Welcome!
Hi and welcome to salsa on Tuesdays in Bromley! I have been running this night for 7 years now and it is going from strength to strength. I hope you have a lot of fun learning to dance salsa. You may be a little apprehensive at first so please do not hesitate to ask any of our teachers or staff questions if you are unsure about anything. Please take some time to read this information as you will certainly find it useful and it may well answer questions that you are already wanting to ask.

FAQs

What is salsa?
Salsa is the name given to a type of music and partner dance, which originates from Cuba. It is a vibrant music with infectious African rhythms, Spanish harmonies and a strong jazz influence. The name ‘salsa’ was coined in the 1960s to reflect this wonderful blend of ingredients, which come together to make this hot and spicy music and dance!

Coming for the first time?
We do absolute beginners' classes every single week at 8.30pm. You don’t need a partner and the dress code is casual. You don't need to book in advance, or book a course. So you can start anytime and just pay each time you attend. Be sure to pick up a reward card when you first come. You will get a stamp every time you pay for a class. When you have collected 5 stamps you get your next class for free!

Footwear
If possible wear shoes with a smooth sole. Flip-flops or mules are not practical for women, as you need support around the heel. A low/medium heel is okay if you are comfortable in heels. You don’t need to buy any special footwear for salsa unless (or until) you become really serious about it!

TEACHING/CLASSES

Style of teaching
We teach the most popular style of salsa in the UK at the moment, based on the ‘cross-body lead’ mixed with a little Cuban and NY style for flavour!

Class levels
We teach 4 levels of classes which all run at the same time. The levels are as follows:

1. absolute beginners*
2. beginners-improvers**
3. intermediate
4. advanced

Explanation of the two different beginners’ levels

* 1 No prior knowledge needed whatsoever – people with 2 left feet welcome! You will learn the standard partner holds with appropriate connection and tension – and how to lead /follow the basic steps, a turn and cross body lead.

**2 When you are confident with the above, (and have checked with your teacher) you can join the level 2 class. You will learn further simple turns (for both men and women), and basic turn patterns.

When can I move up a class?
One of the benefits of our classes is that you can progress at your own rate and move up a class level when ready. If the teachers notice that someone is obviously not being stretched in their current class, they will try to let you know and advise you to move up a level. If you feel you are ready to move up, please make sure you ask your teacher individually – ie before or after a class. He or she will help you come to a decision about whether you are ready to move to the next level. We strongly advise dancers not to change levels without discussing with your teacher.

Tuesday Early 'Special' Classes
Occasionally we have early 'special' classes for other types of Latin dance related to salsa, such as bachata, reggaeton, or speciality salsa classes like styling for ladies or men only. These classes take place at 7.30pm, an hour before the other regular classes start at 8.30pm. Check the website www.imogenmoore.com for up-to-date information on these classes and to check for which levels of salsa dancer they are suitable.

The Club/Practise Session
After the classes we play salsa music so that you can practise what you’ve learned in the classes. This section of the evening is the ideal time to consolidate your new steps and moves, socialise with the people you’ve met in your class and get to know the popular salsa tunes. More advanced dancers sometimes come along to the club just to dance and this gives you the chance to see what you’ve got to aspire to! Remember, all of the advanced dancers were once beginners, practising on the dance-floor, so be bold and go for it! If you practise in the club, you are sure to progress far more quickly than if you go home as soon as your class has finished!

· Women PLEASE be patient with the men when they are practising. They have even more to learn than you do and they have to think about what is coming next!

· It is normal for women to ask men to dance so don’t sit and wait to be asked!

Mailing list
Please give your email address to the person on the door or the DJ to subscribe to our email mailing list. You will receive a Bromley Salsa Newsletter once a week. This is the best way to find out the most up-to-date information on any special events or changes.

Other events
We also organise special events including monthly party nights on Fridays with salsa dance shows, or special dance workshops.

Feedback
Please do take the time to fill in a feedback form as often as you feel you have something to say! We have forms available at all of our nights and you can also email me at imogenmoore@gmail.com with any comments.