Hello Readers, I've included an update from the "Shy Salsero"
on the Toronto Scene for 2001!
"The
Shy Salsero" wrote...
Rene's response
A Salsera's response
(8/23/00)
"The Shy
Salsero" Update for the New Year (1/4/01)
Old-Timer's Response
to the August 23rd Email (1/15/01)
Rose Knows response
to "cliques" (1/19/01)
Rose Knows response
to "dancing with others"(1/19/01)
Intro from Rene Delgado of United Salseros
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.
"the
shy salsero" wrote:
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
Wed, 23 Aug 2000
Subject: Saddened by the situation
I can totally sympathize with the shy salsa dancer from England. I
too am new to Toronto. I moved here from Montreal four months ago
and have been having difficulty "fitting in" to the Toronto
Salsa scene. There are some really great people here who share my
joy of dancing and I am blessed to know a few of them. If it weren't
for them, I would have given up on salsa by now.
I started dancing ballroom last November and as a compliment to my
training, I was shown salsa. I fell in love with the form right away.
Although I do not speak Spanish, I felt an immediate bond to the music
and very rarely can sit still long enough to catch my breath between
numbers.
I have only had a few opportunities to take workshops this summer,
but I try to get out to the dance clubs 2 or 3 times a week. Sadly,
the story is always the same. The same faces keep popping up in the
various salsa clubs, but most of the strong dancers only mingle with
the intermediate level ones at arm's length or not at all.
There in lies the problem. Although there is never an excuse for bad
manners, (no one likes to get their heel stepped on or their head
smacked by a flying arm), I do feel that more can be done to encourage
up and coming dancers. I am a strong intermediate and have never been
known for me shyness, but it breaks my heart to be turned down by
the stronger dancers and instructors. How's a girl to learn if those
who are better don't challenge you to excel? If you are showing up
to the clubs, I keep making the leap of logic that you are there to
move your body on the dance floor.
It has happened on more than one occasion that I have given up on
the people in the room and simply gone home dissatisfied. Maybe things
are different here in Toronto, but I was taught that if you are in
the room and the music is playing, it is assumed that you are there
to dance. If someone asks you to dance, you say "yes". If
you keep saying "no", you are going to run out of partners
eventually or become stale because you keep dancing with the same
ones.
I am not very good at Bachatta, but I never say "no" when
someone asks. Why? Because if I don't practice, I will never progress.
I don't care if the guy is six inches shorter than I am, dances with
spaghetti arms or is even trying to pick me up while we are on the
dance floor. I dance with them for two reasons: first, because I went
to progress and second, because I know from personal experience how
damn scary it is to ask someone to dance. It can be a real mood killer
when they turn you down.
So what is the bottomline lesson that I want to impart? If you are
there to dance, then dance, and then dance with as many different
people as you can. Don't turn them down, don't say "yes",
and then mysteriously disappear and perhaps most important of all
is to keep in mind that just because you are dancing with a someone
new, do not automatically make the assumption that your partner wants
more from you than just your time on the dance floor. In other words,
just because a woman or a man accepts your invitation or asks you
to dance with them does not mean they want to sleep with you. Sure,
I want to make friends, but what I really want is to dance. I would
hate to think that the two are incompatible here in Toronto.
I don't mean to start a bitching session, but I am somewhat frustrated
by the current situation. I dropped out of the local scene not so
long ago for about 5 five weeks. My irritation with how things worked
here just got the better of me. I have just recently gotten back into
the swing of things because I love to dance and I don't want to give
it up. I just hope I can hold on until the environment becomes more
user-friendly.
I want to thank you Rene for giving me a forum to speak my mind. I
don't care if you decide to flush this e-mail or not. At least it
has provided me with an opportunity to vent some of my frustration.
I appreciate it more than you can probably realize.
Julie
A.k.a. Saddend by the situation
Jan.
4, 2001
Firstly my apologies to TOsalsa, I haven't been checking your site.
I am full of remorse, but now hope to maintain contact.
Since my original article I have noticed changes at Tequila Lounge,
very much for the better. A policy of getting people to introduce
themselves (although in a different format than I expected) seems
to me to have improved the atmosphere in the club (virtually smoke-free
also helps). Perhaps it's just my perception, but it's rapidly become
a favourite of mine over the alternates available on the Tuesday.
