Went there for first time this week and was really surprised.
Great potential for a first class salsa evening on a Tuesday. Not that I’ve got a problem with Cuba, it’s wicked for a good laugh but crap for salsa.
My review of Callaghan’s:
• Excellent Up-2-date salsa music with classics like fruko/loss Van Van/Los Adolescentes plus really funky latin mixes of Michael Jackson end even 50 Cent! FAN - BLOODY - TASTIC
• Occasional Merengue, enough for a change of pace but not too much to P*ss you off approx 1 song in 10-15.
• Bit too much Bachata for my taste but just a personal opinion, approx 1 song in 5-6. Just find it a bit boring and repetitive.
• Lessons were a bit pants. They dance well but struggle speaking English making it more of a “copy me” style class - saying this however there is a VERY “fruity” red head teacher (don’t know name) who dances like a little diablo, speaks perfect English and is a great teacher too.
• It’s free (always a plus)
• They taught a Rueda class (not bad) but again the language barrier let them down
• They use a head mike so you can hear what is being said (but not always understand it!!!)
• Equal numbers of men and women (no - really) about 15 of each.
• A couple of VERY good dancers there who I’ve never seen before.
• Just for Hugh - It wasn’t smokey at all (so all your prescious lungs will be fine) :-)
All in all - a damn good night that will benefit from a couple of more experienced salseros/salsaras... Give them your support - you won’t be sorry.
