Salsa City Forum » News and Chat » SalsaRisa! Opening Night - Thursday April 20th

Cardiff’s newest and biggest ever Salsa night is launching Thursday April 20th. Upstairs of Bar Risa in Jongleurs. The floor is so big we can easily fit all of our current classes onto it in one go. No wondering where the next flying elbow is coming from. There’s space for everyone at once!

Huge open wooden dance floor.
Up to 4 Classes at once! With guest teachers and bands.

Salsa Risa Launch night Thursday April 20th.
Classes start at 8pm sharp ;) With a group warmup (If you remember Life you’ll know what I mean) and general shines and other rhythms at the end of the classes.

Beginners 8-10pm
Improvers 8-10pm
Intermediates 8-10pm

Prices £5/£4 students

*Advanced* The advanced class will be open to couples only to allows us to maintain the standard. If you are interested in this class please let us know so we can ascertan the numbers. Generally you should have been dancing Salsa for over a year before attempting this class.

Excellent. I really enjoyed those warmups at Life - looking forward to it.

Hi Andy, in your other thread also dated 7th April, it states that Que Pasa is moving to a Wednesday night in Bar Risa starting from Weds 19th April, however, this thread states that it is launching on Thurs 20th April. Also, the start times of the classes differ between the two threads. Please can you clarify :)

You read the other message too quickly (it is a bit confusing). Andy will be doing Thursday in Bar Risa and Wednesday in Que Pasa. The other message referrs to Que Pasa classtimes (not Bar Risa).

Think I got confused because I hadn’t realised that salsa would still take place in Que Pasa once the new venue got underway. I’m all sorted now thanks!

I don’t know about you folks but everywhere I go for advanced salsa (mainly across the bridge) most people are not couples and are quite happy to dance with other non couples, and the instructors don’t have any problems with the classes...

I don’t agree with Andy that having couples only is a good idea. (Especial for me!) I’ve been taught by quite a few good teachers, Andy included, and have been informed that dancing with different partners is the best way to learn to dance Salsa.

People don’t necessary like dancing with their partners.

Do us a favour Andy and review your thoughts.

I found that at Andy’s advanced level workshop last Autumn it was really useful to spend the whole class with the same person and then be able to practise the techniques with them afterwards, rather than having to keep adjusting the lead to someone new. (Mind you Lucy did fix me up with a really good partner so I was lucky). It also means that anyone who’s not up to the level will only hold back the person they came with.

When Andy says couples he doesn’t mean in the romantic sense. I’m sure if you ask him or Lucy they’ll try and match you up with a partner if there are any spare.

Hi tom, thanks for the reply but, I don’t think you know where I’m coming from. I did not go to the advanced workshop in the autumn for the same reason.

I know Lucy and Andy may find me a partner, but what about other people? Will Andy or Lucy find them partners or be prepared to make arrangements for them? I don’t think so! I’ve been to several advance workshops around and about, but never been told it’s for couples only.

I think that making the statement that ‘only couples’ will be allowed is restricting people’s human rights as I’ve not yet found other venues making the same restriction.

I wish Andy all the best in his new venture but, I feel he should revise his statement on ‘couples’.

Just to clarify the reasons behind the Advanced classes being restricted to couples.

If you start the class with a partner you know, have choosen to be with and whose skill level is equivalent to your own, you will be able to learn a lot more constructively, rather than changing partners and finding yourself with a partner who isn’t of the same standard.

I believe this is a more effective method of maintaining the required level than having to evaluate peoples ability and then have to ask them to leave the class because they are not good enough.

I appreciate it’s not the best solution if you don’t have a partner or are from out of town. However I have thought about this quite a lot and believe that it’s the best option for the majority of students.

Please bear in mind that this is an advanced class and is meant for those students that have spent years doing classes and but are no longer challenged by the normal class levels available.

Also note that the advanced classes won’t be starting for a few weeks yet.

Hi Andy! First of all I want to congratulate you for bringing Cardiff Salsa into the 21st century by acquiring a venue like SalsaRisa, quite an achievement, well done!

I’ve taken notice of your comments but, unfortunately I’m one of the many who either live out of town and don’t have or want a regular partner, it is also considerate of you to give people the time for them to find partners before the classes start.

I’m fully behind you with your efforts to improve the quality of Salsa, but you’ve missed out the word FUN. Along with many others who’re quite happy not having regular partners. People go to the classes to maybe learn a little more and have fun. It is not fun when people stipulate that we must have a regular partner.

What’s the point of improving your Salsa If you don’t get the enjoyment with it.

I still think for the time being at least, that you should reconsider the “Couples Only” policy as it’s not (in my opinion) in the interest of the majority.

If any of you want to add your comments, feel free. I just want to go to local venues learn a little and have FUN.

Ps. Have a nice day!