Dance on Location: Miami
Any night of the week, dancers of all ages and abilities can be found doing the mambo, cha-cha and salsa under roofs all across Miami. Beginners may be learning their first cross-body lead in a low-key group class while experienced dancers can be found tearing up the floor to live Latin music at one of the city’s many clubs.
Latin dancing has been integral to Miami’s city life for years, due to its close proximity to Cuba and Puerto Rico. As a result, the city is flooded with studios where students can learn all styles of social and ballroom dance, especially those that are derived from a variety of Hispanic cultures.
“The Latin flavor is everywhere in Miami!” says Brent Alexander, director of the Salsa Cache program. “Shops, bars, club, parties. You name it, and there is going to be Latin music and dancing.”
Social dancing, especially in Miami, is unique because it exists simultaneously in the clubs and in the studios, and dancers of any level can hit the dance floor and show off their moves anytime. Years of study and weeks or months of rehearsal aren’t necessary to demonstrate the basic timing and positioning of a variety of dances. Of course, as always, practice makes perfect! Salsa Cache, one of many salsa studios in Miami, has made it a mission to “raise the standards in salsa education by focusing on rhythm, style and proper execution.”
“We really put emphasis in the early levels to create good habits and ultimately good dancers,” says Alexander. “Our goal is to transform first timers or non-dancers into confident people who can express themselves on the dance floor.”
The program specifically focuses on the casino rueda style of salsa, which is done in group in a wheel formation with followers being passed from partner to partner, almost like a square dance. There is a caller who gives instruction, sometimes in very quick succession. The result is a group energy that doesn’t exist in typical one-on-one partner dancing.
“Rueda is such a fun a dance,” Alexander says. “It’s Afro-Cuban movements are like no other. There is a certain group dynamic that happens when dancing rueda. [It’s] not immediately obvious to onlookers, but this is a choreographed dance, which produces a heightened state of awareness, as the participants focus to process the calls and transition to another move. The caller especially has to be totally ‘dialed in.’ He has to provide energy, be creative and is ultimately responsible for the continuity of the rueda. This style is very structured and universal. You can dance it in the streets, dance floors ... wherever! The rueda is essentially a great learning tool, which prepares you for one-on-one dancing. It’s exciting to do and exciting to watch.”
The biggest rueda in Miami takes place at Café Mystique every Thursday night, and free lessons in this unique style are offered.
Even if the Rueda isn’t your cup of tea, Miami offers endless options for social dancing, regardless of experience level. And social dancing isn’t just for adults who want some hot moves at the club. Children can get in on the fun, too.
“Our motto is if you can walk, you can dance, no matter your age, color or race. Anybody can learn to dance,” says Tony Duarte, founder and artistic director of Salsabor Tropical.
A mixed combination of students study at his studio, which offers separate programs for adults and children. Duarte says he’s found similarities and differences in these two contrasting age groups.
“I believe children are easier to teach because they do not question anything you ask them or teach them, they just do it,” he says. “On the other hand a lot of the adults sometimes have self doubt in what they can do or accomplish, and they make it harder for them to learn.”
Salsabor Tropical specializes in New York/Puerto Rican style salsa, which is better known as “salsa on two.” It’s given this moniker because you break on the second beat of the music, according to Duarte. Don’t be intimidated by the specifics, though. Duarte encourages beginners to drop by the studio and try it out.
“If they’ve never taken ‘salsa on two,’ then I suggest to take the beginners level to learn the foundation, timing and proper foot work for dancing ‘salsa on two,’” he says. The studio also offers a variety of levels for more experienced dancers of the form.
For those looking to exhibit their skills, there is a plethora of clubs that provide a venue for salsa, providing large dance floors and live bands or DJs who play music with a Latin beat. Most clubs cater to a specific niche, offering music in one style for one particular type of dance. However, clubs such as La Covacha present what’s been referred to as a “pan-Latin approach,” playing a mix of new and old tunes appropriate for dancing salsa, merengue, samba and more. Many clubs offer a free lesson at least one night a week, so it pays to do a little research before heading out. Websites such as salsapower.com and ineedmysalsa.com are devoted to providing information and reviews about salsa clubs in the Miami area.
For those who want to take a more professional approach to salsa, the annual Salsa Congress on Miami Beach is a don’t-miss event. For five days each summer, the best performers and instructors come together to provide non-stop classes, workshops and entertainment to the participants. The Congress also includes an all-levels open competition, with categories for amateurs, professionals and teams.
The Latin beat undoubtedly weaves the fabric that makes up the Miami culture, providing a venue for anyone of any age or ability to dance. Whether you’re a brand-new student looking to pick up some skills to show off at the club, a child learning new styles or an experienced professional, there will be a place for you to dance.
“Miami is a big city, and it has a lot to do, but as far as dancing [goes], Miami is embracing it really well,” says Duarte. “In my classes I have students of every color, race and ethnic background.”
Plus, it’s expected that if you are in Miami, you will dance.
“In Rome you must do what Romans do,” says Alexander. “Dancing is a form of expression. It’s a great icebreaker in many social events. It brings people together. Dancing led me to my wife!”
Resources:
Clubs
Café Mystique
7250 N.W. 11 St., Miami
Phone: 305-262-9500
La Covacha
10730 N.W. 25th St., Miami.
Phone: 305-594-3717
Or visit
Salsapower.com
Ineedmysalsa.com
Miami Salsa Congress
miamisalsacongress.com
Studios/Schools
Salsabor Tropical
786-290-0376
Salsabortropical.com
Salsa Cache
(Brickell Body)
90 S.W. 8th St.
Miami, FL, 33130
(305) 407-4267
Salsacache.com
Aventura Dance Studio
19026 NE 29 Avenue
Aventura, FL 33180
305)-466-3633
Aventuradance.com
Salsa Mia Dance Studios
(305) 987-3033
Salsamia.com