is useful to you and that you manage to check out the Courthouse and/or City Dance Corps sometime -- Salsera

June 7, 2003 -- I Need Information

My name is Karin and i'd like to take part in a salsa dance course. i am 16 years old and very interested in staying fit and looking good on the dance floor. My question is: i don't know how to approach any dance studio, and let them know that i am a beginner in this area without emabarsing myself. and besides i don't have a partner to practice it with. please i would appreciate some advice. thank you! -- Karin

Dear Karin, my suggestion is to just call up the dance studios close to your home and talk to the instructors personally about any questions you may have. Regarding dance partners, usually they are not necessary because most classes will rotate partners in their classes as many people start on their own. Most schools will rotate. Please check out our Guide to Salsa for Beginners. Rose

June 3, 2003 -- Merits and demirts of multiple concurrent lessons

This responds to an interesting question posed by Dancing Dad (neat handle J - would it be better to take a break from current class or take classes in two (or more) places concurrently?

I have been battling with that question too. I want to get better, quicker without bankrupting myself with private lessons. So I signed up for second set of progressive lessons while continuing with the first one. It took a week to get used to the instructors method. Since then it has been a lot of fun learning new moves, dancing more (I’m not great at practicing on my own at home) and dancing with a different group of people in a progressive class. I don’t know if I am getting better quicker but I am certainly learning different moves. So I am finding multiple classes useful and fun.

Once I started enjoying two nights of lessons per week, I found that two wasn’t enough. So I have started becoming a regular at the drop-in at Accesso (Eglinton and Avenue) on Friday night. That makes it three lessons a week. I’ve been doing that for a few weeks now and can’t have enough of it (at least as yet).

I am curious to hear about other people’s experiences at this

Cheers n dears, Wizard

May 24, 2003 -- Mens Mutilple Spins

I find very little on men's multiple turns. Can you point me to Video's, DVD's, VCD's. I've read about Seaon Stylist on Salsa Video Reviews. The review was not bad but also not great. There have to be others. Thnaks, Michael

May 8, 2003 -- Characteristics of a Good Dance School

I would rather argue over a Merlot about the merits of throat singing than debate the authenticity of Cuban centric dancing versus Toronto centric dancing. Quite evident and sad is that amongst a city with a population of millions, some writer thinks, there exists just one authentic Cuban dance style instructor. I wonder about the others. Do stand up and be counted or must we accept the inference that this style is fast becoming a relic. I won’t be dashing off to Cuba any time soon to authenticate my dancing style. I am quite certain that Cubans are great dancers just as many Canadians are, as great but different.

A dismissive label, ‘strong European bias’, being offered up as an argument is less than impressive. I certainly hope that the mentioned great instructor does very little of telling a student what he/she is doing wrong. If more time is spent telling a student what he/she is doing wrong, then less time is spent teaching a student what he/she should be doing right. Male and female students alike, it is of advantage to learn from both a male and a female instructor, preferably in class together. Let the discussion be centered around the good characteristics of dance instructors or school rather than sing the praise of an instructor, school or dance style.

I tend to lose interest quickly when it, the topic drifts off in the direction of authenticity of a dance or Champagne. -- Richard

March 16, 2003 -- 1.1.3) Private Classes or any.

Hello there. I am looking for a way to dance. I love to dance yet I don't know where to learn. I have taught myseld country dancing, and Swing. I want to learn how to Salsa, and ballroom but I don't know where to look. If you could help me out that would be wonderful. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you. Have a great day! I live in Fort Collins CO. if that helps any. Thank you again. -- Crash

Dear Rose, I just needed to bring my not-so-pleasnt experience to all the Beginners. I hope you will post this.

In Fall of last year I enrolled at a 'known' dancing place for Salsa lessons. I had to pay the entire amount upfront. No problem. I 'thought' being a recognized place it would provide me with the kind of training which would meet my expectations. The Instructor was great. Though the entire class never danced to music (just warmup) the basic was well taught (LA Style). So I thought I should enroll myself for level two.

