From next week Thursdays are back in Bar Risa. For those who haven't been, the floor - and the aircon – is much better than Jumpin' Jaks.
About time too, as the heat in Jumpin' Jaks was ridiculous last night. Still had a good time though - Stefanja was back in action, I danced with Patricia for the first time in ages and Andrea was there. I also discovered a very good bachata dancer who I'd never come across before.
Not many people there though (maybe because it's O'Neills monthly party tonight - another one I'm going to miss, unfortunately). I'm hoping that the change of venue will bring them back.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Jumpin' Jaks
Sara and Hugh dancing in Jumpin' Jaks last night. I did tell Kate the pictures were going to be arty and impressionistic when she asked to see them!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Brussels again
Another weekend working in Brussels (or rather, Tervuren). Lots of Flemish food and drink. I decided to stay over in Brussels itself on Sunday night, with the aim of checking out Matonge, the African quarter - I'd decided not to try the main salsa night (La Tentation) as I did my knee in last year dancing on the uneven floor.
Unfortunately there's not a lot on in Matonge on a Sunday night, particularly election night, apart from a flea market that was winding down. I wandered down to Grand Place later on, resigning myself to a fairly dull night, and then remembered that I'd passed a bar describing itself as a salsa bar last year. Wandered down the street (Rue Marché aux Charbons) and there was the Cartegena bar. And there were people dancing.
Not busy - there were only three couples there when I arrived (more arrived later) - but friendly. Most of the male dancers there were African. François, the teacher (the class was earlier) complimented me on my dancing and invited me to join his weekly rueda group! I explained that I was only over for the weekend. Later I joined in an enjoyable rueda which was half in French.
Not the wildest night's dancing I've ever had, but friendly, good music and a nice way to wind down after a heavy weekend. If I go back next year I'm going to insist on staying in the city rather than Tervuren, so I can check out clubs like Los Romanticos. The friendly, comfortable hotel I stayed in (Rembrandt, in Ixelles) would have worked out cheaper than the place in Tervuren, even once you count the tram fare each way.
Unfortunately there's not a lot on in Matonge on a Sunday night, particularly election night, apart from a flea market that was winding down. I wandered down to Grand Place later on, resigning myself to a fairly dull night, and then remembered that I'd passed a bar describing itself as a salsa bar last year. Wandered down the street (Rue Marché aux Charbons) and there was the Cartegena bar. And there were people dancing.
Not busy - there were only three couples there when I arrived (more arrived later) - but friendly. Most of the male dancers there were African. François, the teacher (the class was earlier) complimented me on my dancing and invited me to join his weekly rueda group! I explained that I was only over for the weekend. Later I joined in an enjoyable rueda which was half in French.
Not the wildest night's dancing I've ever had, but friendly, good music and a nice way to wind down after a heavy weekend. If I go back next year I'm going to insist on staying in the city rather than Tervuren, so I can check out clubs like Los Romanticos. The friendly, comfortable hotel I stayed in (Rembrandt, in Ixelles) would have worked out cheaper than the place in Tervuren, even once you count the tram fare each way.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Changes
Change number 1: no more Culto's - the club is closed.
Change number 2: Chiquito's now has salsa on the first three Fridays of every month. Should be good: Misael is teaching and Mikey is DJing.
7.15pm - 8.00pm - Beginners (£4)
8.15pm - 9.00pm - Improvers (£6.50 for the two)
9.00pm - 9.45pm Intermediates (£7.50 all three)
Free dancing afterwards.
(Update: just been told that Misael can't make it, so until they get another teacher it'll just be Mikey DJing, with free dancing. Still sounds good to me.)
Finally, congratulations to Andy and Lucy on their engagement!
Change number 2: Chiquito's now has salsa on the first three Fridays of every month. Should be good: Misael is teaching and Mikey is DJing.
7.15pm - 8.00pm - Beginners (£4)
8.15pm - 9.00pm - Improvers (£6.50 for the two)
9.00pm - 9.45pm Intermediates (£7.50 all three)
Free dancing afterwards.
(Update: just been told that Misael can't make it, so until they get another teacher it'll just be Mikey DJing, with free dancing. Still sounds good to me.)
Finally, congratulations to Andy and Lucy on their engagement!
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Salsa before bedtime
Hoping the salsa before bedtime is actually going to take off - there was nobody downstairs in Havana's when I called in last Tuesday, but that may be because it was just after a Bank Holiday. Might call into Culto's tomorrow if I get my packing for Brussels finished in time.
Went to my first class for ages on Sunday. I decided it was time I started polishing up my dancing, plus I really needed some exercise so I went to Fahrenheit. Tip: go on a hot day as there will be fewer dancers there (6 this week) and you'll get more individual advice. Even though it's only supposed to be improvers/intermediate level Andy tailored it for the people who were there and I learnt some really useful stuff. Having women there who could give intelligent feedback on the lead helped as well (thanks Gemma and Collette). Shame there was no free dancing afterwards, but you can't have everything. I'm going to try and go more often.
Went to my first class for ages on Sunday. I decided it was time I started polishing up my dancing, plus I really needed some exercise so I went to Fahrenheit. Tip: go on a hot day as there will be fewer dancers there (6 this week) and you'll get more individual advice. Even though it's only supposed to be improvers/intermediate level Andy tailored it for the people who were there and I learnt some really useful stuff. Having women there who could give intelligent feedback on the lead helped as well (thanks Gemma and Collette). Shame there was no free dancing afterwards, but you can't have everything. I'm going to try and go more often.
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