Changes

I nearly didn't go to the Toad last night as I was knackered, but I started enjoying myself as soon as I got there. The class was a good illustration of why a lot of people (including me) think that Andy's the best teacher in Cardiff. The moves were quite unusual but he used them to make more generally applicable points like the importance of keeping arms light/loose and why you need to stay on line, with a lot of individual advice. I was very sceptical about whether one tricky arm-flick was actually leadable on a woman who didn't know it, but it worked on KatewhospeaksSpanish in the free dancing later on. Great to have her back on the scene (she's now teaching the beginners' class).

Definitely got more energy for dancing now summer's here and it seems to be infectious: at least, I'm getting asked for more dances and I haven't been turned down for a while (mind you, I'm going to Bath tomorrow so that might change). I had some really fun dances, including one relative newcomer who definitely has the right attitude.

Andy and Lucy have a new lambada/zouk night starting Monday 6th at Edwards (beginners/improvers classes 8.30-10, dancing until eleven) and a series of Saturday workshops in June and July in Keppoch Street, including bridging (getting from beginner to improver), spinning and leading/following. BTW Fridays have now ended at La Tasca.

Bristol

I've realised that the Thursday night at Bar Med in Bristol won't be Michael and Maxine every week - looks like they alternate guest teachers.

But there's yet another Thursday night alternative coming up soon - Stevie (Salsamania) is going to be starting a club night at Jongleurs shortly.

Salsa trio

Thano's salsa trio class in the Toad last Thursday was great - just about the right amount of information. It looked as if it wasn't going to happen because there weren't enough women, but as the improvers' class had a surplus we just pinched some of them. So I got to dance with some people I wouldn't have danced with before.

More to the point, I actually managed to remember a large part of the class and tried it out on Liz and Teresa (who hadn't been in the class) on Monday night. The plan was to practise it unobtrusively at the edge of the dance floor, but I rapidly realised nobody else was dancing...Wasn't planning on an audience when trying out the moves for the first time, but most of it worked. Helped by my two partners being really good dancers (they both seem able to follow by telepathy on occasions!).

Planning to go to the Claverton Rooms (for the first time in ages) on Saturday, and to try out Angus' class at Bristol next Thursday.

Bristol Golf Club

These are the class times for Thursday nights:
7.30pm (ish) Beginners (Phil)
7.30pm (ish) Beginners/Improvers (Angus)
8.25pm Improvers
9.15pm Intermediate (alternates between Phil and Angus, this week it should be Angus)

La Tasca

Went to La Tasca on Saturday night for the first time in ages. Salsa has moved downstairs, which means more space and less heat; but I think there must be some variation on Parkinson's Law stating that the number of drunk muggles expands to fill the space available...

It's a latin night, not a pure salsa night. Andy plays a variety of latin music including merengue, bachata and lambada, but it's all good stuff. There's a live percussionist as well. I got there around half eleven and started enjoying myself a bit after midnight. Not that many salsa dancers there, but enough for me to have a few nice dances in the limited space available. There was more space (but fewer dancers) later on. Well worth going again soon. Not next Saturday, though: I'll be giving town a wide berth for the Cup Final.

Frank

Former salsa teacher Frank Rozelaar Green – he used to teach in the Point – was devoured by large flying monsters outside a church in Grangetown on Saturday night.

(I should point out that this was on Doctor Who...)

Another new night in Bristol

You wait all year for an alternative on Thursday night and then two come along at once! Hot on the heels of Phil and Angus' new night at the golf club comes a night at Bar Med with Michael and Maxine from Birmingham. I happened to go to one of their classes in Birmingham back in December and I thought the teaching was excellent. Going to be a bit torn...

For more details, click on the link above (Salsajive site listings) and scroll down to Thursday.

New Friday class

I see from Andy's site that there's a new absolute beginners' and improvers' class running at the All Nations Centre, Sachville Avenue, Heath on Fridays from 7.30-9.00.

Week off

Amazing what a difference a few days off work can make. I had a great time at the Toad last week and I was dancing better as well. There was even a bit of rueda - Manuel, Maria and co - which Abby and I managed to gatecrash (they didn't seem to mind). Abby's last night in Cardiff which was a shame. At one point it was so hot and crowded that we ended up dancing outside by the ramp: I thought it was going to be hard to dance on concrete but it wasn't bad. My former Spanish teacher was there as well though she said she needed 'un otra copa de vino' before dancing.

Had a grilling about salsa this morning - I had to record an interview about my digital story prior to it being broadcast on BBC2W. I thought it was going to take 20 minutes as the intro piece is going to be edited down to 30-40 seconds, but the interview went on for nearly an hour. Interesting questions, including "what's it like dancing salsa?", "how do you choose who to dance with?" and "how do you learn to lead?" - none of which are easy to answer succinctly!