When I called to enroll for level two I was told there was a level two class starting the next day. I could walk in and start. The timing was perfect. When I turned up and paid again upfront for the entire class I asked what style was being taught and pat came the reply: "Cuban style. But, don't worry LA and Cuban style are pretty much the same. You will pick up fast." I thought to myself : "Ok, I could do with both styles." The class was a total disaster to what I had experienced at level one. The instructor didn't know how to teach. All that was expected of the students was to follow the instructor's step. The music would be turned on and the instructor dancing in front expected the students to follow. If they could not the instructor would show impatience by clucking and shaking the head. Three classes later students began dropping off like dead flies. The best is yet to come. Despite the poor turnout I still slogged on. After all I had paid for this and was keen to learn. (I am a quick learner but provided somebody show me the initial steps.) One day I asked the instructor if I could be shown the difference between Dancing on 1 and Dancing on 2. Pat came the reply : "They are the same. Dancing on 1 and Dancing on 2 is only for the books! All the same." I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or simply disappear! This was the last straw. I never went back to the instructor or the place again. And I have spread the word to my friends who are considerable to avoid the place for salsa.

My point is, Beginners are dedicated people who spend time and money to know, feel and master this passionate form of dance. We do our homework and when we choose an instructor we do it hoping to be a better dancer and learn something more/new by the end of the class. If we just wanted to have a good time we would go to a club, take a free dance lesson, have fun and go home. We might be Beginners but we are NOT dumb!

So Beginners, a friendly warning : Don't blindly rush in to call an Instructor or a place of Dance just because they have an impressive list of credentials. There are plenty of good dancers out there but not all make good Instructors. And Instructors: Be warned, we might be Beginners but are not DUMB!

I wonder if there are any dissappointed Beginners like me out there. Who feel cheated of money and time. For the least one can expect of an instructor is to be patient and know how to teach.

Beginner Nick

Dear Beginner Nick, that's terrible! After all my years of dancing to hear someone who gives such lame answers about the style of salsa they teach, don't even know the difference between 1 and 2, and they expected you to just follow what they were doing -- makes my blood boil, and gives the rest of us a bad reputation which we don't deserve... You're giving me ideas of how to change that... be on the look out and thanks for sharing your experience... Rose

January 31, 2003

Rose, Its good to read that you are a volunteer at United. To give your time and knowledge to us 'wanna-be's' tripping over our shoe laces shows us lower level guys that some people out there have a heart. I wish you all the best and maybe when this foul weather is over I'll take some lessons. regards the wanna-be Ed

Thanks Ed, I would like to think there are more "hearts" out there... come up and say "Hi" the next time you're out... Rose

January 5, 2003 -- Instructors

First of all I'd like to thank you for creating this site - it's been extremely useful to me. I am an absolute biginner and currently looking for a salsa instructor. Your site has a long list of instructors, but I was wondering if you can recommend one or two instructors that you've received positive feedback on or would take lessons from yourself... I don't know if this is something you can do - I hope you can. Thank you again, Slav

Dear Slav, it would be absolutely impossible to recommend one or two as every person you talk to will have a different opinion as to whom is a better instructor to take classes with (even when Ziv and I talk in general about Instructors in Toronto, we have our own differences on this subject). And depending on dancers' own experiences, we all have our absolute favourites and unless you've taken lessons with all the instructors in Toronto, there is no fair comparison.

My suggestion is for you to pick the instructors who teach in the general area you are willing to commute to or is closest to you from our instructor listing and talk to them personally. If you feel comfortable with their answers on the phone, then take it from there... Another route is to go to some of the drop-in classes in various clubs in the City to see some of the instructors and teaching styles and if you enjoy what you learned from that instructor, then maybe that's the route to go. If you want more information on how to pick a good Instructor, then check out our Guide to Salsa for Beginners or articles in our Beginner's section including "Picking a Good Instructor". Rose

I'm planning a move to toronto. I live in newbrunswick right now where i currently do ballet. I've done jazz and some modern. i would love to get involved in some salsa, i really believe i would be good at it. If you can give me some information on different classes that i can take that would be great. thanx a bunch! Amanda

July 20, 2002 -- Lambada classes?

