Classes will be broken into 6 sections at Level 2.

1. Footwork

2. Review

3. Foundational move for Cuban Salsa (of which there are 14)

4. Foundational move for Level 2 On1 Linear Salsa (of which there are 17)

5. Short pattern

6. Dance with Music

Philosophically things to be on the lookout for, the importance of melding footwork and partner-work when dancing Salsa, the importance of spaced repetition, the importance of tying everything to Social dancing, and personal convolutional schemes to try to attenuate the lead/follow dichotomy.

Linear Salsa is a hybrid dance that comes from Mambo (a Cuban style that was popularized in the 1950’s NYC Palladium). NY Mambo is a marriage of footwork and partner-work from Cuba (Aftro-Cuban movements, Cuban Son) and the U.S. (Jazz, Swing). Salsa is a marketing term popularized in the 1970’s to commodify all Latin music and dance to a U.S. audience. Circular Salsa primarily comes from the Cuban dance Casino, which itself originates from Cuban Son. Salsa is by nature transformational, multinational, and multigenerational, embodying the shared heritage of Latin music.

I was the assistant teacher of this class for over 2 years under Ricardo Contreras. I’ve been taking classes from Juan Lopez for over 7 years. I started my Salsa journey learning New York Style Salsa On2 in Worcester, and have since primarily switched over to Linear On1 and Cuban style here in Cambridge, with knowledge gleaned through Boston Rueda. I am currently taking West Coast Swing lessons in Lexington, in addition to numerous other classes here at the Dance Complex. I also work at the Havana Club, so you can catch me dancing Salsa there, and maybe the occasional Bachata.

…I think it’s nifty.

Social Media: @salsa_ricura

Contact Brendan: [email protected]