Salsa City Forum » News and Chat » New Latin Night in Newport

New Latin Night at O.T.T's Market street, Newport.
Thursday night starting 20-05-04 Beginners classes start from 8.0-8.50
Intermediates 8.50-9.30.
SALSA till late
Give it a go!

Hi John
New Latin Night?
Could you give us some more info?
Like who's the teacher ect...

Hello Kat
Tim Morgan From Newport is the teacher he's been teaching Salsa for about 6 Years
I've been going to his classes for several months at Ott's and the Irish club.

At ott's they have just been allowed him to contiue with free style salsa till quite late and I for one will be there enjoying myself.
The entrance fee including classes and free style is £3.50

any one like any more info??????????

Have a Nice Day!!!

How did this go?
I heard it was a re-launch as Tim and Debbie had been away getting married (congratulations to both). I read an ad which said there was a live band, which must have made OTT rather cosy.

Also, much as I'd encourage anything in Newport, on the occassions I went I found it frustrating that the class didn't rotate, which was apparently at the insistence of several regulars. Result being that anyone who didn't turn up with a partner was forced into a crude game of musical chairs at the start, with some (make that some women) dancing with someone of the same sex. It might be comforting for those who go with a partner, but its selfish, puts off new people joining and staying and restricts everyone's progress, including those who cling to one person. I'm sure the vast majority of people progress by dancing with lots of people. I'd like to see Tim laying down the law for the good of everyone in the class.

Hugh - how about adding this and any other nearby nights to the main page? It might be good to widen the scope and encourage a bit of neighbourly mutual support.

I want to keep the main listings to what I can personally keep tabs on, to ensure that all the information is current. But I am happy to link to information about Newport classes if anyone sends me a link, and I don't mind people promoting their events in the forum.

I agree that couples who try to insist they not be separated in a public class should be given a swift smack and told to grow up. I'm amazed to hear of a teacher standing for it.

Tricky one this... I've had it on a handful of occasions.

Personally - although I try to talk couples out of it, I do let couples dance together if THEY REALLY WANT TO but what I say is to step back slightly from the circle so that "partner passing" can go on without collisions.

My reasons...

1) They are paying customers and when it comes to cold hard cash - they're paying me to teach them so if they'll leave if seperated, I'd rather keep them together than loose them both.

2) When I went to My very first salsa lesson, I went with my girlfriend. Danced together for 30 seconds, then never saw her again until the end of the class. That really frustrated me so I know how couples feel.

3) You can improve quicker with a regular partner so it makes sense to dance together.

Saying all this - I do encourage couples to seperate because...

a) They get do understand different leading / following styles.

b) Singles get to dance with a partner

c) No one gets stuck with a "muppet" for too long

d) A relationship couple will have a "domestic" there and then if one thinks the other is wrong. Normal couples don't argue with each other (usually)

At the end of the day - I do not feel a teacher should push the issue if a couple want to stay together but should point out the advantages of swapping. I never usually find it a problem and would only find it awkward if there were 10 couples who won't swap and one spare lady!

By the way - don't forget to come to David Lloyd on 5th June. There'll be plenty of partner swapping. Hee Hee Hee (Shamless plug)