Salsa City Forum » Salsa Music and Dance » Newbie - Lessons in cardiff

Hi everyone. I’ve been Uhming and Ahing about joining a class in Cardiff for months now and have finally decided to take the plunge. Can anybody give me a lowdown of what classes run in the City centre and on What night, what the turnout is like. I have checked out the rest of the forums but I keep getting lost as to what is where. Either that or direct me to a list that I can look out for the best night for me

I have danced salsa before, and have done a lot of other dance when I was younger. I tend to pick things up quite fast but would definately be starting in a beginners class.

What’s the ratio of men - women like for partnering - when I used to dance before I had to learn both parts - the teacher liked to use me to demonstrate the female steps, while I had to dance the male steps with my partner.

I’ve read the information on what to wear but just a quick query - Obviously rubber soled shoes are not good because of the lack of movement, but can anybody recommend some relatively cheap low heeled shoes. I have very weak ankles and while they will be strapped up I would prefer to boots for the extra support. The only heeled shoes I own would not be suitable. The closest I have are ballet character shoes - which are ok but not ideal.

As you may have guessed even though I have danced before I’m really nervous about lots of things.

Thanks for your time and I look forward to hearing from you :)

Hi, the best night to learn and dance Salsa in my humble opinion is Thursday night in Bar Risa, Joungleurs. See link, http://www.dancalatina.com/Risa/risa.html

The night is very well structured and there is good development as a salsa dancer through the classes. The music is great afterwards and people are pretty friendly to dance with. In terms of foot wear I have seen a fair few people using Jazz shoes that have a split sole. They are good for weak ankles as they are nice and close to the floor. These dance shoes are pretty good on the wooden floor that stays clean the majority of time that I’ve danced there. See link, Dance Direct

There are other nights in and around Cardiff, see links for different nights, home page here for example. Or see links,
http://www.salsamap.com/SearchListing.aspx
http://www.salsajive.co.uk/salsa_reg_cc_sw.htm

I hope all this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

I agree with Stellan about Bar Risa. It’s usually very busy. Gender balance varies from week to week but isn’t bad, and the teachers won’t ask you to dance the male steps unless you want to.

That sounds great!!

If I can make it I might pop in tomorrow to check things out - just look for the lonely newbie LOL.

I think I’ll stick to my old character shoes for the first few nights and strap my ankles up well - before I splash out. It will be great to get out and dance again. I’ve really missed it

Hi Arianwen,

Definately give Bar Risa a go, I think you’ll prbably really enjoy it... the social dancing after the classes is always good.

If you’re still feeling raring to dance when you’re done there come along to Number 10 on Mill Lane. We’re open til 2am and play a variety of Latin Music including Salsa, Merengue, Bachata etc.

We offer classes too but to be honest from what u say u want ours prob wouldn’t be suitable... too basic I think.

Anyway, have a great night and hope to see u on a dance floor soon!

Lisa :)

Its all dependant on the shoes LOL. I’ve just discovered my character shoes no longer fit - all my others are rubber soled, although I do have one pair that may work.

I’ve talked with a supplier who is trying to get a pair of teaching shoes across from swansea for me to try tomorrow, but eitherway I may turn up just to watch and get a feel for the atmosphere

Hi Arianwen,

Yes, Risa is the biggest and best night as the classes are run concurrently by thee different teachers.

The fact you’ve danced before will certainly be to your advantage. When you were taught before, I’m guessing that the teacher was probably keen to use you to demonstrate the female steps because you were a good follower.

The best way to improve is make sure you dance after the class, however I for one appreciate that it can be rather daunting to go and ask someone to dance, it took me almost three months to begin asking. My advice is to ask someone during the class, will they dance with you after the class or ask the last partner you dance with in the class.

With regards to the shoes for this week, just wear your least grippy flattest pair the Risa floor is nice and smooth and you shouldn’t be doing much spinning for the first class, just some simple stepped turns.

Have fun, Good Luck!

Hey Guys... what about O’Neill’s on a Monday!! Always have a great time dancing in there... and whenever I have got there to catch the end of a class there’s always a good male to female ratio and Charlotte definitely knows her stuff...

Actually to be honest Arianwen you can’t really go wrong with any of the people listed on the front page and recommended here on this thread. You may want to try a few places to see what kind of night, what style of teacher, and what kind of class suits you. If you have the time check out the forums here for people teaching at the more local classes in the local fitness centre, social club etc too as that sometimes suits people more, (although judging by what you have said this may not be what you are looking for, but just in case!). Also there’s absolutely nothing wrong with having more than one teacher... best way to learn and improve in my opinion rather than sticking to just the one... that’s all just in my humble opinion of course but I at least hope it’s of use! :-)

Ok now the shameless plug!!... feel free to come down for dancing at No 10 on a Thursday... as Lisa has mentioned our beginners class may be a little too basic... unless you are pretty sure you need to start with beginners and get a good ‘re grounding’ so to speak... we also have an improver level class. We are a new and growing night so although our class numbers aren’t huge (yet! ;-) ) we can offer a more personal touch... (much to the satisfaction of the students we have so far).
Also currently our classes run one after the other which some people prefer.

Enjoy Risa tomorrow night, you will have a fab time with great teachers and if you decide to play the field (teacher wise!) you know where we all are!! Have fun and I look forward to seeing you on the dancefloor soon. :-)

Welsh Wizard.

Hi again Arianwen,

I endorse what Welsh Wizard has said certainly also try the other classes as well to see which suits you best. The other main nights are O’Neill’s on Monday’s and Cuba on Tuesday’s. The classes on these nights are run consecutively by one teacher and their assistant. The advantage of this is that when you are ready to move up a level you can do more than one class for a little or no extra cost.

Thanks for the endorsement Dai. :-). Also the other advantage of consecutive classes is that you don’t get that ‘chaotic’ element. Am sure it’s not a problem here in Cardiff but in London I used to go to a venue where they ran classes concurrently in a not so big venue! Nightmare, too many people crammed in, people seeping into each others classes, teachers conflicting voices struggling to be heard, and they could never time properly when they all wanted the music on for the students to practice too... :-(