Russell's Story...

People are quick to attribute natural talent to individuals that excel in an area of study.
Salsa dancers are born, not made, one would say. Although this has some merit, I believe it's not entirely correct. I believe good dancers are good practitioners of dance, but people are born lovers of dance. This might explain the rush one feels when surrounded by rhythmic beats as well as witnessing the suave movement of two confident dancers. Salsa as music, as dance, as an art form, expresses this as well as any dance expression I've observed.

I was at a large south Orange County club, which has since foolishly canceled its Friday salsa night, when I first got my taste of the spicy genre. No live band, mind you, just a DJ spinning popular Latin tunes while several skilled couples burned up the floor. I must say that the experience was as intimidating as it was exhilarating. I'd been club dancing for years, and fancied myself quite good at it, but this was something different. These couples were in synch, they moved gracefully together, they expressed their love for the dance with each other. But unlike your standard ballroom dance, the Latin music retained the deep, sensual percussion sounds that everyone loves to move to when dancing contemporary club mixes. This music had it all.

I was at the club that night with a Cuban friend of mine. She knew the basic steps, and I quickly followed up with her,albeit from her lead ( it's interesting to note that since that first night, I lead her now, as it should be?). No cross-body leads, no pretzels, nothing fancy, just getting a chance to move with this new audible sensation. I was hooked at that moment.

Several months passed, during which I practiced what little I could pick up from watching folks at the various clubs around L.A. and Orange County. I wasn't learning fast enough for my tastes, however, so I made the decision to take some classes.

That was a sobering experience! If there is one thing about partner dancing that a man needs to understand, Salsa included, is that a strong, confident lead of the woman is a must.

I attended these classes without this particular skill well developed, and found a lot of the woman much better at leading me than them! Some were patient with this, other not so patient. That's when I decided I would need private dance lessons to really get where I want to go. That was a dozen lessons or so ago ?

What is so exciting about the art form is that it is a skill you can bring into a long-term relationship.  Because salsa can be such a passionate expression, it blends beautifully with two people who are in love with each other. I know several married couples who salsa dance, one in particular that is phenomenal, and the dance becomes an extension of their love affair. Que rico ! Can you ask any more than that from a dance ?

With that being said, I suppose I'll be dancing Salsa in some capacity for the rest of my life. It has even become a requirement for whatever woman God chooses to bring into my future (hey ladies, are you finding this to be true for you too?) My future wife doesn't have to know how, just as long as she's willing to learn right along side me.

And that's my salsa story. A little long perhaps, but complete. Much thanks to you Edie, La Salsa Freak, for the opportunity to share our love for the music and dance with salseros all over the Internet. Love, peace, and God bless.

Russell can be reached at russell@salsaweb.com