Christmas events

Lots happening in the runup to Christmas, including a clash on Thursday: Sabina has a party with 'reggaeton king' Leandro Charanga in Las Havanas on Thursday, while Andy has Tony and Daniela doing bachata on the same night. I think I'll go to the bachata event as people my age really shouldn't dance reggaeton, as anyone who saw me in La Tasca last night would agree. Stevie in Bristol has the Salsamania Christmas bash on 11th December (just noticed that Ismene is the first photo you see when you enter their site). Salsabuena's Christmas party is in Las Havanas on 22nd December.

Perreo

I mentioned to some dancers that there are ruder dances than bachata - even the rudest bachata you're likely to see in Cardiff - and they asked me to post an example.

Perreo - 'doggy style' reggaeton dancing - is one of them. Here's an example on YouTube. (You'll need to sign in as it's not suitable for under 18s! Ignore the brain-dead comments).

Slipping and sliding

The comment to the previous post asked what hairspray on the soles of shoes does - it makes them sticky (wears off quickly though). The duct tape suggestion (in the UK we call it gaffer tape) for getting the opposite effect is a good one. Better, I think, than talcum powder - which is great for the user, not so great for the other dancers who find slippery patches wherever the talc user has walked.

The other suggestion for a dangerously slippery dance floor (I think it was Neil who originally suggested this) is to pour a couple of litres of Coke over the floor and use a mop to spread it around evenly. Not something you can get away with in the average club.

The floor in Risa was fine last night though.

Salsa's come home

Risa has been great the last couple of weeks - just like old times. Some lovely dancers there. The floor is a bit slippery, just like old times: I keep forgetting to borrow some hairspray to squirt on the soles of my shoes.

Not such a great night for the unfortunate dancer who dislocated a finger, though I was impressed by the first-aid skills in evidence - did I imagine it or did someone use drinks stirrers as finger splints?

Kizomba, samba, lambada

Lots of chances to learn new dances coming up. Kizomba teacher Miguel Montero is making two visits - 21st November at the RAFA club in Ely (Irene's night) and 27 November as part of Salsadicción's monthly Friday night party in O'Neills. And this weekend Andy is teaching two Brazilian dances: Samba Gafeira (the partner version of samba) and Lambada/Zouk, which used to be popular a few years ago and now seems to be having something of a revival. It's 2-4pm Sunday at Fitness First - it's been changed from Saturday because of the rugby. You need to book.