Dear TOsalsa!

Dear Readers, we don't have always have all the answers, so any feedback will be helpful to fellow dancers!


Date Dear TOsalsa... Our Response or Reader's Feedback...
Dec 25, 2000 Hi, I used to be the correspondent for OH for Salsaweb, so I always used it as a resource. I was wondering if you have heard of a group "salsa katz entertainment" or something like that? I believe they were supposedly based out of Toronto or Mississauga. Maybe the name Maria de la Rosa rings a bell? If you have heard of this group please let me know. Dear Readers: I am happy to report that thanks to your contributions, we were able to pass on the info regarding Salsa Katz Entertainment Group. This is one of the main purposes for this website -- to provide a networking source for the dancers.
Dec 17, 2000 "I was at this Salsa Club and this guy asked me to dance. Being hopeful that he was a good dancer, I said yes. Well, he proceeded to put his hands all over me, his knee between my legs, and his hands under my shirt. How does one avoid guys like this? What made him think this was OK?" Dear Slightly Embarrassed:
Unfortunately, you're not the first person to go through this scenario and definitely not the last. Every one in awhile, even I have to go thru the humiliation of wandering hands, and usually, they are drunk! If they're not, then it's usually the type who thinks he can get away with it because "nice girls" are too embarrassed or polite to cause a scene and these types know it. But in the case of mildly wandering hands, you can either move them back to where they belong and give him a firm look to stop that nonsense. If he doesn't stop, then I would walk off the dance floor in the middle of the song. Your case was fairly extreme and if I were in your shoes, I would have probably have walked off the dance floor and/or given him a piece of my mind! and depending on how far his knee was and/or how high his hands were under my top, well, I'll leave it up to your imagination as to how I might handle it...
Nov 26, 2000 "What are the opportunities in Toronto for someone who loves to salsa but is allergic for cigarette smoke?" Dear Reader: Unfortunately, there is no club in Toronto which bans smoking -- unlike LA, where they promote smoke-free salsa clubs. The only time they are smoke-free is if there's a Salsa Convention in town or if you decide to go to one of the World Salsa Conventions coming up. If you are only mildly allergic, check out the clubs which are full of salsa dancers only as many dancers do not smoke. For example, Sundays at Left Bank is less smokey than Bababuu and Tuesdays at Tequila is less smokey than Berlin's. Rose Knows...
Nov, 2000

"Do you know where I can get some instructional videos on salsa, merengue, cha-cha, etc?"

"I've been looking around the city for Josie Neglia's instructional videos, but I can't seem to find them anywhere. Do you know of any local retailers or individuals who act as distributors for her products?"

"Hello TOsalsa, I've just started learning Salsa and Merengue. Can you recommend some music cd's, instructional videos, beginner classes, or the like."

 Dear Readers: At Super Latin Music at St. Clair W., you can find a great selection of latin CD's and some of the instructor's videos, such as Josie Neglia from LA and Razz-M-Tazz from NY. You can also check out the various salsa websites which offer videos for sale, but they will all be in US $, plus shipping. Rose Knows...
Oct 27, 2000   "I just want to say that I went to last year's salsa convention and thought it was the best event I have ever been to. I loved the show and the different style of dancers and it has inspired me to get better at salsa."
Oct 26, 2000 "Do you happen to know of other studio's in other cities? I am looking for classes in the Hamilton/ Burlington area. I would appreciate your help. Thank you."

Dear Reader: Unfortunately, we don't have any contacts in the Hamilton/Burlington area; and none of our readers seem to have any information either. Good luck in your search! Rose Knows...

Oct 1, 2000 Hi, I'm a Salsaholic living in downtown Toronto. I was wondering if anyone has any info on Calle Ocho, 2001 in Miami. I just heard about this annual event and I want to know if this would be a good vacation idea. I understand Celia Cruz closes the festival every year... I want to see her live while i have the chance. Thanx in advance... Dear Reader: Although I haven't had a chance to go myself, Calle Ocho would be a wonderful vacation. For the benefit of our readers, Calle Ocho is a latin street festival held every year in Miami in March with lots of bands playing outside and many other festivities -- it's probably a little bit too early for them to announce what their plans are, but we will definitely post this info as it becomes available - Rose Knows...
Sep 26, 2000 Hello, I'm on your mailing list and I wondered if you could help/direct me. I'm interested in Salsaerobic videos. I love dancing and I thought this would be a good way to stay fit, with an aerobic component. Do you know of any good videos? I was thinking I could order them through the internet or something. I know there are some available online, but I don't know which ones are any good. Thanks a lot, I appreciate it.

 Dear Reader: Unfortunately, I haven't checked out these videos myself and unfortunately no one has responded so you are on your own! But if you happen to live in Toronto, I know there are Cardio Salsa Classes in various gyms around the City. It just so happens that Giovanni Torres (Los Salsomano Dance Company) is teaching a class at Lifesport, Yonge & St. Clair, around lunch-time on Fridays and Saturdays - Rose Knows...
 
Sep 22, 2000 Patricia  

It would be a great idea if there were comments after every latin club. For example, when I've gone away and checked the web for clubs in (wherever) it'll tell me, small dance floor but comfortable. The type of crowd, it'll tell us if good dancers frequent there and so forth. It gives us a better idea for what were looking for, and what to expect.
Sep 21, 2000 Lexa on Salsatheque in Montreal   This club is so much fun!! I lived in Montreal for 1 year and couldn't miss one Thursday night! There is no cover charge on Thursday night and drinks are $2.00 before 12:00 am. This club is great the environment is all about having fun. The decor is very tropical with the palm trees lining the lit dance floor! The people that go aren't pretentious and they know how to party!! I definetly recommend this place to anyone visiting Montreal!
Sep 20, 2000 I have heard from somebody that there is a fairly new club called "Las Brisas" (I am not sure if I spelled it right). I think it might be a Colombian club. I have you heard anything about it? If you have where is it as I am trying to find out where it is so I can check it out myself. Thanks!

Dear Reader: Unfortunately, we've never heard of this club, so maybe it doesn't exist or they gave you the wrong name - Rose Knows...