PE 1162

Salsa

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2015-2016.

This class will cover Beginner through Intermediate level Salsa moves. Students will learn step variations and turn patterns as seen in Latin social dance and nightclub settings in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and everywhere in the world where the Salsa phenomenon has caught on. Class begins with a warm-up of Salsa step patterns, where we review and introduce variations called "shines." We then move into partner work, learning turn patterns with rotating partners. Latin body movement and rhythm is taught in the warm-up and partner work sections. In partner work, special emphasis is placed on: lead-follow connection; frame and tension; spatial awareness; nuance, flow and savvy. Salsa in Rueda de Casino format will be introduced later in the semester as an additional way to enjoy Salsa. In Rueda, dancers change partners within a circle and perform dynamic combinations to the arrangement of a caller. Learning aids include a syllabus, music and video tutorial. Requirements: Ability to hear and dance to Salsa music on the timing of "quick quick slow". It is also useful, though not required, to have some knowledge of basic Salsa step variations, the right turn, open-break turn, and cross-body lead. No partner necessary, though encouraged. This class is gender-free in that every student is free to choose the lead or follow as their dominant role. Each student will learn some of each.

When Offered Fall, spring.

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