I stumbled across Art William's blog in 2004 while searching for things I don't even remember the nature of. As I realized he was writing about the Houston Salsa scene, I began to wonder if I had seen him around. There are certain dancers you sort of run into all over the place. I don't know their names. They are just guys who always seem to be there, always scoping out the ladies to see who might be a good partner.
I've seen Art around, especially at Tropicana. He came by Elvia's recently and I recognized him, so we sat down and talked. It may be that he was at El Chibcha the night I dropped by there with a couple of friends. We got to talking about the Houston Salsa Scene, this Web site, and Casino Rueda, the "circle dance". From what I have read of it, Rueda sounds like it would be fun to learn. I've only seen it danced (by a group), once, though. Art writes about Rueda on his blog, and that is probably where I first learned about that particular form of Salsa.
He is an interesting fellow, about 60 years old, but very fit and trim. Art never seems to lack for a dance partner, and having watched him on the floor, I know why.
I was curious about his background and Art told me that he is an Air Force brat who, like so many military kids, moved around. He hasn't fully stopped wandering to this day, and he owns a small mobile business. When he is not working or dancing, he writes, surfs the Web, or learns new skills (he is currently studying multimedia tools, so look for lively things on his blog in the future).
I was surprised to learn that Art has only been dancing for a couple of years. "Started at SSQQ here in Houston," he tells me, "like a lot of people." I have socialized with some of the SSQQ students from time to time, but I didn't remember Art being with them. Of course, SSQQ is one of Houston's larger dance schools.
Art learned Salsa from teachers like Linda Cook, Jill Banta, and Judy Archer before moving on to other teachers outside SSQQ, including Salsa Eddy, Rey Rodriguez, Jorge Mercado, and others.
In addition to Salsa, Art also dances Bachata and some Merengue. But he rolled out a new name (to me): Vallenato.
"I take advantage of any and all opportunities
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to do Vallenato," he says. "I think Vallenato could be the 'sleeper' success story of Latin American dances if the people who had the ability to feature it would simply do so. People don't know what they're missing by not hearing more Vallenato. I think it could be co-equal with Bachata."
I'll look forward to reading more about Vallenato on the blog, which Art launched in September 2003 at Blogger (he has since moved to Typepad). A natural writer, he quickly found his niche and developed an engaging, entertaining and informative style that keeps readers coming back week after week. Art shares ancedotes and insights into the clubs he visits, including "Tropicana, Elvia's, (Ringside at) Sullivan's, Rumba Club, El Chibcha, Rumba Kafe, Arrepas y Empanadas, Club Salsero (that 'puro Colombiano' place), as well as just about all of those clubs that have popped up and tried to get into the salsa market (and didn't survive)."
His wandering ways have led Art all over Houston. In fact, he makes a light joke about how far he'll go to dance when I ask where his favorite venues are: "I'll go wherever I think (1) there's women I can dance with and (2) it's not too crowded. I laugh at those whiners that'll say, 'Ohhhh, it's too faaarrrrrrrr!' Jeez! Those people ought to go live in an enclosed settlement somewhere. What do they think automobiles are for? Just going to work??!!"
In his blog, Art mentions that he senses when his partners become restless or don't seem to feel the old excitement. I asked him if an occasional change of partners helps him stay fresh.
"Yeah," he replies. "But by the same token there is still a value in having a regular partner to experiment and perfect stuff with."
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