Salsa dancing in Santo Domingo?

[z_zapper]

Hi,

I've searched the forums extensively, and while a number of topics touch upon this question peripherally, nothing out there has helped me get a real sense of how much salsa dancing there is to be done in the capital? Has anyone out there actually done any salsa in SD? Any thoughts would be appreciated, as I'm trying to plan a vacation next month...

Thx,
Zain

[Dragonfly32837]

I just know that there is a lot of salsa dancing in the DR. Especially in the capital.... That's all they play in my hometown....

[MerengueDutchie]

salsa in the DR is reasonably present in Santo Domingo and Santiago.. but don't expect a very high standard in the dancing

[Ricardo900]

Dominicans are not big salseros, but a lot of clubs will play a couple of Salsa records to clear the dance floor and get people to the bar

[Stodgord]

Originally Posted by MerengueDutchie

salsa in the DR is reasonably present in Santo Domingo and Santiago.. but don't expect a very high standard in the dancing

You have to be kidding me. Dominicans are known in the Latin realm as the best Latin music dancers, especially Salsa for that matter. Man you need to get out of the pricey clubs and go down to where the locals go and I don't mean "los hijos de papi y mami go".


If you are looking for ballroom Salsa dancing then Santo Domingo is not for you. Ballroom Salsa is not Salsa period. Those people are so stiff that they might as well be dead.

[Ricardo900]

Originally Posted by Stodgord

You have to be kidding me. Dominicans are known in the Latin realm as the best Latin music dancers, especially Salsa for that matter. Man you need to get out of the pricey clubs and go down to where the locals go and I don't mean "los hijos de papi y mami go".

haha, Dominicans are the worst salsa dancers, yes of course a few of them know how to get down, but the majority of them, no way. I am yet to go to a dominican club and see dominicans crowding the dance floor to Gilberto Santa Rosa, Victor Manuelle, Tito Rojas, etc... But if the DJ plays Merengue or Bachata, "P'al Bailadooorr!"

[Stodgord]

Originally Posted by Ricardo900

Dominicans are not big salseros, but a lot of clubs will play a couple of Salsa records to clear the dance floor and get people to the bar

Ricardo,

The reason why you don't see the dance floor packed in a Latin Club, is because Salsa is all about style (not like in wears but body style). It is like French if you don't speak it correctly don't even try it. It is very demanding. Dominicans are big Salseros but they are self concious when dancing Salsa in a club setting. We don't like to "pasar verguenza" or "hacer el ridiculo".

It is enterntaining watching non dancers trying to dance Salsa, they look like they are killing 'cucarachas" with their feet. lol.

[Ricardo900]

Originally Posted by Stodgord

Ricardo,

The reason why you don't see the dance floor packed in a Latin Club, is because Salsa is all about style (not like in wears but body style). It is like French if you don't speak it correctly don't even try it. It is very demanding. Dominicans are big Salseros but they are self concious when dancing Salsa in a club setting. We don't like to "pasar verguenza" or "hacer el ridiculo".

It is enterntaining watching non dancers trying to dance Salsa, they look like they are killing 'cucarachas" with their feet. lol.

I agree with you about Salsa is all about style, I party with alot of Puerto Ricans, and they don't mind teaching non salseros dancing moves. I'll be in Santiago later this week and will be offering "Free Salsa Lessons" On1 & On2

[Dolores]

Salsa is alive and well in the DR. Now with my children and their friends in their teenage years was pleased to learn this first hand with my son and cousins participating in a 15 year old birthday (where salsa is danced) and the entire 10th grade class of one bilingual school spending four hours (from 4-8 pm) daily during the summer learning at Chicha's dance class. While I thought this was a dying out dance, from not much salsa being played at the hotel discos, did notice that the youngsters (14-20 years) took enthusiastically to their classes and to the rehearsals that take place for the 15 year old bash. Those that can dance well feel they have a superior edge into style.

[Stodgord]

Once you have really[u] learned how to Salsa in a sense you have acquired a PHD in Tropical Latin dances.