Hello, Do you know any schools/instructors that teach the lambada? I learnt a few steps whilst holidaying in Brazil and am really keen to continue with some classes. Thanks for a great website! Regards,
Irene

Dear Irene, my goodness it's been years since anyone's mentioned lambada. Sorry, I don't know if anyone teaches that here anymore since the movie came out back in the early 90's. When it was the craze, I was in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and that was the main dance craze at that time. Maybe the readers can help you, but for fun, I did a search on lambada and came out with some interesting sites:

Lambada in the UK is still going strong it seems, click here.
A music and folklore site on Brazilian dances, click here.

May 8, 2002 -- dance lessons

Hi there Team Salsa, in finding the "woman of my dreams", I/We have also found that we want to learn how to do 'the Hot Latin stuff' on the dancefloor; ...but don't know where to take/get free lessons at a workshop, or 'Salsa event'!! ....we think that this, (a workshop or event), would be our best shot at getting some lessons, gratis; AND, see some acomplished 'latin dancers' in action. Soooo, any help you have for the 'Trini Queen and the Wild Irish guy', would be greatly appreciated. Sean.

Dear Sean, well if you're looking for free classes and a place to see great dancers, there's lots to choose from plus if you keep following the "What's Happening" section of our home page, you'll see lots of salsa parties where free lessons may be included along with some great performances to inspire you. Where can you find some free lessons (usually included in the cover charge of the club): Tuesday at Tequila Lounge or Berlin Nightclub, Wednesday at Babaluu or Bar One, Thursday at Babaluu, Friday at Courthouse OR Sundays at Left Bank. You can check out our club listings for all the details... Hope this helps, Rose Knows

May 8, 2002 -- cuban dancer/Vladimir

Hey, This is a message for Kathy. I took lessons with Vladimir last summer and I know that he still teaches. I do believe that he teaches at La Carreta (Cuban restaurant), 2579 Yonge St. (north of Eglinton),(416) 322-9677. I hope that helps. Nikki
P.S. Rose! Your site is awesome!!

May 7, 2002 -- cuban salsa

Somewhere on your site I read an article about a cuban salsa teacher called Vladimir who teaches at the Spanish Center.
Could you please tell me how I can locate this person or where I could see or learn this type of dance. thanks, kathy

Dear Kathy, sorry I have no idea about where Vladimir teaches now or what clubs you can watch cuban salsa dancers, but maybe one of the Readers can help you. The one time I could remember seeing Cubans dance was at the TLN Latinfest at Canada's Wonderland; and/or if you go to any of the clubs where a cuban band is playing. Hope that helps.

April 30, 2002
Dear Rose, I want to begin salsa. I live close to Yonge & Eglinton Area, could you email me where is the closest location for me to go? Thanks, Leila.

Dear Leila, the closest place would be Berlin's on Tuesdays with Jennifer and Giovanni; and Martha Hicks Dance School (where the post office is on Yonge across from Berlin's), usually United Salseros teaches in there on different days. I would suggest that you go to our instructors page and check out all the instructors to find out their location and times. Have fun learning -- Rose Knows

April 27, 2002 -- Any Cubans out there?
Did anyone get any information about Valdimir at the Spanish
center? Is he in Cuba? Is he still teaching at the Spanish
Center? Does anybody know of any other places where they teach Casino in Toronto? Or any other any other Cuban salsa instructors in Toronto. Viva Cuba y Colombia !! Daniel

