...that last post was pretty boring! That's the trouble with posting after a good night's dancing - I'm not usually in a fit state to write anything interesting.
Monday night reminded me of one good development lately. There's one woman who I've been dancing with for three or four years but we always seemed to be just missing the connection until a few weeks ago. I'm not sure whether it's her or me or both of us that's got better. Anyway, it's suddenly got a lot smoother and easier and she now smiles rather than looking worried (which she claims was just concentration).
I've been told it's probably Nicolai at Fiesta Havana next week, in which case I'll definitely try to make it.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Salsa, salsa, salsa
Three nights running isn't something I make a habit of. Night one was La Tasca. Music was good but a few of regulars weren't there - nice to dance with Louise again though. I was having a bit of an off night: it's infuriating when I find myself dancing really sloppily and can't tighten it up - I think it was down to tiredness and lack of exercise. Fortunately I had the sense to leave before one.
I had a much better time at the Wharf - getting a swim in during the afternoon meant I was a lot more alert, the atmosphere was good and some of my favourite dancers were there. I could only stay for half an hour after the class but still had more fun than in two hours the previous night.
Monday I nearly decided to be sensible but at the last minute I decided sensible is for wimps. More good fun, though I was flagging a bit by the time it got to half ten. I also discovered that my Spanish is getting disgustingly rusty when Vicky decided to practise on me (it didn't help that I'd been speaking Welsh all day).
I'm debating whether to go to Que Pasa on Thursday, but I think on balance I'd rather stick with memories of some of the great nights I had in the Toad in the past. My diary next week is refreshingly empty after a manic couple of weeks, so I might try to make Fiesta Havana next Wednesday (depending on who's teaching).
I had a much better time at the Wharf - getting a swim in during the afternoon meant I was a lot more alert, the atmosphere was good and some of my favourite dancers were there. I could only stay for half an hour after the class but still had more fun than in two hours the previous night.
Monday I nearly decided to be sensible but at the last minute I decided sensible is for wimps. More good fun, though I was flagging a bit by the time it got to half ten. I also discovered that my Spanish is getting disgustingly rusty when Vicky decided to practise on me (it didn't help that I'd been speaking Welsh all day).
I'm debating whether to go to Que Pasa on Thursday, but I think on balance I'd rather stick with memories of some of the great nights I had in the Toad in the past. My diary next week is refreshingly empty after a manic couple of weeks, so I might try to make Fiesta Havana next Wednesday (depending on who's teaching).
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Salsa Celtica
...are at Barry Memorial Hall next Saturday, 1st April. It clashes with two parties, one of which is within staggering distance of home, so I won't be there. I have to admit that from what I've heard of them the Celtic/Latin fusion is a curious hybrid, but they are supposed to be good live - they played the World Music Prom in Cardiff a couple of years ago which turned my former dance partner on to salsa.
Monday, March 13, 2006
New venues
Andy's finally revealed his forthcoming new venues. Wednesday nights will be in Tiger Tiger, just up the road from Bar Cuba, and Thursdays will be Jongleurs (the comedy club above Bar Risa by the Millennium Stadium). Jongleurs is a large venue and he has big plans for it - it should give the Cardiff scene a real boost. The launch date will be soon, probably the beginning of April.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Organic Fairtrade Speed
That's what my partner calls the Green and Black's Espresso chocolate which gets me going before a night's dancing. Should have taken some on Sunday as I was definitely unfocused at the Wharf. Nice to encounter a talented new dancer, though 'Solo' is a bit fast for a first dance with anyone.
Talking of which...Andy's pointed out a couple of times that if you want to see who the good dancers are you should see how they dance to a slow track, not a fast one, as fast tracks tend to cover up mistakes. While I enjoy the adrenalin rush of a really fast track with the right partner I'm increasingly finding that I enjoy mid-speed songs, so I hope this means I'm getting better (not just older).
It also means you extend your choice of partners: there are quite a few dancers who can't even keep up with the basic step once the speed goes above 200bpm, but they're lovely to dance with on a slower track. There are also partners who have the opposite problem - they just can't slow down, so you lead a turn to a slow song and they've finished it well before the next beat...
Talking of which...Andy's pointed out a couple of times that if you want to see who the good dancers are you should see how they dance to a slow track, not a fast one, as fast tracks tend to cover up mistakes. While I enjoy the adrenalin rush of a really fast track with the right partner I'm increasingly finding that I enjoy mid-speed songs, so I hope this means I'm getting better (not just older).
It also means you extend your choice of partners: there are quite a few dancers who can't even keep up with the basic step once the speed goes above 200bpm, but they're lovely to dance with on a slower track. There are also partners who have the opposite problem - they just can't slow down, so you lead a turn to a slow song and they've finished it well before the next beat...
Monday, March 06, 2006
Coming up...
He's keeping schtum about the details for the moment, but Andy now has two new venues lined up, for Wednesday and Thursday nights, one of which is 'big'. Let's hope it all works out - maybe the refurbishment of the Toad will prove to be a blessing in disguise.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Uncoordinated
Amusing article by Lucy Mangan in today's Guardian about her first and last salsa lesson. Brought back some memories - while I'm not sure that my sense of rhythm was ever quite as bad as hers, I can certainly remember the bit about not having a clue what was going on.
Update
Well, I definitely won't be going to Que Pasa tonight - they've now been told that they only have a licence til 11 (plus 20 minutes 'drinking up' time). Let's hope Andy manages to sort out a new venue soon.
Actually, I'd already decided not to go - Christalla Constantinou is running a salsa benefit for Rwanda at Thornhill Community Centre tomorrow (Friday) night, £7.50 including buffet, drink, beginner lesson, advanced shine lesson, demonstrations and freestyle, so I'm going to save my energy for that.
Actually, I'd already decided not to go - Christalla Constantinou is running a salsa benefit for Rwanda at Thornhill Community Centre tomorrow (Friday) night, £7.50 including buffet, drink, beginner lesson, advanced shine lesson, demonstrations and freestyle, so I'm going to save my energy for that.
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