"Going Brasilian"

Last night I went with a group of ladies to Brasil's at Front and Chestnut Sts. in Philadelphia for Wednesday night Salsa lessons. Sadly, no tomatoes or jalapenos were involved ;)

I have 2 left feet but I was game. Our group of girls included two Colombians, who knew what they were doing and were quite capable of improvisation, an African American who had been taking lessons for three years, and myself and another newbie who took 3 hours to get the basics. The instructor was a very fit Brasilian woman who shot me looks of pity and disgust everytime we were "out of order".

At 9'o clock the room, which was straight out of the "Dirty Dancing" movie, with the wood floors and mirrors, had 17 "boys" on one side and 17 "girls" on the other. (I got carded on the way in; I am a "girl" again!) We went through the basic left foot, right foot, stop in the middle, 7 count deal and once I finally got that down, things got crazy.

There were spins and turns and arm motions and hip checks and just advanced moves I just kept laughing at. I tried, I really did. At one point I took off my blouse, I had a tank top on underneath, because I was hot as hell! With the constant "men rotate", I would end up with either a guy who knew what he was doing or someone who was just as inept as me.

After the 90 minute lesson (yes, an hour and a half with the lights full up) it was time to just let loose and dance. (lights down, and music!)

I danced with my friends but guys asked us to dance as well. Some laughed, nicely, at my ineptitude, some gave up and walked away!

By 12:30 a.m. I had caught on but it was time to leave. I was hot, sweaty and tired! The instructor gave me a flyer for beginner lessons at her studio. I hope I wasn't the only one :)

Next week is "All White" Cuban Night (not white people who cannot dance, upscale, fancy party night) so I think I'll skip. Do I want to go again? Sure! Beats the "white man overbite" and it is sexy as all get out!

It was sensual, athletic; people who had never partnered before just fell into a rhythm right away. It was so awesome (in the proper sense of the word) to watch!