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The "Shy Salsero" email on the Toronto Salsa Scene August 23, 2000 Update |
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"The
Shy Salsero" wrote...
I'd like to share this email I've recently received from one of our readers. I'd like for all of you to read this and think what it was like when you first started out. I'd also like the instructors here in Toronto who are on my email list to remember that they also had to start as beginners. I'd also like to have the students/dancers remember that the instructors either do this full time or have a full time job and teach part time. This is also their down time where the can just relax or let loose with people they enjoy dancing with. I will take the shy salseros view to mind and will try to introduce the new and current dancers at Tequila Lounge, a United Salseros promotional event every Tuesday. What follows are a few thoughts on the Salsa scene. Someone somewhere has to put their neck on the line and indicate where things MAY be wrong. I hope you will find them thought provoking and not consider them just a whining complaint. I enjoy salsa, and I would love the scene to be stronger and more active than it is even now in Toronto. I am also prepared to put effort in to help where I can. The cliche 'united we stand, divided we fall' is apt in many ways. What is the turnover of newcomers, who have a few lessons and then leave. It is a truism that it is the beginners and newcomers who are the life blood of any scene. The regulars are the power in the scene and the experienced dancers and instructors are those who can direct the scene to bigger and better things. In that, I believe that groups such as United Salseros can be highly important and valuable. Montreal, two different courses? And a shy Salseros perception of the Toronto Salsa Scene. I arrived early on Saturday, registered and joined the workshop. All the sessions were on 2, as most people there seemed to dance on 1, confusion reigned supreme for many. The first session started well with a basic introduction and a routine that progressively got harder. Those struggling had another instructor on the floor to follow for the earlier part of the routine. Sessions after this just seemed to get harder and many people further to the rear were making negative comments. The instructors seemed to focussing on a vocal group in the front row, demonstrating directly to them on repeated occassions and then moving onto more complex steps. I found this comfusing as it is well known that people tend not to want to make a fuss and slow others down. In England I found the Salsa scene to be helpful and considerate, with the instructors (those demonstrating or as part of the class) making positive efforts to monitor the whole of the class and speak up for those who are more reserved. Of course, this all depends on the viewpoint of the individual. Are they in the Salsa scene for their own > hedonistic benefits or for the benefit of the scene. Most people fall somewhere between these two points and will altruistically aid others. It seems that this was sadly lacking at Montreal on the Saturday. Moving forward may have seemed a good idea. I did for one session, waiting at the front before others turned up. One couple then promptly pushed in from the side. They then slowly moved sideways ending up directly in front of me, repeatedly stepping on my feet and elbowing me, offering shallow apologies and then doing it all over again. I find that repeatedly smacking someone across the back of the head is not approved behaviour, and verbal comments weren't working. Rather than cause a commotion, I eventually moved further back again. One instructor requested that those at the front moved to the side to allow those further back to come forward, 10 out of 30 moving wasn't very encouraging, and then some of those moved straight back in again. A bit of consideration may be too much to ask of some apparently. Leaving aside the shows and the evening dance, the Sunday sessions were a big change from the Saturday. Most of the sessions were right back to basics, and the routines were kept very simple. Perhaps the background whispers had reached the organisers from the Saturday. More people would have been able to learn more had the Saturday and Sunday been reversed. I heard many people voice these comments. The positive points now. The stage shows on Saturday (I wasn't able to stay for the Sunday unfortunately) were spectacular, entertaining to the highest degree and very amusing. That alone was worth the entry cost. The evening of dance was also very entertaining for me, for other reasons. After nearly a year in Toronto (and the GTA) I was eventually able to feel part of the scene, all due to a group from Ottawa who 'adopted' me. As the second part of the joint heading indicates, I am a shy Salsero. I introduced to Salsa in England and I became very active in the scene in the North, dancing up to 15 hours a week. I came to Toronto with great expectations of having a great time, the Web showed a strong salsa scene. I expected it to be friendly and welcoming, what a disappointment. The lessons in England were designed to integrate newcomers into the Salsa scene. Partners were swapped round every few minutes (unless you insisted on staying with your own partner). Once the lesson was over the instructors would mingle for a while introducing people together. I found the scene to be very lively, friendly and active. A few of the more experienced dancers voluntarily took it upon themselves to dance with those who seemed to be a little reserved or alone. All told it made salsa dancing very approachable and comfortable and the scene was growing rapidly with new clubs opening regularly around the area. I was able to help start up two new clubs and I was involved in a couple of street demonstrations promoting salsa. Then I moved to Toronto. As I said above, I haven't felt part of the scene since I moved to Toronto and it took people from another city to bring me in. I am shy about breaking into a group. I tend to put myself into a position where a group can invite me in. Perhaps its my British reserve, I call it politeness. It isn't my style to be aggressive and force my way in. I have asked certain dancers to introduce me around but to no avail. There are a lot of novices out there who want to get involved with salsa, lets act to help not to hinder. Make salsa a strong majority scene, help it to grow more. I have over ten years instructional experience (not in Salsa) and a year as a school teacher. I have been involved in salsa for around 9 months of the last 18 months. Rene's response to the email... First let me first sympathize with you and ask you not to give up just yet.... The Toronto salsa scene is still developing and is just starting to build momentum. Please be patient. Secondly let me say that you are absolutely correct in stating that groups such as Unitedsalseros is very important in every aspect of the salsa scene. There are also various groups who organize outings to different clubs throughout the week just for the sake of having fun. If you would like I could pass on their emails on to you and you can contact them directly. I along with others are also looking at a partner search/swap. Wouldn't it be great if you had a regular partner(s) to go out with every night? Don't worry it will be coming out shortly. Without sounding too brash or egotistical I believe that Unitedsalseros has had a big hand in the recent development of the salsa scene in Toronto. If I am not mistaken we are the 1st local group to hold regular salsa workshops. In addition we hire various other local instructors (train and promote them) as well as volunteers to ensure everyone receives plenty of attention as well as to elevate and promote the salsa scene. Going even further we also offer a free review for a month after the workshop at different clubs (currently Tuesday's at Tequila Lounge) so that you can practice what you learned and not forget. As far as I know this was unheard of before. We are also trying to develop new talent (whether to perform or teach) and have worked numerous times with other instructors and organizors in promoting workshops and special events. There are are only a select few who are willing to promote others even if it doesn't benefit them. What others fail to realize is that in the long run it benefits us all (teachers and students alike). Also, some teachers, such as that of Soles Dance Studio, have practice nights at a club where they go dance and practice. I forsee a lot more of this happening (without sounding like a recording Tuesday nights at Tequila's has been very popular. We had apprx. 100+ students in both our levels). I along with my partners had planned something similar (student practice) since December but just haven't had the time yet. You have to understand that most workshops have 1 instructor, 2 if you are lucky, and even if they have more are not properly situated within the complex to give adequate attention. Hopefully others will follow our lead and go the same route. I already see different teachers working together (whether it be in a promotional or teaching capacity). I hope that it continues and expands. You at least had the nerve to voice your opinion. Let the rest of us have the nerve to put aside our egos and insecurities and work together. Regards, Rene
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