La Salsa Muy Salsa!

Fourth Avenue turns up the heat with the addition of Salsa Salsa Dance Studio. Marcus Gonzalez and Raymond Colón, the owners, saw an opportunity to expand the original Salsa Salsa in Bushwick by opening a second studio in Park Slope. Doors opened in February and classes have been steadily filling. They teach a particular form of salsa, called On 2, or New York club style which refers to the beat on which dancers change direction. Beside salsa, classes are offered in tango, hip-hop, ballroom, and soon tap, Bollywood, and ballet.

This past Saturday, Marcus Gonzalez taught Beginning Salsa from 1:30 to 3:30. Wearing a headset microphone over his white bandana, he faced ten students in a line before him. They watched him demonstrate turn patterns and steps, laughing at his jokes and feeding off his enthusiasm. The narrow studio is painted a peachy hue, and a mirrored wall reflects the dancers and the matching light fixtures behind them. Two standing speakers on either side of the room project a full, quality sound of the lively salsa music from a sophisticated soundboard. Shoe cubbies and coat hangers keep the space neat and the floor clear while students shuffle around the floor. For a small space, it is organized and well planned—they have even thought to include a small vending machine stocked with Gatorade. Extended periods of salsa can be tiring, after all.
After the jump: An eclectic crowd, one-on-one attention.
Photo: Marcus Gonzalez explains how to incorporate an accidental elbow to the jaw into your salsa moves

Not bad for beginners!

By the end of the two-hour session, the class has the new steps down. There is at least a thirty-year age range between the students. Two daring younger ladies wear high-heels, while the less intrepid keep to soft-soled flats. You don’t need a partner to participate—partners are constantly rotating and Marcus jumps in to dance with any singles left out of the rotation. He keeps the class going 10 minutes after its scheduled finish time to make sure everyone feels confident with the new material; after class is dismissed, he answers questions and provides extra help. For the amount of instruction and personal attention showered upon the students, you certainly get your money’s worth.

Live salsa drumming at the Social

Every other Friday Salsa Salsa hosts a Social from 9:30pm to 2am; the next Park Slope Social is this Friday, the 20th. For $10 you get to dance to live drummers and salsa DJs and practice your moves with dancers of all levels. It’s a good way to experience salsa in a relaxed, casual setting. It’s also great inspiration: new beginner classes start at the beginning of each month, and both weekend and weekday classes in May have open spots. If you’re brave enough to drop by the Social, you will be asked to dance—and likely by Marcus. That’s the best thing about salsa, he told his class. Even if you have no idea how to dance, a good partner can lead you in a way that will make you feel like you’ve been dancing salsa forever.

Salsa Salsa Dance Studio
Bushwick: 888 Broadway (near Myrtle Ave.)
Park Slope: 55 Fourth Avenue (between Bergen and Dean)
(718) 602-1322, info@salsasalsadancestudio.com