April 20, 2002 -- Vladimir and casino
This after seeing the Casino/Rueda thread. I am interested in checking out Vladimir as a teacher... anyone know how to get in touch. He doesn't seem to advertise or list himself anywhere... tx Artie

March 10, 2002 -- casino lessons?
Do you know any good Casino teachers in Toronto? I have taken lessons in Cuba and I would like to continue. But Valdimir at the Spanish Center doesn't teach there anymore. Do you know happened to him? Soles teaches casino, but not Cuban casino. Besides, you have to take a private lesson if you don't want to be stuck in Casino Level 1 and it almost costs as much as the course !! Please help me. I am desperate -- Daniel

Dear Daniel, sorry, I'm not very familiar with the Cuban style of casino or who teaches it. Possibly one of our readers may have more information -- Rose

November 7, 2001 -- Eager to Learn...
hi!! I'm willing to take salsa lessons but I don't know where to go. I live in bayview and sheppard and I work in downtown eaton center. Thank you, sherry

Dear Sherry, there are many instructors around central Toronto. I highly recommend that you check out our Instructors Page and decide for yourself as everyone has different preferences in terms of schedule, location and the type of instructor they prefer learning from. If you're not sure how to start, then check out our new Guide to Salsa for Beginners. Good luck on your search -- Rose Knows.

February 9, 2002 -- where can I go for classes
I live in the Brampton area and am interested in taking salsa classes for beginners. Where can I go??? -- Julie

Dear Julie, we have an instructors' listing with all the instructors who teach salsa and it lists the regions they teach in -- Rose Knows

January 19, 2002 -- Salsa Classes in Mississauga
Hi, I came across your site accidentally and am very happy I did. I am new to Mississauga and new to Canada so I dont know many places. I am interested in learning Salsa (and other Latin dance moves) but don't know where to start. I am sure that at first I will feel self-conscious but I am an energetic dancer. My father is Cuban and though I have never been to Cuba I feel a certain pull towards the music and dance that is a part of that heritage. My mother is Jamaican and I grew up there for for the most part and I can dance a mean reggae! I am in my late thirties so I wouldnt want to be thrown in amongst a class of teenagers, I would find that quite daunting but please give me any advice you can. Thanks again for being there -- Denise

Dear Denise, welcome to Toronto Canada. You'll be happy to hear that the dance classes listed on our site do not contain teenagers; and you'll find a variety of dancers in the clubs ranging from their 20's and up. I would suggest calling the various teachers in our Instructors section and talk to them to get a feel for what they teach and if it fits in with what you want to learn. If you're looking for an instructor in your area, Mississauga, you may want to check out Eric Angel as he teaches in your area. You may also want to review our Beginner's Guide to Salsa to help you with any other questions you may have. Good luck and have fun on your journey through dance -- Rose Knows

August 31, 2001
Hi, Rose: I heard from a friend that Tequlia lounge offers Salsa dance classes. I went there myself last Tuesday. The classes were great! I just had a little bit intro lessons elsewhere in the community. I had a great review on everything I've just learned. I really wanted to try to dance with partners to try out my skills, so after the two hours classes I droped my shyness to ask a men over at the bar while he was taping on the floor and looks around (bad choice), he said he rather wanted to have a beer... I really wanted to find a hole in the floor. I have never done this before, I wanted to go home Right Now!!! but after coming all the way after work from Scarborough, I just cannot give up! So I watched other people dancing and I collected my courage again. I asked an other gentlemen next to me who was also watching the dancing crowd:"Would you like to dance with me? I am still learning. Nobody likes to dance with me." (I think at that moment I really looked liked a little girl.) He did dance with me! I finally overcame my fear (I think). I hope more people will be willing to dance with people who are still learning. I really appreciate that gentleman. Thank you, Hue!

