Final Aventura Dance Cruise

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How To Become a Better Lead?

As we progress through our Salsa learning, it is important to keep in mind how we make our partner feel. Many novice or inexperienced dancers believe that dancing Salsa requires moving, turning or spinning your partner around; or, simply that all they need to do is get through a dance by any means necessary. Dancing is fun to do and watch, but it can be dangerous if not mastered properly. Here are few gentlemen tips, which I am sure can help anyone become a better lead.

Establish your control: This starts from the very first eight counts you execute with your partner. Make sure that you have good eye to eye contact and clearly maneuver the follower through a cross body lead. This can also be the time when the lead evaluates the follower’s level of experience. Many times gentlemen go into a dance blind, without taking the time to get to know their partner; what style of dance they do or how to handle their new partner. A good way to establish control is to always ask the lady “do you dance on one or on two?” Doing so will avoid missteps, drop in confidence and make the lady feel important, because it is all about them.

Avoid using your thumb: Forcing your partner through a move is not enjoyable to experience or to watch. Ladies don’t enjoy being thrown around, handled like a toy while trying to dance. Remember there is a difference between “dancing with your partner” and “dancing your partner”. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes when dancing with a novice follower, we may need to use a bit more effort, but it should never be to the point where it becomes an eye sore. Our lead should be subtle, clear and precise.

Stay macho: A gentlemen who stays on the beat, owns his ground, spread his arms during certain move (such as a right turn), keeps his elbows at 45 to 90 degrees and body fully engaged is so much more enjoyable then one who bumps into other dancers all the time, is off beat, keeps his arms soft or along his body (noodle hands) and bends forwards to lead his partner. Staying macho also means keeping a good posture; your chest should be pumped, stomach tucked in, knees slightly bent, hands at tray level, chin up and eyes on your partner. This is not to be confused with being an arrogant dancer! Always be courteous and act like gentlemen. Next month we will write an article about how to become a better follower.

Drink Up!

Many ask the question, when it comes to dancing, which is better to drink, water, sports or energy drinks?

When a person sweats during your dance classes, their body is losing valuable water and electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential minerals such as salt, potassium and chloride. The electrolytes we lose can easily be replaced with our next meal, but it’s vital that we keep ourselves well-hydrated. Why? Left unchecked, dehydration can lead to fatigue, poor performance, and possible injury.

Sports drinks are really for people who will be exercising long term. So it is great for marathon runners and professional athletes (and dancers) who spend several hours a day working out. The main key is to not get dehydrated.

Quick and Easy Spanish Rice

This is a great side dish to go with beef or pork, or as a quick snack.

Ingredients:

1 (15 ounce) can stewed tomatoes

1 1/2 cups chicken stock

1 1/4 cups rice

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

2 teaspoons chili powder

3/4 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1 teaspoon cumin

Preparation:

In medium saucepan, combine all ingredients (mash tomatoes with potato masher or give them a quick spin in food processor if desired). Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low.

Cover and simmer 25 minutes or until rice is done. (Unless you like sticky, gooey rice, don't take off the lid and stir at all until it is done). Garnish with green onions and/or cheddar cheese. Serves 8.

What's Happening With Want2Salsa?

Hello again W2S Friends and Family! Hope that the month of February was as exciting for you as it was for all of us here at W2S.

North Carolina: We started the month supporting our local clubs, Hellas and Via 216 Bar and Grill, in Fayetteville, NC. Thanks to Via 216, we got to enjoy the music from the Nueva Era Bachata band, who performed all of their best songs for Bachata lovers in this All-American city. For all of you Salsa lovers, if you are ever on this side of the country, stop by Fayetteville, NC, during your travels and we will show you a good Salsa time.

We took the W2S energy on a road trip to our sister city of Charlotte NC, to celebrate, dance, learn new moves, and party at the Charlotte Salsa invitational 2013. We partied and took workshops for two nights and three days, with some of the best dancers in the USA and around the world like the "Mambo King" Eddie Torres, Francisco Vasquez, the creator of LA Style Salsa, and Nery Garcia , the creator of Salsa Elegante, and lots of other fantastic dancers. The W2S crew also enjoyed watching performances from out-of-state performers, like Ingrid La Gringa Buxbaum. A highlight was also watching some of the Charlotte home-grown dance groups perform.

We also took our new W2S t-shirt (Chillax I've got this Salsa) to the invitational and Eddie Torres became an instant fan of it! Don't forget to get your very own and join the growing group of Salsa lovers that are sporting the W2S look.