Salsa City Forum » News and Chat » Starting Salsa

Hi Jackie, I was hoping that would be the case. I am totally new to salsa. I have much admired it for sometime but never really had the courage to go alone.

I telephoned DanceWorld of newport (which is more local to me) but to my dismay it’s partners only,... I will give Bar Cuba or Bar Risa a try next week...

One other thing... what does everybody wear?! (sorry if that seems obtuse, but I really don’t want to be the only girl beginner in jeans, if all the other gals are in skirts / dresses... )

Helen.

Here is some dress advice:
FAQ
What To Wear for Salsa?
Shoes!
Salsa Shoes

Please add to these threads if you have more comments on what to wear.

Hi Heloha,
For a beginner (before you go out buying new dance stuff) which you will do when you are hooked! Jeans are what most women wear to Risa, (& I would imagine Bar Cuba, I’ve never been there though, Tuesdays are no good for me) but what you really will need are comfortable shoes & I would suggest these not be flip flops, trainers or backless mules. Myself like a few others usually always dress up so to speak, it’s just my way as I don’t very often wear jeans I like dresses or skirts & tops. I learnt mainly in The Toad & Risa, Toads gone now but Risa is a great venue on Thursday’s for salsa classes & the teachers are all fantastic, as they are in other places also. O Neills is great on a Monday & just to broaden my horizons I went to 10 last Thursday & had a great night there to, classes are alot smaller than Risa so you get a more personal touch. You also get the more personal touch in Q bar on a Sunday but it’s just too hot in there for me, think I must be on the change!

Sorry people if I haven’t mentioned your classes I know ALL you teachers are brilliant really :-)
Jaki

Heloha,

Of course singles can attend, I started on my own, and I go every week for the last 8 months on my own. I’ve met so many good friends from salsa we all meet up now as a social thing every week.

I was at Cuba last night and believe it or not there were more men in the beginners class than women!!

Thursday classes are pretty even as well, but, seriously, do not worry about joining on your own.

Hope to see you there this week

Jemma xx

Hi Heloha,

I also started on my own and, in a way, found it easier that way. I hardly told a soul when I started and after a few weeks someone who I knew from the sports club I used to be a member of spotted me at a class. For a little while I was more self conscious about him blurting out to the other members at the club that I had taken up Salsa, but shortly after I no longer cared what anyone else thought.

I have since become so addicted to Salsa that I have given up my membership of the sporting club and go a minimum of 5 times a week!

Yes it can be difficult to take that initial leap of faith, I kept telling myself to be bold for the first few weeks, but believe me you will soon find that you want to go to more and more.

Go on take the plunge, good luck and most important have fun!

Hi Heloha,

I know it can seem a little scary startin something like salsa on your own, but it won’t take you long to start chattin to people in your class, and that you dance with. I started on my own a few years ago in a different town and in a very short space of time I was hooked! And had started to get to know people who now 7 years on are very good friends.

I know what’s its like startin somewhere new on your own. Even though I have been dancing a while, I have recently moved back to Cardiff and started dancing here knowing absolutely no-one! And it has been a little scary. But I have to say, thanks to the really great people (if I mention names, then they’ll have to pay me! ; ).) on this forum it wasn’t so scary, as they have made me feel very welcome! And I’m starting to relax and get to know people.

I’d say take the plunge and give it a go here in Cardiff, you never know what you’ll find and how addicted you’ll get to salsa.

Xx

Hey,

I did a salsa beginners class at the gate last October and really enjoyed it and would love to get back into salsa, only thing is I’m 17 and most of the venues seem to be in bars and clubs so I’m just wondering what they are like with letting people in, will I have to wait 'til I’m 18? And what places would you recommend for me and a very keen friend! Thanks!

Hi Jo I teach in Fitness First on Tuesdays in Llanishen, students from 16 plus are very welcome. Beginners start 7.30p.m improvers 8.30pm.
Maybe see you there
Irene

Hi, I’m heading to Cardiff from N Wales this week. Thinking of moving down, so coming to have a look around. Also keen to come to beginners salsa this Tues at Bar Cuba. This forum has already put me at ease, very friendly, so thanks... I’ll be the slightly nervous looking one on Tues, my name is Lucy!

Hi Lucy,

Glad to hear that you’ve found some encouragement from the comments on this website.

It’s student freshers week, this week and there is always a boost in numbers at the classes when the students come back, so don’t worry you won’t be the only nervous one out there on Tuesday, it’ll be very much a case of safety in numbers.

Good luck, have fun!