Swanage could soon sway to a Latin beat if new salsa classes at The Mowlem this autumn turn out to be a success.
Dorset dance business Salsa Explosion has experimented with classes in the town for the past two years, but with the opening of The Studio in May 2024 there is now a perfect location for up to 80 dancers to practise and perform.
The success of Salsa Explosion in Bournemouth could soon be replicated in Swanage
Enthusiastic group of local dancers
A five week salsa course is starting at the Studio on Monday 21st October 2024, run by Bournemouth based Latin dance expert Enrique Perez.
An enthusiastic group of salsa dancers has already built up in Swanage, and if the autumn classes manage to consolidate or expand on that success, weekly classes are likely to become a permanent fixture.
There are already plans in hand for a Latin dance party at The Showbar in Swanage for Saturday 30th November 2024.
Salsa Explosion in Bournemouth is already becoming known for energetic Christmas dance parties and salsa on the water with summer boat parties in Poole Harbour.
The opening of The Studio at The Mowlem with its suitable dance floor, has made weekly salsa classes a possibility in Swanage
“Very sociable and happy dancing”
Enrique Perez said:
“I have been teaching for two years on and off in Swanage and we have a small community of 60 to 70 people there now. We have been trying to get into The Mowlem for a long time now, so I’m happy that we have finally done it for the salsa classes.
“Salsa is for everybody, we get dancers of all ages from 16 to 60, even a couple who are older than that. It’s the benefit of keeping healthy and meeting new friends, it’s very sociable and is very happy dancing.
“We will run classes for beginners, improvers and a little bit more advanced than that, and there is no need to sign up with a partner. The Studio is quite a big space and perfect for dance, so if all goes well, we plan to run weekly classes in Swanage after that.
“I think there is a lot of love for salsa in Swanage, because although there is a lot going on in the town, there is little in the way of Latin dancing classes here.”
Salsa Explosion lessons are for all ages, for both beginners and improvers
Selection of top guest teachers
Enrique’s Salsa Explosion company has been running for 30 years, with he and his team teaching not only salsa, but also bachata, kizomba and other disciplines.
They also run various special events and party and club nights, and have a selection of top guest teachers throughout the year, with Enrique also organising salsa festivals in Bournemouth and more recently in London.
Salsa, one of the most popular types of Latin dance that is practised worldwide, is a mixture of Cuban dances like mambo, pachanga and rumba, as well as some American influences such as swing and tap.
Like many other forms of Latin dance, salsa may trace its roots back to Cuba, but it was created in New York by Puerto Ricans, Dominicans and Cubans.
Salsa Christmas parties have become a much loved calendar event in Bournemouth
Plans for a Latin dance party at The Showbar are already in hand for the end of November 2024
Partnered dance with a fast tempo
The term ‘salsa’ was coined by Johnny Pacheco in the 1960s in New York, as an umbrella term for Cuban dance music being played in the city at the time.
It is most popularly known as a partnered dance with a fast tempo where the lead takes the follower through a series of spins and turn patterns to music, although dancers can also break apart to dance solo.
The five-week course for beginners and improvers at The Mowlem will teach the fundamentals of Cuban salsa, including basic steps, body movement, essential rhythm, posture, footwork and timing, as well as how to both lead and follow in the dance.
Comfortable clothes and shoes with leather soles or dance shoes are recommended, as rubber soled shoes are harder to learn to dance in since their grip makes it difficult to turn. Stiletto shoes are not permitted.
Summer sunset salsa on the water boat parties on Poole Harbour have also proved very popular
Watch the sun go down, then dance the evening away on a floating dance floor
Watch Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell salsa on Strictly Come Dancing
Further information
- Three classes will be held each Monday from 21st October 2024 for five weeks, for beginners at 6.15 pm, for improvers at 7.15 pm and for improvers in the Rueda de Casino, or wheel – a form of salsa danced with multiple partners in a circular fashion – at 8.15 pm
- A five week course costs £59, but individual one-off trial classes can be booked at £14. Advance booking is essential, by either ringing Enrique on 07969 633701, or emailing him at info@salsaexplosion.co.uk