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Edie,
The
Salsa
Freak!!
World Class Entertainment |
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This summer (1998) we decided to go on a dance vacation. Since learning to salsa two years ago in Pittsburgh, PA., the music and dance has become our hobby and passion. Because our opportunities here in Pittsburgh are limited, we try to visit other cities to take lessons and experience the nightclub scene. We have been fortunate to sample the dancing styles in New York, Chicago, Miami, D.C., Toronto, Puerto Rico and this summer, in LA and San Francisco. Our favorite city for style, instruction, nightclubs and friendly people HAS DEFINITELY BEEN LA!!!
During our 11-day trip to CA this July, we visited 10 different salsa clubs, participated in group lessons, attended two SF workshops taught by Alex Da Silva, and Garry & Isabelle and took a two hour private lesson from Josie Neglia in LA.
We felt we learned more in CA because lessons were taught on the "one", which is what we learned in Pittsburgh. We have taken lessons in New York and really struggled with dancing on the "two". Maybe if we were more advanced dancers, dancing on the "two" wouldn't be a problem, but we seem to lose our footwork when doing combinations and spins. What we liked best about the LA style of dancing was the rotational aspect (it reminded us of the "Tilt a' Whirl" ride at carnivals).....individual rotation, while, at the same time, rotating as a couple. Also, lots of spectacular dips, spins and pauses. In general, the styling was very sexy and wide-open, lots of back breaks and very, very fast movements. We don't want to offend other dancers/instructors from other cities, but at our current level of understanding and interpretation of this dance, the LA style appealed to us the most.....LA people seem to be having a lot of fun with this dance.
What made our trip most enjoyable was meeting Edie, the Salsa Freak.
Not only did she clue us in as to where to go dancing, she tipped us off to the World Salsa Congress "Take Off" party at Club Rio, where we were treated to dance routines by some of LA's best performance groups. We were totally mesmerized by Salsa Brava, Los Rumberos, LA Salsa Kids and others. It was at this club that my only claim to fame thus far in my dancing odyssey (Jeff) was to dance with Edie. She followed my "LAME" moves beautifully and by the end of the dance, my knees stopped knocking. It was also here that Edie introduced us to Josie Neglia, whom we took a private lesson from the next day....Josie, you were right....our dance friends in Pittsburgh noticed a big difference in our style/combinations when we returned home. 
Because we are both high school teachers, we are already planning next summer's trip, and it will most definitely be back to LA....when we plan to stay longer, take more lessons, experience more clubs and enroll in Edie's Salsa Bootcamp!
Salsaholically yours,
Jeff & Colleen Shirey
Pittsburgh, PA.