Thanks to Rene for making the changes, I feel easier about asking
someone to dance who I have already met, even if it was briefly.
Since
that time I have re-visited England and was happy to be able to pass
on my Toronto experiences to some of the instructors in Manchester.
They passed on their regards and were very interested in the developing
scene over here. Hopefully Manchester will grow as Toronto is (similar
population but different demographics). I was asked to join in a brainstorming
session on how to improve matters in Manchester and this helped me
to realise something important about the salsa scene in Toronto, a
very good point.
The way this particular club was talking was that they wanted their
club to become more popular. I shall repeat that with emphasis. THEY
wanted THEIR club to become more popular. The Toronto scene seems
to be a little different (with some notable exceptions I had the misfortune
to come across in my early days in Canada last winter). How? Many
of the instructors and clubs seem to be very open about salsa, not
so much of a ME, ME ME thing but more of a community culture. Enough
of the instructors are open enough to try to encourage people to dance
salsa irregardless of where they then go onto. The salsa scene can
then grow and everyone can reap the benefits. Congratulations and
keep up the good work. It reminds me of a comment I heard once about
patents. The originating company only benefits 30% from their own
patent and 70% from others. Hold onto your own too closely and you
have your hands too full to take advantage of other opportunities.
Be selfless rather than selfish.
I am bearing in mind my previous missive whilst writing this. It seems
to be that the instructors are fairly open about their instruction
while many of the stronger dancers stay in closed cliques. Also, don't
forget that an instructor can become one of these 'stronger dancers'
when not teaching. The better instructors tend to welcome openly everyone
they know (debates on degree of sincerity aside) and this helps make
a newcomer feel welcome. We still need the stronger dancers to support
this initial movement.
Incident I saw in one club recently made me feel disgusted. The class
had just started, no excess ladies so I stood and watched. One man
had been dancing but had stopped. His partner was still trying out
the steps and he was ignoring her. I wandered over, picking up the
steps from others still practicing and I offered my help. It was quickly
refused by him. I moved away. It was obvious that the lady couldn't
do the steps and was noticeably out of her depth but her class partner
was ignoring her and refusing to help. Later on during the class she
came over and we danced for a while. Yes, she was definitely out of
her depth but she was willing to try so I spent a fair bit of time
helping out. In the social time afterwards I made a point of going
over to dance freestyle with her.
Debate aside about whether she should have been in that class, the
attitude of her first class partner was (in my own opinion) very uncivilised.
I saw him dancing later, and yes he was very good. Arrogant? I don't
know. One question I would like to have asked and got an honest answer
for -- Would he have tried harder had she been 20 years younger and
a lot prettier? A new thread for discussion perhaps.
January
15, 2001
"Just wanted to say that I agree with the salsera
from Montreal (Aug. 23rd response). Being a salsera old-timer
myself, I also tend to find it slightly difficult to get back in the
dance scene. I don't go out very often, but when I do, I find that
there seems to be salsa cliques, and that they seem to stick together.
I guess they are used to each other's dancing style and enjoy dancing
with one another. However, guys and gals give other people a chance.
You may just find another dance partner. Besides, variety is the spice
of life. Anyways, just wanted Montreal salsera to know that she is
not the only one who feels this way. I guess that is the price you
pay for dropping in and out of the scene". -- Old-Timer
January
19, 2001
Dear Readers: Regarding
the comments about "cliques" -- Although you may
not believe it, even I was outside the so-called salsa cliques for
the first two years and only got to know them in the last year-and-half.
The way I look at it, what everyone calls "cliques" is just
a misnomer for dancers who have been on the scene for so long and
have forged special friendships or kinship with other dancers who
share the same passion they do -- the love of salsa dancing. But in
many of these cliques, the relationship doesn't end there.
When you're out so often, you start to call each other to find out
where the "regulars" are heading out that night so you can
be sure to have someone you know to dance with. If you're in a real
need of a salsa fix, you want to make sure there's enough dancers
that you like to dance with at the same place.
