Our Urban Odyssey
what’s your story?

Salsa Libido

Salseras & Salseros in Training:

What an interesting past week for Nova and Bianca’s salsa universe. First, two winks to JPLogan, Salsero  extraordinaire. JPLogan graced us by coming to one of our practice sessions and showed us why he’s nicknamed “JP-on-2″. Ladies, watch out when this man has you on the dance floor. 

Highlights of interest:

• Going to a guest night where practice is open to the public is a different animal than class practice sessions. It’s like moving from shopping exclusively at a bodega to suddenly getting a Cosco’s. I had my choice of pickings, and the only discrimination I did was whether the man could dance on 2. I really, really tried to dance with my favorite on 1 dancer, but alas, the on-2 rhythm is a jealous lover, and won’t let my feet step where they should anymore. Bye-bye!
• That said, when a Peruvian little person asked me to dance with him, my only question was if he danced on two. For those who don’t know the politically correct term, the politically incorrect term is midget. He saw the skepticism in my eyes, and challenged my doubt in his height by asking me, have you seen me dance? Two lessons here, one for some of the disapproving eyes I got from men because I accepted his offer. One is, I love dancing and love people who love dancing and will not dismiss you for reasons other girls might. That’s what makes Nova Nova. The other is an Urban Odyssey lesson, so learn it well: the gods, orishas and guardian angels cloak themselves in many different forms. You should treat everyone with respect, period. Athena helped Odysseus throughout his journey through many different disguises. That said, it was a decent dance number even if he only reached my belly button.
• So I’ve been introduced to some new moves that I’m slowly getting comfortable with, and learning some of them have cheery names of origin, like “the Bronx”. Well I can’t recall this other one move’s real name, but I’ve always admired it when I see men do it and christened it with the name “The Matrix”. It’s when the man’s head suddenly dives down like Neo dodging a bullet (hot) and he curls under your arm. Now I didn’t know that ladies did it too… until I was surprisingly guided through it during a number. So here’s the point of this bullet: for men the name “The Matrix” remains. For ladies…? Well now that I have the female perspective of actually doing this move, I can only say that ladies, the first time you do this move without any warning from your partner you might find yourself having some flashbacks through memory lane. The man suddenly thrusts your head downward with urgency. You, being like “What the fuck?!” roll your head straight back up. Follow the man, ladies, I hear my teacher nag in my head. Salsa is a conspiracy concocted by some clever men. I herby name this move for ladies, the BJ dive. If you don’t get it, email me.
• Lord, why did someone introduce me to Bachata? Like I need another hot dance to learn. I’ll restrain myself on this… for now.

Share on Facebook