When the sun sets over the Everett, Washington marina and the band strikes up a tropical beat, cocktail emboldened audience members hit the dance floor with salsa moves that range from “traditional” to a hip swaying version of the “chicken dance,” which I didn’t think was possible until I saw it. And, when the crowd starts to dance, I see a look on my husband’s face that’s well, priceless. He looks like he’s in pain. He actually winces and I can hear him—even above the music—sucking in his breath between his clenched teeth. He’s cringing at the people who go out there and wing it and just have fun and don’t care—people like me. In fact, there are some out there on the dance floor who are just doing wild, flopping jumping jacks of sorts.
“Someone’s going to get hurt!” Nate tells me.
“Oh, they’re just having a good time,” I reply.
“No, seriously—I don’t even know what that guy is doing,” he says, pointing at a man in sunglasses and a Hawaiian shirt trying to whirl himself madly about the dance floor. “He doesn’t even have a partner!”
“Maybe that’s how he’ll find one,” I say. “Eventually, he’ll hit someone.”
The band members, perhaps sensing danger as well, hold a steady beat and show the crowd how to move their feet and count to the music. It actually works for a while, until more than a few people just add loud counting to slightly off-rhythm- chicken-dancing. Then, the night really gets started.
“That’s it,” Nate tells me. “Alex is learning to drive and has friends. We’re going to be alone at night eventually. We can take salsa dancing lessons at night and we’re coming back here and we’re dancing together at the marina next summer.”
I’m not kidding; I spilled my beer and knocked over my plate of spaghetti when I heard him say this.
“You really mean it?” I ask.
“Yes. That’s what I’m getting us for Christmas this year: salsa dancing lessons.”
We pay our bill quickly and head home to get a jump-start on the lessons, through the help of YouTube. We find a video called: How to Do Basic Steps|Salsa Dancing, which features Jorday Rivera, a choreographer/dancer who has worked with Celia Cruz and Tito Puente. Of course, the moment we hit “play,” we shout at the screen, “Whoa! Slow down!” The first step she shows really isn’t that complicated or “fast;” we’re just thinking too hard about trying to look exactly like her. Eventually though, we learn how to move forward and backwards while saying, “Forward, two, three, back, back, step.”
“This does not bode well,” Nate says.
“I know. I haven’t even tried any of these moves in heels. Women dance in high heels, Nate. I haven’t worn high heels since I was 17. I can’t—I can’t even with the high heels. I won’t make it out onto the dance floor.”
We reassure each other that not even professional dancers learn from videos. They learn in dance studios, which is what we plan to do. After Christmas. And, as far as shoes go, I have plenty of time to learn how to walk in high heels OR try the advice and products suggested in the Dance Papi blog post “Salsa Shoes for Women who Hate Heels” by Jessica Mehta.
We settle into the couch and decide to just watch salsa dancing for a while, but then the fears creep in.
“At these dance lessons, Nate. Will there be other people? Or will we be the only one ones?”
“I’m thinking it’s group lessons. Private lessons would probably cost too much.”
“So, what if everyone else catches on and we can’t? I hate that. I hate it when everyone else catches on and I’m still putting my shoes on and stumbling about in heels. I’ve been in dance classes before, Nate. I’ve been there. You know what happens when you don’t catch on? The instructor puts you in the corner. They put you in the corner, Nate! We’re going to end up in the corner!”
Nate reminds me that we’re practicing ahead of time so that we don’t end up in the corner, which kind of makes me feel better, sort of. However, I need to leave the room—get some air—watch my own salsa dancing videos upstairs on my computer and practice. But something happens: I just get lost in the rhythms and end up doing what people at the marina did: winging it. I channel my inner tropical chicken and flop about wildly, while Nate watches with horror near the door, which is cracked open. When I hear him suck in his breath through clenched teeth, I turn around to reassure him.
“This dance looks much better in high heels; I promise.”
Your Turn: What is a dance you would like to learn? Discuss!
What an awesome Christmas present that will be:)
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It sure will be–I can’t wait:)
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That sounds like fun and it will keep you on your toes with work, family, and miscellaneous etc. …..
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Yes–I can’t wait for Christmas now:)
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I saw salsa in the headline and thought of salsa to eat 😂
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I love that kind of salsa too–and it’s safer–no injuries:)
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I think it’s about time to dust off my disco shoes because I really think disco dancing will make a come back 😉
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Disco is fun!
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How fun! I’ve always wanted to learn a proper waltz.
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Waltzing sounds (and looks) so elegant–I’d like to try that one too!
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Hi. If there’s anything that isn’t my forte, it’s dancing.
I admire your courage!
Take care (and don’t trip) —
Neil S.
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Thanks so much! I’ll have to post a follow up in the winter after we start taking the classes 🙂
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Oh. My. Gosh. That is hilarious! I was cracking up, just reading it. Apparently, you ain’t letting nobody put you in a corner! 😀
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No way! 🙂
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How to not trip over my own feet. 🙂
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🙂
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thank you for a great post! 🙂
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on Anniegoose's Blog.
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I learned to two step years ago. I had a huge learning curve to overcome but loved it when I finally didn’t trip over my own two feet. I rather miss not having a partner who dances. I think I would try a waltz. Sounds chic.
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Oh! Such good ideas–I don’t know which one I’d do next–two-step or the waltz? Nice!
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Sigh. Don’t worry about “the moves” so much. Just let your body hear the music and it will move. No one (except your husband) really cares. Most people just want to dance and had fun!
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Great advice–thanks!
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When I used to go dancing and a guy that was WAY better than me asked me to dance I would say something like, “But I’m not that good.” And I was told over and over that “being good” is not really what it is about, it is about having fun. A leader would rather take you out on the floor with you knowing nothing and show you a good time then have you be a pro and you have a bad time! Just have fun!
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I went to a wedding once where the bride and groom were ceroc dancers as were most of their friends (not us) – brilliant reception! I’d have to find another partner though since the only time my husband dances is when he’s had too much alcohol to be actually capable of dancing….
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I had no idea what ceroc dancing was until I saw your comment and I looked it up–it looks like fun!!! I want to learn that one next:)
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It does look like fun – the bride and groom met through their ceroc classes – definately a contact sport!
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I love salsa, I once learnt a bit at gym.
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I can’t wait to learn it for real! It should be fun:)
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I totally sympathize. I know how to chicken dance because I’ve been to a lot of Mexican weddings over the year, but salsa intimidates me. I went to a salsa club once with these three young women I carpooled with. The one who salsa danced all the time tried to to take me out on the dance floor and I freaked out and refused to budge.
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Thank you for sharing this hilarious post!
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You are so welcome!
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