Monday
Every Monday @ Slough Cricket Club, Upton Court Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL3 7LT - Click for more
We are back every Monday, please come and join us
Thursday
Thursday's @ New Windsor Community Association, Hanover Way, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 5NW - Click for more
We are hoping to be back in 2022.
Class Levels
All levels of dancers are welcome to any and all of our clubs or events.
Normally we split our groups into 3 levels: (Level 1) Beginner, (Level 2) Improver or Techniques and,(Level 3) Intermediate.
In our experience we've found that it takes on average 6 weeks in the beginners level before a person is ready to move up and cope with the next level..
The 6 week period is just a guide and can be quicker if people take, for example, more than one lesson per week, maybe had previous dance lessons.
All the other levels take progressively longer to complete, we always recommend that you check with the Dance adviser who is best positioned to inform Dancers when they are ready for the next level, or what you need to work on for the next level..
In cases where people leave a level too early, without the advise and consent of their Dance Adviser,they tend to struggle more to cope in the next class level.
This not only slows down that particular dancer's learning progress but also causes difficulties for all other dancers at that level, they may feel the lessons have slowed down and in some cases the person in the lesson who partner them will struggle more as they may nnot have the required ability. .
Class Levels and what to expect
Level 1 Beginners:
We run a rolling six week beginners course, this means your Dance Adviser will tend to vary what is being taught in a week depending on what the Class needs to learn and what has already be taught, sometimes things may be refreshed to prepare you for the next level.
The style we teach is the Cross Body On 1 Salsa.
You will learn all the basic footwork and simple turns. You will repeat parts as necessary, so that your basic Cross Body, Basic Lead Follow and Turns are ready for the next Level, if you are unsure please ask your Beginner Dance Adviser.
Do try to spend some time to dance after the lessons as well as good practice this will help you to understand how what you have been learning fits in to Dancing. not just following instructions.
Level 2 Improvers or Techniques:
The Improvers or techniques level, this level is where you will learn all the basic techniques to allow you to dance.
Techniques for Dancing, Leading and Following in the Cross Body Style.
As we give you the techniques used for Dancing the Cross Body Style including Turning, Spinning and spotting and cover some areas of Foot Work
this level will take between 4 and 6 Months.
Please do not rush this level Techniques are absolutely important for the next level.
Do try to dance after the lessons, this will help you to understand these techniques. Please always check with your Dance Adviser what you need to work on before the next level.
Level 3 Intermediate:
The Intermediate level is where you will put together the techniques you have been learning in Level 2 and using these Techniques add variations to these techniques, You should already be able to spin, here you will practice the techniques for multiple spins. These will be incorporated into moves or routines that you will use on the dance floor. Don’t forget your basic steps and remember you need to move to dance, this includes your feet.
As the intermediate moves are based on Lead Follow we quite often find in social dance, many people will use a lot of the Level 2 Techniques and Level 3 intermediate moves. This Level will often vary in the ease and complexity of the routines.
Normally we split our groups into 3 levels: (Level 1) Beginner, (Level 2) Improver or Techniques and,(Level 3) Intermediate.
In our experience we've found that it takes on average 6 weeks in the beginners level before a person is ready to move up and cope with the next level..
The 6 week period is just a guide and can be quicker if people take, for example, more than one lesson per week, maybe had previous dance lessons.
All the other levels take progressively longer to complete, we always recommend that you check with the Dance adviser who is best positioned to inform Dancers when they are ready for the next level, or what you need to work on for the next level..
In cases where people leave a level too early, without the advise and consent of their Dance Adviser,they tend to struggle more to cope in the next class level.
This not only slows down that particular dancer's learning progress but also causes difficulties for all other dancers at that level, they may feel the lessons have slowed down and in some cases the person in the lesson who partner them will struggle more as they may nnot have the required ability. .
Class Levels and what to expect
Level 1 Beginners:
We run a rolling six week beginners course, this means your Dance Adviser will tend to vary what is being taught in a week depending on what the Class needs to learn and what has already be taught, sometimes things may be refreshed to prepare you for the next level.
The style we teach is the Cross Body On 1 Salsa.
You will learn all the basic footwork and simple turns. You will repeat parts as necessary, so that your basic Cross Body, Basic Lead Follow and Turns are ready for the next Level, if you are unsure please ask your Beginner Dance Adviser.
Do try to spend some time to dance after the lessons as well as good practice this will help you to understand how what you have been learning fits in to Dancing. not just following instructions.
Level 2 Improvers or Techniques:
The Improvers or techniques level, this level is where you will learn all the basic techniques to allow you to dance.
Techniques for Dancing, Leading and Following in the Cross Body Style.
As we give you the techniques used for Dancing the Cross Body Style including Turning, Spinning and spotting and cover some areas of Foot Work
this level will take between 4 and 6 Months.
Please do not rush this level Techniques are absolutely important for the next level.
Do try to dance after the lessons, this will help you to understand these techniques. Please always check with your Dance Adviser what you need to work on before the next level.
Level 3 Intermediate:
The Intermediate level is where you will put together the techniques you have been learning in Level 2 and using these Techniques add variations to these techniques, You should already be able to spin, here you will practice the techniques for multiple spins. These will be incorporated into moves or routines that you will use on the dance floor. Don’t forget your basic steps and remember you need to move to dance, this includes your feet.
As the intermediate moves are based on Lead Follow we quite often find in social dance, many people will use a lot of the Level 2 Techniques and Level 3 intermediate moves. This Level will often vary in the ease and complexity of the routines.
Beginner Tips
Basic step
The basic movement common across most salsa styles is to step quick-quick-slow over the 4 beat measure. Typically the quick steps are on beats one and two, and the slow step is on three. Beat four may be used to transfer weight slowly, or in some styles a tap or kick is used. Notable exceptions to this timing are Salsa On 2, New York Salsa On 2 and Mambo which is also On 2. Cha cha cha also starts On 2 and has a different beat altogether.
Break step
The Break Step is important in most styles of salsa. It serves two functions. First, the break step occurs on the same beat each measure and allows the partners to establish a connection and a common ground regarding the timing and size of steps. Secondly the break step is used in an open break to build arm tension and allow certain steps to be led. On which beat the break step occurs is what distinguishes different Salsa styles, generally "On One" from "On Two."
Common turns
The following turns are used in almost all salsa dancing regardless of the basic used or style employed.
Outside Turn (Underarm Turn) – similar to the "arch turn" in swing and many other dances, follower turns clockwise
Inside Turn – follower turns counterclockwise (to her left)
Spot Turn – either, or often both, partners turn 360° remaining in the same spot
Extension – partners break in opposing directions to build arm tension between them. Often leads into a spot turn or an in-and-out.
In-and-Out (Copa) - From a cross-hand hold (left over right), leader creates an extension, then pulls the woman in with the right hand while leading the left hand over her head to the other side of her, causing her to turn 180° to her left. The follower is then pushed back out, and will do at least another half left turn to return her to facing the lead.
Cross Body Lead – follower is led to opposite side of lead, causing them to swap positions in a counter-clockwise fashion. Exists in other Latin dances such as Cha-cha-cha.
Reverse Cross Body Lead – same as Cross Body Lead, but couple exchanges positions in a clockwise fashion.
Basket – A type of extension where the leader is behind the follower and holds the follower's arms wrapped around her shoulders while she breaks forward and the leader breaks backward.
Windmill – A type of lead for a turn where rather than leading the turn from above the follower's head, the leader loops the arm widely down and up, so that the lead is more vertical than horizontal.
The basic movement common across most salsa styles is to step quick-quick-slow over the 4 beat measure. Typically the quick steps are on beats one and two, and the slow step is on three. Beat four may be used to transfer weight slowly, or in some styles a tap or kick is used. Notable exceptions to this timing are Salsa On 2, New York Salsa On 2 and Mambo which is also On 2. Cha cha cha also starts On 2 and has a different beat altogether.
Break step
The Break Step is important in most styles of salsa. It serves two functions. First, the break step occurs on the same beat each measure and allows the partners to establish a connection and a common ground regarding the timing and size of steps. Secondly the break step is used in an open break to build arm tension and allow certain steps to be led. On which beat the break step occurs is what distinguishes different Salsa styles, generally "On One" from "On Two."
Common turns
The following turns are used in almost all salsa dancing regardless of the basic used or style employed.
Outside Turn (Underarm Turn) – similar to the "arch turn" in swing and many other dances, follower turns clockwise
Inside Turn – follower turns counterclockwise (to her left)
Spot Turn – either, or often both, partners turn 360° remaining in the same spot
Extension – partners break in opposing directions to build arm tension between them. Often leads into a spot turn or an in-and-out.
In-and-Out (Copa) - From a cross-hand hold (left over right), leader creates an extension, then pulls the woman in with the right hand while leading the left hand over her head to the other side of her, causing her to turn 180° to her left. The follower is then pushed back out, and will do at least another half left turn to return her to facing the lead.
Cross Body Lead – follower is led to opposite side of lead, causing them to swap positions in a counter-clockwise fashion. Exists in other Latin dances such as Cha-cha-cha.
Reverse Cross Body Lead – same as Cross Body Lead, but couple exchanges positions in a clockwise fashion.
Basket – A type of extension where the leader is behind the follower and holds the follower's arms wrapped around her shoulders while she breaks forward and the leader breaks backward.
Windmill – A type of lead for a turn where rather than leading the turn from above the follower's head, the leader loops the arm widely down and up, so that the lead is more vertical than horizontal.