Also, thank you Rose for creating such a site for us to get more information about Salsa in TO -- Lucy

I've been taking classes for a few weeks and finally managed to work up the nerve (and convince a friend) to get out to a club. We went to Plaza Flamigo and had a FANTASTIC time. I would like to recommend it strongly to other timid beginners. It's a really nice space and the crowd was incredibly relaxed, friendly and outgoing. It took less than ten minutes to forget everything I had been worried about. We had no trouble finding partners, danced like mad all night and had a deliriously fun time. Best of all, there are pre-club classes on Friday and Saturday from 8:30-10:00 so you can even bring your non-salsa friends and they won't feel lost. They may even end the evening fully converted! -- Jill>[}

July 2, 2001 -- Best club for Students
Hi Rose, I just read that e-mail by shy salsero and would like to recommend Tequilla Lounge on Tuesday nights. I'm writing for all the newbies that are approaching the intermediate level, since you'll know enough moves to last at least one song. I've been to most of the salsa clubs here in Toronto and the one with the best atmosphere has got to be Tequila Lounge.

First, dancers are'nt snooty, meaning they won't be overly selective in who they dance with and will try dancing with beginners or someone they've never danced with.

Second, people are really easy-going and there to have fun, which is a huge relief for those of us who are shy or just learning. There doesn't even seem to be a dress code. I've seen people wearing jeans and even shorts, it's max relax! (Mind you, the majority of the people do get dressed up, so spare the shorts for golf.) Another thing I've noticed is that I always see new faces as opposed to the same regulars who have their own clique. If you ask a girl to dance, chances are she'll say "Yes!" -- Sam El Newbieo

PS Has anyone noticed there's no bouncers at Tequila Lounge? (either that or they have a very subtle presence). At Babaluu, they have bouncers the size of small buildings that make you wait at the door for no apparent reason, just another detail that adds to the relaxed atmosphere at Tequila's.

PPS Keep up the good work Rose, I luv your site!!!

June 17, 2001
Hi Rose, I got your email from the tosalsa.com website. I was just wondering if you could PLEASE recommend a salsa teacher (preferably FEMALE) in the SCARBOROUGH area that will be teaching THIS SUMMER. I have previously taken salsa lessons (beginner & intermediate) levels. However, the teacher I normally go to is not teaching this summer. Your reply is greatly appreciated!! Thank you for your time in advance, Michelle

Dear Michelle, I'm sorry to say that I personally do not know of any FEMALE salsa instructors in the Scarborough area -- the closest teacher in the Victoria Park & Steeles area is Peter Djakovic of Dancing Thru Life. Was there a particular reason why you wanted a female instructor? Most good male instructors also know the ladies steps and have some basic concepts of ladies styling. Hope this helps, Rose Knows...

April 18, 2001

Hi Rose! A fellow salsa classmate just put me onto your site and it's great. I'm hoping you and/or contributers might be able to offer some advice: I'd call my dancing skill early intermediate. I've taken 2 six-week classes and make it out to the clubs about twice a month. I'm finding the classes I take are really focusing on teaching new routines, which ultimately focuses on the guys learning new routines to spin us around to. Class is fun but when I get out to the clubs, I'm really no further ahead in terms of being able to follow a good lead where he and I didn't learn the moves together. Could you suggest a class, workshop or instructor that I might turn to (ha ha) to help me follow and brush up on technique generally? Many thanks!!! Elizabeth

Dear Elizabeth: At first I was going to suggest what classes you might want to take to help you with your technique, but I then realized after re-reading your email that you only go out and dance twice a month! To become a good follower, you need to go out dancing at least 2-3 times a week consistently! Like you, when I first started, I took 1-2 classes a week and only went out to the clubs once or twice a week and had a few dances. It wasn't until I started dancing at least 3 nights a week non-stop during the salsa sets that I started to improve. What surprised me the most was the fact that having many different male partners actually helped improve my skills at following as you have to adjust your lead to each one; but also continue taking classes or workshops with different instructors as you will learn something different from each one. Click here for more great tips on dancing-- Rose Knows