Salsa City Forum » News and Chat » How good is Salsa in Cardiff?

As someone who has travelled quite extensively around the country [less so these days] in pursuit of my next fix, i.e. Salsa. I am somewhat dissapointed whenever I visit Cardiff. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fantastic dancer but I can do the basic things quite well. I can lead and I can keep the timing. I have always had high expectations whenever I have visited the capital but have always been dissapointed. The people are absolutely lovely and are very friendly and worth the visit alone. No complaints there. Now, this sounds like a gripe against the ladies but that's not entirely so. Yes, they can't follow very well and yes, they do flap around the dance floor but they do try their best to style... Bless... [but it never quite looks as good as it does on the Susana Montero video]. It's not an easy subject to approach but whenever I have danced with certain ladies and then spoke to them afterwards, they have invariably said that they had not been shown or taught those things i.e. to follow, especially the cross body lead. Or they state that the guys can't or don't know how to lead. I do sympathise with the ladies, whenever I have watched the guys dancing, I can see what they mean. It's clear from watching them that they have only really been shown Cuban style. [Nothing wrong with that. I started with Cuban.] Now this may go someway to explain why thay flap around the dance floor but not why they can't keep timimg or why they can't lead. Is it me or is there something obviously wrong with the standard of tuition in Cardiff? [I also include Newport in this as I have visited there too.] This is just a personal observation but I wondered if anyone else who had visited Cardiff had experienced similar or if some of the ladies in Cardiff would like to comment.

Controversial (but at least partly true). One reason is that a lot of people get to a basic standard of what they think is competence then don’t bother going to lessons any more. It’s not as if teachers aren’t aware of the problems - I was told by one teacher “We’ve got to do something about the standard of dancing in Cardiff” - but you can’t teach people who don’t think they need to learn!

I don’t think the men have ‘only been shown Cuban style’ - much of what you see (especially in the Toad) is CBL done badly and danced to music which is faster than many dancers here are able to handle.

My Oh My and I thought salsa was all about enjoying yourself. It's a good job that we Welsh are as friendly (and forgiving!) as you said Mr Chips. The Welsh men are gracious enough not to make us Welsh ladies feel awful and we in return see only the merits in our partners dancing. i think that perhaps we don't take each other so seriously and just enjoy ourselves on the dance floor - I know I do!!!

Hmm. No, I’d say salsa is a social dance and that means it’s also about being able to get up on a dancefloor without smacking, kicking or spiking other dancers :-)

I'm with you on this, Elena.

However I was mainly implying a criticism of male rather than female dancers. The problem is that if women get used to being flung around violently by men with no sense of rhythm they are bound to find it hard to follow a lighter and more precise lead.

The other issue you get is men who insist on doing their standard routine of complicated moves whatever the ability of their partner and however crowded the dancefloor.

I think this is why several of the best woman dancers in Cardiff spend a lot of their time dancing with other women.

Welsh Lass... I have obviously hit a raw nerve. Both TB and Elena make the point very well. But I suspect you are probably in denial. Yes, dancing is all about enjoying yourself and the better you become, the more you will enjoy it. But dancing is a social skill and has to be learnt.

You wouldn't dream of getting into a car and driving without first having had sufficient lessons and passed a test. Apart from being unlawful it's also rather dangerous. Yet, people do just that on the dance floor after a few lessons of Salsa. So far I've been pushed, elbowed and had my feet trampled. Too numerous to mention. I 've twisted my knee [avoiding some guy 'dipping' a lady in front of me. I suppose that's my own fault for trying to get out of their way.] Also, a black eye and a burst lip. [Separate incidents]

I suspect I'm not alone in this. I suspect Welsh Lass you are one those who have had a few lessons and no longer feel the need to go to classes. Think you know it all... I suspect you would be instantly recognisable on the dance floor by your frivolity, lack of spacial awareness and being totally oblivious to your partner and the other couples on the dance floor. You are obviously in it for self gratification. Have you ever considered taking up line dancing Welsh Lass?

Oh!! and you talk of 'We' being the Welsh also Welsh ladies and Welsh men like I'm some foreigner. Why do you assume that I'm not Welsh???

As a beginner I'd have to say that it would be wrong to tell people that because they've only had a few lessons they shouldn't get on the dancefloor. That's a sure-fire way to kill someone's growing love of salsa. On the other hand when I do get on the dancefloor I try to stick with what I know, which is a few basic steps and turns danced small.

Also, as a follower you don't abdicate complete responsibility for looking where the two of you are going. If a man is leading you into a move and you can see there'll be trouble, either because someone else is in the way or you don't feel confident doing that, you can refuse to follow and block his lead. This holds true in ANY partner dance. You're a follower, not a slave.

MrChips, while he may have a point, seems, also, to be a bit of a troll. Please, everyone, keep any future responses polite.

I have had a similar discussion with many people over the years and it amazes me how many people feel that salsa is a skill to be mastered rather than enjoyed. I do believe that it is a social past-time so one should be considerate to fellow dancers and make theirs, your partners and YOUR OWN experience as enjoyable as others. However, if we all took similar views to the ones aired above salsa is in danger of becoming elitest - something which only those who are already brilliant will have the confidence to do. Come on everyone - lighten up!

Mr Chips: I have one question for you.

Can you follow as well as you say you can lead?

Until then how can you critise us ladies (followers) as I know there are a fair number of us who can lead as well as any man in Cardiff and you don't see us complaining about the men not being like Jonny Vasquez.