Salsa Fresca
This has to be one of the most popular general Salsa CDs of all time. It is certainly very popular in Houston.
When we went dancing at Ringside at Sullivan's every Wednesday night (before they killed what was probably the best Latin dance night in Houston), "Salsa Fresca" was usually the interlude CD -- the CD they played while the bands took breaks. I spent many hours dancing to this CD.
Many of the teachers and clubs use "Salsa Fresca". One of the most popular songs from the CD (which you can find on other Salsa CDs) is "Una Aventura" (An Adventure) by Grupo Niche. This cute little ballad is about a couple who are secret lovers. Many bands have added "Una Aventura" to their playlists.
Another popular song (also found on more than one collection) is "No Me Acostumbro" (I can't take it any more).
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I wondered how much the free class at Elvia's might differ from the paid classes at Westside. "Westside evolves and extends the Elvia's course," Johnny explains. "Elvia's is for new dancers. Westside is for people who want to learn more." He pauses and reflects for a moment, and then adds: "Some dancers have come to Elvia's and learned some new concepts, too."
Cumbia is a very popular dance style in the Houston clubs. Many teachers don't like to teach it, though. You pretty much have to learn it by watching other dancers (or having a friend show you some steps). I asked Johnny if Cumbia has any impact on his students' progress.
He shook his head and corrected me quickly. "Cumbia is the music," he said emphatically. "More of a folk music. It basically has the same patterns as Salsa. Many people do the same steps in Cumbia that are in Salsa." But he asked me how I dance Cumbia, and as I started to answer, he jumped in with a clarification, "Cumbia is very side-together, side-together". That is, whereas Salsa moves forward and backwards most of the time, in Cumbia the dancers usually dance to the side.
But I understood immediately what he means. Cumbia dancers use the same turns and spins as Salsa dancers. You just know, when a Cumbia song starts to play, that you're going to be stepping to the side rather than forward and backward (in fact, some people still dance Salsa style to Cumbia music).
A good dancer can usually pick up a related style very quickly. There are some similarities between Merengue and Bachata, for example (Merengue songs are faster than most Bachatas). Salsa and Cha Cha are very close, and Cumbia is not far off from them.
I asked Johnny how long it takes a typical student to become a good dancer. He didn't like that question, or perhaps he felt the assumptions behind it were not very good. "How long does it take to learn a musical instrument?" he asked me in return. "How long does it take to learn to type? How long does it take to learn free throws? There is no average. Everyone is different."
He paused again, perhaps reading my concern, and then quickly added, "Some people who have the least ability become the best dancers because they have the most desire."
I immediately liked that answer because it's so true. Speaking for myself, I know that I was determined to become a good dance partner no longer how long it took. I was pretty embarrassed my first day in dance class, but I wanted to be a good dancer. And I have seen it in other students, too. When that fire awakens inside you, you just know you'll become good at whatever you are learning. Time is not of the essence. Only desire.
Unfortunately, Johnny was running out of time, and I could only squeeze in two more quick questions. I asked him to name a good CD people could practice their Salsa dancing to. Without hesitation he recommended "Salsa Fresca" (I have it myself).
And, finally, I asked him for some advice to pass on to the men. Men have the most difficult time learning Latin dances because they have to learn the steps, learn how to lead, and develop timing.
Johnny's reply: "Some teachers will have their students buy CDs and listen to them at home or in the car and just tap their hands to the beat."
That's as good a place to start as any. See you at the clubs!
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