Also, God forbid that you pick a club that's
filled with the pick-up crowd or people who have absolutely no idea
how to dance salsa. Then as you start to call other dancers, you also
start finding out more about the person you're talking to -- they
are real people with another life and interests you may or may not
know about. After all, when you're in the club, who can have an "intelligent"
conversation when all you hear is the music blasting all around you
-- or you haven't had a chance to sit or mingle 'cause you want to
dance to every song that's playing. There's many a night I would say
to my girlfriends, "Let's talk when we get to the Club",
and then we're on the floor dancing all night with our friends. Or
you start to develop a stronger bond as you find they share the same
depth of dance interest or goals you do and therefore, will tend to
do more activities together, such as forming a dance troupe or plan
to go to a dance convention together.
Regarding the point about shutting others out -- for many, when you've
had a long day at work or are stressed out, sometimes you just want
to be left alone or spend some time with your friends, and maybe have
enough energy for one dance or two to get your daily fix for the night.
Believe it or not, some dancers within the cliques have nights where
they don't even want to dance with each other! Also, for the regulars
who go out at least 4-5 nights a week, they don't need to dance non-stop
every night; and usually get pickier about the songs they dance to
and possibly who they dance with. I agree, there are some dancers
who absolutely will not dance with someone who is not their level,
but there are many others who will. Being a female, I've had my share
of rejection too, and don't forget men suffer from that as much as
women do. Another reason a girl may reject a guy is if you've had
enough dance "accidents" as I have, there is nothing worse
than a beginner dancer who tries tricks, dips and other crazy moves
on a crowded dance floor and you become the "punching" bag.
In
response to dancing with others, let me share my experiences
of how to "fit in" and/or become a better dancer so you
can start dancing with the "strong" dancers.
Obviously unless you have friends who dance salsa already, you have
to be pretty brave to "stick it out" until you make new
friends to "hang with" in the clubs. When I first started,
I hardly knew anyone in the salsa scene; and I would go to the clubs
on my own. It was tough because I was "new to the scene"
and was too shy to go up to guys myself and ask them. I would watch
on the sidelines on the one or two nights I went out and would wait
for the guys to ask. Then from my dance classes, I started to meet
people who regularly went dancing in the clubs and we would go religiously
one or two nights a week and have a blast. After about a year, most
of them dropped out of the scene and I was stuck again, not knowing
anyone. I went to the clubs by myself; but because I didn't have the
nerve to ask guys to dance, I would go home "not happy"
as I couldn't get my salsa fix. I realized that if I wanted to get
my fix I would have to start getting the nerve up to ask guys to dance;
so I decided that I would ask any guy who I thought was a "great
dancer", a teacher or was a dance competitor. They didn't all
say "Yes", but that didn't stop me from asking someone else.
When I made that decision, it was a turning point in my dancing for
these reasons:
1. From dancing with so many male dancers, I learned to adjust my
reaction time as a "follower" to their lead, which made
me more desirable as a dance partner.
2. With some dancers, I formed a "dance connection" right
away, or surprised them with the fact that I could "follow"
so well. They became my new regulars each week and sometimes we would
dance whole salsa sets together cause there wasn't anyone else at
the club that night who we bonded with.
3. As I started going to the classes or workshops with the more "dedicated"
dancers, I also got to meet some great male dancers that I normally
hadn't seen or met in the clubs before. And when they did, we would
ask each other to dance.
4. I also took the initiative to talk to the male dancers who were
interested in practicing or learning new moves and we would get together
for an hour or two on a regular basis.
5. To become really proficient at salsa, you can't expect to be great
from one or two nights a week -- most of my friends, male and female,
dance consistently for hours at least 3-4 nights week at the club,
plus take dance classes/workshops for at least 6 months to a year,
depending on your dance background.
In
other words, you can't just stand around and expect to "fit in",
you have to work at it. If you want to dance with "stronger"
dancers, then you have to take the initiative yourself and analyze
why they may not want to dance with you. Can you dance their style?
Can you give them their fix? If not, then take some classes or workshops
or maybe you just need to find a partner who wants to practice and
become a "strong" dancer. For the men, learn how to lead
well. And that doesn't mean a "tug of war" -- there is an
art to leading. Some of the best male dancers have a lead that is
so precise and feels "like butter" when we dance. It's all
up to you -- it's your choice whether to take action or just stand
around. And maybe one day soon, you'll form your own "circle"
of dancers/friends you like to dance with -- Rose Knows...
Dear
Readers, if you would like to add your comments or feedback, please
feel free to email us and
we'll post it up!