NYC Salsa 101 for Beginners

SATURDAYS, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

PERIDANCE CENTER
126 E 13th Street
Between 3rd and 4th Ave.
one block south of Union Square
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This open class introduces the basics of New York Style Salsa, including: 

• Leading and Following
• New York Salsa Timing
• Improvisation for Social Dancing
• Social Dancing Etiquette
• Turn Preparation & Execution
• New York Salsa Footwork Curriculum

This class is taught by BASo certified teachers and offers salsa solo and partner work instruction. The coursework is most appropriate for beginner dancers or for those who are more experienced in other salsa styles that wish to get an overview of New York Style Salsa (“on 2”). Students will begin with fundamental footwork to introduce body balance, weight transfer, and typical salsa timing patterns. Students will then learn the foundation of New York Style Salsa partner work according to BAILA Society’s beginners’ method, The Salsa Seven. The class will emphasize the importance of dance etiquette, safety, and proper leading and following techniques with the goal of creating a social dancing process that is comfortable, effective, and impressive. Lastly, BASo instructors intend to foster a deep appreciation of salsa in their students by providing comprehensive and interesting information on salsa music, history, culture, and theory.

Please note that new material is taught every week, and the class does not run by cycle. To maximize results and memory retention, students are encouraged to visit BAILA Society’s Online Dance Academy (www.BAILASociety.com), the largest online video library of dance instruction in the world. The Academy features full-length salsa lessons as well as supplementary concepts that are relevant to this class. 

   Syllabus 

Fundamental Solo Work

1. Basic Count
   • Suzy Q
   • Hook Step
   • Front Double Cross
2. Chord Beat Count
   • Chord Beat Crossovers
   • Four Corners
   • Cuban
3. Full Count
   • Half Swing
   • Traveling/Full Count Suzy Q
   • Flare Variations
4. Syncopated Count
   • Syncopated Front Double Cross
   • Pachanga
5. Solo Work Preparation for Partner Work
   • Right & Left Turns
   • Back Step (for Leaders)
   • Side Step (for Followers)
   • Contra-Body Motion

The Salsa Seven: BAILA Society has identified seven partner work figures that are at the core of New York Style Salsa (“on 2”) and which provide the basis for more complex variations.

1. The Basic
2. Stationary Turns
3. The Cross Body Lead
4. The Walk Around
5. The In-And-Out Turn
6. Trading Places
7. The Swing