Salsa City Forum » News and Chat » Starting Salsa

There will be older people than you at most nights. Cuba is probably the only night when you might feel out of place, particularly during term time.

Hi everyone, I stumbled on this site by chance, does anyone know where a 48 year old male can go to learn salsa in a comfortable fun enviroment, I have had a little bit of ballroom/latin experience but am very nervous about salsa - always wanted to learn, reading the messages has given me hope but would appreciate very up to date info.

Thanks

Lee

Hi Lee,

You are very welcome to come and try out myself and Irene classes, we like to keep our salsa classes not only highly instructive for those serious about learning, but sociable, fun and friendly, which is also reflected in our sociable, fun and friendly students, we also have a wide age range from 17 to 70!

There’s nothing to be nervous about, we have had a lot of new students who come to us at the start of the class or ring us beforehand a bit nervous and apprehensive the first time round, only to find that once they have come along there was really nothing to worry about!!

Check out the details of all our salsa classes here. http://www.salsacity.com/forum/forum6-topic1659. If you do decide to come along we very much look forward to meeting you Lee. :-)

Shahid.

I am really pleased that I just found this site when searching for suitable beginner’s salsa shoes! I am starting lessons at The Gate, Cardiff next week - wahooooo!!! I did some sessions up at Maindy Pool but found that they were very repetitive as there were new people in each week. We didn’t actually learn much! My sister in law and I are going and when we have built up some confidence we will be heading into Cardiff to party! My concern regarding footwear is that I have size 10 female feet which are way too big!! I don’t knwo where to start lookin for footwear - I have looked through the forum and saw that jazz shoes or shoes with soft soles are a must - can you advise where I can find some of these for not too much cost initially? I am sure I will enjoy it and carry on with it but am slightly skint! I don’t have any suitable shoes at home, tend to live in trainers due to having massive feet!

Bryher

I’d use anything with smooth soles that fit well (and aren’t going to fall off) to start with. Avoid shoes with long points on the toes as your dance partner will fall over them. Once you get into it Bloch dance trainers are probably the best bet - they are unisex.

Hi Bryher,

The Gate has various studios, some of which may not be suitable for outdoor shoes, so I would check with then first which studio you’ll be learing in before hand.

Enjoy the classes - the teacher at the gate is great fun.

K

Thanks Kate and Tom :o)

Hi there

Well, been looking at these pages for some time now and really really want to give Salsa a go. I too am a complete beginner with no previous dance experience but, typical girly comment I’m afraid, the only thing I am nervous about it going on my own to a place with a room full of strangers!! Any volunteers to hold my hand just so I have a friendly ‘face’ to get me started???

Pathetic I know but hey!!! I’m looking at the Monday session at O’Neill’s!!!

Hi, Sharon, can’t help with the Monday session, I’m afraid, but you shouldn’t let going alone put you off. I did and missed out on weeks of salsa. I finally plucked up the courage a couple of weeks ago. Went to risa on my own, and it was brilliant! You swap partners regularly so you don’t get to feel left out.

But give me a shout if you need company on a Thursday!

Hi Katy, well I have put off going for 2 years now believe it or not so I am definitely going to bite the bullet on Monday. I really want to give it a go but the thought of going alone is just a little daunting, especially as I have never danced - AT ALL!! So kind of feel out of my depth a little!! But hey I’ve got to do it! Thanks for the offer of a Thursday - I may take you up on that!