Salsa City Forum » News and Chat » Where should I go?

Of the teachers on the scene now - John Pamplin is the best for beginers. I don't think he's as good for teaching advanced but take one step at a time and master beginners first.

Personally - I think the choice of cardiff teachers is a bit crap. Calaghans isn't brilliant for teaching and neither is La Tasca! That leaves John or Andy or.... Andy, or... Andy again!!! Shame ain't it?

I'd agree with you, Wizzy (with the exception of La Tasca as I haven't seen the teaching there). Andy is very good, but it would be nice to have a bit of variety at intermediate/advanced level.

I don't think it's any better in Bristol: I saw Andy do a workshop there last year and the locals were begging him to come back again!

TB. Bristol has excellent variety - the trouble is it's all mid-week. Check out www.salsamania.biz organised by Steve "el Diabolito" West. There's Nigel Maye/ Zane / Mauritzio / Henry Vina / Ian and Arancha / and a couple of others who all do regular guest spots. Across town on a different night (I think) is Rohan teaching with Cressida Childs (don't know that lot very well - I personally stick to salsa mania...friendlier people)

I'm not knocking Andy - far from it, but there used to be a lot of choice in cardiff and now there isn't

Regarding La Tasca... I think it's like Callaghan's - nice place, good atmosphere, nice girl teaching the classes but not fantastic for lessons.

Wizzy, thanks for your kind words!

We used to do a weekend Salsa night on a Friday at Fiesta Havana in Bristol. It was started, specifically for the benefit of people who travel, as we understand it's not always possible for people who live a fair distance away to make it over to Bristol during midweek.

However, despite advertising in all the usual places and bringing the UK's best teachers, regular live Salsa bands and no less than three world championship winning shows we never managed to attract more than 60 dancers! Which is amazing when you consider on a Wednesday we consistently attract between 200 & 300 people.

Anyway every Friday we still run a Salsa night with classes up to level 2/3 from 8pm 'til 10pm and 100% Salsa played 'til 11pm or thereabouts. However for commercial reasons the club now reverts to a Latin club with live percussion and an eclectic mix of Latin music from 11pm up until closing time 2am. As a result we've been much busier with many Latinos and a good Spanish crowd coming for the Party. We find that some Salseros leave at this point but many stay and join in the fun. You can find out more details on our website www.salsamania.biz

Cheers for now Steve (el Diablito).

Hi all. I went to the salsa at O'Neill's last nite and found it a bit hard, the instructor didn't give u enough time to get used to the basics. It's a bit awkard to get used to all in an hour.

You can't really learn salsa in an hour! I'd suggest going several weeks running at beginners' level, then maybe going to the Toad or the Wharf for improvers' classes.

Because salsa classes in Cardiff are held on the "drop-in" principle you will have people of differing abilities in every class, even if they are all in the right class. The teacher has to try to interest them all so he can't spend too much time on the absolute basics in each class. If you go regularly you should be able to pick up a little more each time.

Hi I am about to take the plunge and become a salsa dancer. I have found your message page a great incentive to get a move on do you accept 40 year olds Im a bit worried I might be a little out of place..

Don't worry Carla. People are friendly. Just take the plunge.