Well, I've been here in C-U for just about a year now, and when I first
got here, there was hardly any salsa dancing in town. Only Saturday
nights at Land of Mexico (which, I might add, is great in the summer
because it is not so crowded as during the school year). I think thanks
to the efforts of a number of people, especially Lily, Esmeralda, and
Mark Balzer, salsa has just taken off in this town. There's tons of
classes to take, and many more opportunities to go out dancing.
Most recently, Mark Balzer and the Dancing Illini brought Enio Cordoba
and his partner Terry Jones to town for salsa (and other dances)
workshops. For those of you who missed it, I'm sorry, becuae these two
were really incredible dancers and teachers. For those of you who did
go, please be sure to thank Mark for all his hard work. I should have
posted a thank-you to him much sooner...
Anyhow, as a result of that workshop, David Lin, the owner of the Regent
Ballroom (where there is salsa dancing every other Friday night *again*
thanks to Mark...) is offering a 6-week salsa workshop. Anyone in the
Dancing Illini is msot certainly familiar with David. He spent a lot
of time with Enio learning the techniques not only of the dance but
also of teaching it well. David is a fantastic teacher (anyone who has
taken his Tango class, for example, can attest to that), and I strongly
encourage you to check his classes out. Here's the info:
> >Article 385 in uiuc.org.dance:
> >From: ddlin@firefly.prairienet.org (David D. Lin)
> >Subject: Salsa Class for Beginners
> >Date: 3 Jul 1996 04:09:57 GMT
> >Organization: Prairienet
> >Lines: 11
> >NNTP-Posting-Host: firefly.prairienet.org
> >X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2]
> >
> >
> >Starting Tuesday, July 9 from 7:00-8:00
> >
> >6 week course will introduce you to this fun dance.
> >
> >$40 per person, call Kelly at 359-5333 to register.
Classes will be held at the Regent, which has something like a bajillion
square feet of fantastic wood floors and air conditioning. So go check
out the class and then show off what you got this Friday night at the
Regent, where the illustrious DJ Sabor will start spinning the best
salsa in East Central Illinois from 11:30pm until 2am.
In addition to David's class, there are a number of other options for
learning salsa in C-U.
The DI is currently offering a intermediate
salsa/ beginner tango course, but I understand that registration for that
class has already closed. Judging from the number of people I saw there
last time I went, I'm sure the success of this class will be followed up
by other salsa classes in the fall.
Mark Johnson and Ece Karatan will continue teaching their salsa/merengue
classes through the park district at the Springer Recreation Center.
The last class of the current session is Wednesday July 17, the next
session begins the next week, but on Monday the 22nd instead of Wednesday.
My apologies for not having Mark's phone number for a contact, I'll post
it as soon as I can.
Salsa and merengue classes are also being offered at La Casa Cultural
Latina, on Nevada between Matthews and Goodwin. Classes start on
Thursday, July 18 from 7-8:30pm. The class is free, and geared
towards beginners, though anyone is welcome to come join in. If you
have questions, please call me, Courtney Nash, at 351-8084.
Finally, don't forget that C-U's very own DJ Sabor (Dan Llano) is
also playing salsa and merengue at the Pig every Sunday during July.
This last Sunday was great fun - I saw some DI faces that I recognized,
and I hope to see more next time! See you there.
Courtney Nash