What makes a good Salsa night.

I already wrote about what makes a bad Salsa night. And as I don't really want to come off as a horrible pain-in-the-butt complainer, I feel like it's my duty to write the reverse of that story and break down what makes an "On" night. Plus, as if to make up for that extra-horrible one, I've had good ones for the last week and a half. But last night was exceptional. So naturally what else would I be inspired to write about?

A good salsa night starts inside you. You'll never have one if you're feeling too sad/fat/skinny/clumsy/overdressed/underdressed/guilty/jealous or anything else that'd restrict you from being your natural bubbly self. I've found that a genuine smile goes a LOOOOOOONG way and the only way to produce one is to completely not care what anyone else thinks and just enjoy the music, dancing, and atmosphere.

I tried to think of more criteria for what makes a good salsa night, but quickly realized that all it is is a few milestone moments that put a smile on your face. I have three in mind from yesterday, which, of course, won't be applicable to anyone else, but oh well. It's my blog :)

A good night is when you can act like ten-year olds with a bunch of your friends at a practica and pretty much do whatever to just have fun. (Anna, Carlette, Michael, Jim, Tuo and Jim.... you know what I'm talking about ;) After all, toning up the skills of cutting in on a dance, as if to practice for your birthday, is equally as important as perfecting your turns. And then there's all those body rolls and hip-hop moves to master! Those, if synchronized, or done for the first time (or the fifteenth that looks like it's your first), will get you lots of laughs of approval. That's what practicas are for anyways, right?

Then there is a moment that makes you feel like you're in a classic film. Live Jazz is playing, and the music is so moving that you simply can't sit still. Luckily, your favorite lead is right in front of you, so you can just grab him and lose yourself in the dance. And then another one. And another one. And your dress is twirling, and that genuine smile automatically comes on and stays until your cheeks start hurting. Because the rhythm of the music is so good, and he is so completely comfortable to dance with...

And of course there is that moment of unexpected excitement when someone you never thought you'd EVER be good enough to dance with asks you for one (without a prompt). What makes it even better is that somehow you manage to relax and enjoy yourself instead of being anxious and nervous. And that's when the magic happens and you can fully appreciate his incredible skill and sense of timing -- a rare find on the floor. Leading your first step on a five instead of one after a combination? Not a chance! And the preps for the spins are timed precisely to a mille-second, so you know exactly how many he's going to fit in there, because it works so well with the music. When the lead has such an impeccable sense of timing you start to appreciate Salsa on an entirely different level. The experience is priceless.

Lastly... of course I couldn't leave even one post without a complaint. This is for all the leads out there who keep holding on with their thumbs... please stop hurting me! Nobody will die if I slip away from you during a turn. But there's really no reason for me to be leaving Century with bruises on my hands after an otherwise perfect night.

But even pain can't spoil a good night :)

Bruises:


In case you missed them: